… Read Full Bio ↴The Graduate was an American indie/emo band from Springfield, Illinois.
The Graduate formed in central Illinois in November 2005, after the breakup of two other local bands (Best of Winter from Quincy, Illinois and Jack from Springfield, Illinois) whose members began playing shows together. Lead singer Corey Warning said of the band's name, "None of us graduated from college. Well, we all graduated from high school, but none of us from college, so the name's kind of ironic." The band independently released an EP entitled Horror Show in April 2006, and toured nationally with bands such as Jack's Mannequin, The Audition, The Junior Varsity, Punchline, Waking Ashland, and Secondhand Serenade.
In late 2006, College Music Journal featured The Graduate on the cover of the CMJ New Music Report for being the most added band to college radio stations during the week of December 3, 2006. 167 stations added their EP, Horror Show to their airplay lineup in total. On April 6, 2007, Spin named The Graduate its Band of the Day.
The Graduate released their debut full length album, Anhedonia on April 10, 2007. The band played a number of Warped Tour shows in the summer of 2007 to promote their new album as well as supporting acts such as The Audition and Spitalfield on two separate U.S. tours. They also played at Lollapalooza that year. The band then went on a short European/UK headlining tour which included playing the German music festival, Rock am See.
On November 27, 2007, The Graduate released The Evergreen EP as an early Christmas gift for fans. The EP includes acoustic versions of "Anhedonia" and "The City That Reads" from Anhedonia as well as a cover of "Blue Christmas" and a previously unreleased song "Gunslinger". The album was issued in a limited run of 5,000 copies which were given out free at FYE record stores, mostly in their home state of Illinois.
In the summer of 2008, The Graduate completed a U.S. tour with My American Heart, Secondhand Serenade, PlayRadioPlay, and Rookie of the Year. On October 31, 2008, the group's label, Icon MES, folded, and because of this, the deluxe edition of their debut entitled Anhedonia Revisted (which had been slated for release on November 4, 2008) was cancelled. Following a tour with Ludo and Eye Alaska in November 2008, the group announced plans to write and record their follow-up full-length.
The band signed with Razor & Tie in May 2010; Brian McTernan produced their sophomore full-length album Only Every Time, which was released on August 31, 2010. Only Every Time reached #28 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. Only Every Time was followed in 2011 with Every Other Time (a digital-only EP of B-sides) and the Sea Legs EP, as well as a vinyl release of Only Every Time on American Dream Records.
On July 1, 2011, The Graduate announced an indefinite hiatus.
On July 8, 2011, The Graduate announced that their final show would be at Reggie's Rock Club in Chicago, IL. On August 27, 2011 The Graduate performed their final show which was recorded live. Following the filming of the final show the band's frontman, Corey Warning, started a Kickstarter project with which they hoped to raise money to make a DVD commemorating the band and featuring their last show. The project's original goal, set on September 18, 2011 was to raise $3,000. Funding for the project ended October 18, 2011 and with 210 backers, the project was funded 350% ($10,513).
Matt Kennedy – guitar, keyboards, vocals
Tim Moore – drums
Max Sauer – guitar, vocals
Corey Warning – vocals
Jared Wuestenberg – bass
Discography
Albums
Anhedonia (2007, Icon MES Records)
Only Every Time (2010, Razor & Tie)
EPs
Horror Show (2006, self-pressed)
The Evergreen EP (2007, Icon MES Records)
Every Other Time (B-Sides from Only Every Time) (2011 Razor and Tie)
Sea Legs (EP) (2011, Self-Released)
Justified
The Graduate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The night's about to get a whole lot sweeter
Looking back it's so romantic
The room, the lock, the key, the bed
The sultry look you shot me
I'm gonna see you someday very, very soon
I've got a fresh excuse and transportation
Ways I never thought it could have been done
Well it's getting done
You want to take me down with you
Just as well, I'm justified
You want to take me there again
Come on, come on, come on, come on
We're running out of time
I'm coming back to see if there was something left
I can't forget
I've got to have you one more time
Just one more time
Don't fall asleep so fast
We'll never get the chance
We never got it
You want to take me down with you
Just as well, I'm justified
You want to take me there again
Come on, come on, come on, come on
We're running out of time, yeah
You want to take me there again
Come on, come on, come on, come on
We're running out of time
The lyrics to "Justified" by The Graduate seem to be about a one-night stand or a short-lived romance, as the singer describes the room, the lock, the key, the bed, and the sultry look that was exchanged with their partner. Despite the brevity of the encounter, the singer is yearning to see this person again, as they will have a "fresh excuse and transportation" to do so. The urgency of the situation is emphasized as they are "running out of time" and the singer expresses a desire to have this experience again, claiming that they "have to have you one more time."
The second verse seems to suggest that the singer has already had this experience before and is coming back to see if there was something left. They can't forget or get enough of this person and want to relive this moment with them again. However, the singer also acknowledges that time is running out and seems determined to make the most of what they have left.
Overall, the song portrays a sense of spontaneity and passion, highlighting the thrill of taking risks and seizing the moment. Despite the fleeting nature of the encounter, the singer seems fulfilled by the experience and justified in their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
I could tell from where you're standing
I can sense that you're eager for something.
The night's about to get a whole lot sweeter
The upcoming events are likely to offer you pleasure and satisfaction.
Looking back it's so romantic
When we remember the past, it seems like an idyllic time of love and passion.
The room, the lock, the key, the bed
I remember the place where we had our intimate moments, with all the details that made it special.
The sultry look you shot me
Your alluring expression made it clear that you desired me and the feelings were mutual.
I'm gonna see you someday very, very soon
I am eager to meet you in the near future.
I've got a fresh excuse and transportation
I have a new pretext and the means to come and see you.
You'll want to take me, shake me, show me
I anticipate that you'll be eager to explore our physical desires together.
Ways I never thought it could have been done
We'll experiment with new things and push our limits.
Well it's getting done
We're making our desires a reality and acting on our impulses.
You want to take me down with you
You wish to indulge in fantasies with me and involve me in your pleasures.
Just as well, I'm justified
I am confident that it's ethical and fair for me to join you in our physical intimacy.
You want to take me there again
You desire to recreate the passion and excitement we shared before.
Come on, come on, come on, come on
You're urging me to hurry and seize the moment with you.
We're running out of time
We need to act quickly and take advantage of the limited opportunity.
I'm coming back to see if there was something left
I am returning to verify if there are any lingering sparks or possibilities that we can explore.
I can't forget
My thoughts are filled with memories of our past connections and encounters.
I've got to have you one more time
I crave and desire to be physically intimate with you again.
Just one more time
I merely desire another opportunity for us to satisfy our desires together.
Don't fall asleep so fast
Don't let our moment end too quickly without savoring the sensations and pleasure.
We'll never get the chance
We may not have the opportunity to be intimate again, so it's important to make it count.
You want to take me there again
Your eagerness to be intimate with me again is a strong desire that you can't resist.
Come on, come on, come on, come on
You're imploring me to hurry and not waste this opportunity.
We're running out of time, yeah
The clock is ticking, and we need to seize this moment before it passes us by.
Contributed by Zachary N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Molly McFarland
I’m reminiscing on my college days and remembered how much I loved this band. Kinda/super sad they’re not a thing anymore.
G Bunni
I'm glad they made music together. I'm still enjoying it even now.
truska4life
I miss this song . It was my alarm clock for so long.
Patrick Coffey
great album. these guys are pretty cool. stayed at my place 1 time when I lived in Erie, PA.
SlowStabs
ive been waiting for this album to get on youtube forever! xD so excited its up!
J1357
Awesome.