The band consists of vocalist Dan Marsala, lead guitarist Ryan Phillips, rhythm guitarist and back up vocalist Philip Sneed, bassist Adam Russell and drummer Josh Wills. Initially named Big Blue Monkey, they changed their name to Story of the Year in 2002 because a blues group of the same name had already existed.
It would not be until eight years after forming that Story of the Year saw its first piece of commercial success in its major label debut, Page Avenue, containing the popular singles "Until the Day I Die" and "Anthem of Our Dying Day". A second album, In the Wake of Determination, followed in 2005, but did not achieve the success of its predecessor. The band has returned with their third album The Black Swan, their first on Epitaph Records, which was released on April 22, 2008.
The band toured with Linkin Park on the Meteora World Tour in 2004 along with P.O.D. and Hoobastank.
The band's fourth, The Constant, was released on February 16, 2010 through Epitaph Records.
On March 8, 2013 it was announced that the band are planning on a world tour.
Anthem of Our Dying Day
Story of the Year Lyrics
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The blackest tears tonight
And this is the moment that I live for
I can smell the ocean air
And here I am
Pouring my heart onto these rooftops
Just a ghost to the world
That's exactly
From up here the city lights burn
Like a thousand miles of fire
And I'm here to sing this anthem
Of our dying day
For a second I wish the tide
Would swallow every inch of this city
As you gasp for air tonight
I'd scream this song right in your face
If you were here
Swear I won't miss a beat
'Cause I never
Never have before
From up here the city lights burn
Like a thousand miles of fire
And I'm here to sing this anthem
Of our dying day
Of our dying day
Of our dying day
Of our dying
For a second I wish the tide
Would swallow every inch of this city
As you gasp for air tonight
From up here the city lights burn
Like a thousand miles of fire
And I'm here to sing this anthem
Of our dying day
From up here the city lights burn
Like a thousand miles of fire
And I'm here to sing this anthem
Of our dying day
From up here the city lights burn
Like a thousand miles of fire
And I'm here to sing this anthem
Of our dying day
Our dying day
Of our dying
The lyrics of Story of the Year's song Anthem of Our Dying Day are a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the desire to leave a lasting impression on the world. The opening lines, "The stars will cry/The blackest tears tonight" set a somber tone, as if the universe itself is mourning the passing of time. However, the song quickly shifts to a more determined tone, with the singer "pouring [their] heart onto these rooftops" and declaring that being a "ghost to the world" is exactly what they need.
The imagery of the city below, with its "thousand miles of fire" and the desire to have it all swallowed by the tide, speaks to a desire to leave a memorable mark on the world. The anthem of their dying day is a call to action, a challenge to make the most of every moment and to ensure that their legacy lives on beyond their mortal life.
The final repetition of "Our dying day/Of our dying" serves as a reminder that death will come for all of us, and it's up to us to make the most of the time we have.
Line by Line Meaning
The stars will cry
The night sky will weep tears of sorrow
The blackest tears tonight
The tears shed tonight will be the darkest and most anguished
And this is the moment that I live for
This is the exact moment I have been waiting for my entire life
I can smell the ocean air
I feel a strong sense of the ocean breeze and it's comforting
And here I am
This is my current location and state of mind
Pouring my heart onto these rooftops
I am emotionally expressing myself to the world from up high
Just a ghost to the world
I feel invisible and overlooked by the world
That's exactly
That's precisely
Exactly what I need
That is what I require to fulfill my emotional needs
From up here the city lights burn
The city lights appear like intense flames from my view above
Like a thousand miles of fire
The city lights appear as if they stretch for miles and ignite like fire
And I'm here to sing this anthem
I am present to sing this song of unity and strength
Of our dying day
Of the final moments of our lives here on earth
For a second I wish the tide
Briefly, I imagine the ocean waves overtaking the city
Would swallow every inch of this city
I wish for complete destruction of this urban space
As you gasp for air tonight
As you struggle to breathe in this moment
I'd scream this song right in your face
I would powerfully sing this song in front of you
If you were here
If you were present with me
Swear I won't miss a beat
I assure you that I will continue to sing rhythmically and accurately
'Cause I never
Because I have never before
Never have before
Never done so previously
Our dying day
The last moments of our lives together
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Adam Russell, Dan Marsala, Joshua Wills, Phillip Sneed, Ryan Phillips
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind