The band achieved its first commercial success on Myspace as an unsigned act. In late 2002, after OneRepublic played shows throughout the Los Angeles area, several record labels approached the band with interest, but the band signed with Velvet Hammer, an imprint of Columbia Records. They made their first album with producer Greg Wells during the summer and fall of 2005 at his studio, Rocket Carousel, in Culver City, California. The album was scheduled for release on June 6, 2006, but the group was dropped by Columbia two months before the album was released. The lead single of that album, "Apologize", was released on April 30, 2006, on Myspace, eventually reaching number one on the Myspace charts.
In 2007, OneRepublic released their debut album, Dreaming Out Loud. Their lead single, "Apologize", was remixed by Timbaland, becoming a huge international success, reaching number one in sixteen countries and subsequently earning them a Grammy Award nomination. The second single, "Stop and Stare", mirrored its predecessor's success. The album was later certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The band's second album, Waking Up (2009), produced the singles "All the Right Moves", "Secrets", "Marchin On", and "Good Life", with the last reaching the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100.
OneRepublic's third album, Native (2013), became the band's first top ten album on the Billboard 200, and highest-charting album to date, charting at number four. The lead single, "If I Lose Myself", charted within the top ten in several countries, while the album's third single, "Counting Stars", became the band's most successful single in recent years, obtaining top-five placements in Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, the US, and the UK. This marks their highest-charting single in the United Kingdom to date. It also peaked at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, matching the group's highest peak of "Apologize" in 2007.
On October 7, 2016, OneRepublic released Oh My My, their fourth studio album, featuring several collaborators, including Cassius, Peter Gabriel, and Santigold. Preceded by the singles "Wherever I Go", released on May 13, 2016, and "Kids", released on August 12, 2016, it was recognized as a change in their sound from previous albums by critics and by the band. In 2017, the band released the singles "No Vacancy", "Truth to Power", "Stranger Things" with Kygo and "Rich Love" with Seeb. Their fifth studio album, Human, was released in 2021. The band has sold approximately over 16 million records worldwide.
On November 1, 2021, OneRepublic released the song "Sunshine". The song is used as the theme song to the 2021 film Clifford the Big Red Dog.
In February 2022, OneRepublic released the song "West Coast". The song is the lead single from OneRepublic’s upcoming sixth studio album. The song is an ode to the American state of California and evokes classic 1960s California sounds, stemming from groups such as The Beach Boys and The Mamas and the Papas, along with inspiration from Gorillaz. It has been both a band favorite and a fan favorite for a long time, and it ultimately became a tone-setter for their sixth studio effort. They first started working on “West Coast” during the production process of their 2016 album, Oh My My, but ended up shelving it for later. An earlier version of the song was used for U2’s 2017 hit, “Summer of Love,” which actually turned the original demo into an anti-war track.
After years of anticipation and re-tooling, the final version of “West Coast” was officially made public on February 25, 2022.
On April 1, 2022, OneRepublic released "You Were Loved" as a single with DJ and producer Gryffin. On May 13, 2022, the band released "I Ain't Worried", the second single from the soundtrack for the film Top Gun: Maverick. It will also be featured on their upcoming sixth studio album which is rumored to be released by the end of the summer. On January 31, 2023, Ryan Tedder confirmed in The Great Creators with Guy Raz that he will upload song teasers on social media, and let the public choose the next single.
OneRepublic's varied style of music has been described by Ryan Tedder: "We're no respecter of genre. If it's a good song or a good artist whether rock, pop, indie or hip hop, they've probably influenced us on some level... nothing's new under the sun, we're a sum of a bunch of parts." Specific artists whom OneRepublic has cited as influences include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the Beatles, U2, M83, and Prince.
OneRepublic has won several music awards and landed many nominations, including for American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, World Music Awards, and Grammy Awards. Separately, lead singer Ryan Tedder has won three Grammy Awards due to his songwriting credits for Adele and Taylor Swift.
Preacher
OneRepublic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I knew how to fly, and I would teach you for a fee
Broke every window in my hotel heart
When I was only 5 years old, the 12 years scar
But I'd hear the same voice echo in my mind
See son you got an angel, to chase the devil at night, yeah
When I was a kid, my grandfather was a preacher
He said God only helps those
Who learn to help themselves
He was a million miles from a million dollars
But you can never spend his wealth
I took a little faith, and put it in a parking lot
I drove to a strange town, full of have and have notes
Yeah, and as I walk through that storybook life
I'll be looking for an angel, to chase the devil at night, whoa
When I was a kid, my grandfather was a preacher
He'd talk about love, yeah he was something like a teacher
He said God only helps those
Who learn to help themselves
He was a million miles from a million dollars
But you can never spend his wealth
Wave, put your hands up, and hands down
Wave, put your hands up, and hands down
Wave, put your hands up, and hands down
When I was a kid, my grandfather was a preacher
He'd talk about life, yeah he was something like a teacher
He said God only helps those
Who learn to help themselves
He was a million miles from a million dollars
But you can never spend his wealth
He was a million miles from a million dollars
But you can never spend his wealth
The lyrics to OneRepublic's song "Preacher" explore the theme of faith and the lessons we learn from those who inspire us. The first verse starts with the singer reminiscing about his childhood and how he used to believe in impossible things like buying and selling gravity and flying. He also mentions the scars he acquired at a young age, likely from a traumatic experience. Despite this, he hears a voice telling him that he has an angel to chase the devil at night, encouraging him to keep going.
In the second verse, the singer talks about his grandfather who was a preacher and taught him about God and the importance of helping oneself. The grandfather was not a wealthy man but the singer considers him to be wealthy in terms of his wisdom and faith. The singer takes a little faith and drives to a strange town, full of people with different economic statuses, and continues to look for an angel to chase the devil at night.
The repeated lines in the song - "Wave, put your hands up, and hands down" - are used as a rally cry, encouraging listeners to keep going and reach for their dreams despite any obstacles that may come their way. Ultimately, the song is an uplifting message to have faith, keep trying and to find inspiration from those who have taught us.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was a kid, I used to buy and sell gravity
As a young child, I had a vivid imagination and believed that I could control the laws of nature.
I knew how to fly, and I would teach you for a fee
I felt as though I had a special power that I could share with others, but at a price.
Broke every window in my hotel heart
As I grew older, my heart became hard and damaged, like a hotel room with broken windows.
When I was only 5 years old, the 12 years scar
At an incredibly young age, I experienced a deep emotional pain that left a lasting impact on me.
But I'd hear the same voice echo in my mind
Despite my struggles, I held onto a sense of hope and a belief in something greater than myself.
See son you got an angel, to chase the devil at night, yeah
My grandfather instilled in me a belief in a higher power that could help me confront the challenges of the world.
When I was a kid, my grandfather was a preacher
My grandfather was a religious leader who played an important role in my spiritual development.
He'd talk about God, yeah he was something like a teacher
Through his preaching, my grandfather shared his knowledge and wisdom about God and religion.
He said God only helps those
Who learn to help themselves
My grandfather believed that relying on oneself was an important aspect of faith and spirituality.
He was a million miles from a million dollars
But you can never spend his wealth
My grandfather may not have been wealthy in material possessions, but his knowledge and spirituality were invaluable.
I took a little faith, and put it in a parking lot
I drove to a strange town, full of have and have notes
I left home with just a small amount of faith and ventured out into the world, which was filled with people of varying degrees of privilege.
Yeah, and as I walk through that storybook life
I'll be looking for an angel, to chase the devil at night, whoa
As I go through my life's journey, I'll continue to seek guidance and strength from a higher power to confront life's challenges.
He'd talk about love, yeah he was something like a teacher
My grandfather's preaching also focused on the importance of love and compassion towards others.
Wave, put your hands up, and hands down
This line is a call to action, encouraging listeners to physically engage with the music and the message of the song.
When I was a kid, my grandfather was a preacher
He'd talk about life, yeah he was something like a teacher
My grandfather's preaching extended to all aspects of life and morality, making him a guiding force in my upbringing.
He was a million miles from a million dollars
But you can never spend his wealth
This line is repeated to emphasize the lasting impact that my grandfather had on my life, despite his lack of material wealth.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: BRENT MICHAEL KUTZLE, BRIAN WILLETT, RYAN TEDDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jason Smalls
[Verse 1]
When I was a kid I used to buy and sell gravity
I knew how to fly, and I would teach you for a fee
Broke every window in my hotel heart
When I was only five years old
The twelve years scarred
But I'd hear the same voice echo in my mind
It'd say, "Son, you've got an angel."
That'd chase the devil at night
[Chorus]
When I was a kid my grandfather was a preacher
He'd talk about God
Yea he was something like a teacher
He said, "God only helps those who learn to help themselves"
He was a million miles from a million dollars
But you could never spend his wealth
[Verse 2]
I took a little faith, and put it in a parking lot
I drove to a strange town full of "have" and "have nones"
And as I walked through that story-book life
I've been looking for an angel who'd chase the devil at night
Ohhhhh
[Chorus 2]
When I was a kid my grandfather was a preacher
He’d talk about love
Yea he was something like a teacher
He said, “God only helps those who learn to help themselves”
He was a million miles from a million dollars
But you could never spend his wealth
[Bridge]
Wave, put your hands up and hands down
Wave, put your hands up and hands down
Wave, put your hands up and hands down
[Chorus 3]
When I was a kid my grandfather was a preacher
He’d talk about life
Yea he was something like a teacher
He said, “God only helps those who learn to help themselves”
He was a million miles from a million dollars
But you could never spend his wealth
[Outro]
He was a million miles from a million dollars
But you could never spend his wealth
Huda Naseer
When I was a kid
I used to buy and sell gravity
I knew how to fly
And I would teach you for a fee
Broke every window
In my hotel heart
When I was only 5 years old but 12 years scarred
And I'd hear the same voice
Echo in my mind
Said, "Son you got an angel,
To chase the devil at night."
Yeah
When I was a kid
My grandfather was a preacher
He'd talk about God
Yeah he was something like a teacher
He said, "God only helps those
Who learn to help themselves."
He was a million miles from a million dollars
But you could never spend his wealth
I took a little faith
And put it in a parking lot
I drove to a strange town
Full of "have" and "have nots"
And as I walked through that storybook life
I was looking for an angel to chase the devil at night
Oh! Oh! Oh!
When I was a kid
My grandfather was a preacher
He'd talk about love
Yeah he was something like a teacher
He said, "God only helps those
Who learn to help themselves."
He was a million miles from a million dollars
But you could never spend his wealth
Oh! Oh! Oh!
Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!
Wave
Put your hands up and hands down
[3x]
When I was a kid
My grandfather was a preacher
He'd talk about life
Yeah he was something like a teacher
He said, "God only helps those
Who learn to help themselves."
He was a million miles from a million dollars
But you could never spend his wealth
He was a million miles from a million dollars
But you could never spend his wealth.
Toasties
I love this song because the meaning fits the melody so well. It tells us that wealth is measured not in money but in our happiness which is so true.
Tye
bro its been 7 years how are you?
Alex Thompson
I like this song because when I was 8 years old when my grandfather died and he always was their for me so thanks onerepublic for reminding me how awesome my grandfather was
Tye
bro its been 7 years how are you?
Malhuaqupinerey
I never got to meet my bloodline grandfather, he died 43 years ago, 28 years before I was born. In 1971.
Emily Smith
Same with me only I was like 5
Maya Morel
I really love this song 😍👌
queen lakeisha cox
n.a.
Brent Tutana
This deserves more viewers!
Ahmad MG
This song means so much to me, love OneRepublic ❤