Art often thrives in the aftermath of adversity, and since we last heard from Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, there have been plenty of variables that the five-piece alternative rock act had to endure. But for the Middleburg, Florida-based band, hardships eventually ironed out thanks to unrelenting perseverance, paving the way for the band’s incredibly ambitious (and aptly titled) The Hell Or High Water EP, release August 24th, 2010.
The self-released project comes on the heels of the band’s voluntary parting of ways with Virgin Records, the company that first signed the band for 2006’s gold selling Don’t You Fake It (spawning the smash single “Face Down”), followed by 2009’s Lonely Road (which debuted in the top twenty of the Billboard 200), but eventually became more of an albatross than an anchor for the burgeoning band.
According to the Reap Song facts, the first single from The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus' third studio album, Am I the Enemy?, "Reap", was released via YouTube on March 24 2011, then for download a month later on April 26, 2011. The whole album was released on August 29, 2011.
Ronnie Winter - Lead Vocals,
Josh Burke - Guitar
Randy Winter - Guitar
Joey Westwood - Bass, Vocals
Kris Comeaux - Drums, Vocals
www.redjumpsuit.com
www.myspace.com/redjumpsuit
http://www.purevolume.com/theredjumpsuitapparatus
www.twitter.com/redjumpsuit
www.twitter.com/redjumpsuitfl
http://www.facebook.com/redjumpsuitapparatus
Shooting Star
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bringing light into my dark
Showing me a better way
I thought I'd given up on love
I thought I'd given up on trust
Oh and it was sorrowing then
So I pushed you away
I was down at the bottom of the bottle so long
I couldn't get help
You came to me and showed me that everything could be ok
I needed someone to love me that dies in the same way
I really don't deserve your love
My sweet Angela
You're the one I have to thank
There's a darkness inside of me
Most of you will not see
Yeah and somehow she decided to stay
Now I'm forever changed
But you wouldn't let me drown
I was down at the bottom of the bottle so long
I couldn't get help
You came to me and showed me that everything could be ok
I needed someone to love me that dies in the same way
Oh, I'm not afraid to die
But I'm afraid of you
Waking up tomorrow saying "we are through"
Now that I'm finally clean
God sent me an angel to fix these broken wings
God sent me an angel
But I fell in love with her
You wouldn't let me drown (no)
I was down at the bottom of the bottle so long
I couldn't get help
You came to me and showed me that everything could be ok
I needed someone to love me that dies in the same way
The lyrics of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus's song "Shooting Star" are about falling in love with someone who helps you overcome your inner demons and shows you a better way of living. The singer compares their lover to a shooting star because they brought light into their dark world and showed them hope when they thought they had given up on love and trust. The singer also reveals that they were drowning in alcoholism and depression before their lover came along and saved them. They had pushed their lover away at first but eventually realized that they needed someone in their life who loved them in the same way they did. The singer acknowledges their past mistakes and admits that they feel undeserving of their lover's love.
The chorus repeats the idea that the singer's lover came to their rescue when they were at the bottom of the bottle for too long and couldn't get help. They needed someone who had gone through similar struggles to show them that things could be better. The bridge reveals the singer's fear of losing their love despite finally being clean and happy. They feel that God sent an angel to fix their broken wings, but they fell in love with that angel instead.
Overall, "Shooting Star" is a song about overcoming difficult situations and finding hope in someone else. The singer's love interest serves as a guiding light that helps them heal from past wounds and start anew. The song also tackles the fear of losing that guiding light despite finally finding a better way of living.
Line by Line Meaning
You came in like a shooting star
You appeared suddenly and brilliantly, illuminating the darkness in my life.
Bringing light into my dark
You brought hope and happiness into my bleak existence.
Showing me a better way
You guided me towards a better path in life.
I thought I'd given up on love
I had lost faith in the possibility of finding love in my life.
I thought I'd given up on trust
I had lost all trust in people around me and in the world.
Oh and it was sorrowing then
My life was filled with pain and sorrow at that time.
So I pushed you away
I tried to distance myself from you because I was afraid of getting hurt again.
But you wouldn't let me drown
You didn't let me fall deeper into my despair and helped me rise above it.
I was down at the bottom of the bottle so long
I had been drowning my sorrows in alcohol for a very long time.
I couldn't get help
I was unable to seek help by myself and felt helpless.
You came to me and showed me that everything could be ok
You came into my life and reassured me that everything could be better.
I needed someone to love me that dies in the same way
I craved for someone who could understand and love me in the same way I did.
I really don't deserve your love
I don't feel worthy of your love and care.
My sweet Angela
A term of endearment given to the person who helped him.
You're the one I have to thank
He is grateful to her for her love and care.
There's a darkness inside of me
He has deep-seated emotional issues that others cannot see.
Most of you will not see
Many people are unaware of his inner turmoil and struggles.
Yeah and somehow she decided to stay
Despite his issues, she chose to stay with him and support him.
Now I'm forever changed
He has been transformed by the love and support of the person who helped him.
Oh, I'm not afraid to die
He is not scared of death.
But I'm afraid of you
He is scared of losing the person who has helped him so much.
Waking up tomorrow saying "we are through"
He fears the possibility of losing the person who has helped him and waking up alone.
Now that I'm finally clean
He has overcome his addiction and is now sober.
God sent me an angel to fix these broken wings
He believes that the person who helped him was sent to him by a divine power.
God sent me an angel
Repeated to emphasize his belief that she was a divine blessing in his life.
But I fell in love with her
He has also fallen in love with the person who helped him.
You wouldn't let me drown (no)
Reiteration of the fact that she saved him from drowning in his own sorrows.
I needed someone to love me that dies in the same way
Repeated again, emphasizing how much he needed someone who could understand and love him the way he did.
Contributed by Isabella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jagaranda663
You came in like a shooting star
Bringing light into my dark
Showing me a better way
I thought I'd given up on love
I thought I'd given up on trust
Oh and it was sorrowing then
So I pushed you away
But you wouldn't let me drown
I was down at the bottom of the bottle so long
I couldn't get help
You came to me and showed me that everything could be ok
I needed someone to love me that dies in the same way
I really don't deserve your love
My sweet Angela
You're the one I have to thank
There's a darkness inside of me
Most of you will not see
Yeah and somehow she decided to stay
Now I'm forever changed
But you wouldn't let me drown
I was down at the bottom of the bottle so long
I couldn't get help
You came to me and showed me that everything could be ok
I needed someone to love me that dies in the same way
Oh, I'm not afraid to die
But I'm afraid of you
Waking up tomorrow saying "we are through"
Now that I'm finally clean
God sent me an angel to fix these broken wings
God sent me an angel
But I fell in love with her
You wouldn't let me drown (no)
I was down at the bottom of the bottle so long
I couldn't get help
You came to me and showed me that everything could be ok
I needed someone to love me that dies in the same way
@yorozuyagin3507
You came in like a shooting star
Bringing light into my dark
Showing me a better way
I thought I'd given up on love
I thought I'd given up on trust
Oh and it was sorrowing then
So I pushed you away
But you wouldn't let me drown
I was down at the bottom of the bottle so long
I couldn't get help
You came to me and showed me that everything could be ok
I needed someone to love me that dies in the same way
I really don't deserve your love
My sweet Angela
You're the one I have to thank
There's a darkness inside of me
Most of you will not see
Yeah and somehow she decided to stay
Now I'm forever changed
But you wouldn't let me drown
I was down at the bottom of the bottle so long
I couldn't get help
You came to me and showed me that everything could be ok
I needed someone to love me that dies in the same way
Oh, I'm not afraid to die
But I'm afraid of you
Waking up tomorrow saying "we are through"
Now that I'm finally clean
God sent me an angel to fix these broken wings
God sent me an angel
But I fell in love with her
You wouldn't let me drown (no)
I was down at the bottom of the bottle so long
I couldn't get help
You came to me and showed me that everything could be ok
I needed someone to love me that dies in the same way
@ShadowLight___
Something about his voice, it hasn't changed. It just takes me back to my teen years. My heart is happy, I'm so glad you guys are back and that chorus is fire
@leslietana716
I love how he is so open and came clean when he suffered from alcoholism and put it into wonderful lyrics of this song. You're always our inspiration Ron 💕
@iamSYDNEY
I really love this song and I've been repeating it for so many times <3 The singer's voice doesn't changed it stays the same.. I really love this band I hope you'll make more songs like this just like the your guardian angel <3 I'm a great fan of yours forever...
@after-worknetwork6095
It has been quite a journey watching you all grow, while also weird to look back and see how much I have grown as well. In the middle of quitting drinking myself, and this video was a literal God-send. Thank you for growing while still keeping the same sound/vibe, I know it is a rare thing when a band can get it right like you do.
@emmanueljohnathanvillavice6775
Been listening to this over and over again since this was released.
RJA fan for 12years and counting! 🤟
Hope you could release an HD music video of Your Guardian Angel. 😊
PH concert please!! 🤩😍
@verniedalit8406
Solid RJA fan since 2009 🤘🤘
@kenstrackganezo3514
RJA never grow old. They still make noises in my father's room. And now that I'be grown up, sometimes I steal his music box. 😂 My dad and I love them. Been listening to their songs since I was a month old. 😁
@cullem5349
Can you guys just talking about his voice?!! Let’s just be glad it stays the same it reminds us when we’re just a kid. RJA WILL ALWAYS BE MY CHILDHOOD EMO SONG!
@bel.vermillion
RJA, your music is such a life blessing. Thank God for your meaningful songs.
Missed RJA MVs!
Awesome song, as always!
@TheMaepbprs
I can't stop listening to that song. One of the most spectacular I've heard so far !!!!