The band formed in 1997, constisting of Andrew Jordan (vocals & guitar), Ryan "Judas" DePaolo (backing vocals & guitar), Ryan Kienle (bass) and Aaron Stern (drums).
They have released two albums: Stories and Alibis (2003) and Voices (2006), one EP named West for Wishing (2003) and one split EP with Motion City Soundtrack .
Matchbook Romance headlined the Epitaph Tour in early 2005, playing alongside their label mates Motion City Soundtrack, From First to Last, The Matches and Scatter the Ashes.
As of March 12, 2007, Matchbook Romance have parted ways and have gone on an indefinite hiatus.
As of March 12, 2009, Matchbook Romance have announced that they are reuniting and have 3 tour dates up with more dates and news to come.
14 Balloons
Matchbook Romance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or walk aimlessly into oncoming traffic?
Third times a charm, but would we even get that far?
Though I owed it to everyone, but I owe it to myself.
Well, I've got fourteen balloons
But, I think I'll let them take to the sky
Well, I've got fourteen balloons
The song "14 Balloons" by Matchbook Romance showcases the portrayal of self-awareness and learning to let go. The opening line of "What makes us burn every bridge we cross?" brings up the idea of self-destructive behavior and how it can cause someone to lose everything they have worked for. This self-destructive behavior is further exemplified in the line "Or walk aimlessly into oncoming traffic?" which shows a disregard for one's own safety.
The chorus of the song provides the solution to the problem: letting go. The singer has fourteen balloons – a metaphor for letting go of the things holding them back – and decides to release them into the sky. The act of counting the balloons one by one and saying goodbye shows the importance of acknowledging what is being let go and coming to terms with it. The line "Though I owed it to everyone, but I owe it to myself" emphasizes the importance of doing what is best for oneself, even if it is not what others expect or want.
Overall, "14 Balloons" is a song about personal growth and the difficult but necessary act of letting go of what is holding us back. It encourages the listener to be self-aware, take control of their own life, and let go of things that no longer serve them.
Line by Line Meaning
What makes us burn every bridge we cross?
What pushes us to destroy all our relationships?
Or walk aimlessly into oncoming traffic?
Or make reckless decisions without thinking of the consequences?
Third times a charm, but would we even get that far?
People say that things will work out on the third try, but do we have enough hope to make it that far?
Though I owed it to everyone, but I owe it to myself.
I have a responsibility to others, but I also have a responsibility to myself and my own happiness.
Well, I've got fourteen balloons
I have fourteen things that I need to let go of.
But, I think I'll let them take to the sky
I'll release them and let them go, letting them drift away.
We can count them one by one, and say goodbye
We'll acknowledge each thing individually and say goodbye to them all.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind