Valencia met by playing local shows together around the tri-state area in separate bands. George Ciukurescu and JD Perry grew up together; attending elementary school, high school, and their first year of college. They joined a band in 2001 called The Capgun Heroes with Brendan Walter and former member Sean Mundy. Shane Henderson sang in the band Attracted to Miss and Max played drums in The Emphasis. They formed the band that is known today as Valencia in 2004. The band is named after the wife of the protagonist, Valencia, in the book by Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughter House 5.
In 2005 Valencia signed to I Surrender Records after the label's owner, Midtown's drummer Rob Hitt, heard their demo tape. After playing the Warped Tour in 2005, they released their first album, This Could Be A Possibility, in October 2005, which was re-released in September 2006.
In 2006, the band was named SPIN Band of the Day and was a finalist for Band of the Year, but lost to Nightmare of You. In May 2006, the band stopped touring because of the death of Shane's girlfriend in a freak lawn mower accident. In July 2006, Valencia traveled to Japan to play the Fuji Rock Festival.
In 2007 the band toured with Boys Like Girls, The Audition and All Time Low in the U.S. Valencia also toured with We the Kings, The Cab, Charlotte Sometimes, and Sing it Loud in April 2008.
In 2009 Valencia performed at the Soundwave festival with New Found Glory, Say Anything and Billy Talent. The band opened for blink-182 in June 2009 on their summer reunion tour.
Valencia's second album, We All Need a Reason to Believe was released on August 26, 2008, featuring 11 new tracks. The album leaked in its entirety on August 16, 2008. On August 19, 2008 it was made available as a full stream on the band's Myspace page. "Safe To Say" is on the soundtrack for MLB 09 The Show. Valencia spent summer 2009 touring with Every Avenue.
Band member Brendan Walter was one of 32 sued by the RIAA in its first round file-sharing suits. During an interview on WCUR's Foundation Radio on December 9, 2010, host Adam Barnard asked about the circumstances surrounding this incident. Walter stated that he had been chosen at random due to the fact that he had illegally downloaded music by American rock band Smash Mouth.
Valencia's third album, "Dancing With A Ghost" was released October 12, 2010. After a long break from touring, the band went back on tour for their new album in October of 2010. The tour includes a few shows of headlining along with shows with bands like Say Anything, Saves the Day and Motion City Soundtrack. The band's tour will also make it all the way to Australia.
In October of 2011, Shane Henderson released a statement regarding the band's decision to go on an indefinite hiatus after 2011. Following a farewell tour in Japan, the band played a final show on December 28th at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, PA to a sold-out crowd.
The Closest I Am To Living Life On The Edge
Valencia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just you and I
We could start a whole new world up there
Leave our past behind
Behind
Sometimes I can?t believe my eyes
I want to stare up
Because I?ve had enough and this is the end
And now I understand
That a heart breaks it does not bend
Someone please help me out
I never meant to take this so far
Now I?ve fallen way too hard
Take a long step back to
To The days when I was younger
Decisions never mattered all this much
It?s an emptied handed promise
>From my heart to my conscious
That says one day I will make this count
(the best that I know how)
The closest that I am to living life on the edge
Is packing all my bags, and heading off with my best friends
Someone please help me out
I never meant to take this so far
Now I?ve fallen way too hard
Take a long step back
To The days when I was younger
Decisions never mattered all this much
So let it all go
You have no worries now
(I?ve made my decision)
With the sun in your face you?re never beneath the clouds
(I?m Lifting)
And all the along the way I found you wishing on those clouds to move away
Grab my hand
Lets kiss the sun goodbye
I know the way to go it?s never as easy as it may seem
The takeoffs the landings, our rockets transcending
Ordinary, what?s ordinary?
(To the moon)
The takeoffs the landings, our rockets transcending
Ordinary, what?s ordinary?
(To the moon)
The song "The Closest I Am To Living Life On The Edge" by Valencia is an encouragement to take risks and leave the past behind. The first verse is a call to build a rocket and fly to the moon, leaving behind everything that once held them back in the past. The second verse describes feeling stuck and overwhelmed, desperate for someone to help them out. The chorus reiterates the idea that they never intended to take things so far, leaving them to feel like they've fallen too hard. The singer of the song then looks back to the days when they were younger, wishing that decisions never mattered much. The bridge of the song then describes the empty promises that they've made to themselves, promising that one day they'll make things count.
The last verse of the song is a call to let everything go and start fresh, lifting off with someone special to "kiss the sun goodbye" and transcend the ordinary. The takeoff and landing of a rocket is used as a metaphor for embarking on a new adventure, with the singer acknowledging that while the way forward may not be easy, they're determined to go to the moon and leave everything behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Lets build a rocket to the moon
Let's create a better life for ourselves.
Just you and I
We'll be in it together.
We could start a whole new world up there
We can leave our problems behind and create something fresh.
Leave our past behind
Forget our regrets and mistakes.
Sometimes I can?t believe my eyes
I'm amazed at the things I see.
I want to stare up
I yearn to look up.
And get lost in the city lights
The shining city skyscrapers attract me.
Because I?ve had enough and this is the end
I'm done and it's over.
And now I understand
I realize now.
That a heart breaks it does not bend
Our hearts may break, but we still go on.
Someone please help me out
I need some assistance.
I never meant to take this so far
I didn't intend to get this deep.
Now I?ve fallen way too hard
I'm in too deep now, it's hard to come out.
Take a long step back to
Go back in time to.
To The days when I was younger
To the time when life was simpler and easier.
Decisions never mattered all this much
The choices we made did not have significant consequences at that time.
It?s an emptied handed promise
I have nothing to back up my vow of commitment.
>From my heart to my conscious
I truly believe what I say.
That says one day I will make this count
I hope to make a difference someday.
(the best that I know how)
(To the best of my ability.)
The closest that I am to living life on the edge
The most daring life I live is when I go away with my buddies.
Is packing all my bags, and heading off with my best friends
Going on a wild trip with my close friends is the best adventure I have.
Someone please help me out
I need some assistance.
I never meant to take this so far
I didn't mean to go this far.
Now I?ve fallen way too hard
I've dived way too deep.
Take a long step back
Go back in time.
To The days when I was younger
To the time when life was simpler and easier.
Decisions never mattered all this much
The choices we made did not have significant consequences at that time.
So let it all go
Let go of it all.
You have no worries now
You don't have to worry anymore
(I?ve made my decision)
(I've decided.)
With the sun in your face you?re never beneath the clouds
With the sun shining brightly, you'll always be happy.
(I?m Lifting)
(I'm moving on.)
And all the along the way I found you wishing on those clouds to move away
You kept wishing for your problems to go away.
Grab my hand
Take my hand.
Lets kiss the sun goodbye
Let's say goodbye to our problems.
I know the way to go it?s never as easy as it may seem
I have a roadmap, but it won't be easy.
The takeoffs the landings, our rockets transcending
Our choices mark the beginning and end of our journey.
Ordinary, what?s ordinary?
What is normal, anyway?
(To the moon)
(Let's shoot for the stars.)
The takeoffs the landings, our rockets transcending
Our choices mark the beginning and end of our journey.
Ordinary, what?s ordinary?
What is normal, anyway?
(To the moon)
(Let's shoot for the stars.)
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind