Their roots might be in the Chicago scene, but for the members of October F… Read Full Bio ↴Their roots might be in the Chicago scene, but for the members of October Fall—vocalist/guitarist Pat D'Andrea, guitarist Clark Harrison, pianist Owen Toomey, bassist Greg Shanahan, and drummer Nick Scalise—pop music is their passion.

As a child, there was always music playing in the D'Andrea house. Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, and Stevie Ray Vaughn all became trusted friends, especially when D'Andrea transferred from a public junior high to a private Catholic high school, making him the dreaded "new kid." D'Andrea would sit in his bedroom, play guitar, vent and, inadvertently, write songs. While attending one of his sister's musicals, D'Andrea met a fellow loner, Clark Harrison, and the two began jamming together as Silver Lining. With lofty aspirations and a budding arsenal of songs, the duo soon changed its name (to October Fall) and solidified a line-up of Chicago's best and brightest players (Toomey, Scalise and Shanahan).

After selling out shows being just the opening band, the whole city was taking notice and so was the one of the scene's most-beloved alumni—Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, who signed the band to his Fueled By Ramen imprint, Decaydance. From there, the band prepared to record their debut album and soon hit the road with Ashlee Simpson.

The inspiration for the title of October Fall's debut, A Season In Hell, comes from a cult classic film, Eddie and the Cruisers, that actually premiered in theaters before any of the bands' members (all of which are still in their teens) were even born.

In summer of 2005, the band migrated west to record at The Green Room in Los Angeles, California, with producer Mike Green (Yellowcard, Rufio, Paramore). However, the songs they traveled with were not the songs that ended up on A Season In Hell, a collection of 11 tracks, all infused with equal parts pop and circumstance.

"Walking," the song that set October Fall's sound in motion, is a piano-driven rocker about a girl who can't look at herself in the mirror. Not content to simply write about heartaches and heartbreaks, "Hey Hey" tackles the tough tale of a turbulent friendship. A Season In Hell also features guest appearances by Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump (on "Second Chances") and Paramore's Hayley Williams (on "Keep Dreaming Upside Down").

Walking
October Fall Lyrics

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She checks her watch
It's just past four
She's walking into the liquor store
She's inside out
And quick to dream
With empty pockets she can barely breathe

And she waits...

And she waits...

Doesn't matter what they say
Just keep on walking by
You can open up their eyes
You'll get what's yours in time
So just keep on, wishing
On the stars outside your window
I know my voice will guide you home

And the only change
That comes her way
Are the nickels she finds at the entrance way
Will someone please
Clean up this mess?
Her spilled milk life has stained her dress

She's on the floor, someone get help (and she waits)
She lost control, then she lost herself (and she waits)

Doesn't matter what they say
Just keep on walking by
You can open up their eyes
You'll get what's yours in time
So just keep on, wishing
On the stars outside your window
I know my voice will guide you home
I know my voice will

And she waits...
And she waits...

Doesn't matter what they say
Just keep on walking by
You can open up their eyes
You'll get what's yours in time
So just keep on, wishing
On the stars outside your window
I know my voice will guide you home

I know my voice will guide you home
I know my voice will...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to October Fall's "Walking" tell the story of a woman who is down on her luck and struggling to make ends meet. She checks her watch and realizes it's just past four, suggesting that perhaps she has just finished work or some other task. However, she finds herself walking into a liquor store, which suggests that she may be looking for something to help her forget her troubles. The lyrics describe her as being "inside out," which may suggest that she is feeling emotionally exposed or vulnerable. Despite this, she is "quick to dream," which suggests that she still has hope for the future. Unfortunately, she has "empty pockets" and can "barely breathe," suggesting that she is struggling financially.

Despite her difficulties, the woman keeps walking and waiting, hoping that something will change. She doesn't give up, even though her life seems to be a mess. When she finds some change (nickels) at the entrance to the store, it's the only change that comes her way. She spills milk on her dress, which reinforces the idea that her life is messy and out of control. However, when she falls to the floor and loses control, she still waits for help.

The chorus of the song provides a message of hope and perseverance. The lyrics suggest that "it doesn't matter what they say," meaning that the woman shouldn't listen to people who tell her she can't succeed. She should "just keep on walking by" and "open up their eyes" by proving them wrong. The chorus encourages the woman to keep wishing on the stars and to believe that the singer's voice (perhaps a religious or spiritual reference) will guide her home.

Overall, the lyrics suggest a message of hope and perseverance even in difficult times. The woman in the song faces many challenges, but she doesn't give up. Instead, she keeps walking forward and believing that things will eventually get better.

Line by Line Meaning

She checks her watch
She is keeping track of time

It's just past four
The time is 4:00 (in the afternoon or morning)

She's walking into the liquor store
She is entering a store that sells alcohol

She's inside out
She feels disorganized and confused

And quick to dream
She has an active imagination

With empty pockets she can barely breathe
She is broke and struggling financially

And she waits...
She is waiting for something

Doesn't matter what they say
Other people's opinions don't matter

Just keep on walking by
Keep moving forward

You can open up their eyes
You can enlighten people

You'll get what's yours in time
You will receive what you deserve eventually