www.myspace.com/rockylovesemily
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Honesty is the best policy. Or, at least, it’s the sensibility Rocky Loves Emily embraced
while making their long-awaited debut album, Secrets Don’t Make Friends.
As reflected in the disc’s title, the band was focused on channeling a true representation
of themselves both as people and musicians on the album. In many ways, the album
showcases how the rock group, who hail from a suburb of Detroit, MI, has grown up
since forming early 2009. From their first EP, released at the stroke of midnight that New
Years Eve, to their first disc on Tooth & Nail, the 2010 EP American Dream, Rocky
Loves Emily has been on a journey to discover how best to express themselves.
“The band grew into who we are as people between the EP and this album,” Andrew
explains. “We figured out who we are and put it into music.”
That process was greatly aided by producer Matt Grabe (The Maine, The Summer Set).
After touring to support American Dream, Rocky Loves Emily headed down to Phoenix
in July of 2011, armed with an album’s worth of demos they’d recorded in their practice
space back in Michigan. Originally, the plan was to flesh out the demos using electronic
elements, but Matt quickly rerouted the process to embrace the band’s live rock aesthetic.
“We had written all the songs on our own back in Michigan and recorded demos of
them,” Brandon says. “Just rough live recording demos, just one mike in the room. When
we sent Matt the demos he was really excited about the fact that we didn’t just track
everything perfectly. So when we went to record with him he tried to push us to not be a
cookie cutter, overly engineered band. He wanted us to have an organic, rock ‘n ‘roll feel.
He pushed us to accept our human flaws, which allowed the recordings to be alive.”
The band spent three and a half weeks in the studio with Matt, pushing themselves to be
the best musicians they could be. Matt encouraged the band members to record every
sound on the album themselves—no computerized drums or electronic sounds. The result
is a compelling, dynamic collection of songs that focus on genuinely honest expression
rather than perfection. Much of that sincerity comes from Brandon’s lyrics, which were
strongly inspired by a bad relationship and its heartbreaking end.
“I took my mask off,” Brandon says. “On the EP I said what I thought people wanted to
hear, but on this one I didn’t think about that. Every song was my heart on paper. I felt—
and I still feel—nervous because I’m very exposed on the record. I’ve never put out a
project where it’s my heart.”
There’s something of bipolarity on Secrets Don’t Make Friends because of this thematic
content. The pop-rock instrumentals create upbeat, outgoing melodies while Brandon’s
lyrics search for deeper, more introspective meaning. “I Don’t Like You” is a catchy
rocker with propulsive guitar riffs and driving beats, embodying a sense of catharsis as
Brandon reveals how he feels about his ex. “Oil & Water,” a slower, more anthemic rock
number, explores the other end of the spectrum, showcasing the band’s musical range.
Ultimately, though, the disc is whatever the listener needs it to be in the moment.
“If you’re happy and you put on the record you’ll have a good time,” Andrew says. “But
if you’re feeling down you can dig into the lyrics and find something to relate to.”
So while the album is about honesty, in both vague and straightforward ways, it also
represents it. Rocky Loves Emily toured extensively for over a year on their American
Dream EP and during that time the members discovered their identities, individually and
collectively. The album reveals the same band as the EP, but with more confidence and
self-awareness, which is something they feel these new songs convey.
“We just wanted more real songs,” Brandon concludes. “Stuff from the heart about the
things we were going through as people. Matt definitely saw that and helped us complete
that vision. It’s an album we can all be proud of.”
Be Mine Tonight
Rocky Loves Emily Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We wore hearts on our sleeves
Innocent and sixteen
We were never bothered
By the thought these days
Would ever leave
So we laughed all day
At the football games
Under Friday lights
So young and dumb
We had our fun
But now these days
Are fading fast
Let's make this last
So be mine tonight
We won't live like this forever
Be mine tonight
We could stay like this together
'Cause I want it
And you need it
So let's live before it's over
Be mine tonight
When we get old
We'll look back and we'll laugh
At all the times we had
When we switched our folders
On that exam in Mr. Fenton's class
Or our first kiss on that field trip
We snuck out just like kids
So young and dumb, we had our fun
So be mine tonight
We won't live like this forever
Be mine tonight
We could stay like this together
'Cause I want it
And you need it
So let's live before it's over
Be mine tonight
Instead of watching time go by
And sit around and wonder why
We never gave it our all
When we got it right now
And all the days and night we spent
And memories we won't regret
So stop wasting the time
And start living right now, right now
So be mine tonight
We won't live like this forever
Be mine tonight
We could stay like this together
'Cause I want it
And you need it
So let's live before it's over
Be mine tonight
The lyrics to Rocky Loves Emily's song Be Mine Tonight are nostalgic and reflective of the past. The song describes a time when the singer was younger and carefree, and how they wish they could relive those moments with their significant other. They reminisce about their high school days and the youthful and innocent love they shared. The chorus expresses their desire to make the most of the present and enjoy each other's company while they can.
The lyrics also allude to the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. The singer acknowledges that they will grow old and look back on these moments with fondness. The song encourages the listener to live in the present and not take their time for granted. In essence, the song is a reflection on the beauty and importance of young love and how it can help us appreciate the present.
Overall, Rocky Loves Emily's Be Mine Tonight is a poignant song that reminds us to cherish the memories of our past and value the time we have left in the present. It is a touching tribute to young love and the power it can have on our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
When we were young
In our youth, before we were burdened by age and responsibilities
We wore hearts on our sleeves
We were open and sincere about our emotions
Innocent and sixteen
We were naive and inexperienced, at the age of sixteen
We were never bothered
We did not worry about the future and enjoyed the moment
By the thought these days
We did not consider that our carefree days would come to an end
Would ever leave
We did not anticipate a departure from our youthful bliss
So we laughed all day
We found joy and amusement in the simple things of life, throughout the day
And we talked all night
We stayed up late engaging in endless conversations, without a care in the world
At the football games
We bonded over shared interests, such as attending games
Under Friday lights
We enjoyed those moments under the glow of the stadium lights, on Friday nights
So young and dumb
We were inexperienced and foolish, but that only added to our experience
We had our fun
We indulged in enjoyable activities, despite their potential consequences
But now these days
As we have grown older, things have changed considerably
Are fading fast
Our youthful days are slipping away rapidly
Let's make this last
We should hold onto the present and enjoy it while it lasts
When we get old
In future years, when we are elderly
We'll look back and we'll laugh
We will recall our youthful days with fondness and amusement
At all the times we had
We will reminisce about the various experiences we shared
When we switched our folders
Our silly exchanges of materials in class, in our school days
On that exam in Mr. Fenton's class
Our memorable exam in Mr. Fenton's class, that we recall now
Or our first kiss on that field trip
Our romantic experience on a field trip we took, when we were younger
We snuck out just like kids
We behaved like mischievous children, when we were adolescents
Instead of watching time go by
Rather than let the moments pass us by without appreciating them
And sit around and wonder why
And later regret failing to have enjoyed them while we had the chance
We never gave it our all
We did not put forth our best efforts in savoring life's moments
When we got it right now
When we had the opportunity to enjoy life in the present
And all the days and night we spent
The many days and nights we passed, living life and making memories
And memories we won't regret
The moments that we hold dear and cherish, and would not undo
So stop wasting the time
We must not waste any more time, but instead begin to live fully
And start living right now, right now
We should start living in the moment now, as we have no time to waste
We won't live like this forever
Our carefree and youthful days are temporary
We could stay like this together
However, we could choose to enjoy the present and stay happy with one another
'Cause I want it
The artist himself personally desires these experiences
And you need it
The artist believes these experiences to be essential to his partner's happiness
So let's live before it's over
They must enjoy the present and not lose the opportunity forever
Be mine tonight
The artist is urging his partner to be his for the night
Contributed by Lillian T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Seras Victoria
That awkward moment when you're watching BryanStars and you see something on the sidebar so you go and see what it is and it ever so conveniently
has
your
name
in
the
title.
I was like WHO THE FUCK IS ROCKY AND WHY DOES HE LIKE ME XD
Who are you…
You guys are really great! Love the song, vocals & rock style. Lots of young, new talent. You guys are definitely relevant! Refreshing & awesome!
Alice Aitken
You guys deserve so much more recognition. Then hopefully you'll tour the U.K because I think I'm in love with you.
MissLittleLebo
These guys are so awesome! I can't believe that really bad artists that rely on auto-tune get more views than these guys
Jess Schultz
They did amazing at the Bryan Stars Tour(: They're all such sweethearts <3 The acoustic set was amazing too :D
I, Epiphanist
Starting to love this band! xxx
Mrs. Meck
It makes me crazy how this doesn't have more views!! I'm totally obsessed with it! (In a healthy, non-crazy person way, of course.) ;-)
Hazel Ann Leñida
I love this song!!!! :)
Melissa Conover
Wow watching a local band get big is great c:
wanna feel weightless
in love with this. You guys are perfect(:
Veronica
Don't mind me just relieving my middle school years 💖💖