Two years later in January 2002, Pryor released Para Toda Vida, this time sticking almost purely to acoustic guitar, with the exception of a few tracks utilizing harmonica and banjo as well. However, the next year the band went a step further in the release of Worse for the Wear, which utilized a full band for the first time, which at this time included Get Up Kids bandmates Ryan Pope and his brother Rob, as well as longtime friend and producer Ed Rose. The album was one of the earlier albums to be recorded at Black Lodge Studios, the recording studio renovated and co-owned by Ed Rose and the members of The Get Up Kids.
The band's next album, Killed or Cured was released in 2005. However, it was written during a turbulent time within The Get Up Kids leading up to the band's breakup. Because of this Vagrant Records, the label to which both the bands were signed, didn't want to release the album until The Get Up Kids finished their farewell tour in the summer of that year. For this reason, a portion of the album was released online for free via the New Amsterdams website. The album was released in its full version through retail channels on April 10, 2007.
In 2006, the band released the album Story Like a Scar with what is now the current lineup, including Bill Belzer on drums, Eric McCann on upright bass, and Dustin Kinsey on guitar.
In September 2007, the band released another album, At the Foot of My Rival on CD, Vinyl and Digital Download. However, after a long relationship with Vagrant Records, the band decided to release the album on Elmar, (named after Pryor's son Elliot Marshall) an offshoot of Curb Appeal Records, owned in part by former Get Up Kids bandmate Jim Suptic.
In January 2008 the band released a collection of demos and b-sides, available exclusively through their website.
In May of the same year, they went on their first European tour, starting in Amsterdam. The band plans to go in a small hiatus after that, until the end of the year. After that, they will start working on the next album.
Musically, the songs are folksy and mellow. Lyrically, the songs often seem to deal with Christianity and religion though Matt hasn't made claims to any particular faith. Much of it could be considered "christian rock," though many fans of Pryor from his Get Up Kids days would probably deny or ignore such a comment.
Turn Out The Light
The New Amsterdams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You sing in your sleep, it echoes in the hills
You can't hear a word
You can't hear my broken will
The world through a windshield
Is callous and cheap
I toss and I turn I can't get to sleep
The days that turn into weeks
I've been wrong, but it's alright
They've been long and lonely nights
I was lost till I found you
I'm turnin' out the light
I'll stay if you want me to
Somehow my time got outta my hands
I just wanna stop, master commands
Telling the truth won't be this way again
A long ways away, but you're never alone
I look at the sky, over our home
I'll be around; a few more miles to go
I've been wrong, but it's alright
They've been long and lonely nights
I was lost till I found you
I'm turnin' out the light
I'll stay if you want me to
You don't have to say it
You don't have to speak
I've been away, worried and weak
Don't say a word
I've been wrong, but it's alright
They've been long and lonely nights
I was lost till I found you
I'm turnin' out the light
I'll stay if you want me to
The New Amsterdams's song "Turn Out The Light" is an emotional ballad that portrays the feelings of a person who has been lost and away for a while and is finally back home with their loved one. The first verse describes the struggles they faced as they were away from home. The line, "I know that it burns like poison in the pill," is a metaphor for the pain that they went through while they were away. The person they are singing to is depicted as one that is unable to hear their words, and the singer's will is broken, representing the emotional exhaustion they experienced.
The singer goes on to describe their feelings of being lost and restless, unable to sleep as they lay in bed counting the hours and days that feel like weeks, struggling to catch up on the lost time. They admit that they have made mistakes but are willing to make things right ("I've been wrong, but it's alright"). The chorus of the song speaks of their relief at finding their loved one and their willingness to stay if they want them to.
The second verse, however, reveals that the singer's time with their loved one is fleeting, and they wish time would stop. They want to savor the moment, and the singer looks at the sky, over their home, wishing to stay longer but understanding that they still have miles to go. The song ends on this bittersweet note, full of hope and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that it burns like poison in the pill
I understand that this situation is painful and uncomfortable, like taking poison in pill form.
You sing in your sleep, it echoes in the hills
Your subconscious thoughts and emotions are so strong that they're projected into the surrounding environment, even in your sleep.
You can't hear a word / You can't hear my broken will
Even though I'm trying to communicate with you, you're not able to understand the deep emotional struggles I'm experiencing.
The world through a windshield / Is callous and cheap
Viewing the world through the sterile and impersonal lens of a car windshield creates a feeling of indifference and coldness.
I toss and I turn I can't get to sleep / Counting the hours / The days that turn into weeks
I'm struggling with insomnia, and the passage of time seems unbearably slow.
I've been wrong, but it's alright / They've been long and lonely nights / I was lost till I found you / I'm turnin' out the light / I'll stay if you want me to
Despite my past mistakes, I'm comforted by the presence of this person and am now able to rest and relax.
Somehow my time got outta my hands / I just wanna stop, master commands / Telling the truth won't be this way again
I feel like I've lost control of my life, and I'm currently focused on the present moment rather than worrying about the future or the past.
A long ways away, but you're never alone / I look at the sky, over our home / I'll be around; a few more miles to go
Even if we're geographically separated, we're still connected and I'm still thinking of you, even as I travel and move through the world.
You don't have to say it / You don't have to speak / I've been away, worried and weak / Don't say a word
This person doesn't need to express their emotional support verbally - I can feel their presence regardless of what they say or how they act.
I've been wrong, but it's alright / They've been long and lonely nights / I was lost till I found you / I'm turnin' out the light / I'll stay if you want me to
Despite my past mistakes, I'm comforted by the presence of this person and am now able to rest and relax.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ADAM NUTTER, PHILIP JORDAN, ROBERT HARVEY, STUART COLEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yrantiquebrand
i know that it burns
like poison in the pill
sing me to sleep
echoes in the hills
can’t hear a word
can’t hear my broken will
the world through a windshield
is callous and cheap
i toss and i turn
but i can’t get to sleep
counting the hours
the days that turn into weeks
i’ve been wrong, but it’s alright
and there’ve been long and lonely nights
i’ve been lost, but i found you
turn out the light
i’ll stay if you want me to
somehow my time got out of my hands
i just want to stop
the master commands
i’m telling you the truth
it won’t be this way again
a long ways away but you’re never alone
you look at the sky over our home
i’ll be around
a few more miles to go
i’ve been wrong, but it’s alright
there’ve been long and lonely nights
i was lost ’til i found you
turn off the light
i’ll stay if you want me to
you don’t have to say it
you don’t have to speak
i’ve been away, worried and weak
don’t say a word
i’ve been wrong, but it’s alright
there’ve been long and lonely nights
i was lost ’til i found you
turn out the light
i’ll stay if you want me to
@laurendoughty4572
still here in 2021. missing the new ams! <3
@charlieyeager9551
You and me both!
@chrisgill3525
One of a precious few perfect songs ever created
@Anasims45
This song is one of my favorite songs of College Rock from Pets. Love it!
@danielh8569
This song makes me cry every time I hear it.
@aricbelzer1063
Glad to see my good Ole uncle Bill Belzer was enjoying his time. Wish you guys would make more music
@ClimbingFences
I love this song <3 I first listened to it while playing Sims yesterday :D
@katymarino2
u guys r my favorite band. i have never felt so connected to someones music as i am with urs. thank u sooo much!
@rasmusirlind8829
this upload is older than half the kids using youtube today
@Aboutabee
i love this song its so great i wish the radio played it