Since launching his career as a 16-year-old with the independently released The Rocket Summer EP, a name he took from a Ray Bradbury short story, Bryce has toured around the world, selling out venues not just in the US, but Canada, the UK, Australia, and Japan, while playing such noted events as UK’s Glastonbury Festival, Scotland’s T in the Park, Japan’s Summer Sonic Festival, Australia’s Soundwave Festival, Austin City Limits, SXSW, Bamboozle, Cornerstone and the 2007 and 2010 Vans Warped Tour. “I try to write songs the whole world would want to sing along to but I also want to make an album of genuine and honest songs written from my heart that musically and lyrically are better than anything I have done before and above all will be an album that would hopefully move and affect people. For me it's all about focusing everything you have on making the greatest music you can without banking on anything else. I'm grateful to be doing this and I want to do this for the right reasons."
For someone as spiritually motivated as Avary, that means he focuses on the struggles and victories of life’s often-challenging journey in his most recent release on Island Def Jam Records titled Of Men and Angels as well as on the current album he is recording. Of Men and Angels was release in February 2010, and debuted as the No.1 Album on iTunes surpassing The Black Eyed Peas’ The E.N.D., which had previously held the No.1 spot for Top Album. The album debuted #38 on the Billboard 200 and # 4 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums charts. This is just one instance of how Avary’s loyal hardcore fan base has supported The Rocket Summer throughout the years. This also explains the kind of viral following that turned the video for “Do You Feel” into an Internet phenomenon. With guest appearances by Paramore, Relient K, All Time Low, Jack’s Mannequin, Forever the Sickest Kids, MxPx, Hellogoodbye, the music video led to the album version of the song being played more than 4 million times on The Rocket Summer’s My Space site. The album Do You Feel hit #44 on the Billboard 200 and #16 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums charts and has sold over 100,000 copies in the US alone. “We’re definitely aware of the kind of connection we have with our fans and I’m just fortunate to be a part of it.”
His albums and live shows are all about positivity, optimism, sing-a-longs, excitement, and overcoming our struggles. The Rocket Summer has toured with The Goo Goo Dolls, OneRepublic, Paramore, Relient K, The All-American Rejects, Copeland, All Time Low, The Ataris, Something Corporate, Plain White T’s, Hellogoodbye, Phantom Planet & many others.
“I like the term ‘young veteran,’” says Avary. “We have this loyal, hardcore following and I couldn't be more grateful for this. I keep pushing myself forward, trying to make great records, trying to put on the best live performance I can, all the while expanding The Rocket Summer to as far as it can be taken.”
Official website: http://www.therocketsummer.com/
Do You Feel
The Rocket Summer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All this week and tomorrow
And how these hands can create some better things, a better ring
But you see for now I got my own things
I can't help it, I got too many issues I own
So I cannot help I'm afraid, yeah
But keep on preachin', preachin' and heal the world
Do you feel the weight of the world singin' sorrow'
Or do you, is it just not real
'Cause you got your own things
Yeah, we all have our things I guess
I guess my mind wanders off from time to time
Sometimes I convince myself that all is fine
In the world it's not mine why should I have to try
To fix things I didn't create or contrive
Do you feel the weight of the world singin' sorrow'
Or do you, is it just not real
'Cause you got your own things
Yeah, we all have so many things
Have the habits had you'
Has it been for long'
Can you feel the souls behind'
What's going on'
Do you feel the weight of the world singin' sorrow'
Or do you, is it just not real
'Cause you got your own things
Yeah, we all have our things
Do you feel the weight of the world singin' sorrow'
Or do you, is it just not real
'Cause you got your own things
'Cause we all have so many things
And I can't get past these things, ohh
In "Do You Feel," The Rocket Summer expresses feelings of being overwhelmed with the issues of the world and feeling like fixing the world's problems is beyond his power. The song acknowledges that everyone has their own set of problems but urges listeners to consider the weight of the world's issues and how they can contribute to a better world. The lyrics "Do you feel the weight of the world singing sorrow?" ask the listener to consider if they recognize the world's pain, or if they are too consumed with their own issues to notice.
The lines "But keep on preachin', preachin', and heal the world, lip service makes us look great" criticize those who talk about wanting to make a positive difference but don't back up their words with actions. It's a reminder that words alone will not fix the world's problems, actions are needed. The song concludes with the admission that the issues of the world are not easily ignored, and the singer cannot get past these things.
In summary, "Do You Feel" is a song that explores the tension between acknowledging and responding to the world's problems while managing personal issues. It urges listeners to recognize the weight of the world's issues and the need to take action to make a positive difference.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm thinking 'bout other things I heard about today
Reflecting on information learned about recent events.
All this week and tomorrow
Considering past and future time.
And how these hands can create some better things, a better ring
Imagining the potential positive things to create.
But you see for now I got my own things
Being preoccupied with personal matters at the moment.
I can't help it, I got too many issues I own
Feeling unable to address concerns due to personal problems.
So I cannot help I'm afraid, yeah
Admitting to feeling incapacitated to assist.
But keep on preachin', preachin' and heal the world
Encouraging others to continue efforts to create positive change.
Lip service makes us look great
Empty promises and talk do not bring real change.
Do you feel the weight of the world singin' sorrow'
Asking if others also feel the sadness and burden of the world.
Or do you, is it just not real
Questioning if some people are disconnected or apathetic.
'Cause you got your own things
Acknowledging everyone has their own struggles and priorities.
Yeah, we all have our things I guess
Reinforcing that personal matters can be consuming for everyone.
I guess my mind wanders off from time to time
Admitting to occasional distraction and disconnection from reality.
Sometimes I convince myself that all is fine
Fooling oneself into believing problems do not exist.
In the world it's not mine why should I have to try
Questioning personal responsibility to address global struggles.
To fix things I didn't create or contrive
Feeling a sense of helplessness to improve situations created by others.
Have the habits had you'
Asking if habits control one's actions and behaviors.
Has it been for long'
Inquiring about a prolonged state of behavior or mentality.
Can you feel the souls behind'
Challenging one to recognize the humanity and emotions of others.
What's going on'
Questioning what is happening in the world.
And I can't get past these things, ohh
Expressing difficulty in moving past personal problems or matters.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRYCE AVARY, STEPHEN BRYCE AVARY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Miguel21ification
I remember back in 2007 when this album first came out. I was a teenager with a CD player. Not an iPod. I was at target looking for popular alternative rock albums. Grabbed this one without knowing and gave it a try. Glad I did cause this was my fav song from it.
Still listen to it to this day. I was like maybe 14.
@alexanderdavidd
The most positive and upbeat band i have ever seen in my emo days! This song is literally flawless and still a damn BOP!
@carlyeliz2284
This song saved my life when I was a teenager. I'm so emotional listening to it in 2020
@andrecunha3921
Hope you are ok
@asmresonance6072
You're not alone
@skyes2373
2022 still
@PoserGalore
The relevance of this song on some of our current events 🙃
@asmresonance6072
I will never forget the times Bruce Avery's music helped me when it seemed like there was no hope tomorrow. But there always is. To whoever is reading this, thank you for coming back and listening. Hope to see you many more times🥰
@reeooww
Oh man, I'm watching all these old school trs vids and they're bringing me back to when I was a kid and making me all kinds of emotional
@oddsquad9344
Same gah