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
Save Me
Sister Hazel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turn me upside down
I know it sounds a little bit lazy
But I lost myself in a mystery
Save me some aggravation
And tell me your wisest tale
Take me away
Won't you save me
Please hurry please
Won't you tell me what's worthy now
Won't you save me
I thought for myself
Can't you forgive me for that
Turn round, where ya goin'
Slow down my hopes on you
I've paid my dues a thousand times over
'Cause I was not born ready made
Teach me, teach me everything
And leave no turn unstoned
Yeah that's OK
[Chorus]
Now we've been on this walk before
And I can't take it lightly anymore
Well again I said
It's just there's so much wasted time
Quit wasting time.
Hold on, wait a minute
Take note this one's on me
They never put up a monument
For a cynic or a statue of a hypocrite
Turn it up turn it over
Tune in and change your mind
Go your own way
[Chorus]
In Sister Hazel's song Save Me, the lyrics tell the story of someone who has lost themselves and is looking for help to find their way again. They ask for mercy and to be turned upside down, showing a willingness to change and be open to new perspectives. The singer acknowledges that they may sound lazy for losing themselves in a mystery, but they are seeking to be saved some aggravation and to hear someone's wisest tale to help guide them.
The chorus repeats the plea for someone to save them and tell them what is worthy, showing a desperation for guidance. However, the singer acknowledges that they have thought for themselves in the past, asking for forgiveness for that. The second verse talks about the singer's past experiences, paying their dues a thousand times over, yet admitting that they were not born ready-made. They ask to be taught everything and have every turn unstoned.
The bridge emphasizes the importance of not wasting time and taking note of the things that matter. There is a reference to the fact that no monument is put up for a cynic or a statue of a hypocrite, encouraging the listener to tune in and change their mind. The repeated plea to be saved comes back in the final chorus, emphasizing the desperation to find their way.
Overall, the song's lyrics speak to the universal human need for guidance and the struggle to find one's way when feeling lost. It encourages the listener to be open to new perspectives and to not waste time on things that do not matter.
Line by Line Meaning
Save me, have mercy
Asking for someone's help in a time of need, with a plea for kindness and leniency
Turn me upside down
Asking for a drastic change to current circumstances
I know it sounds a little bit lazy
Acknowledging the potential perception of weakness or lack of effort in asking for help
But I lost myself in a mystery
Explaining that the situation has become too complex to navigate alone
Save me some aggravation
Requesting the avoidance of additional stress or frustrations
And tell me your wisest tale
Asking for advice or words of wisdom from someone experienced
Take me away
Expressing the desire to escape current problems or circumstances
Won't you save me
Please hurry please
Won't you tell me what's worthy now
Urgently pleading for assistance and insight into what is worth pursuing or prioritizing
I thought for myself
Can't you forgive me for that
Justifying independent thinking but also recognizing the need for help and guidance from others
Turn round, where ya goin'
Slow down my hopes on you
Requesting for someone to redirect their attention and efforts towards helping
I've paid my dues a thousand times over
'Cause I was not born ready made
Having gone through or struggled with many difficulties, while acknowledging that personal growth and development requires time and effort
Teach me, teach me everything
And leave no turn unstoned
Emphasizing the desire for a thorough and comprehensive education or guidance
Yeah that's OK
Agreeing with the proposed plan or approach
Now we've been on this walk before
And I can't take it lightly anymore
Well again I said
It's just there's so much wasted time
Quit wasting time.
Reflecting on past experiences and current urgency to avoid further delays or inefficiencies
Hold on, wait a minute
Take note this one's on me
Offering responsibility or accountability for a situation
They never put up a monument
For a cynic or a statue of a hypocrite
Turn it up turn it over
Tune in and change your mind
Go your own way
Encouraging self-reflection and self-reliance, while warning against cynicism or hypocrisy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW COPELAND, JEFF BERES, KEN BLOCK, MARK E. TROJANOWSKI, RYAN CARTER NEWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind