The Holdup’s first EP was released in spring of 2007 and sold 1000 instant copies. Shortly after their EP’s success they were picked up and sponsored by Local Clothing Company Left Coast Boardwear and signed a record deal with the Independent label Dub Rock Records. Dub Rock Records quickly got to action and booked the band with national touring bands such as: The Dirty Heads, Rebelution, The B-Side Players, The B Foundation, Collie Buddz, and more.
With such songs as “Wildchild”, “Chronic Song” and the ever growing popular hit “Stay Gold”, the Holdup’s music is destined to be heard over airwaves and venues across the golden state. Combine surf rock melodies with ear catching lyrics and you get The Holdup, an energetic hardworking quintet that defines a unique style of California based dub rock music.
Still the same
The Holdup Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe you'd forgive me but there'd still be pain when you consider
that it's possible I'm not the one.
So much time you spent here believin that maybe I was perfect and I gave you a reason
to think what you think you see isn't what you're seein.
If you leave then I won't blame you for leavin.
Just know that I promise this was never my plan. If ya never forgive me you should understand,
that I'm sorry for being the way that I am.
Well, I cannot change I think I proved that to us both by now.
I have tried to be a better person, but I don't know how.
I never wanted to be this way. I'm tryin to do what I can to change.
I wish I could tell you all the things I'm doin. I know what to say to you but I'm too afraid.
I wish I could tell you I'm a bad guy. I wish I could tell you to stay away.
I know what's wrong with me I'm trying to fix it but somehow I keep making the same mistakes.
I'm trying to change, but I'm still the same.
I'm tryin to change, but somehow I'm still the same.
Leave it alone. How could I leave it alone?
When mistake after mistake is all that I've ever known.
Too many drinks and there's just too many hoes. Too many crazy nights after too many shows.
I'm not gonna stand here and keep asking for second chances. I know better than you. I don't deserve them.
Don't waste your time standin there asking me for honest answers. I'm not positive that you've ever heard them.
I'm sick of wakin up drunk. What am I doin?
I can' help but think this life is goin to end me. It doesn't seem to help to think about what I'm losing.
Never thought sober kids would be the ones that I envy.
You don't need me then why you still here? Well I wonder but that's your call.
I keep tellin myself I don't need you but I know that ain't true at all.
I never wanted to be this way. I'm tryin to do what I can to change.
I wish I could tell you all the things I'm doin. I know what to say to you but I'm too afraid.
I wish I could tell you I'm a bad guy. I wish I could tell you to stay away.
I know what's wrong with me I'm trying to fix it but somehow I keep making the same mistakes.
I'm trying to change, but I'm still the same.
I'm tryin to change, but somehow I'm still the same.
I'm trying to change, but I'm still the same.
I'm tryin to change, but somehow I'm still the same.
I'm trying to change, but I'm still the same.
I'm tryin to change, but somehow I'm still the same.
The Holdup's song "Still the Same" is a heartfelt apology song, where the singer regrets his past mistakes and wishes to change for the better. He admits to his past wrongs, acknowledging that he cannot change what he has already done, but he can take action to ensure that he does not repeat the same mistakes in the future. The song portrays the ongoing internal struggle of change and growth while struggling with the past.
In the first verse, the singer asks if his attempt to change would make up for the mistakes he has made in the past. He acknowledges the pain that he caused, and the possibility that he may not be the person the listener believed him to be. He reassures them that he understands if they decide to leave him, and he has no one to blame but himself.
The second verse talks about the singer's desire to change and the challenges he faces. He wishes he could communicate all the things he's trying to do to make amends, but he is afraid to do so. He recognizes his shortcomings and mentions his bad habits, such as drinking and flirting with other girls. The pre-chorus explains his dilemma of wanting to change but feeling trapped in his old ways, and how he hopes that the listener won't abandon him despite the things he has done.
The chorus is the repeating phrase "I'm trying to change, but I'm still the same," emphasizing the struggle in his growth process from his past. In the bridge, the singer questions the listener's motives and wonders why they are still with him despite his actions. He knows that he needs them in his life and admits that his efforts of attempting to push them away stem from fear.
All in all, "Still the Same" is a raw and emotional song about owning up to past mistakes, attempting to change, and hoping for forgiveness while struggling with the past.
Line by Line Meaning
If I told you I was tryin to change, would it make up for all the stupid things I've done?
Even if I try to change, the things I've done will still cause pain and I may not be the one you thought I was.
Maybe you'd forgive me but there'd still be pain when you consider
Even if you forgive me, the pain caused by my past mistakes will still be there.
that it's possible I'm not the one.
There's a possibility that I am not the person you thought I was.
So much time you spent here believin that maybe I was perfect and I gave you a reason
You believed in me, but I gave you a false perception of who I was.
to think what you think you see isn't what you're seein.
What you perceive me to be is not who I truly am.
If you leave then I won't blame you for leavin.
I won't blame you if you decide to leave.
Just know that I promise this was never my plan.
I never intended for things to turn out this way.
If ya never forgive me you should understand,
If you never forgive me, I hope you can still understand where I'm coming from.
that I'm sorry for being the way that I am.
I'm sorry for my actions and behaviors.
Guess I never say it cause I've done what I can.
I don't say sorry often because I feel like I've already done all I can to change.
Well, I cannot change I think I proved that to us both by now.
I have tried to change, but I don't think I've been successful.
I have tried to be a better person, but I don't know how.
Despite my attempts to be better, I still don't know how to change.
Leave it alone. How could I leave it alone?
I can't just ignore my mistakes and move on.
When mistake after mistake is all that I've ever known.
My past is full of mistakes and it's all I've ever known.
Too many drinks and there's just too many hoes.
I've made bad choices due to excessive drinking and promiscuity.
Too many crazy nights after too many shows.
My lifestyle has led to many wild nights after shows.
I'm not gonna stand here and keep asking for second chances.
I won't keep asking for forgiveness and second chances.
I know better than you. I don't deserve them.
I understand that I don't deserve your forgiveness and second chances.
Don't waste your time standin there asking me for honest answers.
You shouldn't waste your time asking me for honest answers because I'm not confident I can give them.
I'm sick of wakin up drunk. What am I doin?
I'm tired of the consequences of my drinking and don't know how to stop.
I can' help but think this life is goin to end me.
I fear that my lifestyle will lead to my demise.
It doesn't seem to help to think about what I'm losing.
I'm aware of what I'm losing, but it doesn't seem to motivate me to change.
Never thought sober kids would be the ones that I envy.
I never expected to envy those who are sober, but I do.
You don't need me then why you still here? Well I wonder but that's your call.
I don't know why you're still here if you don't need me, but that's up to you.
I keep tellin myself I don't need you but I know that ain't true at all.
I try to convince myself that I don't need you, but I know that's not true.
I'm trying to change, but I'm still the same.
Despite my efforts, I'm still struggling with the same issues.
I'm tryin to change, but somehow I'm still the same.
Continuing to try and change, but still finding myself in the same patterns.
I'm trying to change, but I'm still the same.
Despite wanting to change, I feel stuck in my ways.
I'm tryin to change, but somehow I'm still the same.
Despite my efforts to change, I still feel like I'm not improving.
Writer(s): Kyle Jon Christensen, Michael Ryan Garmany, Cesar Alfonso Estrada, Daniel Lucas Flores
Contributed by Gianna N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
DJ
on Smell These Roses
Smell These Roses
The Holdup
Started every single sentence with remember when.
Never gonna get those frowns.
Used to wanna pray that it would never end.
But now I’d rather close my eyes.
When my friends hit me like one drink, anything,
Miss them too, but I’m busy so I say that I’m cool.
But I know they won’t stop till I say yes.
Shit, I don’t want to say yes tonight.
Trynna save some bread and move out,
Get a new couch, and a blender for the kitchen.
Looks like I’m going out now,
Heading downtown, and instead I’ll be wishing.
Everything could feel this good like, what about one more good night?
What about something better, when this all gets old?
So go…
Smell these roses one more time.
We ain’t gonna be here for that long.
Gotta move on at some point, even though it’s everything I know.
Oh, everything I know.
Oh.
Thank you mama for letting me stay home for a decade or two.
All that good karma, well, I promise that it’s gonna come back to you.
And my big head and my big brain ninny.
I got a lot of knowledge but my confidence is thinning.
I guess doing what you want is more like making a decision.
Maybe I’m just scared to make it and that’s why I’m always tripping.
I just wish that we could laugh inside, shit, every night.
But we got to go to class and work, guess that’s what’s right.
So I put my boots on and I slick back my hair.
Some coffee and I’m no longer tripping.
I try to ignore that life isn’t fair,
But, sometimes you still catch me wishing.
Everything could feel this good like, what about one more good night?
What about something better, when this all gets old?
So go…
Smell these roses one more time.
We ain’t gonna be here for that long.
Gotta move on at some point, even though it’s everything I know.
Oh, everything I know.
Oh.
Everything could feel this good like, what about one more good night?
What about something better, when this all gets old?
So go…
Smell these roses one more time.
We ain’t gonna be here for that long.
Gotta move on at some point, even though it’s everything I know.
Oh, everything I know.
Oh.