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.”
Moving On
NEEDTOBREATHE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We will soon be back together just before the stars align
When the curtain falls for one last time and closes out the show
Marching left, right, left, another step Keep smiling as you go
Movin' on
Movin' on
But, then, nothing seems to stay afloat living in the saddest town
When the curtain falls for one last time and closes out the show
Marching left, right, left, another step Keep smiling as you go
Movin' on
Movin' on
Movin' on
Movin'
You're out of room for marking days on the wall
The lines remind of just how long I've been gone
You're holding on but now it's time to let go
Just let it go
Movin' on
Movin' on
Movin' on
Movin' on
We could be the story that'll break your heart
We could be the victim of a fall apart
Maybe we could last another week or so
Movin' on baby means you gotta let it go
The song "Moving On" by NEEDTOBREATHE explores the theme of moving on from a relationship that has come to an end. In the opening lines, the singer asks if they can put back all the pieces of the puzzles that were left behind. This suggests that the relationship was once whole but has now been broken and is in need of repair. The singer hopes that they can fix things before the stars align, which may signify a moment of opportunity that is quickly approaching. When the curtain falls for one last time and closes out the show, the singer acknowledges that it's time to move on. However, they urge themselves to keep marching left, right, left, with a smile on their face as they move forward.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Movin' on" several times, indicating the central theme of the song. The singer is sick of good intentions that always seem to drown, suggesting that despite their best efforts, they were unable to salvage the relationship. They feel like they've been living in the saddest town where nothing seems to stay afloat, referencing the difficulty of letting go of a past relationship. The final lines of the chorus affirm the need to keep moving on.
The second verse includes a poignant image of marking days on the wall. The lines remind the singer of how long they've been gone from the relationship, and they realize that it's time to let go. The bridge of the song presents two possible scenarios: they could be the story that will break someone's heart, or they could be the victim of a fall apart. But ultimately, the singer knows that moving on means letting go, even if it's difficult.
Overall, "Moving On" is a powerful song about the emotional turmoil of letting go of a relationship that's come to an end. Its lyrics capture the pain of loss and the struggle to move on, but ultimately, it's a hopeful song that suggests that moving on is possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Can we put back all the pieces to the puzzles left behind
Can we try to mend what's broken and restore what we left unfinished?
We will soon be back together just before the stars align
We'll be reunited when everything falls into place and destiny brings us together.
When the curtain falls for one last time and closes out the show
When everything comes to an end, and the final act is over.
Marching left, right, left, another step Keep smiling as you go
Keep moving forward, even if it's hard. Don't forget to keep a positive attitude.
Moving on
Let's keep going and leave the past behind us.
I'm sick of good intentions how they always tend to drown
I'm tired of trying to do the right thing, but it always seems to backfire and make things worse.
But, then, nothing seems to stay afloat living in the saddest town
Despite our efforts, nothing seems to work when we're in such a hopeless place.
You're out of room for marking days on the wall
You've been gone so long that you've run out of ways to keep track of time.
The lines remind of just how long I've been gone
The marks on the wall show just how much time has passed since I left.
You're holding on but now it's time to let go
You've been clinging to the past, but it's time to move on.
Just let it go
Don't hold onto what's gone; release it and move forward.
We could be the story that'll break your heart
Our story might be heart-wrenching and tragic.
We could be the victim of a fall apart
We might end up falling apart and destroying what we have.
Maybe we could last another week or so
Our relationship might not have much time left.
Movin' on baby means you gotta let it go
Moving forward requires letting go of what's holding you back - even if it's painful.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Nathaniel Rinehart, William Rinehart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind