After developing a friendship with guitarist Mark Tremonti, Stapp and Tremonti decided to form a band. After recruiting Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips, Creed was formed in 1995. Creed went on to sell three multi-platinum albums and became one of the most successful rock bands of the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2004, Creed officially announced its break-up and Stapp began working on his debut solo album, The Great Divide, which was released in 2005. The other members of Creed went on to form Alter Bridge with former Mayfield Four vocalist Myles Kennedy.
During interviews before the reunion, Stapp did not discuss Creed, his relationships with the members of the band, or the meanings of his lyrics, preferring instead to let the lyrics speak for themselves. He has told the press that he is a Christian.
Stapp cites The Doors, particularly Jim Morrison, as one of his principal musical influences, and performed with the surviving members of the band for a televised concert in 1999, as well as the Stoned Immaculate: The Music of the Doors tribute album. On VH1's Behind the Music special on Creed, Ray Manzarek of The Doors said, "When you hear Scott Stapp singing, it's kind of shocking 'cause it sounds so much like Jim."
After months of rumors about a Creed reunion, confirmation was given on the official Creed website on April 27, 2009. The band toured from August 6, 2009 to October 20, 2009 on a Reunion tour and released their new album, Full Circle on October 27th, 2009, their first album in 8 years. The Great Divide was released in the U.S. on November 22, 2005, peaking at #19 on Billboard's Top 200 chart. However, due to certain controversies in Stapp's private life and overall mixed reviews of the album, it has sold poorly compared with the amount sold during his time with Creed, although it was certified platinum in December 2007.[2] His backing band for the record and live shows since has consisted of Aristides Rincon and John Curry on guitars, Mitch Burman on bass, and Mark Archer on drums. They are all members of the band Goneblind.
Plans for a feature-length documentary about Scott Stapp are in the works to go along with his upcoming second solo album.[3]
In April 2008, Scott Stapp uploaded a cover of U2's "Running to Stand Still" on MySpace.
On August 8, 2008, Scott posted an acoustic version of "Broken" which was on his previous record.
Originally, his new album was due on the second quarter of 2009.[4] However, because of the Creed reunion, the album has been put on indefinite hiatus.
Hard Way
Scott Stapp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of diamond hands and one night stands
I guess the good life paid you once or twice
Just when I thought I had it all
Caught a sucker punch and lost it all
Just never thought it would have come from you
With one eye open, I'm a broken man
Life flashed before my eyes, but I'm alive
I found out the hard way
And your day's coming soon
I found out the hard way
I pray you'll make it through
So what am I supposed to do
When all I've got is God and you
I guess I'll trust the one I can't see
As I sit here on this park bench
Knowing what you are thinking
I wonder how you close your eyes to sleep
So here I stand alone again
Talking to my faceless friend
At least when we've got words
We're eye to eye
I found out the hard way
And your day's coming soon
I found out the hard way
I pray you'll make it through
I found out the hard way
And your day's coming soon
I found out the hard way
I pray you'll make it through
I'm just a simple man (make it through)
I'm just a simple man (make it through)
I'm just a simple man (make it through)
I'm just a simple man (make it through)
I'm just a simple man (make it through)
I found out the hard way
And your day's coming soon
I found out the hard way
I pray you'll make it through
I found out the hard way
And your day's coming soon
I found out the hard way
I pray you'll make it through
In Scott Stapp's song "Hard Way," he tells a story about a fall from grace. He begins by telling a story of how someone he trusted and thought was a friend betrayed him. This person had a comfortable life and Stapp says that the good life has paid him once or twice. However, in a turn of events, Stapp is caught off guard by this friend's betrayal and ends up losing everything he had. Stapp is left alone again, broken and wondering how he didn't see it coming from this friend.
The song then takes a more introspective turn as Stapp struggles to make sense of what has happened. He turns to faith and trusts in God, saying that it's all he has left. The most powerful aspect of the song is the chorus, where Stapp says that he found out the hard way and that he prays that his friend will make it through his own hard times. The song ends with Stapp repeating that he's just a simple man and hoping that his friend will someday realize the error of his ways and make it through.
Overall, the lyrics in this song showcase Scott Stapp's powerful ability to communicate deep emotions and ideas through his music. He manages to capture the pain of betrayal and the struggle to find faith and hope in tough times.
Line by Line Meaning
So let me tell a story, friend
I'm going to share with you a personal story.
Of diamond hands and one night stands
This story involves experiences with wealth and promiscuity.
I guess the good life paid you once or twice
You've experienced some success and luxury in life.
Just when I thought I had it all
I thought I had everything I wanted.
Caught a sucker punch and lost it all
But then I was suddenly blindsided and lost everything.
Just never thought it would have come from you
I never expected it to come from someone I trusted.
So here I stand alone again
Now I find myself isolated once again.
With one eye open, I'm a broken man
I'm struggling to trust people now, feeling damaged.
Life flashed before my eyes, but I'm alive
I had close call with death, but I'm grateful to have survived.
I found out the hard way
I learned the truth through difficult and painful circumstances.
And your day's coming soon
You too will face the consequences of your actions.
I pray you'll make it through
I hope you will able to overcome the difficulties ahead.
So what am I supposed to do
I'm not sure how to proceed from here.
When all I've got is God and you
I only have my faith and you left in my life.
I guess I'll trust the one I can't see
I'll have to trust in God, who I can't physically see.
As I sit here on this park bench
In this moment, I find myself sitting alone in a park.
Knowing what you are thinking
I have a feeling of what's going through your mind.
I wonder how you close your eyes to sleep
I'm curious how you can sleep at night knowing the harm you've caused.
Talking to my faceless friend
I'm speaking to someone (possibly God) without a physical form.
At least when we've got words
The only thing left is our communication.
We're eye to eye
We can still connect on an equal level, even without seeing each other.
I'm just a simple man (make it through)
I'm a straightforward person who just wants you to overcome your challenges.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Anthony Scott Flippen, Scott Stapp
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind