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
Your Winter
Sister Hazel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well it's lasted for a while
Take my thoughts for what they're worth
I've been acting like a child
In your opinion, and what is that?
It's just a different point of view
What else, what else can I do?
I said I'm sorry , but what for?
If I hurt you then I hate myself
Don't want to hate myself, don't want to hurt you
Why do you chew your pain?
If you only knew how much I love you, love you
[Chorus]
I won't be your winter
And I won't be anyone's excuse to cry
We can be forgiven
And I will be here
The old picture on the shelf
Well it's been there for a while
A frozen image of ourselves
We were acting like a child
Innocent and in a trance
A dance that lasted for a while
You read my eyes just like your diary,
Oh remember, please remember
Well, I'm not a beggar, but what's more
If I hurt you, then I hate myself,
I don't want to hate myself don't want to hurt you
Why do you chew that pain?
If you only knew how much I love you, no
Well I won't be your winter
I won't be anyone's excuse to cry
And We can be forgiven
And I will be here
[Chorus]
The song starts with the singer acknowledging that they have been acting immaturely and that they understand that the other person has a different perspective on their behavior. They apologize, but are uncertain as to what exactly they are apologizing for, as the other person has been internalizing their pain. The singer expresses their love for the other person and the pain they feel in hurting them.
The second verse talks about a frozen image of themselves, again highlighting their immaturity and innocence. The line "You read my eyes just like your diary" suggests that the other person knows them intimately, but the singer is still unsure of how to express themselves. The final chorus reiterates the singer's decision not to be the cause of anyone's pain and that they will always be there for the other person.
In summary, "Your Winter" is a song about a person reflecting on their past actions and wanting to move forward towards forgiveness and healing in a relationship. The lyrics are emotional and evocative, and the use of metaphors adds depth and complexity to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
The gray ceiling on the earth
A metaphorical description of the bleak, gloomy state of the world.
Well it's lasted for a while
This state of the world has persisted for some time.
Take my thoughts for what they're worth
Please consider my opinions and ideas, though I'm not sure of their value.
I've been acting like a child
Acknowledgement of one's immature behavior.
In your opinion, and what is that?
Questioning another person's perspective.
It's just a different point of view
Perspective is subjective and unique to each individual.
What else, what else can I do?
Expressing a sense of helplessness or confusion over the situation.
I said I'm sorry, yeah I'm sorry.
Offering an apology.
I said I'm sorry, but what for?
Seeking clarity on what one is apologizing for.
If I hurt you then I hate myself
Acknowledging the connection between one's own actions and their consequences, and feeling regret for causing harm.
Don't want to hate myself, don't want to hurt you
Expressing a desire to prevent further negative outcomes and repair the relationship.
Why do you chew your pain?
Questioning why the other person seems to dwell or hold onto their pain.
If you only knew how much I love you, love you
Expressing the depth of one's love for the other person, despite the current difficulties in the relationship.
I won't be your winter
Declaring that one will not be the source of coldness, isolation, or negativity in the other's life, even if it means distancing oneself from them.
And I won't be anyone's excuse to cry
Rejecting the role of causing pain or sadness in someone else's life.
We can be forgiven
Holding onto hope that redemption and healing are still possible for both parties in the relationship.
And I will be here
Pledging to stay present and committed to the relationship, if the other person is willing to do the same.
The old picture on the shelf
A metaphorical representation of the past, and how it still affects the present.
Well it's been there for a while
The past has had a lasting impact on the people involved in the relationship.
A frozen image of ourselves
The way the past is remembered or preserved can be rigid and unchanging, even as people themselves grow and change over time.
We were acting like a child
Reflecting on past behavior that was perhaps immature or foolish.
Innocent and in a trance
Describing the state of being lost in a moment or experience, without fully comprehending or anticipating the consequences of one's actions.
A dance that lasted for a while
A metaphorical description of the relationship, and how it may have been enjoyable or fulfilling for a period of time.
You read my eyes just like your diary,
Expressing a sense of intimacy and understanding between two people, where one person can sense the emotions and thoughts of the other without needing an explanation.
Oh remember, please remember
Asking the other person to recall or reflect on a specific experience or aspect of the relationship.
Well, I'm not a beggar, but what's more
Asserting one's own worth, while expressing a desire for reciprocity or mutual respect in the relationship.
Well I won't be your winter
Repeating the declaration from earlier, and emphasizing the importance of healthy boundaries and self-care in the relationship.
I won't be anyone's excuse to cry
Repeating the rejection of one's own role in causing sadness or pain for someone else.
And We can be forgiven
Repeating the desire and hope for forgiveness and healing in the relationship.
And I will be here
Repeating the pledge to remain present and committed in the relationship, despite difficulties or setbacks.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: ANDREW COPELAND, JEFF BERES, KEN BLOCK, MARK E. TROJANOWSKI, RYAN CARTER NEWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind