Discography:
2007 - Memphis May Fire (EP)
2009 - Sleepwalking
2010 - Between the Lies (EP)
2011 - The Hollow
2012 - Challenger
2014 - Unconditional
2016 - This Light I Hold
2018 - Broken
In early 2007, the band recorded and self-released an EP, and began creating a local following. Shortly thereafter, Memphis May Fire caught the attention of Josh Grabelle, the president of Trustkill Records. In September 2007 the band had officially signed to Trustkill, and their self-titled EP (Memphis May Fire)was reissued through the label in December 2007.
Memphis May Fire hoped to release their debut album by summer 2008, however, during the recording sessions for the album, lead singer Chase Ryan decided to leave the band. Chase explained that he felt that his priorities should be with his newborn child and not a band. Upon announcing his resignation, bass player Austin Radford also decided to part ways with the band shortly thereafter. He would be replaced by Cory Elder. Open auditions were held shortly after Chase's departure, and he was eventually replaced by a new vocalist, Matty Mullins. By this time, Memphis May Fire had already recorded their instruments for the new album with producer Casey Bates and only needed Mullins to contribute his vocals.
Their debut full-length studio album, Sleepwalking, was released on July 21, 2009, through Trustkill Records. Memphis May Fire has described the album as "a new breed of rock n' roll" and musically it has "more aggressive guitar work and noticeably more melodic, but still retains that southern swagger." Their song "Ghost in the Mirror" was used on the soundtrack for the movie Saw VI.
The official music video for "Ghost in the Mirror" was released on February 2nd, 2010 through the Trustkill YouTube page.
Memphis May Fire released a second EP entitled Between the Lies on November 2, 2010, through Bullet Tooth Records with more energy and a different style than their previous releases. On December 9, 2010 the band post in their Facebook that the song "Action/Adventure" will be featured in the video game Rock Band 3. In 2010, Matty Mullins was featured in the song "That's What She Said", from Kid Liberty's debut album Fight with Your Fists.
On January 17, 2011, Rise Records announced Memphis May Fire signed to the label and that a new album will be released in spring. The band recently wrapped up the recording of their upcoming full-length record at Chango Studios (Of Machines, I See Stars, Sleeping with Sirens, etc.) in Orlando, Florida.
On March 3, 2011, a full album teaser for their sophomore album The Hollow was released via Rise Records YouTube page, including its release date of April 26, 2011. On March 22, a full song from The Hollow, titled "The Sinner", was released to Rise Records YouTube page and on iTunes. On April 23, the entire album was released on the Rise Records YouTube page.
On September 15th, the video for the lead single from The Hollow, "The Sinner", directed by Thunder Down Country was released on YouTube.
On February 15th, 2012, a live music video recorded in Orlando Florida for the song titled "The Unfaithful" was released on their YouTube Page.
On February 11th it was announced by Kellen McGregor that the band will be working with Cameron Mizell shortly again, to record their third studio album, Challenger. The album was released June 26th, 2012 through Rise Records while the band is on Warped Tour. On April 11th around midnight, Ryan Bentley announced he has parted ways with the band in a tweet saying "I'm no longer in Memphis May Fire. Details later." On April 17th, the band announced that Anthony Sepe (ex-Decoder) would be replacing Ryan Bentley as their new guitarist:
"For those who may not know already, we recently decided to part ways with our guitarist, Ryan Bentley, and wish him nothing but the best. He's a talented individual and we have no doubt that he will be successful no matter where life leads him. With that said, we'd like all of you to give a warm welcome to our new guitarist Anthony Sepe."
On March 25, 2014, their album Unconditional was released. On October 28, 2016, the band released the album This Light I Hold and on November 16, 2018, the album Broken was released, these last three all through Rise Records.
Current members:
Kellen McGregor – lead guitar, backing vocals, programming, keyboard (2006–present), lead vocals (2006)
Matty Mullins – lead vocals (2008–present)
Cory Elder – bass (2008–present)
Jake Garland – drums, percussion (2010–present)
Touring:
Samuel Penner – rhythm guitar (2017–present)
Former members:
Tanner Oakes – bass (2006–2007)
Ryan Dooley – drums (2006–2007)
Chase Ryan Robbins – lead vocals (2006–2008)
Jeremy Grisham – drums (2007–2008)
Austin Radford – bass (2007–2008)
Daniel De Los Santos – bass (2008)
Joel Seier – rhythm guitar (2009–2010)
Eric Molesworth – drums (2008–2010)
Ryan Bentley – rhythm guitar (2006–2009, 2010–2012)
Anthony Sepe – rhythm guitar (2012–2017)
Alive In The Lights
Memphis May Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I embraced it, but you didn't.
Your normal life, nine to five,
It's just not for me.
I need to feel alive!
I won't fall like the rest of them,
They've come and gone with the wind.
But still I'll see this through to the end.
Maybe if you paid more attention,
Asked more questions and actually listened
You would see this is not just a dream,
But a path I've chosen that means everything to me.
Don't you see the minds that have changed?
Don't you see the lives that have been saved?
Don't you care to see the difference I've made?
Listen closely, the highways call my name.
Don't you see this is my everything?
It may not seem right to you
And you might not approve but it's real.
This is the only thing that makes me feel.
What more do I have to do
To finally prove myself to you?
What is it that you need to see
To finally believe this is who I'm supposed to be?
Most days I feel like your punching bag,
But I would never let it hold me back.
I just wish for once you knew
How it felt to be brought down lower than everything else.
Don't you care to see the difference I've made?
Listen closely, the highways call my name.
Don't you see this is my everything?
It may not seem right to you
And you might not approve but it's real.
This is the only thing that makes me feel.
This is who I am! This is my life.
I come alive in the lights!
I come alive in the lights.
What will be written on your tombstone?
You sat behind a desk.
You had no backbone.
What will be written on your tombstone?
You sold your soul, grew old alone.
Would you prefer that I become a lifeless,
Hollow shell such as yourself?
Would you prefer that I give up my dreams
And lose all hope just like everyone else?
Don't you see the lives that have been saved?
Listen closely, the highways call my name.
Don't you see this is my everything?
It may not seem right to you
And you might not approve but it's real.
This is the only thing that makes me feel.
The lyrics to Memphis May Fire's "Alive In The Lights" speak to the experience of feeling different and struggling to have those around you fully understand and support your life choices. The singer asserts that they have always known they were different, but their loved ones do not accept this difference. While others around them are content with a "normal life" of a nine-to-five job, the singer needs to feel alive and pursue something that is meaningful to them.
The lyrics also touch on the experience of feeling unsupported and unheard by those closest to you. The singer asks their loved ones to pay more attention and listen to what they have to say, to see the positive impact they are having on others and their community. They express frustration at feeling like a "punching bag" to those they care about, but still hold out hope that they will be understood and accepted.
Overall, the song is a powerful anthem about staying true to oneself, even in the face of adversity, and pursuing one's dreams and passions despite the doubts and criticism of others.
Line by Line Meaning
From the beginning I knew I was different.
I was aware of being unique and special since the start.
I embraced it, but you didn’t.
I accepted it for myself, but you rejected me.
Your normal life, nine to five,
The typical way of life people usually follow.
It’s just not for me.
I am not meant for that kind of life.
I need to feel alive!
I need to experience things that make me feel alive.
I won’t fall like the rest of them,
I won’t give up like others.
They’ve come and gone with the wind.
Others have failed and disappeared quickly.
I hear the doubt in the back of your mind
I can sense your uncertainty.
But still I’ll see this through to the end.
Despite it, I will complete this journey.
Maybe if you paid more attention,
Perhaps if you cared more.
Asked more questions and actually listened
You would inquire and hear me out.
You would see this is not just a dream,
You would realize this is not a mere fantasy.
But a path I’ve chosen that means everything to me.
It is a personal journey that is of utmost importance to me.
Don’t you see the minds that have changed?
Can’t you see the impact I’ve had on people’s lives?
Don’t you see the lives that have been saved?
Can’t you see how many lives have been positively affected?
Don’t you care to see the difference I’ve made?
Don’t you want to acknowledge the impact I’ve had?
Listen closely, the highways call my name.
My passion is calling me, and I must go.
Don’t you see this is my everything?
Can’t you understand that this is my all?
It may not seem right to you
You may not agree with me.
And you might not approve but it’s real.
But this is my reality, and it is genuine.
This is the only thing that makes me feel.
This is my only source of happiness and excitement.
What more do I have to do
What else must I accomplish?
To finally prove myself to you?
What can I do to earn your trust and support?
What is it that you need to see
What kind of evidence do you require to see?
To finally believe this is who I’m supposed to be?
To finally accept that this is my true calling?
Most days I feel like your punching bag,
Most days I feel like I am being attacked by you.
But I would never let it hold me back.
However, I will never let it deter me.
I just wish for once you knew
I just hope that you can understand.
How it felt to be brought down lower than everything else.
How it feels to be belittled and to lose all motivation.
This is who I am!
This personality is me!
This is my life.
This is my path.
I come alive in the lights!
I feel rejuvenated and alive with my passion!
What will be written on your tombstone?
What is the legacy that you will leave behind?
You sat behind a desk.
You lived a monotonous life.
You had no backbone.
You lacked the courage to pursue your dreams.
You sold your soul, grew old alone.
You spent your time pursuing money and material things, and now you are alone.
Would you prefer that I become a lifeless,
Would you rather have me become a zombie-like shell?
Hollow shell such as yourself?
An empty and meaningless existence like yours?
Would you prefer that I give up my dreams
Would you rather I abandon my aspirations?
And lose all hope just like everyone else?
And lose all hope and enthusiasm like the rest?
Don’t you see the lives that have been saved?
Do you not recognize the lives that have been saved because of me?
Listen closely, the highways call my name.
Listen carefully, my passion is calling me to follow my dreams.
Don’t you see this is my everything?
Can’t you accept that this is my every passion and drive?
It may not seem right to you
I know it may not make sense to you.
And you might not approve but it’s real.
However, this is my true calling.
This is the only thing that makes me feel.
This is the only source of fulfillment and excitement.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KELLEN MCGREGOR, MATTHEW MULLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hansol
No other breakdown from any song has given me chills as intense as the one I get from this song's breakdown; the build up of angst and pity anger all gushing and exploding stemming from deep rooted emotions during the breakdown is just bliss. I'm so glad to have ears.
proxi
i couldnt agree more
Discover Crypto
Such a good band. I love your videos bro, you helped inspire my channel!
Gabriel :/
<3
Gabriel :/
@Baarkszz bro just likes the song lmao why are you so mad?
2NR-CAMCAR
Almost 11 years and this is my favourite song till now💥💥
Nick Flo
Christian or not (even though I'm a born and raised Catholic) the songs Memphis May Fire makes can effect us all for the better. I love metal. Probably will never stop liking it. All I can really say is this album helped me achieve sobriety after a life of sin and self-destruction. I hope all you listeners take the most out of these songs as you can whether it's for becoming sober or not.
Marcell Roncsák
''It's insane to able to write something that I feel passionate about and share it with the world, watch it first hand change and inspire people's lifes'' Matty Mullins I'm one of those people. Writing and playing music is the only thing that makes me feel, too. And there are a lot of people who don't understand this. Thanks you MMF for the awesome music, for the inspirations, for the hope, for Challenger, for everything <3
tofupuff
words cannot explain how amazing this is, there is faith in music. this is faith.
SeanyGee
This song is so similiar to my life because currently I'm in a band and when I perform, i feel literally alive in the lights. It's an amazing feeling.