I. In the summer of 1999 Leonardo Silva and Peter Hollens met in a University of Oregon writing class. Their common passion for singing inspired them to start a vocal group. That winter, Pete and Leo gathered a small and talented group of 6 music lovers for their very first rehearsal. On the Rocks was born.
Known as the first official collegiate a cappella group in Oregon, On The Rocks began a tradition of excellence in a genre that was previously unheard of in the Northwest. Since 1999, several other groups, including University of Oregon’s Divisi and Oregon State’s Outspoken have followed their lead and joined the fast-growing A cappella community.
OtR has established itself as one of the top a cappella groups in the nation. Their current repertoire ranges from contemporary pop to doo-wop classics to holiday standards and the occasional original piece. OtR is comprised of mostly undergraduate students and usually consisting of 9 – 12 members. Every fall and spring, an extensive audition process is held to find quality replacements for graduating members in 4 different vocal categories-, tenor, baritone, bass and vocal percussion. Auditioning students are evaluated on tonal memory, solo talent, blending ability and, of course, personality. Once the new members are chosen, OTR can be heard singing every Friday @ the EMU amphitheater and around campus at various events throughout the year. Aside from hosting quarterly concerts, they have toured the West Coast and have visited the east coast often, and Canada. They have performed with the professional quartet the Coats and at various a cappella festivals all over the west coast.
In 2002 OtR placed 3rd at the International Competition of Collegiate a cappella and returned the next year in 2003 to place 2nd out of hundreds of groups. During the competitions they took in more than a dozen awards including, Best Soloist, Best Vocal Percussion, Best Arrangement and Best Hair. They have appeared live on the NBC Today show, along with other various semi-national news stations such as WB news @ 10 on “Toni Time”.
Every year in the winter since their inception OtR has been invited to sing the National Anthem at the UO Basketball Games in Mac Court. Their performance has been broadcast on UO radio to several thousand listeners and was received with uproaring praise from the appreciative 7,000 fans and radio commentators alike.
OTR has also reached viral status with their YouTube videos of Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up," and is probably best known for their version of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance," which reached 7.5 million views on YouTube. OTR has toured all over the US and Canada. The group travels to Berkeley, CA for the West Coast A Cappella Showcase every year. OTR has toured San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, New York, New Haven, and Boston, and hope to tour more in the future. In 2010, OTR was featured on the second season of the hit NBC show "The Sing-Off".
Since it’s inception, On the Rocks has released two albums:The self titled OTR – 2002 and Backgammon Sessions – 2003. They are finishing up their latest CD, soon to be released in fall of 2005. Awards for their recordings include a selection on the 2004 BOCA compilation album (Best of Collegiate A Cappella). The selected track was Yellow off the Backgammon Sessions album and it was also chosen as the runner-up best male song of the year by CARA (Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards) Their most recent CD, Full Coverage includes tracks from such artists as Mr. Mister, Justin Timberlake, Rufus Wainwritght, and more. On the Rocks A cappella can be contacted via email at uoontherocks@hotmail.com.
II. On The Rocks
Colorado rock has a distinctive sound, identified by a blending of acoustic and electric guitars and an emphasis on tight vocal harmonies. No band around present this as powerfully as 'On the Rocks'. Add to the mix, dynamic rhythms and emotional originals, and you have the recipe for a band on the rise. Frontman Shawn Wright's gravely voice and passionate performances move audiences to frenzied levels, then gently brings the house down with love songs, such as 'til the end' or a power ballad like 'something more than this'. His sense of humor shines through with songs such as 'nailed your best friend'. Nn lead guitar is Ohio born Mike Princehorn. He cut his rock and roll teeth in the northern Colorado area. His versatile styles keep up with the bands ever-changing moods through each set. His strong vocals are heard on front as well as in harmonies. He's no shrinking violet, evident when harmonizing with Shawn's powerhouse vocals. Also a song writer, original material seems limitless. Arriving all the way from Detroit is bassist Sonny Lentz. He brings a streetwise edge and Motown influences to the music. Combining blues, rock, soul, country and reggae, his rhythms keep the songs, and the audience, moving. He contributes original material that is provocative and somewhat unpredictable. Rounding out the quartet is Colorado's own Norris Jones on drums. Norris has played with northern Colorado favorites 'canebrake run', Walt Jenkins, Liz Barnez, and 'harmony road'. His jazz and infusion roots add a cool and diverse bottom to the passionate original material. He is dynamite on the rockin' tunes as well. As word spreads, the band's calender is filling up. They are playing regularly up and down the front range, and extending into Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana.
Collectors Choice Music: On The Rocks - Intoxicated
Collectors Choice Music: On The Rocks
Discogs: On The Rocks - Mamonama
Sing a Song
On the Rocks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sing a song, it'll make your day
Here's a time to shout
Sing a song, it'll make a way
Sometimes it's hard to care
Sing a song, it'll make your day
A smile so hard to bear
Sing a song, it'll make a way
Sing a song
Sing a song
Sing a song
Bring your heart to believing
Sing a song, it'll make your day
Life ain't about no retrieving
Sing a song, it'll make a way
Give yourself what you need
Sing a song, it'll make your day
Smile, smile smile and believe
Sing a song, it'll make a way
Sing a song
Sing a song
Sing a song
Sing a song
The lyrics to "Sing a Song" by On The Rocks are all about the healing power of music. The message is clear: when you're feeling down and out, all you need to do is sing a song. It'll make your day and even make a way for you through tough times. The lyrics suggest that singing a song can lift your mood, ease your worries, and bring you back to believing in yourself. The song encourages you to give yourself what you need and to smile, smile, smile and believe, reminding us that life isn't always about retrieving what we've lost, but finding comfort in the present moment.
The lyrics are simple and straightforward, but they pack a lot of meaning. The repetition of "sing a song" drives the message home and emphasizes the importance of music in our lives. The song is uplifting and empowering, reminding us that we have the power to change our mood and create a brighter day simply by singing.
Line by Line Meaning
When you feel down and out
When you're feeling depressed and defeated
Sing a song, it'll make your day
Singing a song can improve your mood and give you a sense of happiness and positivity.
Here's a time to shout
Now is the time to let your voice be heard and express yourself.
Sometimes it's hard to care
There may be times when you feel indifferent or apathetic.
Sing a song, it'll make your day
Singing a song can help you feel more optimistic and improve your outlook.
A smile so hard to bear
There may be times when you find it difficult to smile or feel happy.
Sing a song, it'll make a way
Singing a song can provide a path towards joy and positivity.
Bring your heart to believing
Encourage yourself to believe that good things are possible.
Sing a song, it'll make your day
Singing a song can contribute to a better outlook on life.
Life ain't about no retrieving
Life is not about getting back what you lost.
Sing a song, it'll make a way
Singing a song can help you find a way through difficult times.
Give yourself what you need
Take care of yourself and give yourself what you require to feel happy.
Sing a song, it'll make your day
Singing a song can contribute to your sense of well-being and joy.
Smile, smile smile and believe
Try to smile often and hold onto your belief in positivity.
Sing a song, it'll make a way
Singing a song can provide a sense of hope and guidance during tough times.
Sing a song
Singing a song can bring about happiness and positivity.
Sing a song
Singing a song can lift your spirits and bring about happiness.
Sing a song
Singing a song can help you find joy and positivity in life.
Sing a song
Singing a song can make you feel better and improve your outlook.
Contributed by Camilla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.