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/
Say
The Rocket Summer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now on someones shoulder
I never thought back then I'd lose touch
Its so hard to remember
We tell our stories of joy and tragedies
And I leave and it steals
And all I can think is say
That you need me
Say you still need me
Cuz I need to hear it
Theres all these all these people wanna feel alone
Don't wanna be growing old and not get it
So say that you need
Lets make friends to fly...
Stop taking things for granted
I always say
But never fully will take my own advice
The ones we've lost are gone and we have all....
Do I know what i've got
Could it be clearer now
Say that you need me
Cuz I need it
Say you still need me
Cuz i need to hear it
Theres all these all these people who wanna feel alone
Don't wanna be growing old and not get it
So say that you need me
Shut the door walk away
You will never see you me again
But you know
Shut the door walk away
You will never see me again
But you know
Shut the door walk away you will never see me again
But you know
You know
Say that you need me
Cuz i need it
Say you still need me
Cuz i need to hear it
Theres all these all these people who wanna feel alone
Don't wanna be grow old and not get it
Just say that you need
So say you need
So say that you need
Me
The Rocket Summer's song "Say" is a poignant and introspective ballad that explores the complexities of personal relationships and the importance of communication. The opening lines set the tone for the song, as we hear about the singer's past experiences with a loved one: "Holiday was kiss catch up / Now on someone's shoulder / I never thought back then I'd lose touch / It's so hard to remember."
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the moments that define their personal connections with others, whether those moments are joyous or tragic: "We tell our stories of joy and tragedies / And I leave and it steals / And all I can think is say / That you need me / Cuz I need it / Say you still need me / Cuz I need to hear it." The singer is expressing a desire for validation and reassurance from their loved one, and they recognize the importance of articulating these feelings to avoid feeling alone and disconnected.
Throughout the song, there are moments of tension and conflict as the singer acknowledges their own inadequacies and shortcomings when it comes to personal relationships. They recognize the ways in which they neglect their own personal growth and development by failing to take their own advice: "Stop taking things for granted / I always say / But never fully will take my own advice." Ultimately, however, the song ends with a call for connection and understanding: "Just say that you need / So say you need / So say that you need / Me."
Overall, "Say" is a powerful meditation on the importance of communication, empathy, and self-awareness in personal relationships. It asks listeners to consider not only their own needs and desires, but also those of the people they care about.
Line by Line Meaning
Holiday was kiss catch up
We caught up with each other over the holidays
Now on someone's shoulder
We now have someone to rely on
I never thought back then I'd lose touch
I never imagined losing touch with you back then
Its so hard to remember
It's difficult to reminisce without feeling sad
We tell our stories of joy and tragedies
We share our happy and sad experiences with each other
And I leave and it steals
Every time I leave, it takes away a part of me
And all I can think is say
All I can think of is to ask you to do something
That you need me
Ask me to stay because I need it too
Cuz I need it
I need to feel wanted and connected
Say you still need me
Confirm that you still want me in your life
Cuz I need to hear it
I need the reassurance that we still have a bond
Theres all these all these people wanna feel alone
Many people want to be left alone
Don't wanna be growing old and not get it
People don't want to end up alone as they get older
So say that you need
Ask me to stay because I need it too
Lets make friends to fly...
Let's create strong bonds to help us soar through life
Stop taking things for granted
We need to appreciate what we have before it's gone
But never fully will take my own advice
Despite knowing better, I can't follow my own advice
The ones we've lost are gone and we have all....
We have all experienced the pain of losing someone important
Do I know what I've got
Do I truly understand what I have in my life
Could it be clearer now
Maybe I need a clearer understanding of my life
Shut the door walk away
We may have to leave each other's lives
You will never see me again
Our paths may never cross again
But you know
We will always remember each other
Just say that you need
Just tell me that you want me in your life
So say you need
Ask me to stay because I need to know
So say that you need me
Ask me to stay because I need it too
Me
I am asking for reassurance and a sense of belonging
Contributed by Jack N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.