When NEEDTOBREATHE’s Bear and Bo Rinehart set out to write the songs that appear on the band’s new album, The Reckoning, they felt something bigger awaited them. It wasn’t just commercial success either. The band’s last album The Outsiders hit No. 9 on Billboard’s Rock Albums chart, went Top 20 on the Top 200, saw the band sell out venues such as Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and Chicago’s House of Blues, and score an impressive number of placements in blockbuster films and numerous prime time television-shows.
With their reputation as a must-see live act built from non-stop touring, the Rinehart brothers, pastor’s sons who hail from the rural South Carolina town of Possum Kingdom, along with drummer Joe Stillwell and bass player Seth Bolt, were determined to create a statement-making album that truly captured the magic behind this genuinely appealing rock band.
Lyrically, all roads lead from the album’s title, which Bear says has several different meanings, one of them being the justification of accounts. “I like the idea that you put in all this work and at some point it comes to a peak -- that’s the reckoning time.”
What the band emerged with is a timeless-sounding album rooted in classic American rock and roll, unafraid to veer off into unexpected directions. Songs such as “Maybe They’re On To Us” address the paranoia of wondering whether people know too much about the band. “It also asks, ‘Are we still driven in the same way?’ We’re always questioning ourselves,” Bear says. Even the songs that may sound light-hearted on the surface, like “White Fences,” “Slumber,” and “Drive All Night,” explore serious themes. “’White Fences’ is about the American dream of growing up in a big house with a white picket fence, but when the dream is broken and things don’t pan out the way you planned, asking who’s going to fix it,” Bo says. “’Slumber’ is meant to be about how beauty is all around you but you just can’t see it because of the funk you’re in,” Bear says. “It speaks to something that we really care about which is giving yourself a chance.” And there’s “Drive All Night,” a galloping barnstormer that Bear sees as a statement on the false idea that one can run away from one’s problems.
With their intriguing melodies and bright choruses, the songs on The Reckoning are certain to translate in the live setting, something that is crucial to the band. “The worst thing that could happen is you get done playing and people don’t think about you again. We’ll do whatever it takes to force people to make a decision about our band, whether they love us or not. It makes for more passionate fans.”
Angel At My Door
NEEDTOBREATHE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where do I find the piece of your heart to keep you satisfied
What do I got to do to my love to make you even notice
Where do I find the words in my mouth to cut through the air tonight
'Cause every day I know that I am learning
And age, it ain't the only thing in life
But if memory's all you have then I can't find you
So we open up the door
Let the music take us further than before
We've opened up the door
'Cause maybe there's an angel standing on the porch
How do I face the man that I am when my heart's still in hiding
Staring me down, the days of my life that I've gotta justify
Maybe I need the cracks in my skin, emotions are hard to carry
Maybe I need the strength in your eyes to cut through the morning time
'Cause every day I know that I am learning
And age, it ain't the only thing in life
But if memory's all you have then I can't find you
Beneath those eyes, yeah
So we open up the door
Let the music take us further than before
We've opened up the door
'Cause maybe there's an angel standing on the porch
Oh, maybe there's an angel
Oh, maybe there's an angel at my door
Oh, maybe there's an angel at my door
Standing up high, taking this light,
Oh, I'm gonna see the shining
Yeah, maybe there's an angel at my door
Oh, maybe there's an angel at my door
We open up the door
Let the music take us further than before
Gotta open up the door
'Cause maybe there's an angel standing on the porch
Oh, we gotta fall like we're behind
Yeah, we gotta fall before we find
Oh, we gotta live like we were poor
Oh, we gotta show what hope is for
We open up the door
Let the music take us further than before
Oh, gotta open up the door
Maybe there's an angel standing on the porch
The lyrics to NEEDTOBREATHE's "Angel at My Door" explore a deep desire to connect with someone on a deeper level, despite the struggles and challenges that may arise. The singer is searching for a way to make their love understood and noticed by their partner, and they feel hindered by their own doubts and insecurities. They long for the strength and emotional support that they believe their partner can provide, hoping that their love will allow them to cut through the uncertainties of life together.
As the song progresses, the singer seems to gain a sense of hope, singing about the possibility of an angel standing at their door. They acknowledge that life can be difficult, but by opening up and letting the music take them further, they may be led to a deeper connection with themselves and others. The song's chorus emphasizes the importance of stepping outside of one's comfort zone, taking risks, and being vulnerable in order to find the love and guidance they seek.
Line by Line Meaning
What do I got to do to my love to make you understand me
How can I show you my love in a way that you truly comprehend and appreciate?
Where do I find the piece of your heart to keep you satisfied
Where can I discover the part of your heart that I need to cherish in order to make you happy?
What do I got to do to my love to make you even notice
How can I express my love to you in a way that you can't help but pay attention?
Where do I find the words in my mouth to cut through the air tonight
What words can I say that will truly resonate with you and have a memorable impact?
'Cause every day I know that I am learning
I am aware of the fact that I am constantly growing and gaining knowledge with each passing day.
And age, it ain't the only thing in life
Although aging is a part of life, it is not the only defining factor that shapes our experiences.
But if memory's all you have then I can't find you
If your life is solely defined by your past memories, I won't be able to discover who you truly are as a person.
Beneath those eyes
Beyond your outer appearance and facial expressions.
So we open up the door
Metaphorically, we are allowing new experiences and opportunities into our lives.
Let the music take us further than before
Allowing ourselves to be moved and inspired by music can take us to new emotional heights.
'Cause maybe there's an angel standing on the porch
Perhaps there is a symbol of hope or inspiration that is waiting for us in a place that we least expect.
How do I face the man that I am when my heart's still in hiding
When I am struggling to bare my true feelings, how can I confront the person that I am?
Staring me down, the days of my life that I've gotta justify
I am forced to confront and explain the events of my life that have led me to this moment.
Maybe I need the cracks in my skin, emotions are hard to carry
Perhaps the imperfections and vulnerabilities that make me human are what allow me to connect with my emotions in a profound way.
Maybe I need the strength in your eyes to cut through the morning time
Perhaps the love and support of someone I care for is what I need to face each day with renewed energy and hope.
We open up the door
Once again, we are embracing the unknown and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable to new experiences.
Oh, maybe there's an angel
This line is repeated throughout the song to emphasize the idea that there is hope and inspiration waiting for us in unexpected places.
Standing up high, taking this light,
This could possibly refer to a beacon of hope or inspiration that is guiding us towards a brighter future.
Oh, I'm gonna see the shining
This could be interpreted as the singer's determination to find the hope and inspiration that is waiting for them.
We gotta fall like we're behind
In order to truly experience life, we must approach it with the same childlike wonder and curiosity that we had when we were young.
Yeah, we gotta fall before we find
We often need to stumble and make mistakes in order to discover what truly matters to us.
Oh, we gotta live like we were poor
By embracing simplicity and gratitude, we can appreciate the value of the things we possess in life.
Oh, we gotta show what hope is for
We can bring positivity and inspiration to others by demonstrating the power of hope in our own lives.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Nathaniel Rinehart, William Rinehart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind