Matt and Keith together played all the instruments appearing on that album, with its name taken from 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien, though they both mostly played acoustic guitar. Both also contributed to writing all the songs and both sang for 'There and Back Again'. The duo toured for several years after this, mostly appearing with similar bands such as Jackopierce. By 1995, they were ready to record again. The resulting album, titled 'Running on Ice', again had Matt and Keith playing acoustic guitar and singing, but it also featured the addition of other guest musicians to play other instruments. Guests included members of Jackopierce band as well as Carter Beauford (of the Dave Matthews Band) on drums.
More touring followed, and soon Matt and Keith were joined by Ed Toth on drums. In 1997, a live album, Live Stages, was released. This featured Matt, Keith, and Ed, as well as Ryan Fisher on bass. Live Stages signaled a departure from the original acoustic guitar-based music, and featured heavy emphasis on electric guitar. Also, by this time, the band was explicit in their intent to find a major record label; band members have said that it was no accident that the first track of Live Stages opens with the sounds of a large cheering audience. Their wishes came true, and the band was signed to RCA Records.
Ryan had never intended to join the band permanently, so the three other members held auditions for a permanent bass player. Their first audition was Sean Hurley, and everyone liked him immediately. There were many more auditions, but they eventually came back to Sean, and he officially joined Vertical Horizon.
The band's major label debut, "Everything You Want", was released in 1999. The title track, released as the second single from the album, skyrocketed up the charts and ended up as one of the most played tracks on radio in 2000. One of the stand out tracks "You're A God" got on several compilation CD's and featured in the Box Office smash Bruce Almighty
The follow up to "Everything You Want", titled "Go", was delayed several times until finally being released in 2003. "I'm Still Here", the first single from Go, was released with little fanfare and faded quickly. VH ended their relationship with RCA in 2004 and re-signed with Hybrid Recordings. "Go" was re-released with an additional track in 2005. A second single, "Forever", was released prior to the re-release and received moderate airplay but did not match the earlier success of Everything You Want.
In 2005, drummer Ed Toth got what he considered the dream gig of a lifetime when he was invited to join the Doobie Brothers following the death of drummer Keith Knudsen. While Toth had hoped to juggle both bands, he quickly realized it would not be possible and announced his departure from Vertical Horizon in July 2005.
In 2007, realizing as Matt says, “there was more to do” and “thinking the timing was just right to start working on a new album,” the band began writing and recording, Burning The Days. The album is slated for release on September 22, 2009 with the first single, “Save Me From Myself” recently sent to radio. The single has been extremely well-received and is currently climbing the Hot AC charts with strong airplay in McAllen, Modesto, Monterey-Salinas, El Paso, and New Orleans.
Independent of label constraints, Burning The Days was produced by Scannell and recorded at his studio over the course of the past 2 years. For the band, it was a complete return to their beginnings of working at their own pace and “nurturing those moments of inspiration.” According to Matt, the album is “sonically as good as anything we have ever done. I take great pride in this album and feel that our renewed sense of creativity will resonate with our fans.” The album also features virtuoso drummer Neil Peart of Rush on “Save Me From Myself,” “Even Now” and “Welcome To The Bottom” as well as Richard Marx playing piano on “Here” and producing two of Matt’s lead vocal tracks.
“I’m actually in a pretty positive place right now,” says Scannell. “Of course I still have that underlying fear of everything falling apart and crumbling to the floor, but it is not the first thing on my mind, like it’s been at times in the past.” And so one of the main themes of Burning The Days is about finding balance in a journey from hardship to peacefulness – knowing that the up must follow the down, and vice versa. “It’s about being okay with things going well, and also finding strength to get through the tough times.”
The first single, “Save Me From Myself,” is about “the danger of getting so lost in your own struggles and personal demons that you can’t help the people you love, and you won’t let the people you love help you. You’re too far away in your own head to do anything but spin off in self-criticism and doubt. There’s a lot of anger and frustration in that song.” Conversely, “The Lucky One” is one of the album’s most upbeat tracks, a fact that took the song’s author a bit of time to get used to. “I’m usually wary of songs that have really upbeat messages, but this song resonated for me because I tend to be the last one to believe when things are really going well. Songs where everything is perfect and everyone’s in love make me suspicious, but this song has enough of a gray area to feel real for me.”
Other highlights on the album are “Afterglow,” “All Is Said And Done” and “The Middle Ground.”
To support the album’s September 22nd release, the band plans on doing targeted performance dates throughout the summer with a nationwide tour in the fall.
Offical web site: http://www.verticalhorizon.com
Answer Me
Vertical Horizon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't know how long
But you know you don't like it
Lost in your room
It seems you're feeling tired
You don't know what from
One too many parties
[Chorus]
Answer me
Giving up won't get you out
Can't you hear me
Come and leave this room of doubt
Answer me
It seems you're feeling scared
You don't know how come
Hiding in the shadows
Praying for the sun
[Chorus]
It seems you're feeling old
You don't know how long
Holding on to memories
Waiting for the song
[Chorus]
In Vertical Horizon's "Answer Me", the singer observes that someone they care about is feeling down, tired, scared, and old. They seem lost in their own room, covering up their wounds and hiding in the shadows. The singer implores them to answer and come out of the room of doubt, reminding them that giving up won't help. The song seems to speak to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and hopelessness that can be all too familiar.
One possible interpretation of the lyrics is that they are addressing someone who has been struggling with depression or anxiety. The references to tiredness, partying, and makeup masking wounds could suggest a lifestyle that is both exhausting and damaging. The image of someone holding on to memories and waiting for the song, meanwhile, may imply a sense of nostalgia or longing for a time when things felt more hopeful. Overall, the song seems to be urging the listener to reach out for help and find a way to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems you're feeling down
It appears that you are feeling sad or depressed.
You don't know how long
You are unsure of how long you have been feeling this way.
But you know you don't like it
Although you may not have a clear idea of what's causing these feelings, you are certain that you don't enjoy it.
Lost in your room
You feel isolated and disconnected from others, possibly retreating to your room to escape or avoid social interaction.
It seems you're feeling tired
You are experiencing exhaustion or fatigue.
You don't know what from
You are unsure of the source of your exhaustion or fatigue.
One too many parties
You may have been attending social events or gatherings that have taken a toll on your energy levels and overall well-being.
Makeup hides the wounds
You may be using external means, such as makeup, to hide physical or emotional issues that are affecting you.
Answer me
The artist is imploring you to respond or communicate with them, encouraging you to open up about what's bothering you.
Giving up won't get you out
Simply allowing yourself to succumb to negative feelings and giving up will not help you escape or overcome them.
Can't you hear me
The singer is emphasizing that they are there to listen and support you if you are willing to reach out or speak up.
Come and leave this room of doubt
The artist is urging you to take action and step out of your isolation or negativity, offering a space of encouragement and hope.
It seems you're feeling scared
You are experiencing fear or anxiety.
You don't know how come
You are unsure of what caused your fear or anxiety.
Hiding in the shadows
You may be avoiding attention or seeking refuge in solitude due to your fears.
Praying for the sun
You may be seeking hope or optimism in a dark or uncertain situation, seeking a brighter future.
It seems you're feeling old
You are experiencing a sense of weariness or boredom from your current situation or stage in life.
You don't know how long
You are unsure of how long you have been feeling this way, possibly feeling like you are stuck in a rut.
Holding on to memories
You may be clinging to past experiences or relationships that are preventing you from moving on or finding new sources of joy.
Waiting for the song
You may be waiting for a sign or inspiration to shake you out of your malaise, seeking a new source of motivation or direction.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MATT SCANNELL, MATTHEW B. SCANNELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind