Stavesacre debuted in 1996 with the album Friction. The band's tough, hard rock sound and the very strong, distinctive voice and lyrical work of vocalist Mark Salomon immediately gained Stavesacre a very strong and devoted following. The band continued on with two more exceptionally well-received studio albums, Absolutes and Speakeasy, on Seattle-based Tooth & Nail Records. During this period of time the group was associated with the edgier side of the contemporary Christian music scene. But dissatisfaction with what the band saw as hypocrisy in that industry led to a well-publicized break from the scene in 2000. Stavesacre released a split EP with Denison Marrs in 2001 on Velvet Blue Music which featured three new songs and then released Collective, a retrospective best-of/outtakes collection, to complete their contract with Tooth & Nail.
In 2002 Stavesacre signed with the independent Nitro Records and released (stāvz'ā'kər), with producer David Bianco at the helm. The band's first three albums were produced by Bryan Carlstrom. Many fans were averse to the change in production values, and opinion was split regarding the band's shift to a more melodic, less aggressive sound, marking (stāvz'ā'kər) as a somewhat polarized release. Regardless, the change did little to bring Stavesacre into the mainstream limelight. The band then sought release from their contract, and went fully independent. 2002 saw the release of a live DVD of a show recorded in Dallas, Texas as well as the limited-edition four-song Bull Takes Fighter EP, which many dedicated fans hailed as a slight return to form but which was not widely known about.
In 2005 the band signed with Abacus Recordings, an imprint of Century Media Records, and recorded its fifth full-length studio album in Los Angeles with producer Matt Hyde. Titled How To Live With A Curse, it was released on April 18th, 2006. While, again, the album was seen by many of the remaining fans as a strong and triumphant return to the scene, it seemed that Stavesacre's luck had run out; the album failed to gain back much of the limelight in which the band had played during the 90s, and in early 2007 they announced on their Myspace blog that the band was finished.
However, Stavesacre would return to the studio with original guitarist Jeff Bellew (praised for the harder sound of Stavesacre's first two albums) to record the EP Against the Silence (released in 2013) and the independent album MCMXCV (released in 2017).
The name "Stavesacre" is derived from the stavesacre plant, which is poisonous and used as a parasiticide. Its seeds are known to induce vomiting.
Official Site: http://www.stavesacre.com
Yes
Stavesacre Lyrics
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No way they notice me.
But I watch them walk together
And it reminds me,
Of nights when everyone was gone
And I ended up alone
Lights that were unsafe
To hold for anything
But lately I have noticed
That so much is not what
I'd imagined it to be
When the harder times come calling on us
We'll know if we're gonna need…
Promises
Don't promise me
Say yes, say no or yes
But don't promise…
For all the reason not to try
I can't forget the times, I swore
That if I finally knew
The answers to my prayers those nights,
When it came time to decide
I just know
That I would be ready…
But lately I have noticed
That so much is not what
I'd imagined it to be
When the harder times come calling on us
We'll know if we're gonna need…
Promises
Don't promise me
Say yes, say no or yes
But don't promise me
Lately I have noticed
That so much is not what
I'd imagined it to be
When the harder times come calling on us
We'll know if we're gonna need…
Promises
Don't promise me
Say yes, say no or yes
But don't promise me
Don't Promise…
Don't Promise me..
Say yes, say no or yes…
The song "Yes" by Stavesacre speaks about the complexity of relationships and the importance of honesty in communication. The opening verse portrays the singer as an observer of couples on the street, experiencing a sense of isolation and nostalgia for times when they were alone. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that this perspective is rooted in a desire for real connections.
The chorus emphasizes the need for clear communication and honesty in relationships rather than false promises. The bridge expresses a longing to know the answers to life's tough questions, and a readiness to face the challenges that come with them.
The overall message of the song is that relationships require effort and honesty, and that false promises will never replace the vital bond of trust between two people. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of authenticity in all aspects of life, from personal relationships to broader social interactions.
Line by Line Meaning
Couples gather on the street,
Despite being surrounded by couples, the singer feels invisible and unimportant.
No way they notice me.
The singer feels ignored and overlooked by those around them.
But I watch them walk together
Despite feeling invisible, the singer still observes the couples and their interactions.
And it reminds me,
Watching the couples brings up memories and emotions for the artist.
Of nights when everyone was gone
The artist recalls times when they were alone.
And I ended up alone
Despite wanting companionship, the singer often finds themself in isolation.
Lights that were unsafe
The singer was drawn to risky behavior in the past.
To hold for anything
The artist was reckless and didn't care about the consequences of their actions.
But lately I have noticed
The artist has recently become aware of something significant.
That so much is not what
Many things in life are not as they seem, or as the artist had imagined them.
I'd imagined it to be
The singer had certain expectations, but reality has been different.
When the harder times come calling on us
When things get tough, it becomes clear what is truly important.
We'll know if we're gonna need…
Difficult circumstances reveal who and what is truly necessary and important.
Promises
The concept of making a promise is being addressed.
Don't promise me
The singer doesn't want people to make promises they can't keep.
Say yes, say no or yes
People should be honest and straightforward, without making promises they can't fulfill.
But don't promise…
The artist reiterates their desire for honesty and dislike of empty promises.
For all the reason not to try
Despite doubts and obstacles, the singer still feels compelled to keep going.
I can't forget the times, I swore
The singer has made promises to themselves in the past.
That if I finally knew
There are certain unknown factors that the artist is waiting for before making a decision.
The answers to my prayers those nights,
The artist is seeking solutions and guidance during challenging times.
When it came time to decide
There will be a critical moment when the artist has to choose a particular path.
I just know
Despite uncertainties, the singer is confident in themselves and their abilities.
That I would be ready…
The artist believes they will be prepared for whatever may come.
Don't Promise…
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the importance of honesty and trust over empty promises.
Don't Promise me..
Once again, the singer pleads with others to avoid making promises they can't keep.
Say yes, say no or yes…
The chorus is repeated one final time, driving home the message of the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRANDON KEITH HOWARD, DEUNTA' BUTLER, WILLARD AVERY JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind