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."
Yours Truly
Paradise Fears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've been shining so brightly
I'll be holding on tightly
To the words that you said
Because you took that one moment
So much more than alone then
Until you took me in
Then you sat down next to me with your heart on you sleeve
If I never would've met you then I never would believe
Someone like you would be writing to someone like me
Signed, Yours Truly
Dear My Someday,
I'll keep writing you nightly
And keep holding on tightly
To the words that you said
So proud of who you became now
You're in a world without chains now
You let your heart lead your brain
How you always wanted to be
But when I'm sitting here alone I can't help but to think
Looking back on the people that we used to be
Why does being so free mean so far away from me?
Signed, Yours Truly
I kept waiting around
I kept chasing the mail
Always lost never found
I kept writing and dreaming till my words ran out
And I stared at this blank page
Until finally I wrote...
...Dear My Never,
This is my half-hearted goodbye
The other half wants to still try
Remembering words that you said
But I guess we let go now
We'll be out on our own
How you always wanted this all out
But now I guess it's too late
But my one wish for you is that you find yourself
Don't settle for less or for anyone else
I pray that you dream like the dreamer I know you can be
Signed, Yours Truly
Dear Tomorrow,
I still know that you might leave
I keep holding on tightly
To the words that you said
Of all the things I've let go of
And the way that I've grown up
Your're the one thing I'm sure of
That I could never forget
Because it's impossible to fly without wind on your wings
You're the air that I breathe and the songs that I sing
Without you I never found much to believe
But you taught me to be the person that I'm meant to be
So maybe for once we can settle the score
Because the road to my heart leads me straight to your door
Through all of these years I've never been anything more
Than Yours Truly, than Yours Truly.
The song "Yours Truly" by Paradise Fears is a heartfelt tribute to the people who have had a profound impact on our lives. The lyrics convey a sense of deep gratitude and admiration for these individuals, as well as a sense of sadness and longing for their presence when they are no longer around. The song is split into three parts, each addressed to a different person or version of the singer himself.
In the first part of the song, the singer addresses "Tomorrow," a person who has influenced him greatly and helped him navigate through difficult times. He expresses his appreciation for their support and the impact that they have had on his life. The second part of the song is addressed to the singer's future self, or "My Someday." He reflects on his growth and how he has become the person he always wanted to be. However, he is still plagued by the feeling that something is missing, and that the freedom he has found has isolated him from his past.
In the final part of the song, the singer addresses "My Never," a person who has let him down and caused him pain. He acknowledges that there are different paths in life, and that sometimes we have to let go of the people who hold us back. However, he still wishes the best for this person and encourages them to find their own path. In the end, the singer returns to "Tomorrow," acknowledging that they are the one constant in his life and the source of his inspiration.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear Tomorrow,
The author is addressing the future.
You've been shining so brightly
The future looks promising.
I'll be holding on tightly
The author wants to hold on to this promising future.
To the words that you said
The author values something that the future promised.
Because you took that one moment
The author remembers a significant moment in the past.
So much more than alone then
It was more than just the author by themselves.
We were out on our own then
The author and someone else were on their own in the past.
Until you took me in
The future shown a promising outcome for the author.
Then you sat down next to me with your heart on you sleeve
Someone was vulnerable with the author in the past.
If I never would've met you then I never would believe
The author wouldn't believe something if they never met another person.
Someone like you would be writing to someone like me
The author is surprised that someone is writing to them.
Signed, Yours Truly
The author signs off on the letter.
Dear My Someday,
The author is addressing the future again.
I'll keep writing you nightly
The author will continue to write to the future.
And keep holding on tightly
The author wants to hold on to the promising future.
So proud of who you became now
The author is proud of the future.
You're in a world without chains now
The future has broken free from something that held them down.
You let your heart lead your brain
The future is following their heart.
How you always wanted to be
The future has become the person they always wanted to be.
But when I'm sitting here alone I can't help but to think
The author thinks when they are alone.
Looking back on the people that we used to be
The author remembers who they and others used to be.
Why does being so free mean so far away from me?
The author is questioning their own freedom.
Signed, Yours Truly
The author signs off on the letter.
I kept waiting around
The author kept waiting for something.
I kept chasing the mail
The author kept waiting for a letter.
Always lost never found
The author never found what they were looking for.
I kept writing and dreaming till my words ran out
The author expressed themselves through writing and dreaming.
And I stared at this blank page
The author looked at a blank page.
Until finally I wrote...
The author wrote something finally.
...Dear My Never,
The author is addressing someone named 'My Never.'
This is my half-hearted goodbye
The author is saying goodbye but they don't fully mean it.
The other half wants to still try
The author still wants to try with this person.
Remembering words that you said
The author remembers something someone said.
But I guess we let go now
The author thinks it's time to let go.
We'll be out on our own
The author thinks they will be alone soon.
How you always wanted this all out
Someone wanted to be alone like this.
But now I guess it's too late
The author thinks it's too late to make things right.
But my one wish for you is that you find yourself
The author wishes for something for this other person.
Don't settle for less or for anyone else
The author thinks this person deserves more.
I pray that you dream like the dreamer I know you can be
The author thinks this person can be great.
Signed, Yours Truly
The author signs off on the letter.
Dear Tomorrow,
The author is addressing the future one more time.
I still know that you might leave
The author knows something may not happen.
I keep holding on tightly
The author wants what they're holding onto to stay.
To the words that you said
Words from the future are still important to the author.
Of all the things I've let go of
The author has let go of many things in the past.
And the way that I've grown up
The author has grown up and changed over time.
You're the one thing I'm sure of
The future is the only thing the author is sure of.
That I could never forget
The author would never forget this future.
Because it's impossible to fly without wind on your wings
It's hard to do something without help.
You're the air that I breathe and the songs that I sing
The future is important to the author.
Without you I never found much to believe
The author didn't have much to believe in before.
But you taught me to be the person that I'm meant to be
The future taught the author a valuable lesson.
So maybe for once we can settle the score
The author wants to solve a problem with the future.
Because the road to my heart leads me straight to your door
The future holds the key to the author's heart.
Through all of these years I've never been anything more
The author has only had one thing that has lasted.
Than Yours Truly, than Yours Truly.
The author signs off on the letter.
Writer(s): Samuel Miller Copyright: Sam Miller Pf
Contributed by Nathaniel O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Katie Higgins
Dear my Almost
I gave all my love to you. Everything about you was so beautiful
You left me believing love isn't just a game
Until the day you let your head lead your heart
I was stuck holding onto the words you said
I wanted to try and hate you
But how could I?
I was so proud of what you became to me
All I ask is
Never settle for anyone less than your heart can take you.
Signed,
Yours Truly
el.#1019
Dear Tomorrow,
You've been shining so brightly
I'll be holding on tightly
To the words that you said
Because you took that one moment
So much more than alone then
We were out on our own then
Until you took me in
Then you sat down next to me with your heart on you sleeve
If I never would've met you then I never would believe
Someone like you would be writing to someone like me
Signed, Yours Truly
Dear My Someday,
I'll keep writing you nightly
And keep holding on tightly
To the words that you said
So proud of who you became now
You're in a world without chains now
You let your heart lead your brain
How you always wanted to be
But when I'm sitting here alone I can't help but to think
Looking back on the people that we used to be
Why does being so free mean so far away from me?
Signed, Yours Truly
I kept waiting around
I kept chasing the mail
Always lost, never found
I kept writing and dreaming till my words ran out
And I stared at this blank page
Until finally I wrote...
...Dear My Never,
This is my half-hearted goodbye
The other half wants to still try
Remembering words that you said
But I guess we let go now
We'll be out on our own
How you always wanted this all out
But now I guess it's too late
But my one wish for you is that you find yourself
Don't settle for less or for anyone else
I pray that you dream like the dreamer I know you can be
Signed, Yours Truly
Dear Tomorrow,
I still know that you might leave
I keep holding on tightly
To the words that you said
Of all the things I've let go of
And the way that I've grown up
Your're the one thing I'm sure of
That I could never forget
Because it's impossible to fly without wind on your wings
You're the air that I breathe and the songs that I sing
Without you I never found much to believe
But you taught me to be the person that I'm meant to be
So maybe for once we can settle the score
Because the road to my home leads me straight to your door
Through all of these years I've never been anything more
Than Yours Truly, than Yours Truly.
Roy Truitt
My one wish for you is that you find yourself
Don’t settle for less or for anyone else
I pray that you dream like the dreamer I know you can be
Signed yours truly…
….Dear tomorrow I still that you might leave, I’ll keep holding on tightly to the words that you said. Of all the things I’ve let go of and the way that I’ve grown up you’re the one thing I’m sure of that I could never forget.
Cause it’s impossible to fly without wind on your wings, you’re the air that I breathe and the songs that I sing, without you I never found much to believe but you taught me to be the person I’m meant to be so maybe for once we could settle the score cause the road to my home leads me straight to your door…
Through all of these years I’ve never been anything more, than Yours Truly. - I’m proud of you -
Emily Yen
This is a song about unconditional love between past lovers. This is so beautifully written. I can't even express how wonderfully poetic this is. I didn't think a song like this existed. I'm so happy it does.
Belle
well this is paradise fears the band who can sing anything and make it perfect and emotional or inspirational
Darja Bednarik
Well how i see this song, cuz of the ending, is maybe it's the love between two past lvers that never died out.
Ruby Red
I feel like I'm the only one who still listens to this band anymore...
But seriously they are the literal definition of the best
Shivani Konda
This is so beautiful. And it isn't one of those meaningless romance songs. It means something to me.
JD
Her smile, her touch.
He missed her
His laugh, his eyes
She missed him
But she was already to far gone, soaring in the skies of heaven, wishing she didn't do what she did
Jemma Given
Paradise Fears songs touch me so deeply. When I just need to cry I listen to them. I'm so glad this band exists because they help me not feel ashamed to cry.
Daniel
An incredible song with such meaning about the feelings between two people.
When I listen to it again it comes with such feelings and memories. This is my favorite song, thank you Paradise Fears.
Sarah Merz
The boy in love with Tomorrow.
He never saw her face or grew to know her eyes, but he would sit on his bed at night and listen to her hope filled laugh as it echoed through the night sky. She wasn't his to have, he knew that, her mysterious beauty was meant for the world. Though despite this the boy woke up every morning to Today and saw Tomorrow was still just one step ahead of him. He didn't mind. Their game was what he lived for; a constant chase. Tomorrow had noticed the boy, her curiosity stolen by his never wavering smile and brightly awed eyes. Oh, the constellations that danced in those eyes. Her velvet laugh became a note for him to open every night: "You may never catch me, but that doesn't mean to stop trying."
So, every day the boy would wake up, until one day he wasn't a boy at all. A monotone beep filled the cold air that floated around the old man in the bed. He had lived his life to his desire. He was ready. If there was only one regret, it was never catching her. Tomorrow. He closed his eyes as a single laugh reached his ears earning one last smile before the machine flatlined.
There was no bright light, no hot inferno. In fact, when he woke up he wasn't alone. There was a girl kneeling beside him. The most beautiful girl he had ever seen; her smile enough to rival the constellations still shining in his eyes. He sat up, noticing now that his skin was free of wrinkles. He had woken up a boy. The girl brushed his hair back, her soft voice honey as the words dripped from her mouth. "You caught me!"
"Tomorrow?"
She stood, her hand extended for him to talk it. Once he had she shook her head with that playful smile. "No, I'm Forever."
When he stood dumbfounded, she laughed. The same one that cut across the sky everynight. The laugh meant only for him. Before he knew it, she tugged on his hand and began walking. Where? Everywhere. They did have forever.
Agnieszka Szewczyk
... I'm in love with this.