June 14, 2011 will be a bigger day.
On the former, they decided to put off the next year of college, giving themselves 365 days to make a career out of rock n' roll.
On the latter, Paradise Fears will release "Yours Truly," their debut full-length album, as one of the most potent and rapidly-growing young pop rock acts in the country.
In July 2010, just months after the majority of the band's high school graduation, they released Make Them Believe EP, produced by Jordan Schmidt (All Time Low, Sing it Loud). In just 8 months, the album has sold several thousand copies nation-wide, and the band's career has taken off. They've completed nation-wide tours with Quietdrive and Floral Terrace across 32 different states, and have shared the stage with acts like Stereo Skyline, The Audition, and You, Me, and Everyone We Know.
Coming from a town of 3,000 year round residents in a state noted for its lack of a music scene, nothing has come easy. But these six kids grew up fast. "It's been an entirely self taught process...with a very steep learning curve. We've had to teach ourselves how to promote, how to book shows, how to tour, how to record, everything…but it gives us a very unique approach, because in our area, what we're doing is so unprecedented that we haven't fallen victim the generic, cookie-cutter career path, and instead we've received a tremendous amount of support from our home town." explained lead singer Sam Miller.
Though they may be young, Paradise Fears has several things going for them:
First, an incredibly energetic and engaging live show that can win over even the most uninterested bystander, described by one Battle of the Bands judge as "N'Sync meets a UFC cage match." They were crowned champions of a 65-band, Midwest-wide Battle of the Bands in October, sponsored by Rawkzilla magazine, scoring them $14,000 in endorsements, equipment, and cash. Their performance, described by Paul Pederson (Prince, Steve Miller band), was "absolutely spectacular, one in a million, and completely breath-taking."
Second, an arsenal of infectiously catchy and musically developed rock-pop songs, some of which received airplay on top 40 radio stations throughout the Midwest. David Hooper of Music Business Radio described Make Them Believe as "catchy and remarkably polished, particularly given the age [of the members.]"
Third, an incredibly loyal internet following of all different ages. In just 8 months, their Facebook, Twitter, and social networking profiles have acquired tens of thousands of fans/ followers, and are still rapidly expanding by hundreds daily. "One of the best parts about our style of music has always been that it's not limited - it's the kind of music that someone can appreciate with their 12-year-old sister or their 70-year-old grandmother," said keyboard-player Michael Walker.
Finally, and most importantly, an insatiable drive for success. Paradise Fears is constantly touring or recording, and when they aren't, they're exploring new and creative ways of expanding their fan base. Most recently, the band split into three teams, racing around the country following large tours in a competition to meet the most potential listeners. 50,000 miles, 10,000 demos, and 5,000 CDs later, their "Amazing Race" has created both hundreds of fans and a Paradise Fears buzz in every major market in the United States.
The large-scale release of a full-length album will be a huge step forward in the band's career. Recording time for "Yours Truly" was split between Schmidt and Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount (Mayday Parade, Cartel). It will feature 11 new songs, tremendously evolved in music and lyrics. "It's a new found maturity for us...these songs are real. We wrote songs about people we love, songs about people we hate, songs that tell stories…it's an album full of songs we really love," described guitarist Cole Andre.
But why so independent? Says Miller, "That's the way we want to do it, and the dream we've always envisioned. We're financing it, we're writing it, we're releasing it, we're promoting it. It started out as just the six of us, and come good or come bad, we've still always got that. We're committed to being able to make it ourselves."
Last Breath
Paradise Fears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They think that love is a bitter song
And they think that we don't belong
In this world of what we created,
Of all we hold so safe and true
I was the one who abandoned you
And you think that's all I can do
Your line's been drawn
I'll take this shot and aim it true,
Pick up the phone and call for you,
I'll never get the nerve to say,
"are you with him, or are you with me?"
I hope you find yourself,
I hope you turn it all around,
I hope you're holding on to me
Like it's the last breath you'll ever breathe
It's hard to think of the nights we shared,
Breathing for two and gasping for air,
Choking on words I couldn't bare
And she walked away;
All I did was stare
Because I don't think she gets how,
Just how much I need her touch
I would bleed for half as much
But I'll never tell,
No, I never will
Our lines are crossed
I'll take this shot and aim it true,
Pick up the phone and call for you,
I'll never get the nerve to say,
"are you with him, or are you with me?"
I hope you find yourself,
I hope you turn it all around,
I hope you're holding on to me
Like it's the last breath you'll ever breathe
I guess it's our little secret,
And you're just praying I keep it
But how long will you leave these pages unturned;
You keep playing with fire, baby one day you'll get burned
Can you promise me one thing?
Let's make this count for something
You were holding me up, then dropped me to the floor
First you show me your heart, then you show me the door
I'll take this shot and aim it true,
Pick up the phone and call for you,
I'll never get the nerve to say,
"are you with him, or are you with me?"
I hope you find yourself,
I hope you turn it all around,
I hope you're holding on to me
Like it's the last breath you'll ever breathe
Like it's the last breath you'll ever breathe
Make this the last breath you'll ever
breathe"
The song "Last Breath" by Paradise Fears is a heart-wrenching ballad about the struggles and pain of a failed relationship. The lyrics describe the singer's feelings of abandonment, longing, and regret as he looks back on his past relationship. The first verse starts off with the singer acknowledging his own flaws and mistakes that led to the downfall of the relationship. He expresses his sorrow and remorse for leaving his partner, but it's too late to turn back time. He feels like he has lost his chance to fix things and make it right. The second verse reveals the singer's deep desire to reconnect with his former lover. He misses the intimacy they shared and the love he once felt for her. He desperately wants to know if she's still in love with him, even though he knows it's not realistic. The chorus is a plea for her to hold onto him like it's her last breath, as if their time together is fleeting and limited. The final verse reveals that their separation is not mutual, and the girl has moved on with someone else. The singer realizes that it's time to let go and move on, but he's still haunted by the memories of their past relationship.
Overall, "Last Breath" is a deeply emotional and relatable song that explores the complexities of love and heartbreak. The lyrics are raw and honest, and the melody is hauntingly beautiful. It's a perfect example of Paradise Fears' ability to capture intense emotions in their music.
Line by Line Meaning
These tired eyes have been crying all along;
The singer's eyes have been filled with tears for a long time.
They think that love is a bitter song
The singer's tears are because they believe love is painful.
And they think that we don't belong
The singer feels that they do not fit in with the rest of society.
In this world of what we created,
The artist and their partner have created their own world.
Of all we hold so safe and true
In their world, they value and protect what they hold dear.
I was the one who abandoned you
The singer acknowledges that they left their partner.
And you think that's all I can do
Their partner believes that this is the only option for the singer.
Your line's been drawn
Their partner has made a decision and has set boundaries in their relationship.
I'll take this shot and aim it true,
The artist is determined to take action.
Pick up the phone and call for you,
The artist plans to reach out to their partner.
I'll never get the nerve to say,
However, they admit that they lack the courage to say what they truly mean.
"are you with him, or are you with me?"
The artist wants to know where they stand with their partner.
I hope you find yourself,
Regardless of the outcome, the singer hopes their partner can discover what they truly want.
I hope you turn it all around,
The singer hopes their partner can make a positive change.
I hope you're holding on to me
The singer also hopes their partner still has feelings for them.
Like it's the last breath you'll ever breathe
The artist wants their partner to hold onto them as if it's their last breath.
It's hard to think of the nights we shared,
The artist struggles to come to terms with the past.
Breathing for two and gasping for air,
They remember a time when they were deeply in love and felt like they couldn't breathe without each other.
Choking on words I couldn't bare
However, there were many things left unsaid that still weigh on the singer.
And she walked away;
Their partner left them.
All I did was stare
The artist was left in shock and disbelief.
Because I don't think she gets how,
The artist doesn't believe their partner understands how much they need them.
Just how much I need her touch
The singer craves physical affection from their partner.
I would bleed for half as much
They would do almost anything for their partner's love and attention.
But I'll never tell,
However, the singer admits that they keep their feelings hidden.
No, I never will
And they know they will never reveal the truth to their partner.
Our lines are crossed
The singer and their partner are not on the same page.
I guess it's our little secret,
The artist holds onto a secret they share with their partner.
And you're just praying I keep it
Their partner hopes the artist won't reveal the secret.
But how long will you leave these pages unturned;
The singer wonders how long their partner will continue to overlook the unresolved issues in their relationship.
You keep playing with fire, baby one day you'll get burned
The singer warns their partner that their actions will have consequences.
Can you promise me one thing?
The artist asks their partner for a guarantee.
Let's make this count for something
They want their relationship to have value.
You were holding me up, then dropped me to the floor
The artist felt supported by their partner, but was then let down.
First you show me your heart, then you show me the door
The singer's partner gave them hope, only to walk out of their life.
Make this the last breath you'll ever
The artist emphasizes the importance of seizing the moment and making it count.
Contributed by Hunter L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Melanie Andrea
This will forever be one of my favorite songs EVER
Emma R
They are incredible live, really high energy and they sound even better than on the record. I met Sam last night, he's really nice. :)
Atlas Olson
Anyone else on a Paradise Fears marathon? no? just me? ok.
Lauryn Wilson
I'm always on a Paradise Fears Marathon!
PurpleTurtle
Same
Exit
always!
BeastingggBendi
I just saw these guys in concert like a couple of hours ago and they are dope AF
Defiantly gained a new fan (:
Talia Phillips
***** it means "as fuck"
JCoffyProductions
I have never heard this band till yesterday, but I am amazed at how AMAZING they are..
TrinityBurton
I still get chills every time I watch this... So breath taking.