The Wonder Years is an American pop punk band from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, … Read Full Bio ↴The Wonder Years is an American pop punk band from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, United States that formed in June 2005. Since their conception, they have released six full-length albums, two EPs, and several splits/compilations. The group is currently signed to Hopeless Records. Their name originates from a paper that lead vocalist, Dan 'Soupy' Campbell, read written by his after-school education teacher titled "The Wonder Years"

Current members

Matt Brasch – guitar, backing vocals
Dan "Soupy" Campbell – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Casey Cavaliere – guitar, backing vocals
Mike Kennedy – drums, percussion
Josh Martin – bass guitar, backing vocals
Nick Steinborn – guitars, keyboards, piano, backing vocals

Studio albums

2007: Get Stoked on It!
2010: The Upsides
2011: Suburbia I've Given You All and Now I'm Nothing
2013: The Greatest Generation
2015: No Closer to Heaven
2018: Sister Cities
2022: The Hum Goes On Forever

Compilations

2013: Sleeping on Trash: A Collection of Songs Recorded 2005-2010

Dismantling Summer
The Wonder Years Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm pulling wings off insects
I'm peeling back my sunburnt skin
I'll wait outside your bedroom
I, I hope they let me in

I'm filling your prescriptions
The orange bottles stare me down
They're standing at attention

An army on your windowsill

We're all waiting for good news
Hoping you can come home soon
We're all waiting for good news

I've been acting like I'm strong
But the truth is, I've been losing ground
To a hospital too crowded,
A summer winding down
I hadn't seen a heartbreak until now
I hadn't felt a heartbreak until now

I grew up on your back porch
And I watched the storms light up the clouds
They hung like paper lanterns
To guide the way back toward your house

I've been putting off long flights
Hoping that you'll be alright
And I'll be there in the meantime

I've been acting like I'm strong
But the truth is, I've been losing ground
To a hospital too crowded,
A summer winding down
I hadn't seen a heartbreak until now
I hadn't felt a heartbreak until now

If I'm in an airport
And you're in a hospital bed
Well then what kind of man does that make me?
If I'm in an airport
And you're in a hospital bed
Well then what kind of man does that make me?
If I'm in an airport
If I'm in an airport
What kind of man does that make me?
What kind of man does that make me?

I've been acting like I'm strong
But the truth is, I've been losing ground
To a hospital too crowded,
A summer winding down
I hadn't seen a heartbreak until now
I hadn't felt a heartbreak until now

Hadn't felt a heartbreak until now
Hadn't felt a heartbreak
Oh the hospital's too crowded
The summer's winding down

I haven't seen a heartbreak until now
Well, I haven't felt a heartbreak until now

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Wonder Years' song "Dismantling Summer" portray a sense of helplessness, fear, and heartbreak that comes with a loved one's illness. In the first verse, the singer describes his own destructive behavior, as if to show that he, too, is struggling with the situation. He then goes on to describe a scene of waiting outside the bedroom of the sick loved one, hoping to be let in. The second verse speaks more directly to the situation, describing the orange pill bottles and the army of them standing on the windowsill. The chorus brings in the sense of community and the shared feeling of waiting for good news. The third verse tells of the singer's memories of growing up on the loved one's back porch and the storms they watched together. He talks about putting off long flights, hoping for a positive outcome, but also acknowledging his own weakness in the face of the situation. The final chorus repeats the idea of heartbreak and acknowledges the reality of the situation that the singer is powerless to change.

The song is a poignant representation of the anxiety and distress that comes with a loved one's illness, the feeling of helplessness and the need for community in such situations. It captures the deep emotions that come with a sense of loss and the desire to hold onto hope, even when it feels impossible.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm pulling wings off insects
I'm engaging in destructive behavior

I'm peeling back my sunburnt skin
I'm metaphorically exposing my vulnerabilities

I'll wait outside your bedroom
I'm waiting for an invitation to be close to you

I, I hope they let me in
I feel uncertain about being allowed into your life

I'm filling your prescriptions
I'm taking care of you in any way I can

The orange bottles stare me down
The reality of your situation is weighing heavy on me

They're standing at attention
They're a constant reminder of your illness

An army on your windowsill
A symbolic representation of your fight against your illness

We're all waiting for good news
Everyone is hoping for your recovery

Hoping you can come home soon
Everyone wants you to be healthy and back to your normal life

I've been acting like I'm strong
I'm trying to put up a brave face and be strong for you

But the truth is, I've been losing ground
I'm struggling with my emotions and feeling overwhelmed

To a hospital too crowded, A summer winding down
The reality of your situation is becoming more apparent as time goes on

I hadn't seen a heartbreak until now
This situation is unlike any heartbreak I've experienced before

I grew up on your back porch
I have a lot of history and memories with you

And I watched the storms light up the clouds
I've been through good and bad times with you

They hung like paper lanterns
The storms were beautiful and awe-inspiring

To guide the way back toward your house
Despite the chaos of the storm, we always found our way back to comfort and safety

I've been putting off long flights
I'm hesitant to travel because I want to be there for you

Hoping that you'll be alright
I'm constantly worried about your health and wellbeing

And I'll be there in the meantime
I'll support you and be there for you in any way I can, even if I can't physically be there right now

If I'm in an airport, And you're in a hospital bed
The distance between us is painful and difficult to navigate

Well then what kind of man does that make me?
I'm questioning my ability to be there for you and support you in the way you deserve

Hadn't felt a heartbreak until now
This situation is unlike any heartbreak I've experienced before

Oh the hospital's too crowded
The reality of your situation is overwhelming and difficult to bear

The summer's winding down
Time is passing and the situation is becoming more dire

Well, I haven't seen a heartbreak until now
This situation is unlike any heartbreak I've experienced before

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

patboke wangkgeaw

10y↑2

I'm pulling wings off insects. I'm peeling back my sunburnt skin. I'll wait outside your
bedroom; I hope they let me in. Filling your prescriptions, the orange bottles stare me
down. They're standing at attention—an army on your windowsill. We're all waiting for
good news; hoping you can come home soon. We're all waiting for good news. I've been
acting like I'm strong, but the truth is, I've been losing ground to a hospital too crowded
and a summer winding down. I hadn't seen a heart break until now. I hadn't felt a heartbreak
until now. I grew up on your back porch. I watched the storms light up the clouds.
They hung like paper lanterns to guide the way back towards your house. I've been
putting off long flights hoping that you'll be alright. I'll be there in the meantime. If I'm
in an airport and you're in a hospital bed, what kind of man does that make me?

All comments from YouTube:

Twenty One Two

10y↑64

this band is da fakkin bomb! had almost forgotten about this record, gotta listen to it now!

Thomas Sawyer

10y↑3

I'm glad to see a band that has been around this long, finally get their due. One of the best 2013. I love the sound they have found. I used to think they were Bad poppy punk band. They are falling into the right music space of indie with the likes of Brand New, Thrice, and The Sounds. Artists with their own amazing sound.

Dawn E

10y↑20

Best album of 2013 dudeee

Padraig Murphy

6y↑23

The Wonder Years are pop punk for people in their 30s. So grateful for this band

Kendrick Gibbs

So are The Menzingers

Keanu Revert

8y↑36

One of the few mature relatable bands in the pop punk world. This song is my anthem - drove across the country this summer to be with my family after grandfather passed away. Hits home

Sierra Glaister

+Rusty Sarkela i kinda relate bc my pap had a heart attack and got brain damage from it this past summer and i relate to this a lot. I really love this band 💗

Zak C

10y↑47

I know you're meant to respect other people's musical opinions, but if you don't love this you're simply wrong.

Cocobro97

10y↑44

Damn, the whole band kills it every fucking time.

Rob Campbell

10y↑101

It baffles me that Soupy can have a receding hairline and still grow one of the manliest beards I've ever seen.

Andrew S

5y↑1

Hair genes for everyone are weird. My dad had a full beard by the end of high school and no hair by 20 and im 20 and am still filling my beard out and had a full head of hair before i got an undercut

relentless fire

5y↑2

Angel Mateo the vocalist bitch

Master Funk

Who the fuck is soupy

Ohtenwillys

6y↑3

I know this... from experience

Bobby Magnell

10y↑13

It must be where all his hair goes

SkaIsNotDead

3y↑7

I can't tell you how much this hits home in 2020. My grandfather is in the hospital and I can't see him because of COVID. I'm not expecting great news and my family can't be together to support each other.

Spencer Cowan

9y↑76

This band helps me through so much. No one will ever know what this band means to me.

Will M

8y↑8

+Spencer Cowan Me too. It's like they bottled up how it feels being in your mid twenties and recorded it straight onto CD

Shawn Crawford

8y↑6

+Spencer Cowan twy Are like therapy to me there one of the few rare awesome bands that does this for me

sentinelgundam

10y↑12

Part of this is about a grandparent having a serious illness and not being able to be there for them (presumably because of touring). In previous albums he's referenced his anxiety like collapsing in an Outback Steakhouse when he learned an album leaked (I forget if it's The Upsides or Suburbia) or when they toured the UK etc. Obviously, it's also about how his family/friends tire of having to deal with his issues (it's a shame but it happens) and maybe how his pales in comparison to his grandparent(s).

y b

@Sigfried Bigcheese Van MemeLord II that's what the song Raining In Kyoto was about, they were touring in Japan.

Sigfried Bigcheese Van MemeLord II

6y↑1

Saddest part is that his grandpa just died and he couldn't be at the funeral because he was touring

Tubs FC

he went on tour when his g-pa was in the hospital and almost died and he wasnt their so they disowned him

Lava111222

10y↑1

Words can not express my love for this band.

Matt LeClerc

9y↑15

They're so perfect it makes me want to cry.

Simone Gateas

9y↑14

This whole album, but this video in particular, is so meaningful I love it.

ngc2005

10y↑1

excellent band ♥!!!! I want to see them playing for South America

Logan Staton

3y↑2

this song in the midst of covid is devastating

ThatGirl

10y

This is such a great video for such a great song. I'm seeing you guys on April 18th, which is literally Good Friday ahah. I'm so excited to see you guys and all the other bands on tour! I'll be waiting from about 10 in the morning so I'll see you there!

AshLoverIronFey1313

10y

This is my favourite song off this album. Quite pleased that they made a video for it. Brightened up my day a bit.

Bex Ally

10y

Ugh I love this album so much!

Torin Brown

10y↑31

damn. soupy's beard is extreme.

Hector Jimeno

10y↑2

One of the fucking best bands of the latest years. And the whole "The Greatest Generation" is just amazing.

deathpanda

10y

instant smiles...absolutely perfect...thank you guys for your inspiring and life saving music <3

Nathan Blackmon

10y↑2

Song is so good, the video is sad. Their lyrics always hit me hard.

Trevor Daoust

8y↑2

I saw them play this song recently in RI. It is still one of my favorites from them. If you hear it live it is even better!

Cyka Blyat

6y↑11

"If I'm in an airport and you're in a hospital bed, what kind of man does that make me?" Is "Raining in Kyoto" referencing this song?

Richard Heaven

4y↑7

Yup. This album is his Grandad being close to death, and Sister Cities has a lot about actually dying - suicide, sadly, if I remember correctly.

Christian Grondziowski

10y

Favorite song off The Greatest Generation! So stoked you guys released a video for it!

huhhhhhhhhhhhh09

10y↑13

I'm not sure if this was supposed to be sad because it came across as fucking hilarious. It reminds me of something from the Tim & Eric Show, I just imagine the mannequin trying to kill him pretty soon. Nice job either way, dudes.

Mike Friedman

10y↑1

Love this video!!!!!!! cant wait to see them on the 18th and Starland!!!!!!

Cassie Serowik

10y

Simply amazing. These guys never cease to impress.

Waxy

10y↑1

Kennedy is such a good drummer.

patboke wangkgeaw

10y↑2

hello never mind

10y

The guitar setup for this band has changed so much since the last record.

Ed B

10y

I love this. Really great. I also love the filter used when Soupy's looking in through the window towards the end.

Liz McSwain

10y↑1

"Is that hillbilly Joe you're watching?"
"You mean the wonder years?"
Thanks dad. 😂

Nick Acosta

10y↑1

Absolute genius! This video, this song, this band. Nothing but flawless.

dillingerexcape87

first time ever listening to this band. pretty dope!

Keigan Case

10y↑5

What I want:
1. The drummer's sweater
2. Soupy mannequin

Drumming Moose

8y↑5

This song makes me think about my grandfather and all the good times I spent with him and the fact that I don't want him to go away

Drumming Moose

+Shawn Crawford I'm sorry to hear that. I agree though this song definitely does help

Shawn Crawford

+OldSchoolAddict ive been seeing mine age and lose his strength my dad left me and he stepped in and now hes losing his strength and some of his memory its hard and this song helps me with it

M J

10y↑5

that bass riff though.

Keigan Case

10y

I literally yelled oh shit! at 1:01

Autumn Leverenz

10y

godDAMN this is heartbreaking

Marie Michel

10y

There so good! One of my favorites yo ♥

Leah Alexandra

Oh I hope I will be able to get tickets for warped tour! If I go there is no way I'm missing these guys!!! <3

Audrey Atwell

9y↑1

I actually love this band so much

Keith Leva

10y↑5

How long has Soupy been a sea captain?

Rachel Burns

10y↑6

His beard is my spirit animal

Donnie Fights

That fact that this album is 7 years old and still ahead of the times for pop punk NOW in 2021. God love the wonder years.

hereforthefood

10y↑1

They killed it at HOB anaheim last night. Screamed this song at the top of my lungs. 2 of my aunts have cancer now and this speaks to me like no other. Quickly became one of my favorite bands ever!

Kyle Schaefer

10y

Love this band.

sam watson

9y↑2

Just discovered this band and there freakin awesome and a pigeon for a mascot what is more awesome than that

Monique T.

10y↑1

Absolutely love these guys!

Kourtney Renee

seeing these amazing men in concert tonight!!!

caitlin ت

what an incredible band, honestly..

Giancarlo Figliomeni

10y

Definitely my favourite pop-punk band ever

Tommy S

10y↑43

At first i just thought the video just was random clips. And then when i realized that he had gotten replaced by a doll it became really sad xD

Jawsh K

10y

So damn catchy!

Magdaelna Peraza

9y↑13

I can't wait to see them at WARPED TOUR.

Dark_disciple

9y↑1

I saw them for the second time this warped tour and they always put on an amazing show

The One Who Knocks

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH MY GOD THIS SONG IS AMAZING

Danny

this album is so important to me, and im sure it is to many others

Pierce Da'esigil

10y

Awesome video for an awesome song. Great job guys!

Jonathan Ferris

10y↑1

Pretty sure this song is about a family member being in the hospital with some type of serious illness. At least that's how I felt after reading the lyrics

Tyler William Supernor

10y↑14

Deep stuff Soupy, deep stuff... I feel your pain man.

RJS Light

5y↑1

His writing is something else...

Mary Pat Stemnock

10y

I feel like this song is too emotionally heavy to be portrayed well in a 4 minute video. But that's how I feel about all of their music.

Nathan Thompson

10y

Initially silly. But ultimately profound. I found out about the death of my grandfather with a phone call in an airport. This song rings true to home :-(

Ninja Penguin

Just saw these guys last night for the first time. They opened with this song and it was crazy.

Philomena Williams

8y↑1

This is the first song of their's that I've heard... Just realized I've been ignoring a lot of issues that I need to deal with..

taiyed4311

10y↑1

That beard is epic

Molly Hogan

10y

wowza this is very emoish, i can really relate ygm xoxox

Jazzy Altham

10y

Once again, it's awesome.

plainolbrod

10y

Keeping the beard real man

Sam Atherton

10y

I paused to read the text he sent to his mom. Heart breaker.

Keasha Jefferson

10y↑1

Hearing this live makes it so much better.

JoSh Marmolejo

10y↑29

I sing the bridge so hard when blasting this song in my car.

Nick Acosta

10y

Absolute fucking gold! I'm young and il admit I go through "phases" with my music. But not in the sense I grow out of it, it's just words aren't gonna b relatable throughout ur entire life. But there is my all time favorite bands like "disturbed" "the Beatles" and now "the wonder years" u guys r immortalized to me. U r musical genius and will forever b amazing at what u do! U inspired me to write again. But more specifically I love this song because I just moved and left my best friend. We got into u guys as I was leaving and this song is perfect "we're all waiting for good news! Hoping u can come home soon" that always gives me chills. This video was perfect! Took me a second to understand it but once I did I loved it! The feeling of being replaced is devastating, and bone chilling terrifying to me. So I say thank you guys! Thank u for inking the words not just on paper but onto history and into our hearts and brains. U guys r forever gods to me! Absolutely love everything about u guys. Sound, members, mascot, and symbolism. Can't wait to go see u guys live one day.

Em

My grandfather figure who had been there for me throughout my life died from lung cancer early this year (2017) and I listened to this on repeat during that time. I love this song and it will always have a special place in my heart 💗

Daemon Crux

Really good, guys!!!

Emma Cameron

Saw these guys open for all time low the other night, didnt know who they were but theyre super talented dudes!!

Nate Harmon

I'm pretty sure I've had nightmares that use dream logic like this. Growing up the dreams about family abandonment were some of the worst ones

Josh Sandler

10y

Awesome song to make a video for, and great video for it.

Tom

10y

I agree, I forgot about this. I need to listen to this album ASAP

xScreamToRisex

10y↑154

THE WONDER BEARDS!!!!

Shawn crawford

@xScreamToRisex very true

SIMREN :D

10y

@Kevin Ocampo I laughed WAY too hard at that.

xScreamToRisex

10y↑16

hahaha four beard strong are legends dudee!

Kevin Ocampo

10y↑32

Look out Four Year Strong!
We got a new Beardcore band

Enoch Thompson

10y↑2

Soupy literally doesn't "laugh at the right times" in this music video. ... I see what they did there.

David Murray

10y↑6

Soupy's beard game is strong right now

smilesinthesummer

10y

I love the video. So real it hurts.

Tyler Gibson

10y

These guys r music immortality

Mariachi Gaming

10y

So Amazing :D

Alfonso Wadholm

10y

I just saw these guys In Moorehead MN 2 weekends ago, I got to meet soupy, he's a really cool dude

nick jackson

10y

I can't hold all these feels..

Elena Kilby

10y

damn so good

Pedro Sanchez

10y↑4

I didn´t know about this band until this video and they´re pretty awesome

Hung Nguyen

10y

they kew

Eric Sutton

10y↑4

@***** All their stuff is equally great

Dawn E

10y↑1

They're VERY awesome! Totally check out the rest of their music!!

kelog13

10y↑3

They didn't even notice Soupy was gone.... 😢

masaka222

10y

Now, that's what I call a beard!

Khallid Carter

4y↑4

How dare they replace Soupy with Alan from Four Year Strong!

Kevin Donovan

10y

i love the scotch tape holding the cards together in the mannequins hand at 2:40

Cale Barajas

10y↑4

if you give trevor from GTA V the full beard you get soupy

guineapirate132

10y

love this

Autumn Teague

10y

This is awesome

glen ramirez

10y↑4

Soupy got replaced by Alan Day from FYS

The D

10y

this is my jam ^^

Uccioboss

Masterpiece.

Jaden Miller

I need recommendations of these guys songs, what would you guys say they will play at warped this year? Ill start there, but I feel as if they will be one of my favorites.

AlexGray777

+NathanOrange123 got the record the day it dropped and was the farthest thing from disappointed. the sound has matured and soupy's song writing is at a new level. they've shown that they can keep their trademarked pop/punk sound but also slow it down and show deep meaning behind their lyrics and music.

BigStopCactus

There new album just dropped, and it's nothing but beautiful. Definitely check it out.

AlexGray777

honestly all their songs are great, and you'll find that the songwriting skills improve with each record. "Suburbia Ive Given You All and Now I'm Nothing" is the best album in my opinion, but that's just me.