The self-titled debut hailed 11 songs of heartfelt, soaring pop-rock, all penned by front man and guitarist Nick Joyce, with eight of the songs being produced by Brent Milligan (Audio Adrenaline, ZOEgirl, Rebecca St. James) and Ian Esklelin taking credit for three songs. Sonically, Our Hearts Hero was likened to Switchfoot, Sanctus Real, Jimmy Eat World, and Delirious.
"Gotee is thrilled to have Our Heart's Hero as the newest artist with our team," said label co-founder, Toby Mac. "We love the music and the hearts of this band. Not only is their music top notch, but these are guys who pour their lives into the kids they play for and walk through whatever life brings to them with grace and wisdom. I can't wait for people to meet this band."
Our Hearts Hero had spent the last couple years touring extensively with over 150 dates a year nationwide. Fans caught additional performances as the band joined the Rock, Paper, Scissors Tour the summer of 2007 with Wavorly and High Flight Society, as well as late summer dates as part of the Revolution Calling Tour with Red, Grits, and Falling Up. Our Hearts Hero also performed in 20 cities earlier that spring with The Afters. The band closed out 2007 with a nationwide run on the Punk the Halls Tour headlined by Stellar Kart and featuring Nevertheless, EleventySeven and Manafest.
The first radio single released by Gotee Records, "Back to the Cross", peaked at Number 22 on the national charts and landed at 77 on the CRW Year End Top 100 list for AC Adult Contemporary on nationwide Christian Radio.
2008 kept the band busy as they joined the For the Love of the Fans Tour featuring Pillar, Addison Road and Philmont. The band also made appearances at major festivals around the country, including a main stage performance at Ichthus Festival (Wilmore, Kentucky), and appearances at Alive Festival (Canal Fulton, Ohio), Rage Fest (Phoenix, Arizona) and Unity Fest (Muskegon, Michigan).
But for the next step in the lives of Our Heart's Hero, the band has cranked up the volume and stepped on the overdrive pedals for the preparation of a new 6-song, EP release, titled "BECOME NOTHING" as a precursor to a full length album. The new musical endeavor spotlights 6 cuts of heavy guitars, soaring strings, and epic electronic arrangements all co-penned by front man and now bass player Nick Joyce.
"Once we sat down together and started creating sounds and arrangements that weren't necessarily crafted with radio or any specific agenda in mind, we realized that we'd never loved making music like this before," said band co-founder, Joyce. "We were writing songs that WE loved, and that opened up a whole new horizon for us as musicians and artists."
All of the new tracks were produced by Joyce, allowing the creative aspects of the band's new sound to take a life of their own. Sonically, the new Our Hearts Hero effort is being likened to mixtures and influences of Linkin Park, Paramore, Red, Skillet and Anberlin.
Back to the Cross
Our Heart's Hero Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I wonder now
How I ever got this far
So many failures fill my mind
Keeps reminding me of these scars
Whenever the past is showing me
Where I started from
I'll always look back
And see what He's done, oh
I look back to the cross
Back to the One
To the love that held Him there for us
And back to the place
Where I was set free
Where His arms are wide enough for me
And everything I want
For all I'll ever need
I look back to the cross
So when those days that are sure to come
Leave me down and out
I just think about His great love
Whenever the past is showing me
Where I started from
I'll always look back
And see what He's done, oh
And I look back to the cross
Back to the One
To the love that held Him there for us
Back to the place
Where I was set free
Where His arms are wide enough for me
And everything I want
For all I'll ever need
I look back to the cross
That carried all of my pain
And the love
That covered all of my shame
And I can see
When I look back to the cross
Back to the One
Back to the love that held Him there for us
And back to the place
Where I was set free
Where His arms are wide enough for me
And everything I want
For all I'll ever need
I look back to the cross
And I look back to the cross
The song Back To The Cross by Our Heart's Hero is an emotional reflection on the hardships of life and how the love of Jesus and the sacrifice he made on the cross offers redemption and hope. The opening lines describe the feeling of falling hard and questioning how far one has come, with memories of failure and scars constantly reminding the person of their struggles. However, the chorus provides a powerful message of looking back to the cross, to the love that held Jesus there and the place where true freedom is found. The arms of Jesus are described as wide enough for the singer's needs and everything they could ever want.
The second verse deals with the inevitability of tough times in the future, but encourages the listener to think about the love of Jesus during those moments. The bridge speaks directly to the pain and shame that the singer has endured, but shows that looking back to the cross offers a perspective of love and redemption. The song ultimately ends by repeating the message of looking back to the cross, as a source of comfort, salvation, and strength.
Line by Line Meaning
It's times like these when I fall so hard
In difficult moments when I struggle and am overwhelmed
That I wonder now
I question my abilities and how I have made it this far
How I ever got this far
How I have made progress despite my struggles
So many failures fill my mind
I am plagued by memories of my past mistakes and shortcomings
And then history
Looking back at my past
Keeps reminding me of these scars
Serves as a reminder of the pain I have experienced
Whenever the past is showing me
When I reflect on my journey up till now
Where I started from
My initial position when I first began my journey
I'll always look back
I make it a point to remember and reflect on
And see what He's done, oh
The ways in which God has guided me and helped me overcome my struggles
I look back to the cross
I focus on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ
Back to the One
The Messiah and Savior who sacrificed Himself for humanity
To the love that held Him there for us
The enduring love that fueled His sacrifice and redemption for humanity
And back to the place
Reflecting on the moment
Where I was set free
When I was liberated from the burden of sin through Christ's sacrifice
Where His arms are wide enough for me
Where I find solace, support, and forgiveness through Christ's teachings
And everything I want
All my needs and desires
For all I'll ever need
Sufficient to meet all my needs now and in the future
That carried all of my pain
The cross that symbolizes the extent of Christ's sacrifice and the shedding of His blood for humanity
And the love
The boundless and unconditional love of God for humanity
That covered all of my shame
God's divine forgiveness and redemption that removes the feelings of guilt and unworthiness associated with sin
And I can see
I am able to fully understand and appreciate
When I look back to the cross
When I reflect on Christ's teachings and sacrifice
And back to the One
The Messiah and Savior who sacrificed Himself for humanity
Back to the love that held Him there for us
Reflecting on and appreciating the enduring love and sacrifice that Jesus made for us
And back to the place
Remembering the moment
Where I was set free
When I was liberated from the burden of sin through Christ's sacrifice
Where His arms are wide enough for me
Where I find solace, support, and forgiveness through Christ's teachings
And everything I want
All my needs and desires
For all I'll ever need
Sufficient to meet all my needs now and in the future
I look back to the cross
I focus on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ
And I look back to the cross
I reflect on the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: NICHOLAS MICAH JOYCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
xfaith hope
Ever since I heard this song a few years ago (with original OHH line-up), I've been a fan. I'm SO EXCITED for their new album "Shine On" (finally!) w/ new members and an updated sound.. I know it's going to be worth the wait ~ OHH rocks!
Jack McNutt
Saw these guys back with their original line up. They were on tour with Mainstay, the Afters, and one other group. The only band I wanted to listen to was Our Hearts Hero. I'm trying desperately to find the chords so I can play it at church!
J H
I heard this song only once and fell in love with it...finally i found it thanksssssss
HealthifulBalance
Thanks so much for posting. Awesome song! :)
Mary Kordonski
Love this song.
GoldNava
Great song!
ChristianHardToFind
This track has been missing from Spotify for some time now. There's just an acoustic version on there. I wish they'd be more on top of getting unplayable tracks back on there.
Wesley Paul Dalmacio
Condemnation is gone because of the one who died on the cross! <3 ! At the end of the day we will always get back to the cross of JESUS. God bless! :)
Zach Babcock
They are playing at a teen event my youth pastor is putting on in Sparks,NV if you are in the area come check it out! We will be at lazy 5 park in Sparks!
Mary Kordonski
I think this a great song. First time on so I need
Get to know people. Been in the shell toooooo long.