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.
Hey Girl
O.A.R. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We walked along lonely streets and got to know ourselves,
I like to read, she likes to write,
She likes to sleep, and I love to stay up all night,
My friends say I'm crazy and I agree,
But that's okay that's the way I like to be
Hey girl, come with me and let yourself go
We went out late that night and we danced through the night
I was holding on to her and she be gripping it tight, she was
But she didn't care, I didn't mind
I was unaware that she liked to act so kind,
My friends say I'm crazy and I agree,
But that's okay that's the way I like to be
Hey girl, come with me and let yourself go (C'mon, c'mon)
Hey girl come with me and let yourself go, go, go (Just let yourself go)
Hush little baby don't say a word
I'd like to give you everything that you deserve.
I'll give you my heart, give you all my soul.
You can ask for my money, if you like you can have control.
In my mind, I miss you every night that you're not here.
Oh, I just want to sit around your life and breathe your air.
And if I cannot have you, I just don't want to live.
Oh I've got so much I'd like to give.
Hey girl, come with me and let yourself go (C'mon, c'mon)
Hey girl come with me and let yourself go, go, go (Just let yourself go)
My baby, my darling
Just let yourself go
My baby, my darling
I need to know
My sweetie, my lovely
I'd love to let you go
But I'm coming back for you, and I'm walking to your door.
In "Hey Girl" by O.A.R., the singer recounts a night spent with a girl, during which they walked around the city getting to know each other before dancing the night away. The lyrics suggest that the two of them have different interests - he likes to stay up late, while she enjoys sleeping and writing - but they've found a connection nonetheless. The singer expresses his desire to give everything he has to this girl, even if it means giving up control to her. He misses her when she's not around and can't imagine life without her.
The song is an ode to young love, and the way that it can take two people by surprise. The lyrics paint a picture of a carefree night spent in each other's company, with no real obligations or responsibilities. There's a sense that the singer is enjoying himself in the present moment, without worrying too much about what the future holds.
Line by Line Meaning
I took this girl out last night and we left around 12,
I went on a date with this girl and we left at midnight
We walked along lonely streets and got to know ourselves,
We walked down deserted streets and got to know each other
I like to read, she likes to write,
I enjoy reading and she likes writing
She likes to sleep, and I love to stay up all night,
She prefers to sleep while I love staying up all night
My friends say I'm crazy and I agree,
My friends think I'm insane and I concur
But that's okay that's the way I like to be
But it's alright because that's the way I want to live
We went out late that night and we danced through the night
We went out late at night and danced all night long
I was holding on to her and she be gripping it tight, she was
I was holding on to her while she was clutching me tightly
But she didn't care, I didn't mind
She didn't mind, and I didn't care either
I was unaware that she liked to act so kind,
I didn't know that she was such a sweet and kind person
Hush little baby don't say a word
Be quiet, my love
I'd like to give you everything that you deserve.
I want to give you everything you're worthy of
I'll give you my heart, give you all my soul.
I'll give you my heart and soul
You can ask for my money, if you like you can have control.
You can ask for my money, and, if you want, you can have control
In my mind, I miss you every night that you're not here.
I think of you every night that you're not by my side
Oh, I just want to sit around your life and breathe your air.
I want to be around you and breathe the same air as you
And if I cannot have you, I just don't want to live.
If I can't be with you, then I don't want to live
Oh, I've got so much I'd like to give.
I have so much to give to you
My baby, my darling
My beloved, my sweetheart
Just let yourself go
Just relax and let go
I need to know
I need to understand
My sweetie, my lovely
My dearest, my lovely one
I'd love to let you go
I could let you go, but I don't want to
But I'm coming back for you, and I'm walking to your door.
But I'm coming back for you, and I'm walking to your door
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, ONErpm, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chris Culos, Benjamin Aaron Gershman, Richard Joe On, Jerry De Pizzo, Marc Andrew Roberge
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mikeb1433
Oar is an amazing band . Can’t wait to see em at pier 17 nyc . Saw em last year at jones beach . Should of been the headliner .
@stellarforte7433
Saw these guys in concert with the goo goo dolls last week!!! Best concert ever!
@tome2266
It took me over a year back in the day to find out the name of this song/group. I kept catching it ONLY in public and would try to SHAZAM it. There would be to much background noise or just wouldn't work. I FINALLY found out. Been listening ever since...im 61 and good music is good music...Ty O.A.R.
@GPTMagana
A McDonald's playlist in the suburbs of the Puget Sound played this song and did the same to find that song
@HolyMarkMcGrath
God, Marc has such a smooth voice. He's a natural.
@timothya2742
Metallica and Oar. Could watch both in same night and be at peace
@tjryan8408
I remember seeing these guys on U of M campus back in 2004. Oh memories
@uffreal
what is with these comments , who cares what they look like , they are singing their story to you, that should be good enough , if you as a individual dont like it , dont listen
@MadMan731
This is a banger
@HolyMarkMcGrath
Why is it that I get drive and oomph when I hear Marc's powerful vocals? Anyone else get that feel?