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.
Release
O.A.R. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don’t argue amongst yourselves
Because of the loss of me
I’m sitting amongst yourselves
Don’t think you can’t see me
Don’t argue amongst yourselves
I haven’t gone anywhere
But out of my body
Reach out and you’ll touch me
Make effort to speak to me
Call out and you’ll hear me
Be happy for me
Don’t argue amongst yourselves
Because of the loss of me
I haven’t gone anywhere
But out of my body
Reach out and you’ll touch me
Make effort to speak to me
Call out and you’ll hear me
Be happy for me
Reach out and you’ll touch me
Make effort to speak to me
Call out and you’ll hear me
Be happy for me
The lyrics to O.A.R.'s "Release" speak to the idea that even though someone has passed away, they are still present and can be felt if one is open to it. The song encourages those who are grieving to not be consumed by their sadness and to instead reach out and connect with the person who has passed. The line "I haven't gone anywhere, but out of my body" reinforces the belief that death is not the end, but rather a transition.
The repetition of the lines "Don't think you can't see me" and "Don't argue amongst yourselves" emphasizes the importance of staying open to the idea that the person who has passed is still present. The call to "be happy for me" suggests that the person who has passed wants their loved ones to find peace and happiness despite their absence.
Overall, "Release" is a comforting and hopeful song that speaks to the idea of life beyond death and encourages those who are grieving to reach out and connect with their loved ones who have passed.
Line by Line Meaning
Don’t think you can’t see me
Don't think that just because I am no longer in my body, I am not still present and aware.
Don’t argue amongst yourselves
Do not let my passing come between you and cause disagreements.
Because of the loss of me
My absence can be hard to deal with, but do not let it cause conflict within yourselves.
I’m sitting amongst yourselves
Even though I am not physically present, I am still here with you all in spirit.
Reach out and you’ll touch me
If you try to connect with me, you will feel my presence around you.
Make effort to speak to me
Put in the effort to communicate with me and you will be able to feel my presence.
Call out and you’ll hear me
If you call out to me, even if it's only in your thoughts, I will hear you and be there for you.
Be happy for me
Do not mourn my passing, but instead, celebrate my life and the good times we shared.
I haven’t gone anywhere
My soul is still present and with you all, even if my body is no longer here.
But out of my body
My physical form may be gone, but my spirit lives on.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SIMON EMMERSON, JAMES MCNALLY, IARLA O'LIONAIRD, MARTIN RUSSELL, SINEAD O'CONNOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brittany Steven
Masterful performance by our boy Feits! Loving the new sound too.
Zachry Medearis
I heard this on the radio and honestly it is super underrated here on YouTube
Bill Withers
This is so damn good!!! Proud of you John boy.
Brendan McDonough
Song is actuallly fire 💪🏼 Feits you’re a king 👑
Tharan Koen
I feel like this music video depicts what we wish life was like and how we can truly find ways to appreciate each other through our similarities rather than focus on each others differences
Murat Kacan
20 years later and the music is still exceptional
Dione Rhodes
I LOVE IT!! 🤗💖💃👏
Update: since I heard this song I listen 2 it like clock work & it makes me feel so good..just happy!! Perfect song 4 the times now. So uplifting & wonderful. We all need someone like this guy in our lives. Great video. Shud get a award!! 💯👏👏👍💖💖💃💃
KFC Radio
🎶MY HEAD IS ALWAYS IN THE CLOUDS🎶
John Feitelberg
On repeat all summer
Lioness
💚Loveable message ... thank you for sharing your light through the clouds ⛅️