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.”
The Heart
NEEDTOBREATHE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't no love like an old romance
Got'sta make hay when the sun is shinin'
Can't waste time when it comes time to dance
Slammin' this door with a heavy hand
Signin' this line like a deed to land
Keeping in touch with the windows down
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
That piece you can find
That part is the whole
And it never let's go
Always tryin' to be the one outlaw
Goes where he wants never does get caught
Pushing this line like the Lord ain't comin'
Building this house like he's scared of something else
Be my winter in this living hell
Be my one last dying wishing well
Oh well
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
That piece you can't find
That part is a whole
And it never let's go
Got'sta make hay when the sun is shinin'
Can't waste time when it comes time to dance
Keeping in touch with the windows down
Dreading this night since the rain hit the ground
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
That piece you can't find
That part is a whole
And it never let's go
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
No matter how far
How heavy this load
It never let's go
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
No matter how far
How heavy this load
It never let's go
The lyrics of NEEDTOBREATHE's song The Heart are about seizing the moment and living life to the fullest. The opening lines, "Ain't no gift like the present tense, Ain't no love like an old romance," highlight the importance of living in the moment and not dwelling on the past or future. The lines, "Got'sta make hay when the sun is shinin', Can't waste time when it comes time to dance," emphasize the importance of taking action and not letting opportunities pass by.
The second verse of the song talks about taking risks and living life on one's own terms. The line, "Always tryin' to be the one outlaw, Goes where he wants never does get caught," suggests someone who is unafraid to take risks and live by their own rules. The line, "Building this house like he's scared of something else," alludes to someone who is afraid of something but continues to live fearlessly.
The chorus repeats the lines, "Long live the heart, Long live the soul, That knows what it wants," emphasizing the importance of knowing oneself and living accordingly. The last lines of the song, "No matter how far, How heavy this load, It never lets go," suggest that the heart and soul must persevere through hardship and adversity, never losing sight of what is truly important.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't no gift like the present tense
Living in the present moment is a priceless gift
Ain't no love like an old romance
The love from a long-lasting, deep connection is irreplaceable
Got'sta make hay when the sun is shinin'
Opportunities should be taken advantage of when they arise
Can't waste time when it comes time to dance
Live life to the fullest and seize every moment
Slammin' this door with a heavy hand
Making a firm decision and taking action
Signin' this line like a deed to land
Acknowledging the weight of a commitment
Keeping in touch with the windows down
Remaining open to the world around us
Dreading this night since the rain hit the ground
Feeling uneasy about an upcoming event
Long live the heart
May our passion for life endure
Long live the soul
May our inner being thrive
That knows what it wants
Letting our inner desires guide us towards our goals
That piece you can find
That missing link that completes us can be discovered
That part is the whole
Those little parts make up the entirety of who we are
And it never let's go
Our inner desires and passions never fade away
Always tryin' to be the one outlaw
Striving to be unique and unconventional
Goes where he wants never does get caught
Living life freely without being held back or limited
Pushing this line like the Lord ain't comin'
Taking risks and living life boldly without fear of consequences
Building this house like he's scared of something else
Fighting against the unknown and facing fears headstrong
Be my winter in this living hell
Being a source of comfort during difficult times
Be my one last dying wishing well
A final hope and desire before the end
Oh well
Accepting the outcome, no matter what it may be
No matter how far
Despite the distance, time, or obstacles faced
How heavy this load
Overcoming burdens and hardships, both physical and emotional
It never let's go
Our inner desires and passions never fade away
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Nathaniel Rinehart, William Rinehart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@erinking8072
[Verse 1]
Ain't no gift like the present tense
Ain't no love like an old romance
Gotta make hay when the sun is shinin'
Can't waste time when it comes time to dance
Slammin' this door with a heavy hand
Signin' this line like a deed to land
Keeping in touch with the windows down
Dreading this night since the rain hit the ground
[Hook]
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
That piece you can find
That part is the whole
It never lets go
[Verse 2]
Always tryin to be the one outlaw
Goes where he wants never does get caught
Pushing this line like the Lord ain't comin'
Building this house like they're scared of something else
Be my winter in this living hell
Be my one last dying wishing well
Oh well
[Hook]
[Bridge]
Gotta make hay when the sun is shinin
Can't waste time when it comes time to dance
Keeping in touch with the windows down
Dreading this night since the rain hit the ground
@berhanesenay222
Ain't no gift like the present tense
Ain't no love like an old romance
Got'sta make hay when the sun is shinin'
Can't waste time when it comes time to dance
Slammin' this door with a heavy hand
Signin' this line like a deed to land
Keeping in touch with the windows down
Dreading this night since the rain hit the ground
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
That piece you can find
That part is the whole
And it never let's go
Always tryin' to be the one outlaw
Goes where he wants never does get caught
Pushing this line like the Lord ain't comin'
Building this house like he's scared of something else
Be my winter in this living hell
Be my one last dying wishing well
Oh well
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
That piece you can't find
That part is a whole
And it never let's go
Got'sta make hay when the sun is shinin'
Can't waste time when it comes time to dance
Keeping in touch with the windows down
Dreading this night since the rain hit the ground
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
That piece you can't find
That part is a whole
And it never let's go
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
No matter how far
How heavy this load
It never let's go
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
No matter how far
How heavy this load
It never let's go
@serenam3970
I heard it on Hart of Dixie and it made the ending perfect, this song is amazing!!!!
@87annek
+Serena M the same song was in season 3 ep 20 :)
@zihuamaestra
Serena M uhuiii
@tomas22432
didn't watch hart of dixie til it made it to netflix and that now makes me sad
@audreymontes9316
I loved how they turned it into a musical
@KellehNikole
@tomas22432 I feel your pain. Same here. I'm currently watching it now.
@lucyroderick6515
The beautiful vibrations emitted from these harmonious voices sets my heart on fire❤️
@alfalfa
Not many bands or songs can make you misty eyed while your dancing but this one can, what an amazing singer and group! God speed guys.
@mundopedagogico6734
Que vibe maravilhosa, vontade de guardar essa música num potinho 😢💕
@DragonsSongStudios
I love this its the perfect song ❤