The seeds of These Green Eyes were planted in 2003, when drummer Mark Brundrett, guitarist Greg Mauro and bassist Zach Braz met in high school and, based on their shared love of music, decided to create some together. After months of experimenting with a revolving door of members, a basic lineup coalesced…with the exception of a vocalist. Enter Colin Cunningham, a friend’s brother with the heart of a poet and an impressive set of pipes. Accepting the invitation to play a single show (at which he made up lyrics on stage), he continued showing up for practice and the band stopped looking for a singer.
With a solid lineup in place, the band wrote and recorded a six-song demo and pursued a bona fide recording session with producer John Naclerio (Brand New, My Chemical Romance, Senses Fail). With four professionally recorded songs in hand, the band was passed up by the local labels they approached. Undaunted, they went on tour to disseminate the EP. The band's friend JR (from Less Than Jake) felt the record deserved a wider audience and helped them get posted on the main page of PureVolume, where – just one year after fomenting their lineup – they were the second most listened to artist after Fall Out Boy.
Propelled by the exposure, more fans began showing up at shows in remote areas, fueling the boys to write and record more material for a full-length release. After six months on the road, they returned to the studio with Naclerio to record seven additional tracks, completing what would become their debut, House of Glass.
Throughout 2006, These Green Eyes became road warriors, sharing bills across the country with Fall Out Boy, New Found Glory, The Academy Is…, The Higher, Less Than Jake, Hidden In Plain View, Silverstein and Gym Class Heroes.
In 2007, the band recorded two new sets of demos, one with old partner John Naclerio, and one with new friend Rob Freeman (formerly of Hidden In Plain View). The new material cemented a deal with newly-christened indie label Blackledge Music.
With Blackledge now on board, These Green Eyes secured recording time with uber-producer Brian McTernan (Thrice, Circa Survive, Senses Fail, The Explosion, Hot Water Music) at his Salad Days compound in Baltimore in the early spring of 2008. During recording, the band’s lineup shifted, resulting in the addition of longtime friend and tour mate Jeff Krenn on guitar.
The McTernan sessions resulted in the birth of eleven driving and melodic anthems which cohere as the triumphant record, Relapse To Recovery. Varying from a world-weary worldview (opener "At The End") to high octane vendettas (the scream-along chorus of "Sucker Punch") to ruminations on the loss of friendship (the wistful closer "Time Of Our Lives"), These Green Eyes have channeled their punk, post-hardcore, and arena rock influences into an anthemic wall of sound that's all their own.
At the End
These Green Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There is more here than the smiles in old photographs
The memories trapped under glass
When times are good or bad the moments came and passed so fast
So here I am
Just a tired, broken man
And I hope, I hope that someone, somewhere understands
But nothing ever, ever goes according to it's plan
As I look back at what went wrong
I wonder if I had been strong
Enough to face this on my own
But that was it, never again
So here I am
Just a tired, broken man
And I hope, I hope that someone, somewhere understands
I try to do the best I can
But nothing ever, ever goes according to it's plan
I don't think I should be alone right now
I need a chance to make it right somehow
So if it feels like I'm dragging you down
And you don't want me around, then just say so
So here I am
Just a tired, broken man
I've always been the first to volunteer all of my time
The last to leave it all behind
The life I lived I thought was mine
But now I feel it slipping through my hands
Right through my hands
And I don't know where to go
And I don't know what to do
Between just me and you it's overwhelming
And here I stand
Just a tired, broken man
And I hope, I hope that someone, somewhere understands
I try to do the best I can
But nothing ever, ever goes according to it's plan
The song "At the End" by These Green Eyes is a confession of a man who is trying to come to terms with the realities of his life. He acknowledges that he is more than just a photograph of past happiness because underneath the surface, there are memories that are trapped under glass. He contemplates the fact that time moves too fast, and good and bad moments come and pass too quickly, leaving him as a "tired, broken man."
He admits that he tries his best to do what is right, but things never go according to plan. He wonders if he would have been strong enough to face his problems alone, but realizes that he needs someone to understand him. He needs someone to walk alongside him on this journey of life. He acknowledges that he feels overwhelmed and lost, and he doesn't know what to do or where to go.
The song talks about the fragility of life and the need for human connection. It is a confession of humanity that is expressed through honest lyrics and a melodic sound that conveys the sense of melancholy that pervades the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a man, but that's not all I am
I am more than just a man, there is more to me than meets the eye.
There is more here than the smiles in old photographs
There are memories and experiences that cannot be captured in a photograph.
The memories trapped under glass
Memories are often preserved in photographs, but sometimes they can feel like they are trapped and unable to be relived.
When times are good or bad the moments came and passed so fast
Moments in life can pass by quickly, whether they are good or bad.
Just a tired, broken man
The artist is feeling worn out and emotionally drained.
I try to do the best I can
The singer makes an effort to do their best in life.
But nothing ever, ever goes according to it's plan
Despite their efforts, things often don't go as expected or planned for the singer.
I wonder if I had been strong
The artist questions their own strength in a difficult situation.
Enough to face this on my own
The artist is wondering if they could have handled a difficult situation without the help of others.
But that was it, never again
Something happened that made the artist determined to never go through that experience again.
I need a chance to make it right somehow
The singer wants the opportunity to fix a situation that has gone wrong.
If it feels like I'm dragging you down
The artist is concerned that they may be negatively affecting those around them.
Then just say so
The singer is open to communication and wants to respect the feelings of others.
I've always been the first to volunteer all of my time
The singer is someone who often offers their time and energy to help others.
The last to leave it all behind
The singer is someone who is dedicated and committed to their work or projects.
The life I lived I thought was mine
The artist believed that they had control over their own life and choices.
But now I feel it slipping through my hands
The artist feels like they are losing control of their life and the things they used to hold dear.
Between just me and you it's overwhelming
The situation or emotions that the singer is dealing with feels like too much for just them and one other person.
And here I stand
The singer is still standing and persevering despite their struggles.
And I hope, I hope that someone, somewhere understands
The artist is seeking understanding and support from others.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
john au
This brings back memories 💔