After gaining a following as a popular live act on college campuses, the band has gained popular success since signing to Lava Records in 2005, with their singles "Love and Memories" and "Shattered (Turn the Car Around)" gaining mainstream radio airplay. Speaking with Songfacts in an interview, Roberge explained "Love and Memories" was inspired by the Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet movie, The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
The members of O.A.R. first came together in Rockville, Maryland in the basement of drummer Chris Culos' childhood home in 1996. As a young group of musicians, they were the prototype of the modern, self-starting band--taking charge of their fate by working the internet and building an identifiable sound. The band’s music, a rock/reggae fusion, consisted of songs that were fully accessible, yet teasingly elusive. Attracting fans all across the country, the band members toured relentlessly, pushing their album sales through boundless dedication and word-of-mouth appeal, never waiting for the industry to catch up. O.A.R. owes much of their success to piracy and Napster, the mp3 sharing engine. Around 2000, O.A.R.'s popularity greatly increased among college students because their song "Crazy Game of Poker" was a huge hit on Napster.
By the time the band had reached their 10 year anniversary together, they had sold over 1.2 million albums and performed in front of over 1 million people. Their studio record, Stories of a Stranger, produced radio favorites “Love and Memories” and “Heard the World” as well as mtvU’s Most Downloaded Video of 2006, “Lay Down.” The band followed up the successful release with a live double disc CD and DVD set, Live From Madison Square Garden, recorded during the band’s second sold-out performance at the prestigious arena.
Early in 2008, the band members holed themselves up in a studio in Los Angeles to work on their next project, All Sides. The album was released on July 15th.
The Heaven Songfacts reports that the first single from O.A.R.'s seventh studio album, King was released on June 7, 2011 on Wind-Up Records.
. For more information about O.A.R., go to www.ofarevolution.com.
About an Hour Ago
O.A.R. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and he was looking for a ride to New Mexico
Well we was driving by
Way too fast to know
Well then we got to the place on a high speed chase
There was a girlie in the corner with a plastic face
And then she disappeared without a trace
I say without a trace
And there's a man telling stories about his inner fears
We was all choked up and too close to tears
Well then we moved on up to some margaritas
And we started making faces at the senoritas
Playing drinking games, but they were all too drunk to beat us
Well now, my car broke down about an hour ago
We were heading on down to New Mexico,
But, well we did not see the gas was low
[Chorus]
Hey, hey, I said the gas was low
the gas was low
the gas was low
the gas was low
Hey, the gas was low. Hey.
Lalalalalalalalaaaaaaaaa
We got back to the party
We been on the road we're kinda dirty
I seen this girl I said you're mighty purty.
Well I said hello, bout an hour ago
We were heading on down to the big grass show,
But hey, we did not see, the gas was low
[Chorus]
About an hour, about an hour ago
About an hour, about an hour ago
About an hour... about - an hour ago.
The lyrics to O.A.R.'s "About an Hour Ago" paint a picture of a wild road trip full of unexpected adventures. The song starts with a man looking for a ride to New Mexico and the singer driving too fast to offer him a lift. The journey takes them to a place where they encounter a girl with a plastic face who disappears mysteriously. Later on, they chill out with some beers and meet a man who shares his innermost fears with them. They finally move on to margaritas and senoritas, where they play drinking games and win against the drunken ladies.
The lyrics suggest a carefree and spontaneous existence, with the characters living in the moment and taking risks without forethought. The mention of the car breaking down due to low gas highlights how the characters may not have considered the consequences of their impulsive behavior. Overall, the song conveys a sense of living in the now and embracing life's one-of-a-kind experiences without looking back.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a man on the road bout an hour ago
A man was found on the road, about an hour ago.
and he was looking for a ride to New Mexico
He wanted someone to drive him to New Mexico.
Well we was driving by
The singer and the listeners were passing by.
Way too fast to know
They were driving too fast to realize what was happening around them.
Well then we got to the place on a high speed chase
They arrived at a place while driving fast or in a hurry.
There was a girlie in the corner with a plastic face
They saw a girl with artificial looks.
And then she disappeared without a trace
The girl left without leaving any evidence or clue in that place.
I say without a trace
The singer emphasized that the girl left in a mysterious way.
Well now we're kicking back and we're sipping beers
They are relaxing and enjoying drinks.
And there's a man telling stories about his inner fears
A man is sharing scary stories about his own anxieties.
We was all choked up and too close to tears
The stories made them feel emotional and almost cry.
Well then we moved on up to some margaritas
They switched to drinking margaritas.
And we started making faces at the senoritas
They began to tease women using facial expressions.
Playing drinking games, but they were all too drunk to beat us
They competed with others in drinking games, but the others were too intoxicated to win.
Well now, my car broke down about an hour ago
Their vehicle stopped working or malfunctioned an hour ago.
We were heading on down to New Mexico,
They intended to go to New Mexico.
But, well we did not see the gas was low
They overlooked the fact that the fuel was almost gone.
[Chorus]
The chorus part of the song begins.
Hey, hey, I said the gas was low
The singer repeats that they ran out of gas.
the gas was low
They ran out of fuel.
the gas was low
They ran out of fuel.
the gas was low
They ran out of fuel.
Hey, the gas was low. Hey.
The singer repeats the same line again.
Lalalalalalalalaaaaaaaaa
There is a nonsensical vocalization.
We got back to the party
They returned to the place where they were before.
We been on the road we're kinda dirty
After traveling, they became dirty or untidy.
I seen this girl I said you're mighty purty.
They noticed a girl and one of them complimented her on her looks.
Well I said hello, bout an hour ago
The singer greeted the girl they saw an hour ago.
We were heading on down to the big grass show,
They were going to attend a major event or concert.
But hey, we did not see, the gas was low
They didn't realize that they needed gas for their vehicle.
[Chorus]
The chorus is repeated again.
About an hour, about an hour ago
They are reminded that they made the mistake an hour ago.
About an hour, about an hour ago
They continue to be reminded of their error.
About an hour... about - an hour ago.
The song ends, repeating the chorus's melody.
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: MARC ANDREW ROBERGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jackbauer4186
One of the few bands whose concert song versions are far superior to their original recorded versions. Every OAR song is better live.
@TuRBiNeSaNdK9s
These guys and Dave Matthews Band man are awesome live. Proud to say they're both from the MarVa area.
@38bonneville
I totally agree😊
@tjvhigh09
I heard friends listening to O.A.R. back in the day and I honestly didn’t like them till I heard this Live Album. I’ve been a fan ever since! Their shows are so fun. I can’t wait to take my fiancé and I hope they play some of these classics
@steveblount3383
@@TuRBiNeSaNdK9s jn😮😢😢😢😮🎉😂😂
@ogieogilthorpe541
I saw them two weeks ago in St. Louis and it's the best concert I've ever been to. What ever they are doing is magical. I had high hopes watching this video and they blew me away. Hearing them live makes their CDs sound like garbage, even thought they aren't. Best money I've spent in a while.
@themedicalpatient235
Thank you Goo Goo Dolls for letting the better band introduce you...I came for Goo Goo and left IN LOVE WITH O.A.R. I can change my ways...No more running around in circles.....Saw them in St Augustine 3 months ago...Cant stop listening to all their Live Music! Just cruise in Florida, top down O.A.R. Blasting ....They are just my Favorite!
@tomp1279
Incredible band. All time favorite. This version is killer, embodies exactly what talented artists each member of O.A.R. is. Seeing them for the 5th time in a few weeks, can’t wait!
@kelsosemail
I've heard this recording of this song probably 300 times. It's by far my favorite piano solo of all time.
@amandalynn9378
get some!