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 Lights
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 Lights is a heart-warming ballad that speaks about the power of love to heal brokenness and provide a safe haven for the vulnerable. The song starts by describing the agony of someone for whom love feels like poison in a pill; someone who is haunted by past hurts and whose sleep is filled with nightmarish echoes of their pain. Despite the singer's attempts to communicate, their beloved's hurt is so deep that their "broken will" cannot hear the words of comfort.
The song then transitions to talking about the world, which is described as "callous and cheap" when seen through a windshield. The singer is tossing and turning, unable to sleep as the hours drag by into days and weeks. He is lost and lonely, but his love has given him a newfound hope. If he can turn out the light, he'll stay with his beloved and support them through their suffering. The singer recognizes that they've been through hard times but is ready to commit to a future together.
As the song comes to an end, the singer urges his beloved not to say a word. He's been away and worried, but he's back now and ready to listen. The final chorus repeats the themes of the song and highlights the singer's willingness to be there for his partner, no matter what comes their way.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that it burns like poison in the pill
I understand that the truth is hard to swallow and causes pain
You sing in your sleep, it echoes in the hills
Your thoughts and worries affect you even in your subconscious
You can't hear a word
You are closed off and not willing to listen
You can't hear my broken will
You cannot understand my vulnerability and emotional distress
The world through a windshield
The view of the world from behind a car is indifferent
Is callous and cheap
The world can be harsh and unfeeling
I toss and I turn I can't get to sleep
I am restless and plagued by anxiety
Counting the hours
I am aware of the passing of time
The days that turn into weeks
Time seems to drag on and feel interminable
I've been wrong, but it's alright
I accept my faults and mistakes
They've been long and lonely nights
The nights have been full of sorrow and isolation
I was lost till I found you
You brought me a sense of direction and purpose
I'm turnin' out the light
I am letting go of my fears and worries
I'll stay if you want me to
I am willing to stay and support you
Somehow my time got outta my hands
I feel like I have lost control of my life
I just wanna stop, master commands
I wish to escape from the pressures and demands of life
Telling the truth won't be this way again
Being honest about my feelings may not come as easily in the future
A long ways away, but you're never alone
Even if we are physically distant, we are still connected
I look at the sky, over our home
I am reminded of our shared memories and experiences
I'll be around; a few more miles to go
I will continue to be here for you, even if there are challenges ahead
You don't have to say it
You do not need to verbalize your feelings
You don't have to speak
Communicating does not always require words
I've been away, worried and weak
I have been absent and struggling with my own issues
Don't say a word
We can find comfort and understanding in silence
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