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
Without Your Love
On the Rocks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You said you
Would hide me
Love me when you
Show how
Far you'll go
Show your grace
And mercy
The one see
I could never live
Without your love
Some days
I'm really feeling
Like leaving
This place
Some days
I'm really feeling
Like I need
My space
In my head
Filled with thoughts
Of all of
This pain
Losing grip
While them
Demons invading
My brain
I can't seem
To find a way
So I get
On my knees
Begging for
The lord to help
Get back
To my feet
I sit in this corner
By myself
And I'm afraid
To weep
Cause if I show
My emotions
They may just
Think I'm weak
Uhh
Yea
They may just
Think I'm weak
But I ain't going
Down like that
Nah
It can't be me
I'm a soldier
And I'm a fight
Until my last breath
Man them demons
Gonna fear
Every last step
Yea
The lord didn't
Bring me
To this point
Just to leave me
Sitting here
Puffin on a joint
Nah he brought
Me here cause
I have a purpose
And the moves
That I'm making
They got
The devil nervous
Even in the valley
You said you
Would hide me
Love me when you
Show how
Far you'll go
Show your grace
And mercy
Jesus you're
The one see
I could never live
Without your love
Even in the valley
You said you
Would hide me
Love me when you
Show how
Far you'll go
Show your grace
And mercy
Jesus you're
The one see
I could never live
Without your love
I'm not so good
With this transparency
But everything changed
I became
A parent see
Trying to be
A leader for my
Sons and daughter
I couldn't begin
To face it all not
Without the father
What do I do
Where do I go
Really don't
Even know
Struggling with
The weight of all
The love I
Failed to show
Tear myself apart
Can't handle
Another blow
Bury my face
In the pillow
Man Rock just
Let it go
Uhh
Yea
But I can't let it go
Bottle it all up
Before you know
I'm bout to blow
With this frame
Of mind brodie
I'll never grow
His grace is sufficient
Love is on overflow
His arms are
Wide open
Been waiting
For this season
Been caught up
In the moment
But afraid
To seize it
The money
And taxes
They all are
Belong to Caesar
But my love
And affection
It all belongs
To Jesus
Even in the valley
You said you
Would hide me
Love me when you
Show how
Far you'll go
Show your grace
And mercy
Jesus you're
The one see
I could never live
Without your love
Even in the valley
You said you
Would hide me
Love me when you
Show how
Far you'll go
Show your grace
And mercy
Jesus you're
The one see
I could never live
Without your love
The lyrics of On the Rocks's song "Without Your Love" express a deep appreciation and reverence for the love of God. The song praises God for the pure and wonderful nature of His love that not only brings the solution to all problems but also never fails. The lyrics highlight the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and the cleansing power of His blood as the ultimate display of God's love. The song also acknowledges the ability of God to fulfill the heart's desires of His faithful followers and the importance of joyful prayer and thanksgiving.
The lyrics of "Without Your Love" demonstrate the deep and personal relationship between the singer and God, which is a constant theme in gospel music. The song reminds listeners of the never-ending and transformative power of God's love in their lives. The song also showcases the role of Christian music in providing a form of worship and expression for believers.
Line by Line Meaning
Mm mm yeah
Expression of agreement or confirmation
Your love never fails
The love referred to is unwavering and steadfast
Your love is the purest one, god
God's love is divine, untainted and unadulterated
Your love
The same love being referred to in the previous lines
Solves all the problems of the world
God's love is a panacea for the world's sufferings and struggles
Is so wonderful
The love is awe-inspiring and extraordinary
The solution, yeah
God's love is the remedy to humanity's woes
Oh, oh. oh
An expression of amazement
Your love is so amazing
God's love inspires admiration for its magnificence
Your Love
Refers to God's love
Your death on the cross, lord, your blood
Refers to Jesus sacrificing his life on the cross for humanity's redemption
Your love like no other we've ever known
The love from God is unique and unparalleled
On the cross, your blood, lord
Refers to the same concept as in the previous line
Mmmmmm
An expression of contentment or satisfaction
Your love
The same love being referred to throughout the song
So wonderful
God's love is awe-inspiring and extraordinary
Never fails, oh god
God's love is constant and everlasting
Is so pure
God's love is untainted and pristine
Oh, oh, oh , oh, oh
An expression of amazement
Your Love
The same love from God
Oh oh oh
An expression of amazement
Your love is amazing
God's love inspires admiration for its magnificence
He's so amazing
God is magnanimous and awe-inspiring
You give heart's desires, Lord
God fulfills individuals' deepest yearnings and aspirations
In Your will
God's will is supreme and governs all things
Joyful always
Reminding listeners to always be joyful in God's love
Praying always
Encourages a consistent connection with God through prayer
Thanking you, God
A reminder to be grateful for God's love
Your love never fails
A repetition of the previous line
Your blood cleanses us, Lord
Jesus' blood cleanses humanity from sin
Yeshua, jesus
A reference to Jesus Christ in the Hebrew and Greek languages
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOUG JOHNSON, MARLA CANNON-GOODMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shanicecrawshaw2125
Peters Voice Impress me Everytime when i see a OTR Video !! He has so a Powerfull Voice <3
@TheresaTV1
Peter totally OWNS this song! My new favorite!
@philipverminnen
Fantastic!! you HAVE to come to Germany.....!
@remember65
PLEASE PLEASE come 2 Germany !!!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE !!!!! :-)
@vennieand1
This must be how you got the nickname "screamin' tenor"! Love it!
@gotrdid09
great job y'all. watching y'all from all the way in Sc.
@MaRtUsIa10211
I love your voice!! you're amazing!!
@skybite95
love the talents!
@aniaaziellony
Cudny wokal!
@aniaaziellony
Kocham go. Najlepszy wokal! Bez obrazy chłopaki xdd