Returning to helm the project is producer Ian Eskelin (All Star United), who also shepherded Stellar Kart’s breakthrough sophomore album, We Can’t Stand Sitting Down. That CD yielded the No. 1 hit, “Me And Jesus,” which also earned the band its first Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. “Content, content, content,” Eskelin declares. “The music is awesome, the energy is off the charts, but what sets Stellar Kart head and shoulders above the vast majority of its contemporaries is content. These guys are not afraid to say what they believe, straight up, without trying to couch it in some namby-pamby metaphor.”
“We are all fans of different kinds of music, and a lot of times we find ourselves listening to songs that we love, but the message is just terrible,” frontman Agee explains. “We talk with kids after concerts and are always hearing from youth leaders about the issues facing teens today. We wanted to write songs that would address such topics and encourage kids to expect God to work in their daily lives. That is what we have been about from day one. That is what we are still about.”
When Adam, along with bandmates Cody Pellerin (guitar), Jordan Messer (drums), and Brian Calcara (bass) hit the studio, Eskelin’s frenetic energy ignited Stellar Kart’s powder keg of creativity. The result is an explosion of new music chock full of pop melodies, catchy choruses, and singable lyrics.
If it is true that first impressions are the most important, Stellar Kart goes for broke on its first radio single: the blazing, no-holds-barred confessional, “Jesus Loves You.” An impassioned song about conviction and redemption, it cuts through the comfortable shades of gray with an unabashed declaration that “Jesus Loves You,” whether you believe it or not.
“The reason I do what I do now is because of what I didn’t do when I was younger,” Adam explains of the song’s bold lyrics. “I grew up in church; my dad was a pastor. I accepted the Truth at an early age, but I was a kid just trying to get by. I didn’t really do anything with my faith until I got to college. That was when I started to realize there was more to life than just getting by.”
“The bottom line is, we are not doing this just to make music. We want people’s lives to be changed,” Brian interjects.
Stellar Kart proves it can thrive in a broad range of musical realms as Expect the Impossible sustains its momentum with tracks like the classic rock anthem, “Shine Like The Stars” and genre-defying, fist-pumping, “Eyes,” with its synth-laden 80’s groove and Beach Boys-esque, feel-good, summertime melody.
“‘I Give Up’ is hands down my favorite song on the album,” the band’s classically trained guitarist, Cody Pellerin adds. “It’s the kind of song that got me into playing music in the first place. It’s rock ‘n’ roll. It’s Judas Priest meets Van Halen meets Motley Crew. I got to just rip it up on the guitar, which is what I really love to do. I know some people may listen to it and think, ‘Wow, that doesn’t sound like Stellar Kart,’ But this is where we are musically. And I think it is a good progression for us and our fans.”
“Sonically, we wanted to shoot for a broader sound,” Eskelin says. “Stellar Kart has never been afraid to challenge the current trend, so we decided to incorporate some new elements. This album will please the band’s die-hard punk fans while offering something to straight-up pop and rock lovers as well. The goal is to meet listeners where they are, driving an emotional connection to the music.”
Stellar Kart puts an exclamation point on Eskelin’s statement with such diverse tunes as the tender-and-tough pop ballad, “Pray,” in which Adam encourages listeners to ‘Pray...Even if you think you are not good enough.’ The bouncy, infectious, “The Right One,” evokes strains of such pop/rock legends as The Beach Boys, The Cyrkle, and their more contemporary offspring like Weezer and Jimmy Eat World. The happy-go-lucky anthem “Sunshine” boldly asserts that Stellar Kart is as much a bona fide pop band and serious chart contender as it is a punk quartet.
Which is not to say the band has abandoned its punk roots. “Automatic” has enough head-nodding hooks and frantic drum kicks to satisfy punk purists. And frontman Adam Agee even manages a couple of authentic rawk screams on “Eyes” and “Innocent.”
But as satisfying as Stellar Kart’s expanding musical repertoire is, it’s the lyrical honesty coupled with the band’s personal growth that most radically informs Expect the Impossible. “We are a pop band,” Adam explains. “When we made our first record we were young, and it reflected who we were at the time. The next record reflected a natural progression. Expect the Impossible is the next step. It is casting a wider net. It gets more people involved.”
“I love seeing kids attach themselves to something bigger than just school or work or friends or the latest fad,” Brian adds.
Life Is Good
Stellar Kart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eternal life is better
All around me smiling faces
Different people
From different places
Time is short
Don't wanna waste it
All around me your creation
Brings me to my knees in adoration
Beauty here cannot compare to
What I'll see when I first see you
The song "Life Is Good" by Stellar Kart is an upbeat and optimistic tune that celebrates the joys of life while also expressing a deeper reverence for God and eternal life. The opening lines of "Life is good, eternal life is better" sets the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond the present moment and finding hope in something greater than oneself. As the song progresses, the lead vocalist sings about the various ways in which life is good, from being surrounded by smiling faces of people from different places to finding beauty in God's creation. However, even amidst these joys, the lyrics remind listeners that there is an even greater sense of satisfaction and purpose to be found in eternal life with God.
The song's message is one of hope and gratitude, reminding listeners to appreciate the goodness that surrounds them while also recognizing the deeper spiritual truths that bring meaning and purpose to life. The lyrics encourage listeners to live in the present moment, fully enjoying the blessings that life has to offer, while never losing sight of the ultimate hope and promise of eternal life.
Overall, "Life Is Good" is an upbeat and inspiring song that speaks to the power of hope, gratitude, and faith in navigating life's challenges and joys.
Line by Line Meaning
Life is good
Living on earth is pleasant and joyful
Eternal life is better
Living forever in heaven with God is even better than life on earth
All around me smiling faces
I see happy people everywhere I go
Different people
People from various backgrounds and lifestyles
From different places
From different parts of the world with unique cultures and traditions
Time is short
Life is brief and passes quickly
Don't wanna waste it
I want to make the most of my time on earth
Not ashamed so I'll just say it
I'm not afraid to express my beliefs and faith
All around me your creation
I see the beauty of God's creation surrounding me
Brings me to my knees in adoration
The beauty of God's creation humbles me and makes me worship Him
Beauty here cannot compare to
The magnificence I'll experience when I see God in heaven surpasses anything on earth
What I'll see when I first see you
The glory of God's presence that I'll see when I meet Him face to face
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADAM AGEE, CODY PELLERIN, JORDAN MESSER, TAYLOR SITERA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Noemi Torio
2020, still my fave band. ❤️
Michael Todd
Same! I actually worked where this was shot. I’m standing back by the tech booth!
Noemi Torio
@Michael Todd woooow. 😍
Savannah Strawn
I love this song!!! It makes me so happy! Now I wanna run through the hallways in my school singing this!!!
Naga Manu official
Awesome!!!😇😇
ChaosReborn
We need a movement like this again...
JaSchAirbourne
I've been having a negative outlook on life for a long time and for whatever reason, this song really puts me in a positive attitude :)
Renee Layman
I crying watching these because their music helped me thru some of the hardest times in my life
Toddifur
Wow! you guys continue to amaze me! This is a really great song and a good video! It's crazy.. I have heard so many of your songs and i love EVERY ONE! You guys are very blessed with your talent! :) Rock on Stellar Kart! <3 Alli
mydestinicadventure
2005??? Man, I can't believe it's been almost 10 years! I remember when this song first came out. I saw them live opening for Kutless back in January 2005 before they released their first CD in stores. Time flies so fast... I noticed my taste definitely isn't the same as it was back then. If i first saw or heard Stellar Kart today, I'd think they were such a cheesy and terrible band. I genuinely like and enjoy their music today, but mostly for nostalgia's sake, and because of the state of mind I was in at the time. Cheesy band, good times, and a lot of nostalgia. Stellar Kart you are a personal classic of mine, even though you suck. Love you.