The Backbeats have… Read Full Bio ↴From http://www.backbeatsvocal.com/bio/index.html
The Backbeats have barely taken off and already they’ve set the world on fire.
When they first stepped before the camera on Season 2 of “The Sing-Off,” opened their mouths and unleashed their jubilant harmonies, that was not only their network debut – it was the first time these gifted young men and women had ever sung together in public, anywhere.
And by the time they’d seized third place at season’s end, they had ignited a blaze whose light had drawn thousands of fans not only to their unique sound but also to the contemporary a cappella phenomenon as a whole. No one in the Backbeats had any idea where their path would lead when they resolved to compete in the popular NBC series. But once it was over, they knew that they were riding a wave that would take them places none had imagined reaching before. That wave crests with the release of their self-titled, first album on the aptly named Arrival Records/Madison Gate imprint. Drawn together by their televised adventure, knowing that something bigger than their considerable individual gifts was leading them now, they hit the studio with a unified vision and a determination to spread the joy they draw from music to listeners everywhere.
Listen to the shimmering textures, gentle at first and blossoming into the choruses of Katy Perry’s “Firework.” The gentle ecstasies of the lead and backing vocals on their version of Adele’s “Turning Tables.” The full-bodied treatment of “Need You Now” takes on new intensity through expansions on Lady Antebellum’s original three-part arrangement. Every track on The Backbeats crackles with the excitement of artistry energized by the sheer love of singing. That same quality brought them into the spotlight on “The Sing- Off,” but here it rises to a higher level of achievement. Impeccably crafted, this album will be remembered as a milestone in the chronicle of a cappella recordings.
“It definitely encapsulates us as a band and as artists,” says alto Rachel Saltzman, speaking for the group. “It demonstrates a lot of what we did on the show – we portrayed deeply expressive and emotional qualities in our performances. Using that as our backbone, the album gave us a chance to showcase our voices differently than we could on the show. The emotions hit even harder because of the bigger sound we can create in a studio setting.”
That sound comes not only from their talent and camaraderie; it also results from the fact that they insist on singing only songs that speak to them personally. “Every single song tells a story about somebody and something in relation to the meaning of our group and what we try to express as individuals and as a whole,” Saltzman comments.
It is frankly difficult to accept that the Backbeats accomplished all this while most of them were still in college, singing with their school’s a cappella groups, with baritone Kenton Chen, soprano Kelley Jakle, tenor Eitan Nir and alto Saltzman at USC, from which bass Todd G. Levin had recently graduated, soprano Joanna Jones at UCLA, and alto/vocal percussionist Courtney Jensen at Brigham Young University, while Jordan Pharoah, an alumnus of the Los Angeles County High School of the Performing Arts, was performing around Southern California.
This diverse gathering found common ground in the skills demanded for unaccompanied vocals. Perhaps the most important of these is to be able to listen to every voice in the blend while singing, making sure that it all comes together seamlessly. But with the Backbeats in particular, there was an additional requirement that each note convey the greatest possible feeling.
The bonds of trust developed rapidly as they began rehearsing for “The Sing-Off.” “We didn’t know what our group’s sound would be like when we came into it,” Saltzman says. “Like I said, our first performance ever was on the show, so we went on this little retreat before the taping. For a week we lived in a house together and just sang and ate and got to know each other more. You could tell even then there was something special here. We had no idea how people would react to us; we didn’t even think it would last past this summer. But it has and we wanted to keep it going.”
That’s what brought them into the studio. Ben Bram and Kenton Chen, who arranged and produced the album together, kept the magic alive by combining careful execution with spontaneity. “In the recording studio, options are limitless,” Bram explains. “On ‘The Sing- Off,’ The Backbeats only had their ten voices. In the studio, we could track as many times as we wanted. So we arranged everything carefully while also using the strengths of the studio, to maintain the soul and passion of the individual voices and the group sound as a whole. This gave us a chance to explore new songs and dig deeper into a variety of styles.”
“We do more than just sing,” Saltzman concludes. “We tell stories. We evoke emotions in ourselves and, hopefully, in the people we’re singing to. At the end of the day, it’s about making great music. We are a singing group, we are singers and we’re happiest when that’s what we’re doing.”
Firework
The Backbeats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drifting throuugh the wind
Wanting to start again
Do you ever feel
Feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards one blow from caving in
Do you ever feel
Already buried deep
Do you know that there's still a chance for you?
Cause there's a spark in you
You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the 4th of July
Cause Baby you're a firework
Come on, show them what you're worth
Make em go ah, ah, ah
As you shoot across the sky, y, y
Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make em go ah, ah, ah
You're gonna leave em falling down, down down
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It's always been inside of you, you, you
And now it's time to let it through
Cause Baby you're a firework
Come on, show them what you're worth
Make them go ah, ah, ah
As you shoot across the sky, y, y
Baby you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make em go ah, ah, ah
You're gonna leave em falling down, down, down
You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the 4th of July
The Backbeats's song "Firework" is a call to empowerment and self-discovery. The opening lyrics describe a feeling of isolation and being lost, "Do you ever feel like a plastic bag? Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again". The use of the metaphor of a plastic bag, something that has no real purpose or meaning, emphasizes the feeling of being disconnected from oneself and one's surroundings. Additionally, the repetition of the phrase "Do you ever feel" creates a sense of solidarity with the listener, acknowledging that these feelings are common.
The chorus of the song is an anthem for stepping into one's power and embracing individuality, "Cause baby, you're a firework. Come on, show them what you're worth. Make them go ah, ah, ah as you shoot across the sky, y, y". The repetition of the phrase "make them go ah, ah, ah" is a reference to fireworks, emphasizing the idea of shining bright and leaving a lasting impact. The line "just own the night like the 4th of July" further emphasizes the theme of independence and standing out.
The final verse speaks to the idea that one's potential is always within them and that it only takes a spark to bring it out, "It's always been inside of you, you, you. And now it's time to let it through". The bridge "Boom, boom, boom, Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon" reinforces the idea that the listener's potential is limitless and that they have the ability to create a powerful impact.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag?
Have you ever felt useless, tossed around and without purpose?
Drifting through the wind
Moving aimlessly without direction.
Wanting to start again
Desiring another chance to live with purpose.
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Have you ever felt vulnerable and transparent?
Like a house of cards one blow from caving in
Feeling fragile and on the verge of falling apart.
Already buried deep, 6 feet under, screams, but no one seems to hear a thing
Feeling hopeless and unheard despite going through struggles.
Do you know that there's still a chance for you?
There's always hope for a better future.
Cause there's a spark in you
You have the potential to shine.
You just gotta ignite the light
You need to find and harness the potential within you.
And let it shine
Let your true self flourish.
Just own the night
Take hold of the present and make the most of it.
Like the 4th of July
Be bold and bright, like fireworks lighting up the sky.
Cause baby you're a firework
You have the potential to shine and make an impact.
Come on, show them what you're worth
Don't be afraid to take chances and be your true self.
Make em go ah, ah, ah
Leave a lasting impression.
As you shoot across the sky, y, y
Making a grand impression on the world.
Come on, let your colors burst
Embrace your uniqueness and shine.
You're gonna leave em falling down, down down
You'll amaze people and leave them in awe.
Boom, boom, boom
Your impact will resonate and be felt by all.
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
You'll shine with an intensity that's hard to ignore.
It's always been inside of you, you, you
You always had the potential within you.
And now it's time to let it through
It's time to let your true self flourish.
Writer(s): Esther Dean, Katy Perry, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Sandy Julien Wilhelm
Contributed by Jackson C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
girasolegaio2016
I want more Backbeats! They are awesome. Goosebumps every time I hear them. They should have a CD.
TheGrandSkii
I love them as a group. They always make magical arrangements. I'm hoping that even though they were only put together for this competition that they stay together and make great music afterwards :).
Joe Mama
This is a great arrangement. . . . .only us "acappella heads" would understand!!!" Rock on Backbeats!!!!!!
reg munch
Kenton is phenomenally versatile!!!
MagMusic
I really do hope some record company is smart enough to get them signed and not get in their way (meaning let them continue to do their own arrangements). An album of covers, Backbeats style, would be really nice.
ahchiu9
Totally agree. He was my favorite vocalist in this group by far. That's the sign of a great director, though. His focus was on the quality of the group sound, not on himself. Class.
flooj9235
This is better than the original. These guys are amazing. :)
G. Victor Stillman
This group is blessed with the touch of all the angels in Heaven
therealhatman
This is easily my second favorite Firework adaptation ever, and it's far more impressive than my favorite. ...my favorite may or may not feature Nigel Thornberry.
lyght510
I swear I can listen to this song all day long..