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.”
seasons
NEEDTOBREATHE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because every single call is a chance
To realize we're dependent
On the fate of our circumstance
We′ve been living minute to minute
We've been holding on to every breath
Somehow our hearts are still in it
But all our innocence has left
We're in for nasty weather
And I′ll ride it out with you
We won′t be riding highs and lows
Like tides of ocean blue
We won't be here forever
Just a moment then we′re through
We can't be shifting with the sands
Like seasons always do
Like seasons always do
Everything we said was a reason
For us to pick up our things and go
But even when we climbed up the mountain
We knew that we had nowhere to go
We′re in for nasty weather
And I'll ride it out with you
We won′t be riding highs and lows
Like tides of ocean blue
We won't be here forever
Just a moment then we're through
We can′t be shifting with the sands
Like seasons always do
I was in, I was in perpetual anticipation
I never knew what was worse
The evil I, the evil I had spent my time
Reliving all of the worrying that made it hurt
I am done, I am done with waiting on the creek to rise
′Cause there's more to life, oh there′s more to life
There's more to life
We′re in for nasty weather
And I'll ride it out with you
We won′t be riding highs and lows
Like tides of ocean blue
We won't be here forever
Just a moment then we're through
We can′t be shifting with the sands
Like seasons always do
Like seasons always do
The lyrics of "Seasons" by NEEDTOBREATHE convey a sense of uncertainty and the constant changes that occur in life. The first verse speaks about the struggle to understand one's own flaws and limitations. The line "We can't decide if we are fallen" indicates a deep introspection and a recognition of the human condition. Every decision made is seen as an opportunity to realize how much we rely on the unpredictable outcomes of our circumstances.
The lyrics also touch upon the fleeting nature of life. Living "minute to minute," holding onto every breath, it becomes apparent that time is passing quickly, and our innocence and naivety gradually fade away. The phrase "all our innocence has left" suggests a loss of purity or an awareness of the harsh realities of the world.
In the chorus, the song turns metaphorical, using the idea of weather and seasons to represent the ups and downs of life. The "nasty weather" symbolizes the challenges and hardships that everyone will face, but the singer promises to endure those difficulties alongside their loved one. They refuse to emotionally fluctuate like the unpredictable tides in the ocean, implying a commitment to stability and unwavering support.
The second verse delves into the contradictory nature of relationships. The words spoken between the two individuals initially only served as justifications for leaving the situation behind. Even when they tried to find solace or higher ground by "climbing up the mountain," they were aware that it wouldn't ultimately lead anywhere. This reflects the complexity of human connections and the struggle to find meaningful purpose.
The bridge takes a more personal tone, with the singer reflecting on their own perspective. They admit to being caught in a cycle of anticipation, constantly worrying, and reliving past mistakes that only caused pain. However, they reach a point of realization and decide to let go of the anxiety. They acknowledge that there is more to life than dwelling on past hurts and waiting for things to change.
The final chorus reiterates the commitment to endure the stormy weather together and not be influenced by the ever-shifting sands of time. The repetition of the line "Like seasons always do" emphasizes the cyclical nature of life's changes. Despite this, the song's overall message is one of resilience and embracing the uncertainties that come with each passing season.
Line by Line Meaning
We can't decide if we are fallen
We are unsure if we have lost our way
Because every single call is a chance
Every decision we make opens up new opportunities
To realize we're dependent
To understand that we rely on others
On the fate of our circumstance
On the outcome of our situation
We've been living minute to minute
We have been living in the present moment
We've been holding on to every breath
We have been anxiously clinging to hope
Somehow our hearts are still in it
Despite everything, our emotions are still invested
But all our innocence has left
We have lost our naivety
We're in for nasty weather
Difficult times lie ahead
And I'll ride it out with you
I will endure the hardships together with you
We won't be riding highs and lows
We won't experience extreme fluctuations
Like tides of ocean blue
Like the unpredictable waves of the ocean
We won't be here forever
Our presence is temporary
Just a moment then we're through
Just a brief period and then it will be over
We can't be shifting with the sands
We can't adapt to constant change
Like seasons always do
Like the ever-changing seasons
Everything we said was a reason
Every word we spoke had a purpose
For us to pick up our things and go
To encourage us to leave and move on
But even when we climbed up the mountain
Even when we achieved something great
We knew that we had nowhere to go
We were aware that we had no ultimate destination
I was in perpetual anticipation
I was constantly waiting for something to happen
I never knew what was worse
I was uncertain about what was more painful
The evil I, the evil I had spent my time
The harm caused by the worries I obsessed over
Reliving all of the worrying that made it hurt
Re-experiencing the pain caused by excessive worrying
I am done, I am done with waiting on the creek to rise
I am finished with passively waiting for things to improve
'Cause there's more to life, oh there's more to life
Because there are greater experiences and opportunities
There's more to life
There is a deeper meaning to existence
Writer(s): William Rinehart, Nathaniel Rinehart, Joshua Lovelace, Seth Bolt
Contributed by Samantha P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
dustreed1
🎶 We can’t decide if we are fallen
Because every single call is a chance
To realize we’re dependent
On the fate of our circumstance
We’ve been living minute to minute
We’ve been holding on to every breath
Somehow our hearts are still in it
But all our innocence has left
[Chorus]
We’re in for nasty weather
And I’ll ride it out with you
We won’t be riding highs and lows
Like tides of ocean blue
We won’t be here forever
Just a moment then we’re through
We can’t be shifting with the sands
Like seasons always do
Like seasons always do
[Verse 2]
Everything we said was a reason
For us to pick up our things and go
But even when we climbed up the mountain
We knew that we had nowhere to go
We’re in for nasty weather
And I’ll ride it out with you
We won’t be riding highs and lows
Like tides of ocean blue
We won’t be here forever
Just a moment then we’re through
We can’t be shifting with the sands
Like seasons always do
[Bridge]
I was in, I was in perpetual anticipation
I never knew what was worse
The evil I, the evil I had spent my time
Reliving all of the worrying that made it hurt
I am done, I am done with waiting on the creek to rise
Cause there’s more to life, there’s more to life
There’s more to life
[Chorus]
We’re in for nasty weather
And I’ll ride it out with you
We won’t be riding highs and lows
Like tides of ocean blue
Mary Omoto
Looking back and thanking God... for always having my back and I know he'll always be there.
🎶We’re in for nasty weather
And I’ll ride it out with you
We won’t be riding highs and lows
Like tides of ocean blue
We won’t be here forever
Just a moment then we’re through
We can’t be shifting with the sands
Like seasons always do
Like seasons always do🎶
Thanks NTB this is nostalgic!
Maran Chic Teo
NEEDTOBREATHE (2020) – SEASONS (Traducción)
We can’t decide if we are fallen
No podemos decidir si somos vencidos
Because every single call is a chance
Porque cada simple llamada es una oportunidad
To realize we’re dependent
Para darnos cuenta de que dependemos
On the fate of our circumstance
Del destino de nuestra situación
We’ve been living minute to minute
Hemos estado viviendo minuto a minuto
We’ve been holding on to every breath
Hemos estado reteniendo cada aliento
Somehow our hearts are still in it
De alguna manera nuestros corazones aún están en ello
But our innocence has left
Pero nuestra inocencia se ha ido
We’re in for nasty weather
Nos espera un clima desagradable
And I’ll ride it out with you
Y lo capearé contigo
We won’t be riding highs and lows
No seremos llevados por los altibajos
Like tides of ocean blue
Como las mareas del océano azul
We won’t be here forever
No estaremos aquí para siempre
Just a moment then we’re through
Tan sólo un instante luego se acabó
We can’t be shifting with the sands
No podemos dejarnos llevar por las arenas movedizas
Like seasons always do
Como las estaciones siempre hacen
Like seasons always do
Como las estaciones siempre hacen
Everything we said was a reason
Todo lo que dijimos era un motivo
For us to pick up our things and go
Para que recogiésemos nuestras cosas y nos fuéramos
But even when we climbed up the mountain
Pero incluso cuando ascendimos la montaña
We knew that we had nowhere to go
Sabíamos que no teníamos ningún lugar al que ir
I was in, I was in perpetual anticipation
Estaba en, estaba en una perpetua anticipación
I never knew what was worse
Nunca supe lo que era peor
The evil I, the evil I had spent my time
El mal, el mal al que he dedicado mi tiempo
Reliving all of the worrying that made it hurt
Reviviendo toda preocupación que hizo daño
I am done, I am done with waiting on the creek to rise
Se acabó, se acabó aguardar a que el arroyo crezca
Cause there’s more to life, there’s more to life
Porque hay más vida, hay más vida
There’s more to life
Hay más vida
We’re in for nasty weather
Nos espera un clima desagradable
And I’ll ride it out with you
Y lo capearé contigo
We won’t be riding highs and lows
No seremos llevados por los altibajos
Like tides of ocean blue
Como las mareas del océano azul
We won’t be here forever
No estaremos aquí para siempre
Just a moment then we’re through
Tan sólo un instante luego se acabó
We can’t be shifting with the sands
No podemos dejarnos llevar por las arenas movedizas
Like seasons always do
Como las estaciones siempre hacen
Like seasons always do
Como las estaciones siempre hacen
Esther Aruka
This song feels like being kissed and held and swung in the arms of someone who loves you.
Refreshingly new sounds yet comfortingly familiar. Only Needtobreathe can hack that.
Danny Meyer
Esther so well said 👍❤️
Kevin Turner
Praise Jesus!!
newmanifest
Very well-said, Esther.
Tami I
What a beautiful, perfect description of this song!!
Lois O
so truee!
Coopahtroopah117
It’s been a really tough year for us all and the time couldn’t be better for new music from the best band on earth. NEEDTOBREATHE’s knocking it out of the park yet again! This song is so beautiful
JTWithit
I hope Needtobreathe never stops making music! This is too good!
Morgane Helena BOILARD
I agree🕶
Jonathan McConnell
Same here. For some reason I think NEEDTOBREATH made a song about lasting forever, idk if they did, it just seems funny to me.