Oleander was formed by Fred Nelson Jr. (drums), Doug Eldridge (bass guitar), Ric Ivanisevich (guitar) and Thomas Flowers (vocals, guitar) in the mid-90s. Their debut was Oleander, an EP released on Fine Records in 1996, which they followed with the full-length album Shrinking the Blob in 1997. The song "Down When I'm Loaded" became a regional hit, and Oleander signed with Universal Records.
During this time, Nelson left the band and was replaced with Scott Devours. Their major label debut was 1999's February Son which featured the hit singles "Why I'm Here" and "I Walk Alone." After supporting the album with a tour, they released Unwind in 2001. The song "Champion" became a hit, and a symbol of the sacrifice of firefighters during the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York.
Some time later, the band parted ways with Universal Records and moved to Sanctuary, where they released Joyride in 2003.
In November, 2003, drummer Scott Devours issued a statement announcing he was leaving the band to join Ima Robot. The decision was amicable.
The band is on an unofficial hiatus. No statement has been released by the band, however vocalist Thomas Flowers is currently collaborating with the band The Black Summer Crush. The Black Summer Crush have parted ways with front-man Thomas Flowers (ex-Oleander). As a result, the band will now be fronted by Jay Buchanan and have changed the band name to The Pleasant Return. Flowers is rumored to be reuniting with his former Oleander band-mates.
Benign
Oleander Lyrics
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To state just for the record
That you've done your best to do nothing at all
And that you stood around
And watched from every corner
As everyone around you hit the ground
Would it tear you up inside
To take on the reflection
Instead of getting by
With lying and deception
Of everyone around you letting go
All of this time
It's been benign
Only heaven knows
Only heaven shows the way
Back to everything you know and love
Only heaven knows
Only heaven shows the way
Back to everything you know and love
Everything you know and love
Everything you know and love
Back to everything you know and
All of this time
It's been benign
Would it be so hard for you
To state just for the moment
That you've done your best to do nothing at all
And that you stood around
And wallowed in your splendor
As everyone around you hit the ground
All of this time
It's been benign
Only heaven knows
Only heaven shows the way
Back to everything you know and love
Only heaven knows
Only heaven shows the way
Back to everything you know and love
Everything you know and love
Everything you know and love
Back to everything you know and
Everything you know and love
Everything you know and love
And love
And love
And love
Back to everything you know and love
And love
And love
And love
Back to everything you know and
All of this time
It's been benign
The song "Benign" by Oleander is about the frustrations of the lead singer with someone who has not taken any responsibility for their actions or lack thereof. In the first verse, the singer wonders why this person cannot own up to doing nothing and watching others struggle around them. They suggest that instead of lying and deceiving others, this person should admit their faults and try to change for the better.
The chorus continues with the idea that only heaven truly knows the way back to everything that is loved and familiar. The singer seems to be suggesting that this person has lost their way and needs to return to what they know and love, but can only do so by taking responsibility for their actions and trying to change. The second verse is similar to the first, but with more frustration at the fact that this person is wallowing in their own self-importance and not helping themselves or others.
Overall the song has a message about the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and trying to make positive changes in life. It suggests that there is no easy way back to a happy and fulfilled life, but the only way to get there is by admitting faults and actively working towards improvement.
Line by Line Meaning
Would it be so hard for you
Asking if it is difficult for the person to do something
To state just for the record
To make a clear statement about something that can be recorded
That you've done your best to do nothing at all
Admitting to not doing anything, even if it was the best that could be done
And that you stood around
Not being actively involved in a situation
And watched from every corner
Observing from all angles
As everyone around you hit the ground
Watching everyone else fail or struggle
Would it tear you up inside
Asking if admitting to their lack of involvement would emotionally affect them
To take on the reflection
To consider oneself in comparison to others
Of everyone around you that you know
Thinking about the people the person knows and their actions
Instead of getting by
Choosing to not just scrape by in a situation
With lying and deception
Deceitful behavior to get through a situation
Of everyone around you letting go
Others giving up while the person avoids helping
All of this time
For this whole duration
It's been benign
It is not harmful or dangerous, but not actively helpful either
Only heaven knows
Only fate or a higher power can determine
Only heaven shows the way
Only fate or a higher power can guide someone towards a path
Back to everything you know and love
Returning to the familiarity and comfort of the usual things that bring joy
Everything you know and love
The things that bring joy and comfort to the person's life
And love
The love and affection that becomes part of the familiar things
And love
The love and affection that becomes part of the familiar things
And love
The love and affection that becomes part of the familiar things
All of this time
For this whole duration
It's been benign
It is not harmful or dangerous, but not actively helpful either
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DOUGLAS JAMES ELDRIDGE, RICHARD C. IVANISEVICH, THOMAS ALLAN FLOWERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind