The band's second album, ...Somewhere More Familiar was released in 1997 and sold approximately 30,000 copies through its initial pressing, prompting Universal Records to sign the band. Universal re-released ...Somewhere More Familiar in late 1997. A single from the album, "All For You" hit #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains the band's most successful single.
The band's third album Fortress was released in 2000 by Universal. The band worked with producers Mike Clink (Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe, Heart), Richie Zito (Cheap Trick), and Paul Ebersold (3 Doors Down). The album featured minor pop hits "Champagne High" and "Change Your Mind."
In 2003, after the band split from Universal, it released its fourth studio album, Chasing Daylight, on the Sixthman label and toured throughout the year to promote the album. The band's internet presence emerged during this time period, and hardcore fans dubbing themselves "Hazelnuts" studied setlists, shared bootleg concert recordings, and initiated a promotion scheme with the band through their official website. 2003 also saw the simultaneous release of Live*LIVE, a two-disc live album, and A Life in the Day, a live DVD.
In 2004, Sister Hazel released its next studio album Lift. Songs from Lift were re-recorded for 2005's Lift: Acoustic Renditions, an EP of studio acoustic takes on five of the songs, offered exclusively through Apple's iTunes Store. In July 2005, the Sister Hazel album was re-issued again by Sixthman, in response to claims that the album had become difficult to find in stores.
Sister Hazel then promoted its album, Absolutely, which was released on October 10, 2006. The band also continued to tour and hold annual fan gathering events, The Rock Boat and The Rock Slope. Absolutely is the band's highest charting album on the Billboard charts following Fortress and it received 4 out of a possible 5 stars from Allmusic, a tie with Fortress's score.
On June 5, 2007, Sister Hazel released a "hybrid" album entitled BAM! Volume 1. It contains B-sides from the Absolutely recording sessions and some from previous albums.
Sister Hazel also released a holiday album called Santa's Playlist on September 25, 2007.
On February 9, 2008, Sister Hazel performed a live concert at Daytona International Speedway for the Budweiser Shootout.
Sister Hazel released a live acoustic album on June 17, 2008 entitled Before The Amplifiers, Live Acoustic on Croakin' Poets/Rock Ridge Music. The record features sixteen tracks, including the band's hits, fan favorites, and live concert staples, all in a stripped-down, acoustic format. The album was recorded on January 12 at Nickel & Dime Studios in Atlanta (other bands who have recorded there in the past include Indigo Girls, The B-52's, Shawn Mullins) in front of 100 lucky fans who were chosen at random from more than five thousand entries.
At the July 18, 2008 concert at Wolf Trap Farm Park, drummer Mark Trojanowski took paternity leave for his newborn child. Former Vertical Horizon and current Doobie Brothers drummer Ed Toth played in his place.
On July 9, 2009 Ford Motor Company announced a collaboration with Sister Hazel to promote the company's new Sync Technology, which is available on a number of Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles. The band has been chosen to be the face of the company's "Sync My Ride" website.
The band released its seventh studio album of original songs (tenth album overall) on August 18, 2009. The album, entitled "Release", contains 12 tracks and is on the Rock Ridge Music label. On the day of release, "Release" was the number one album on iTunes.
On October 12th, 2010, Sister Hazel released their 8th studio album, "Heartland Highway", which is unique among SH albums in that all band members wrote at least one song that appears on the album.
Sister Hazel Williams was an African-American woman who ran Sister Hazel's Rescue Mission in Gainesville, FL. during the 1970s and early '80s. This facility gave those who were down on their luck a safe place to stay warm, eat and regroup, regardless of age, race or beliefs. It is in this spirit of unconditional concern for all beings that the band chose to use her name.
The band has had music featured in several movies and soundtracks including Major League: Back to the Minors, The Wedding Planner, Clay Pigeons, Bedazzled, American Wedding, and 10 Things I Hate About You. Sister Hazel also appear on the Fleetwood Mac tribute album, Legacy: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours with their cover version of "Gold Dust Woman". In 1999, they recorded a cover of "September Gurls" for the Big Star tribute album, Big Star, Small World. However, the track was not included when the album was released in 2006. The song "Where Do You Go" was featured on Scrubs (Season 6, Episode 4, "My House").
Band members
Ken Block - lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Jett Beres - bass, harmony vocals
Andrew Copeland - rhythm guitar, vocals
Ryan Newell - lead and slide guitar, harmony vocals
Mark Trojanowski - drums
Oh Holy Night
Sister Hazel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
And long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angel voices
Oh, night divine, oh, night, oh night divine, yeah
Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angel voices
Oh, night divine, oh, night when Christ was born
Oh, oh, night divine, holy night
Oh, holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Oh, night divine, oh, night when Christ was born
Oh, night divine, oh, night divine
Oh, night divine, oh, night divine
The lyrics of Sister Hazel's "Oh Holy Night" are a tribute to the birth of Jesus Christ. The first verse of the song is a reflection on how the world was in darkness before Jesus was born, and how his coming brought hope to the world. The line "long lay the world in sin and error pining" is a reference to the fallen state of the world before Christ brought salvation.
The second verse is a celebration of the hope that Jesus' birth brought to the world. The line "A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices" speaks of the overwhelming joy and relief that came with the arrival of the Savior. The chorus of the song urges the listener to fall on their knees in awe of this holy night, to listen to the angel's voices and bask in the glory of Jesus' birth.
Sister Hazel's recording of "Oh Holy Night" is a stirring interpretation of this classic Christmas hymn. Their vocals are rich and soulful, imbuing the song with a deep sense of reverence and devotion. The instrumentation is minimal, with subtle piano and guitar accompaniment that allows the lyrics to take center stage.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, holy night, the stars are brightly shining
The song sets the stage with the description of the night Jesus Christ was born, where the stars were shining bright.
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
The emphasis is given on the fact that this night is all about the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
And long lay the world in sin and error pining
The world had been in a state of sin and had been moving towards a mistake-filled life.
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
Then, when Jesus appeared, the existence of the soul felt its value
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
As a result of this appearance, hope arose and the tired world started rejoicing.
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
A new morning filled with glory was born.
Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angel voices
This line encourages the listeners to bow down and hear the angelic voices.
Oh, night divine, oh, night when Christ was born
This line is a repetition to signify the beauty of that night when the Savior was born.
Oh, night divine, oh, night, oh night divine, yeah
Repetition is used again to emphasize the divinity and beauty of that night.
Oh, holy night, the stars are brightly shining
The song repeats the first line again.
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
The focus is still on the birth of the Savior.
Oh, night divine, oh, night when Christ was born
A call back to the beauty and divinity of that night.
Oh, night divine, oh, night divine
The final repetition of the phrase signifies the splendor of that night.
Contributed by Alice V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.