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.
If All Else Fails
Matchbook Romance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So carefully, brush her hair back from her eyes
In steady sequence, one by one.
She slips away.
So close your eyes and sleep to dream.
I'm by your side.
No words to speak.
No matter how far I go my heart remains with you.
And I'm not sure what I'm looking for.
But it's clear to see the purpose of my exsistance Is laying here in front of me.
So close your eyes and sleep to dream.
I'm by your side.
No words to speak.
We'll set our course and make it through.
No matter how far I go
And if all else fails you can look up at the sky
Because it's the same one that shines above you and I.
And if all else fails you can close your eyes
And I'll be right beside you.
I'll be the one by your side.
So close your eyes and sleep to dream.
I'm by your side.
No words to speak.
We'll set our course and make it through.
No matter how far I go
No matter how much this hurts
I wanted you to know,
My heart remains with you.
The lyrics of Matchbook Romance's song If All Else Fails appear to be about a dying or unconscious person, possibly a loved one, and the singer comforting them in their final moments or state. The first verses describe the silence and stillness in the room as the person slips away. The chorus is a soothing reassurance to the dying person that they are not alone, that their partner is there with them through it all, and that their love will endure even after death. The second verse is a reflection on the singer's purpose in life, which seems to be connected to their relationship with the person dying.
The final chorus brings the song to a close with the same reassuring message as before, but with the added backup plan of looking up at the sky or closing one's eyes and imagining the singer alongside them. The song is tender, melancholic, and uplifting all at once, and its simplicity and sincerity make it a powerful expression of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
A subdued silence undisturbed by the sound of her breath.
The silence around them is so quiet that the only sound she makes breathing is inaudible.
So carefully, brush her hair back from her eyes
Gently push away her hair so that she can see clearly.
In steady sequence, one by one.
Doing things in order and taking them slowly.
She slips away.
She's falling asleep.
So close your eyes and sleep to dream.
Close your eyes and fall asleep to see your dreams.
I'm by your side.
I'm always here for you.
No words to speak.
No need to talk when we're together.
We'll set our course and make it through.
We'll face our problems head-on and get through everything together.
No matter how far I go my heart remains with you.
Even if I'm not physically close, my love will never fade away.
And I'm not sure what I'm looking for.
I am lost and unsure of what I want in life.
But it's clear to see the purpose of my existence Is laying here in front of me.
My purpose in life is clear, as it's right beside me.
And if all else fails you can look up at the sky
If everything else goes wrong, look at the sky for comfort.
Because it's the same one that shines above you and I.
We all share the same sky, and we both can look at it for comfort.
And if all else fails you can close your eyes
If everything else goes wrong, close your eyes and imagine a better place.
And I'll be right beside you.
I'll always be there for you.
No matter how much this hurts
No matter how much we suffer.
I wanted you to know,
I need you to understand the depth of my feelings.
My heart remains with you.
My love will never fade away.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zman0031
almost a decade, thanks matchbook romance. Im still listening to you, and playing you for my kids. Generations passed...
@TH3SLEEPING
Your kids are lucky to have a parent with great taste in music
@Antoinegn
Matchbook Romance deserved more visibility than they got at the time. Know what I mean? They have like 4M views on their guitar hero song but this great album has no visibility and it marked my youth. This is among my best teenage years album.
@coreymonk
They were outshined by taking back Sunday and brand New ....
I miss this era of musicians
@insignificantfool8740
from Philippines, love this song... brings back memories, this band is way ahead of it's time...
@jonathanruiz6716
The best song from Matchbook💜Romamce!!
@jsvmusic
No matter how far I go my heart remains with you. Nostalgia.
@PJWebb-rp7un
I’m 31 and back in high school all over again
@iriastokes4756
me too :)
@rymj412
35 and still listening 🫡