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
Lovestruck
Vertical Horizon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And their light is falling down like carols
Crack the skies you and I
Til the night just opens up and lets go
Lovestruck lovestruck you leave me lovestruck
Lovestruck lovestruck you leave me
Don't leave me love
Dim the sound underground
In mute calico and golden sunlight
Feel the break it's all it takes
Got a favorite thing, a favorite way to lie
Lovestruck lovestruck you leave me lovestruck
Lovestruck lovestruck you leave me
Don't leave me love
Lovestruck lovestruck you leave me lovestruck
Lovestruck lovestruck you leave me
Don't leave me love
Lovestruck (you've got me lovestruck now)
Lovestruck (ooh love)
Love
Lovestruck
The trees will guard the sun will guard the ground
Like the breezes blowing from another town
I guarantee the eyes are all darkened now
We lie down we lie down
We go back and forward to evermore
We never needed something that we needed more
The sweet release is all that we believe in now
We lie down we lie down
Lovestruck lovestruck you leave me lovestruck
Lovestruck lovestruck you leave me
Don't leave me love
Lovestruck lovestruck you leave me lovestruck
Lovestruck lovestruck you leave me
Don't leave me love
The song "Lovestruck" by Vertical Horizon is a romantic and whimsical tune that explores the feelings of being swept off one's feet in love. The first verse sets the scene under a starry night sky, as the light falls down like carols. The imagery of cracking the skies with another person indicates the immense power and passion felt in a love connection. The chorus repeats the title phrase over and over like a mantra, as if the singer is in a dream-like state, caught up in the rush of love. The second verse has more abstract imagery, but still conveys a sense of wonder and ecstasy. The muted sounds and golden sunlight all create a dreamy atmosphere. The bridge of the song has a more melancholic tone, acknowledging that love is not always easy or perfect, but it is still worth fighting for. The line "the sweet release is all that we believe in now" suggests a surrender to the emotional moment.
Overall, "Lovestruck" is a song that celebrates the sensations and emotions of falling in love. It is a song about being caught up in the moment and not wanting it to end, even if it means experiencing some vulnerability and uncertainty. The lyrics and melody work together to create a sense of enchantment, as if the listener is experiencing a magical, once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we are under stars
We are presently standing beneath the night sky.
And their light is falling down like carols
The stars' light is descending upon us like a song.
Crack the skies you and I
Together, let us break through the nighttime sky.
Til the night just opens up and lets go
Keep pushing until the shackles of nighttime dissipate.
Dim the sound underground
Let us decrease the volume of the music.
In mute calico and golden sunlight
We are enjoying the lack of noise despite the bright sunlight.
Feel the break it's all it takes
All it takes is the release of tension that we feel.
Got a favorite thing, a favorite way to lie
We each have a preferred position in which to rest.
The trees will guard the sun will guard the ground
The trees and the sun will serve as witnesses to our love.
Like the breezes blowing from another town
Similar to the winds that blow gently from afar.
I guarantee the eyes are all darkened now
Everyone's eyes are presently closed.
We lie down we lie down
We are currently lying down.
We go back and forward to evermore
We oscillate between the past and future.
We never needed something that we needed more
We do not seek anything we do not already possess.
The sweet release is all that we believe in now
There is no greater pleasure than complete relief.
Lovestruck (you've got me lovestruck now)
I am now fully under the influence of love.
Lovestruck (ooh love)
I am overwhelmed by the powerful feeling of love.
Love
The intense affection shared between two individuals.
Lovestruck
Overwhelmed and passionately affected by love.
Lovestruck lovestruck you leave me lovestruck
I am completely, hopelessly in love with you.
Don't leave me love
Please stay with me, my love.
Lovestruck lovestruck you leave me lovestruck
I am completely, hopelessly in love with you.
Don't leave me love
Please stay with me, my love.
Lyrics © THUNDER LAB MUSIC INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tom Gillman
Arguable list of most underrated bands ever;
(1) Anathema
(2) Vertical Horizon
(3) Runner
(4) Collective Soul
(5) Lionville
(6) Work of Art
(7) Mew
(8) Shawn Mcdonald
(9) Marvelous 3
(10) White Moth, Black Butterfly
Ligea
This is great. Very melodic, exactly what I liked about the 80's, only it's hard to believe this was done after 2000. Though, I first heard about this group through "Everything you want" and I really love the start of that song too. I'm glad I heard about this via one of my restless nights of sleep, so turned on Pandora on my TV & eventually that one came on ...it made me feel, well better than I was feeling. I know in mythology men can't really be sirens, but if they could this lead singer would be one with the mermaids :) I also really dig the bass and keys, but it's all good really. This song even included a guitar solo;rare for key driven music, but it's a nice change. This band definitely thinks outside the box. I'm also as amazed as others that more people haven't caught on, quality musicians. I can see myself buying at least 1 or two of these albums, if not more, at some point. At least I know what might be worth the buy on my next album purchase.
highcottonquinn
This song has a 1980's feel to it.
Danny Chew
Woah, this is very good. Not something I'd expect from VH.
The broody 80's like melody with elements from U2 and Depeche Mode.
Totally digging this.
James Mangum
I saw this live and Matt absolutely CRUSHED the guitar solo....5+ minutes. Awesome!
James Mangum
Me, too! Sparks NV.
Minoutaur Entertainment
Can't get over VH they're so good I love this one especially!
John Scoone
This has to be one of the top albums of the new millennium. Every song is great, and this is one of the best.
James Knowles
Beautiful production on an even more beautiful song.
Randall Arnold
it's amazing
Jon Brooks - Music Composer
Love the production on this one! :-)