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
Thank You
Sister Hazel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down the road just to clear my head.
On another fun filled day,
Was doin' fine, but you're back instead.
Well I'm not the only one,
Who saw you for just what you were.
You'd push me, but I'd keep tryin'.
I'd leave you, but you'd start cryin'!.
But you won't fool me
I'm smarter than that!!
[Chorus]
You were the one.
Who taught me what I don't need
And I thank you-I thank you for that
You were the one.
That brought me to my senses
And I thank you
Now just leave me alone
I had to drive away,
Far away 'til you could not find me
And It was a beautiful day
Liberated and you're far behind me
What you did I'll never mention
Where you were, I don't want to know
I don't want to know
But you won't fool me
I'm smarter than that!!
[Chorus]
What you did I'll never mention
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Sister Hazel's song Thank You is about a person who has finally found the strength to walk away from a toxic relationship, after being repeatedly pushed and manipulated. The singer reveals that they had to physically distance themselves to clear their head and gain some perspective. Despite their attempts to leave, the person they're leaving behind keeps trying to pull them back in, claiming to be sorry and crying when the singer threatens to leave. However, the singer sees through these empty apologies and insists that they won't be fooled anymore.
The chorus of the song is a message of gratitude towards the manipulative person that the singer is leaving. While they acknowledge that the relationship was harmful and damaging, they also recognize that it has taught them valuable lessons about what they don't want and what they do need in a relationship. The singer thanks the manipulative person for bringing them to their senses and helping them recognize their own worth. Finally, the singer pleads for the person to leave them alone, as they've finally found the strength to move on without them.
Line by Line Meaning
I had to walk away,
I had to distance myself from you
Down the road just to clear my head.
I had to take time for myself to think
On another fun filled day,
On a day that should have been enjoyable
Was doin' fine, but you're back instead.
I was doing well until you reappeared
Well I'm not the only one,
Other people saw who you truly are
Who saw you for just what you were.
Others saw your true character
You'd push me, but I'd keep tryin'.
You would try to bring me down, but I kept going
I'd leave you, but you'd start cryin'!.
Every time I tried to leave, you would throw a fit
But you won't fool me
I'm not going to be deceived
I'm smarter than that!!
I am wise enough to see through your tricks
You were the one.
You were responsible for my life lessons
Who taught me what I don't need
You showed me what I didn't want in my life
And I thank you-I thank you for that
Despite everything, I am grateful for what I learned
That brought me to my senses
You helped me realize what was important
Now just leave me alone
I don't want to have anything to do with you
I had to drive away,
I had to physically remove myself from you
Far away 'til you could not find me
I had to go somewhere you wouldn't follow
And It was a beautiful day
It was a wonderfully freeing experience
Liberated and you're far behind me
I am now free from your negative influence and you are no longer a part of my life
What you did I'll never mention
I won't speak of the hurt you caused me
Where you were, I don't want to know
I don't care about your current location or well-being
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: ANDREW COPELAND, JEFF BERES, KEN BLOCK, MARK E. TROJANOWSKI, RYAN CARTER NEWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind