Kris Roe also took on the role of managing other punk bands such as Useless ID from Haifa, Israel. They collaborated on a split EP entitled "Let It Burn". Kris also acted as co-producer with Mass Giorgini (whose other production credits include working alongside Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day) for a ]label]Cincinnati, OH-based band called the National Trust in 2004, an album which is as-of-yet unreleased..
After a long delay, the album End Is Forever was released in 2001. This album was a testament to Kris Roe's increasing maturity as a songwriter. Most of the songs, especially "Fast Times at Dropout High", touched on very personal and emotional topics such as losing a sibling because his parents gave his newborn brother away for adoption. Once again the lineup changed, with John Collura replacing Peña on guitar.
On the 24th of June 2002 The Ataris left Kung Fu Records and signed with Columbia Records. Later in that year they recorded their 6th album, "So Long, Astoria", released on March 4th, 2003. This album was responsible for giving them their break into the mainstream audience and generated many successful singles, including "In This Diary" and their cover of Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer".
After touring behind the album for most of 2003, the band began writing the follow-up to "So Long, Astoria". Much of 2004 was spent in inactivity. In February of 2004, the band released "Live At The Metro", an album containing a full concert at The Metro in Chicago, as well as acoustic tracks. Mike Davenport and Chris Knapp left the band in early 2005.
Recording of "Welcome the Night" began in February 2005. Along with it came five new members - Sean Hansen filling the bass position, Shane Chickeles on drums, and guitarist Paul Carabello, Angus Cooke (Who played Cello on "End Is Forever"), and Bob Hoag on 3rd guitar, Cello, and Keyboards respectively. The group spent all of spring and summer recording at Seedy Underbelly in Los Angeles. "Welcome the Night" was orginally due out in April or May of 2006 but as of March 2006 the release date was pushed back to July of 2006. The release date of this album was once again been pushed back to possibly early 2007 after The Ataris asked to be released from their contract with Columbia Records, which the label agreed too. The "Welcome the Night" album was released in late February to an eager Ataris fan base. Unfortunately, it was not what they expected. The "Welcome the Night" album took a completely different approach to music. In a drastic deviation from his past traditions of whimsical, nostalgic pop songs, Roe used the new album to pursue a much more mature post-rock/progressive sound, an initiative which many speculate arose from the divorce of his wife and other personal conflicts. While "Welcome the Night" is certainly a great departure from The Ataris' roots, Roe has indicated that their upcoming release will attempt to return to the happy, youthful overtures that older fans have grown accustomed to.
Perfectly Happy
The Ataris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Won't be a minority
I'll achieve every goal I have
There's not a thing that I can't be
Just as long as I am happy,
That's all that matters to me
I'll walk away from this place
This so-called book you go by
was written for a fool
Maybe now you understand
life from my point of view
I've got my head on straight
but have no urge to be like you
Oh sure I strive for a better life
But is that so fucking wrong?
Change in my pocket,
Girl by my side, perfectly happy"
The lyrics of The Ataris's song Perfectly Happy talk about the singer's determination to not become just another statistic or a minority. The desire to achieve all goals is coupled with the belief that there is nothing that is insurmountable. The most important thing for the singer is to be happy in their own skin, as that is what truly matters to them. The singer does not intend to follow rules blindly or be restricted by the so-called book that others use as guidance. For the singer, the path towards a better life is not about emulating others, as they are happy to carve out their own path in life.
The singer of the song displays a willingness to walk away from anything and everything that brings them down, making their life a testament to the pursuit of happiness. The singer implies that they have seen life from a different point of view than others, which has taught them to stay headed in the right direction while eschewing conformity. It is clear that the singer has a goal to achieve a better life, and there is nothing wrong with that, but they will not forsake their happiness to do so, just to emulate someone they think is living a better life. At the end of the day, the singer realizes that true happiness comes in different forms for different people and has come to their own understanding of what brings them joy.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't be another statistic
I won't be just another number that society claims to define me as.
Won't be a minority
I won't allow my race, ethnicity, or any other characteristic that may make me a minority to limit my abilities and opportunities.
I'll achieve every goal I have
I am determined to accomplish every single goal that I set for myself.
There's not a thing that I can't be
There are no limits to what I can achieve and become, as long as I believe in myself and work hard.
Just as long as I am happy,
Ultimately, my own happiness is what truly matters to me.
That's all that matters to me
Above all things, my happiness and satisfaction are what truly matter and drive me towards my goals and aspirations.
I'll walk away from this place
If the environment or situation I am in does not align with my personal beliefs and goals, I won't hesitate to leave and find something better.
On that unhappy day that I have to follow rules
If I am ever forced to follow rules or conform to norms that don't align with my values and beliefs, it will be a disheartening day for me.
This so-called book you go by was written for a fool
The rules and norms that society may try to impose on me are not necessarily the right way to live, and blindly following them may be foolish.
Maybe now you understand life from my point of view
Perhaps after hearing my perspective, you can see where I'm coming from and why I prioritize my own happiness over other things.
I've got my head on straight but have no urge to be like you
I feel confident and firm in my beliefs and values, but I don't aspire to be like the people who may judge or criticize me.
Oh sure I strive for a better life
Of course, I am always aiming for a better future and greater accomplishments.
But is that so fucking wrong?
Why should anyone judge or criticize me for simply wanting to better myself and achieve happiness?
Change in my pocket, Girl by my side, perfectly happy
To me, true happiness lies in having enough money to get by, someone to love and support, and most importantly, contentment with my life and choices.
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind