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.”
Happiness
NEEDTOBREATHE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Singing oh, happiness
I got a homesick heart but a long ways left to go
I've been doing my part but I ain't got much to show
So I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
There ain't no life worth doing what I did to you
So I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
I got dreams that keep me up in the dead of night
Telling me I wasn't made for the simple life
There's a light I see, but it's far in the distance
I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
Singing oh, happiness
Singing oh, happiness
I've been working all night, maybe you could help me to believe
This song ain't nothing if this song can't set you free
So I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
I got dreams that keep me up in the dead of night
Telling me I wasn't made for the simple life
There's a light I see, but it's far in the distance
I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
Singing oh, happiness
Singing oh, happiness
Sometimes you leave the ones you love
But if it's love, they won't give up
'Cause they know a war's raging and you gotta choose
These days are tough, these days are long
Sometimes it's hard, you carry on
But I hear a voice singing and I know it's true
I got dreams that keep me up in the dead of night
Telling me I wasn't made for the simple life
There's a light I see, but it's far in the distance
I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
Singing oh, happiness
Singing oh, happiness
Oh, happiness
Singing oh, happiness
The song "Happiness" by NEEDTOBREATHE is a plea for forgiveness and a pursuit of happiness. The singer begins by acknowledging their homesick heart and lack of progress, asking for forgiveness and stating that their pursuit of happiness is all for the person they are singing to. They then mention their dreams and the need for forgiveness, all the while continuing to sing about happiness.
The second verse talks about the singer's late nights and how they need help to believe that their music can truly set people free. They continue to sing about their dreams and the light that they see, but clarify that it is still far in the distance. The chorus repeats the previous sentiments, emphasizing the pursuit of happiness and singing them over and over again.
The final verse is a reflection on the difficulties of life and how sometimes it is necessary to leave the people we love. However, if it is true love, then they will not give up on the relationship. The singer then discusses the war that is raging and the difficult choices that must be made, but they hear a voice singing and know that it is true. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, singing about happiness once again.
Overall, "Happiness" is a song about the pursuit of happiness and the difficult choices that must be made in life. It is a plea for forgiveness and a desire to move forward and find happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Singing oh, happiness
Expressing the desire for joy and contentment
I got a homesick heart but a long ways left to go
Feeling nostalgic for the past while being aware of the long journey ahead
I've been doing my part but I ain't got much to show
Working hard but feeling like it isn't making much of a difference
So I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
Requesting forgiveness for past mistakes and shortcomings
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
Doing everything for the sake of another person's happiness
Chasing that life, moving on 'cause I had to prove
Striving to prove oneself by pursuing a certain lifestyle or goal
There ain't no life worth doing what I did to you
Acknowledging the pain or hurt that may have been caused in pursuit of that goal
I got dreams that keep me up in the dead of night
Having aspirations and ambitions that never allow one to rest
Telling me I wasn't made for the simple life
Believing that a life focused on simplicity is not suited for one's aspirations
There's a light I see, but it's far in the distance
Seeing hope or a goal in the future, but knowing it is a long way off
I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
Once again, asking for forgiveness for past mistakes or shortcomings
I've been working all night, maybe you could help me to believe
Working hard all night and needing someone's help to restore belief or faith
This song ain't nothing if this song can't set you free
Putting high importance on the impact music can have on people's lives
Sometimes you leave the ones you love
Acknowledging that love sometimes involves sacrifice or difficult decisions
But if it's love, they won't give up
Believing that true love will endure despite obstacles or hardships
'Cause they know a war's raging and you gotta choose
Understanding that life can be a battle and choices must be made
These days are tough, these days are long
Acknowledging the difficulties and challenges of daily life
Sometimes it's hard, you carry on
Despite the difficulties, continuing on and persevering
But I hear a voice singing and I know it's true
Hearing an encouraging voice or message and believing in it wholeheartedly
Singing oh, happiness
Once again expressing the desire for joy and contentment
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Whitney Phillips, Ido Zmishlany, Nathaniel Rinehart, William Rinehart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ellafant9424
Lyrics to the song:
Singing oh, happiness
Singing oh, happiness
I got a homesick heart but a long ways left to go
I've been doing my part but I ain't got much to show
So I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
Chasing that life, moving on cause I had to prove
There ain't no life worth doing what I did to you
So I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
I got dreams that keep me up in the dead of night
Telling me I wasn't made for the simple life
There's a light I see, but it's far in the distance
So I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
Singing oh, happiness
Singing oh, happiness
I've been working all night, maybe you could help me to believe
This song ain't nothing if this song can't set you free
So I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
I got dreams that keep me up in the dead of night
Telling me I wasn't made for the simple life
There's a light I see, but it's far in the distance
So I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
Singing oh, happiness
Singing oh, happiness
Sometimes you leave the ones you love
But if it's love, they won't give up
Cause they know a war's raging and you gotta choose
These days are tough, these days are long
Sometimes it's hard, you carry on
But I hear a voice singing and I know it's true
I got dreams that keep me up in the dead of night
Telling me I wasn't made for the simple life
There's a light I see, but it's far in the distance
So I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
Singing oh, happiness
Singing oh, happiness
Oh, happiness
Singing oh, happiness
@chriskilmer6367
This is my testimony that God’s exists and loves all of us.
In the mid-2000’s, I had what I can only describe as an encounter with God.
I now believe the point of my experience was for me to share it with you so that you can know how Jesus feels about each and every one of us.
I was in my mid-20’s at the time and driving on HWY 290 just outside of Bastrop, TX. All of the sudden, a bright light rushed into my mind. The light had intellect, a personality, and a presence which felt too immense for my mind to properly handle.
I had always imagined that my first meeting with God would involve me reverently introducing myself to an unapproachable deity. Instead, I surprised myself by loudly demanding “where have you been?!” with a huge smile on my face. I was greeting a beloved family member I had somehow forgotten about but had never really stopped searching for.
God's presence felt more like home to me than anything else I had ever experienced. It made my life up to that point feel foreign, fleeting, and insubstantial by comparison, much like a mist or dream.
It also gave me the distinct impression that my time on earth, as compared to my time with Him, was akin to a small, dark smudge on an expansive sea of white light. This new outlook on my existence made the hardships of life and the darkness of this world no longer seem so daunting to me.
God emanated an intense pride and love for me. It had nothing to do with what I had done or would do. It was simply because He had made me. How He felt for me at that moment was how I later felt for my own children when rocking them to sleep at night.
God’s presence faded away after a few minutes. I somehow knew it would, but was still disappointed God didn't say anything to me. Why make such a spectacular entrance into my life, not say anything, and then fade away?
I eventually figured out that God didn't need to say anything to get His message across to me. It was simple and yet undeniable; "I am here, I love you more than you know, and nothing can ever come between us because I am God and I will not allow it." Nothing more really needed to be said.
@maryachieng365
Singing oh, happiness
Singing oh, happiness
I got a homesick heart but a long ways left to go
I've been doing my part but I ain't got much to show
So I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
Chasing that life, moving on 'cause I had to prove
There ain't no life worth doing what I did to you
So I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
I got dreams that keep me up in the dead of night
Telling me I wasn't made for the simple life
There's a light I see, but it's far in the distance
I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
Singing oh, happiness
Singing oh, happiness
I've been working all night, maybe you could help me to believe
This song ain't nothing if this song can't set you free
So I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
I got dreams that keep me up in the dead of night
Telling me I wasn't made for the simple life
There's a light I see, but it's far in the distance
I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
Singing oh, happiness
Singing oh, happiness
Sometimes you leave the ones you love
But if it's love, they won't give up
'Cause they know a war's raging and you gotta choose
These days are tough, these days are long
Sometimes it's hard, you carry on
But I hear a voice singing and I know it's true
I got dreams that keep me up in the dead of night
Telling me I wasn't made for the simple life
There's a light I see, but it's far in the distance
I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness
It's all for you in my pursuit of happiness
Singing oh, happiness
Singing oh, happiness
Oh, happiness
Singing oh, happiness
Source: LyricFind
@elijahlopez8258
I didn't really listened to Christian music, but one day my radio wasn't getting signal, except the Christian station.now I only listen to songs that praise Jesus. it feels so good, even in hard days.
@kaylanicole4836
Elijah Lopez Wow!!! Praise The Lord 🙌🏾❤️😍
@jaclynmontoya450
See,that's the holy spirit.its like God purposely made the stations " out of order " so you can come close to him.i got closer to God by Christian music.i got baptized because God was literally speaking to me through Christian songs,that's vood for you I'm happy for you. : )
@jaclynmontoya450
Good I mean
@CoogieProductions
Elijah Lopez RAWR
@morganmcdaniel5367
Elijah Lopez that’s God working on your relationship with him
@meggypeggy9142
His voice is literally so underrated this needs to be recognized more I love this song so much
@lancashirelops
Yeah its just so good!!!!!!!!!!
@corinthian123
Yes, Bear aka William Stanley Rhineheart lll, is a great signer. But I doubt he will ever leave the group, because that would mean walking out on his friends and his little brother.
@autumnthomas4881
My uncle is the drummer. He said that he sounds the EXACT same outside of the studio. And he's also super nice