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.
Stop & Stare
OneRepublic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's time to make our move, I'm shakin' off the rust
I've got my heart set on anywhere but here
I'm staring down myself, counting up the years
Steady hands just take the wheel
And every glance is killing me
Time to make one last appeal
Stop and stare
I think I'm moving, but I go nowhere
Yeah, I know that everyone gets scared
But I'll become what I can't be, oh
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're here not there
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, can you see what I see?
They're tryin' to come back, all my senses push
Untie the weight bags, I never thought I could
Steady feet, don't fail me now
I'ma run 'til you can't walk
Something pulls my focus out
And I'm standing down
Stop and stare
I think I'm moving, but I go nowhere
Yeah, I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be, oh
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're here not there
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, you don't need
Stop and stare
I think I'm moving, but I go nowhere
Yeah, I know that everyone gets scared
I've become what I can't be
Oh, do you see what I see?
In "Stop and Stare," OneRepublic sings about feeling stuck in a town that has grown tired of them. The lead singer is ready for a change of scenery, ready to leave this place and find somewhere new. He looks back on his life, counting up the years, and realizes that he needs to make a move now. He takes control of the situation, committing to his decision with great passion.
The lyric "stop and stare" refers to the moment of hesitation that we all experience at some point in our lives, the moment where we question our choices and consider whether we are on the right path. It's the moment of pause that leads to insight and perspective, the moment when we are forced to reevaluate our lives.
The chorus repeats as if to intentionally make us stop and stare. It is a captivating and powerful message of hope and determination. There is also a sense of frustration, as the singer is aware of the obstacles he will face but determined to push through them. Nevertheless, there is a sense of optimism and the idea that anything is possible if he tries hard enough.
Line by Line Meaning
This town is colder now, I think it's sick of us
The town they're in no longer feels welcoming and it's time for them to leave.
It's time to make our move, I'm shakin' off the rust
It's time for them to move on from this town and they're excited to do so.
I've got my heart set on anywhere but here
They are determined to leave this place and go anywhere else.
I'm staring down myself, counting up the years
They are self-reflecting, realizing that time is passing and they need to take action now to achieve their dreams.
Steady hands just take the wheel
They are focused and ready to take control of their life.
And every glance is killing me
Every time they look back at this town, they feel sad and regretful.
Time to make one last appeal
This is their last chance to leave and pursue their dreams.
For the life I live
They want to live a life that fulfills them and brings them happiness.
Stop and stare
A reminder to pause and take in the moment, instead of rushing through life.
I think I'm moving, but I go nowhere
They feel like they're making progress, but they're not actually getting anywhere.
Yeah, I know that everyone gets scared
Fear is a common feeling for everyone, especially when taking a big step forward.
But I'll become what I can't be, oh
They want to be the best version of themselves and are determined to work hard to make it happen.
You start to wonder why you're here not there
They are questioning their current situation and why they aren't where they want to be.
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
They are willing to work hard for what they want and feel like they deserve it.
But fair ain't what you really need
Fairness isn't the most important thing, pursuing what makes you happy and fulfilled is.
Oh, can you see what I see?
An invitation to share their perspective and see things in a new light.
They're tryin' to come back, all my senses push
They are trying to move forward, but something within them is causing them to hesitate.
Untie the weight bags, I never thought I could
They are ready to let go of the things holding them back and step out of their comfort zone.
Steady feet, don't fail me now
They are determined to keep moving forward and not let fear take over.
I'ma run 'til you can't walk
They want to be so successful and achieve so much that it sets them apart from others.
Something pulls my focus out
There are distractions that are causing them to lose sight of their goals.
And I'm standing down
They are feeling defeated and unsure of what to do next.
I've become what I can't be
They have surpassed their own expectations and achieved great things.
Oh, you don't need
Reiterating that fairness isn't the most important thing, chasing happiness and fulfillment is.
Oh, do you see what I see?
An invitation to share their vision and perspective with others.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ryan Benjamin Tedder, Andrew John Brown, Eddie Ray Fisher, Zachary Filkins, Timothy John Myers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@r.edshift
This town is colder now
I think it's sick of us
It's time to make our move
I'm shakin' off the rust
I've got my heart set on anywhere but here
I'm staring down myself, counting up the years
Steady hands just take the wheel
Every glance is killing me
Time to make one last appeal for the life I lead
Stop and stare
I think I'm moving, but I go nowhere
Yeah, I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're here not there
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, can you see what I see
They're tryin' to come back, all my senses push
Untie the weight tags I never thought I could
Steady feet don't fail me now,
I'm gonna run till you can't walk
But something pulls my focus out, and I'm standing down.
Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah, I know that everyone get scared
But I've become what I can't be
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're here not there
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, you don't need
Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah, I know that everyone get scared
But I've become what I can't be
Oh, do you see what I see.
@planetafaktow
4 years passed by and I still listen to this
@insidiious
5 yrs :)
@n0thing12
Nika Kamionka No, still 4 years...
@planetafaktow
ok, i don't care, but it's even better for it shows how deep in my heart this song is ;)
@n0thing12
7000Darklight Oh and sorry fuckwit
@deepfriedpwnage
Yeah it's 6 years.
@bradleybradley7715
Most people don't know that the lead singer of One Republic writes a lot of music for todays stars. Guy is beyond super talented.
@pratishtha1437
Bradley Bradley Yeah that is Ryan Tedder a saviour, a stupendous song-writer.
@oliviaanderson1210
Bradley Bradley ikr halo for Beyoncé and also Taylor swift and a couple others
@wayfaringgrl3938
He and benny blanco also wrote happier sang by ed sheeran