* Walter Schreifels - vocals, guitar
* Cache Tolman - bass
* Sam Siegler - drums
* Ian Love - guitar (left in 2002)
The band decided to start a series of EPs where multiple groups form a single band and they looked to Jonah Matranga formerly of Far, New End Original and Gratitude. The lone result was titled Rival Schools United by Onelinedrawing, released on 24th July 2001. Their full-length album titled United By Fate was released on 28th August the same year on Island Records. Shortly after the release of United By Fate, the band released their first single, Used for Glue. The second single released from the album was Good Things. Both releases enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV, both in the US and UK.
Ian Love left the band in 2002, and played as part of an Experimental-Rock band named Cardia, releasing an eponymous album in 2003.
A second album was expected for spring/summer 2003, but it did not surface. However, the master tapes of the album were leaked onto the internet, comprised of eleven tracks:
01- Just a Second
02- The Perspective Reach
03- I Don't Know
04- Your Answer
05- See What You Got
06- Looking
07- Don't Change
08- Shared Information
09- Surrendering Position
10- Seems So Real
11- Get Out of This Place
Rival Schools parted ways in September 2003. Schreifels formed a new band called Walking Concert, releasing an album in 2004. The second album will now be released sometime in 2006.
Sammy Siegler joined Nightmare of You and briefly provided percussion for Limp Bizkit.
The band reformed for shows in Summer 2008 and a new album is expected.
The band was originally named Rival Schools United by Fate, after a video game, but due to legal reasons had to change their name to just Rival Schools.
Eyes Wide Open
Rival Schools Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
nothing stolen
But when you come around
eyes wide open
hey! wait
waiting for the day
say when
career has all been made
dropping all out
the teachers have been paid
your eyes wide open
trust what you made it
you're walking aware
just lay there, with nothing to say
catch on when it's gone
the first to be there late
too much to give away
guessing all the time
where do you fit in
where everything is fine
you can just buy everything
just buy everything
trust what you made it
you're walking aware
just lay there, with nothing to say
catch on when it's gone
the first to be there late
catch on when it's gone
too much to give away
eyes wide open
hey! wait
waiting for the day
say when
you can't trust them
eyes wide open
The lyrics to "Eyes Wide Open" by Rival Schools discuss the price of success and the cost of chasing one's dreams. The beginning of the song - "they handed you the crown / nothing stolen" - suggests that the singer has achieved what they set out to do. However, the next line - "but when you come around / eyes wide open" - implies that they are now aware of the sacrifices they have made to get there. As the song continues, the lyrics explore themes of trust, authenticity, and the struggle to maintain one's identity in the face of success.
The chorus - "trust what you made it / you're walking aware / just lay there, with nothing to say / catch on when it's gone" - is an anthem for self-reliance and a warning against complacency. The singer recognizes that they have earned their position through hard work and talent, but they also acknowledge that success can be fleeting. They urge listeners to stay vigilant and not take their achievements for granted.
The repeating phrase "eyes wide open" serves as a reminder to stay alert and aware, even in the face of temptation, pressure, or distraction. Overall, the song's message is a cautionary tale about the cost of ambition and the importance of staying true to oneself, even when success is achieved.
Line by Line Meaning
they handed you the crown
You were given a position of power or authority.
nothing stolen
You earned this position in a honest and legitimate way.
But when you come around
However, now that you're here...
eyes wide open
You're paying close attention and aware of everything around you.
hey! wait
Hold on a minute...
waiting for the day
You're biding your time until...
say when
You'll know when it's time.
you can't trust them
You don't fully trust the people around you.
career has all been made
Your profession or life's work is established.
dropping all out
You're leaving behind things that are no longer serving you.
the teachers have been paid
You've learned what you needed to know from those who taught you.
trust what you made it
Have confidence in the path you've chosen.
you're walking aware
You're moving forward with your eyes wide open.
just lay there, with nothing to say
You're content to quietly observe.
catch on when it's gone
You realize the value of something once it's no longer available.
the first to be there late
You may miss out on opportunities by not acting quickly enough.
too much to give away
You're protective of what you've earned and don't want to lose it.
guessing all the time
You're uncertain about where you fit in or belong.
where do you fit in
You're searching for your place in the world.
where everything is fine
You're looking for a sense of security and stability.
you can just buy everything
Money can enable you to acquire material possessions, but it can't buy happiness or fulfillment.
catch on when it's gone
You may not realize the value of some things until it's too late.
too much to give away
You're protective of what you've earned and don't want to lose it.
eyes wide open
You're paying close attention and aware of everything around you.
Contributed by Bentley Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kourtney Nicole
ive never heard of these guys b4. Theyre GREAT!!!! :)
k795
LOL What??? What is with all the hate? This song rocks! Walter writes some of the meatiest guitar riffs and this is an example of one.
CSC FPV
He wrote almost this same meaty riff in Brown Gargantuan on Mani Compression with Quicksand.
Venn. Productions
Holy crap...This is the first time listening to these...Freaking awesome.
Mario Rivas
great song!!! ñ_ñ ... well i like the entire album
Spazie Wazzie
not as raw and hard as united by fate but i love me some rival schools!
Second Stage
This band is better than your crappy fighting game anyday. Quityerbitchin and download an emulator. I have been waiting for Rival Schools to put out a new album for years. They did and it Kicks ass one of my top 5 of the year.
DoctorBarbarian
i couldn't wait to hear these guys come back. until i listened to this. not happy. not happy at all. i want my money back.
kentobeatbox
I saw rival schools in the title and thought it was a live action movie of the game...
Kim Nelson
@ThankssBitch Walter is a legend. He's amazing.