Composed primarily of transplants to the Seattle area, The Head and the Heart write and play songs that speak to the newness of a fresh start, of the ghosts left behind, of moving forward, all brimming with a soulfulness and hope for a better life than the one we've all been sold.
Stylistically, think a folksy Beatles or The Avett Brothers with a little extra oomph. Catchy piano melodies stand side by side with a tight trio of harmonies, and solid minimalist drums, groovin' bass, and plenty of hand percussion and foot stomps make the live show inspiring and really goddamn fun.
After the band self-released its eponymous debut album in June 2010, the emblematic Seattle label Sub Pop re-released the album. For the Sub Pop version, the song “Sounds like Hallelujah” has been re-recorded, live favorite “Rivers and Roads” has been added, and the album has been re-mastered.
The band's second album "Let's Be Still" was released on October 15, 2013.
The band released their third studio album, "Signs of Light", in September 2016.
The band's fourth album, "Living Mirage", was released in May 2019.
Band member Josiah Johnson released his debut solo album, "Every Feeling On a Loop", in September 2020.
People Need A Melody
The Head and the Heart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't bear the weight
Pick your mood upfront
We don't have the time
When you find someone
You don't run away
Pick yourself up kid
All those wicks in your head
Is that all this really was?
Just a role you played
That you could hide behind
Is it what you want
To bury yourself away
Before your time goes?
I don't want a love that holds us back
I don't want a life that I can't have
'Cause people need a melody to open their eyes
Like a key to a memory frozen in time
Holding onto everything, you're stuck in the past
Boy, when you gonna learn the world moves fast?
So pick yourself up kid
I can't bear the weight
Let the light back in
'Cause you've been walkin' blind
Now it's all on you
Don't you let it fade
Before your time goes
I don't want a love that holds us back
I don't want a life that I can't have
'Cause people need a melody to open their eyes
Like a key to a memory frozen in time
Holding onto everything, you're stuck in the past
Boy, when you gonna learn the world moves fast?
The world moves
It's been a little while since we've
Been together, it's
Been a long time since we were
Young and wild, remember?
We were friends, remember?
And we were lovers, it's
Not too late, it was
Never too late
People need a melody to open their eyes
To a memory frozen in time
Holding onto everything, you're stuck in the past
Boy, when you gonna learn the world moves fast?
People need a melody to open their eyes
To a memory frozen in time
I don't want a love that holds us back
I don't want a life that I can't have
I don't want a love that holds us back
In the song "People Need a Melody" by The Head and the Heart, the singer is encouraging someone to pick themselves up and let the light back in. The song seems to be directed towards someone who is struggling with their past and is fixated on memories that are holding them back. The first verse implies that the singer is tired of carrying the weight of someone else's burden and wants them to take control of their life. The second verse describes how the person may have been hiding behind a façade and now has to face the reality of their situation.
The chorus of the song envisions a world that needs a "melody" to open people's eyes and remind them of memories that they have forgotten or buried. The melody represents a key that unlocks these memories and helps people move forward. The singer points out that while holding onto the past can be comforting, it also holds people back from experiencing life to the fullest. The final verse is a call to action, imploring the person to remember the good times they had in the past and use them as inspiration to move forward.
Overall, the song is a reminder that while holding onto memories can be comforting, it's also important to live in the present and embrace new experiences. It's a call to action for people to take control of their lives and make the most of the time they have.
Line by Line Meaning
Pick yourself up kid
Encouraging someone to stand up and move forward
I can't bear the weight
The singer cannot carry the burden of the listener's problems
Pick your mood upfront
Choose to approach situations in a positive way
We don't have the time
There is no time to waste on negativity
When you find someone
When you meet someone special
You don't run away
Don't abandon what could be a meaningful relationship
All those wicks in your head
All those thoughts in your mind
Is that all this really was?
Was everything just an act?
Just a role you played
Merely a character you portrayed
That you could hide behind
A facade to conceal your true self
Is it what you want
Is that what you truly desire?
To bury yourself away
To withdraw from others and your true potential
Before your time goes?
Before it's too late to make the most of life
I don't want a love that holds us back
The singer desires a loving relationship that allows both parties to grow
I don't want a life that I can't have
The singer doesn't want to live with unfulfilled dreams
People need a melody to open their eyes
Music has the power to evoke emotions and inspire change
Like a key to a memory frozen in time
Music can unlock memories and transport us to the past
Holding onto everything, you're stuck in the past
Holding onto the past prevents growth and moving forward
Boy, when you gonna learn the world moves fast?
Don't let life pass you by; seize opportunities while you can
Let the light back in
Allow positivity and hope back into your life
Cause you've been walking blind
You haven't been seeing the bigger picture
Now it's all on you
Now it's your responsibility to create your own happiness and future
Don't you let it fade
Don't let opportunities or relationships slip away
It's been a little while since we've
It's been some time since we connected
Been together, it's
Spent quality time together
Been a long time since we were
It's been a long time since we were young and carefree
Young and wild, remember?
Remember the time when we were young and carefree?
We were friends, remember?
Remember the time when we were good friends?
And we were lovers, it's
We were also romantically involved at some point
Not too late, it was
It's never too late to reconnect with someone
People need a melody to open their eyes
Music has the power to motivate and inspire change
To a memory frozen in time
Music can unlock and bring up memories and emotions from the past
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alex Salibian, Charity Rose Thielen, Christopher Shane Zasche, Jonathan Eric Russell, Mathew Lee Gervais, Nate Cyphert, Robert Tyler Williams, Tyler Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roland
Pick yourself up, kid
I can't bare the weight
Pick your mood up, friend
We don't have the time
When you find someone
We don't run away
Pick yourself up, kid
All those books in your head
Is that all this really was?
Just a role you play
That you could hide behind
Is it what you want?
To bury yourself away
Before your time goes
I don't want a love that holds us back
I don't want a life that I can't have
'Cause people need a melody to open their eyes
Like a key to a memory frozen in time
Holding onto everything, you're stuck in the past
Boy, when you gonna learn the world moves fast?
So pick yourself up, kid
I can't bare the weight
Let the light back in
'Cause you've been walking blind
Now it's all on you
Don't you let it fade
Before your time goes
I don't want a love that holds us back
I don't want a life that I can't have
'Cause people need a melody to open their eyes
Like a key to a memory frozen in time
Holding onto everything, you're stuck in the past
Boy, when you gonna learn the world moves fast?
The world moves
It's been a little while since we've been together
It's been a long time since we were young and wild, remember?
When we were friends, remember?
When we were lovers
It's not too late, it was never too late
People need a melody to open their eyes
To a memory frozen in time
Holding onto everything, you're stuck in the past
Boy, when you gonna learn the world moves fast?
People need a melody to open their eyes
To a memory frozen in time
I don't want a love that holds us back
I don't want a life that I can't have
I don't want a love that holds us back
Rizqo Marrafatti
Thank you for reminding me to live the life with melody!
This is actualy the first time i listen to a song that makes me remember my friend and the time when i was young (and wild probably), which then brings me instantly to the memory i made when i was younger.
i am not old relatively, but the pressure and time-demand from work makes me think it's not the time
but yeah, it's never too late.
Thanks for The melody!
Fin Tied Fish
This song helped save my life today. Thanks guys. From the bottom of my heart.
Mayar Hesham
You are not alone <3
Gavin Hill
How are you?
Alterra Media Kzoo
Hope your doing well!
Hope Elliott
Imagine blasting this while driving home just as the sun sets, screaming the chorus and feeling nostalgic for memories you don't even have.
Roland
Pick yourself up, kid
I can't bare the weight
Pick your mood up, friend
We don't have the time
When you find someone
We don't run away
Pick yourself up, kid
All those books in your head
Is that all this really was?
Just a role you play
That you could hide behind
Is it what you want?
To bury yourself away
Before your time goes
I don't want a love that holds us back
I don't want a life that I can't have
'Cause people need a melody to open their eyes
Like a key to a memory frozen in time
Holding onto everything, you're stuck in the past
Boy, when you gonna learn the world moves fast?
So pick yourself up, kid
I can't bare the weight
Let the light back in
'Cause you've been walking blind
Now it's all on you
Don't you let it fade
Before your time goes
I don't want a love that holds us back
I don't want a life that I can't have
'Cause people need a melody to open their eyes
Like a key to a memory frozen in time
Holding onto everything, you're stuck in the past
Boy, when you gonna learn the world moves fast?
The world moves
It's been a little while since we've been together
It's been a long time since we were young and wild, remember?
When we were friends, remember?
When we were lovers
It's not too late, it was never too late
People need a melody to open their eyes
To a memory frozen in time
Holding onto everything, you're stuck in the past
Boy, when you gonna learn the world moves fast?
People need a melody to open their eyes
To a memory frozen in time
I don't want a love that holds us back
I don't want a life that I can't have
I don't want a love that holds us back
suspicious avocado
Thank for the lyrics
Cassandra Harper
@inspirationworks bare*
inspirationworks
I don't know if you copied and pasted or whether you transcribed these lyrics ... I only want to point out that the form of "bear" here is bear ... Bear the weight of the world, Grin and bear it, etc. I am not trying to nitpick or come off as a know it all, I just wanted to let you know because there really are people on the internet who will nitpick and judge on the most insignificant thing. It isn't a big deal to me personally, I just wanted to let you know in case that kind of thing matters to you. Thank you for adding the lyrics. I always like to read along as they sing ! Namaste
El Camino
I have all sorts of feeling listening to this song! Happy. Sad. Uplifted. Emotional. I want to cry for no reason other than it's very sentimental. Amazing song!