In early 2004, they self-recorded and released their debut EP I Am for You. Simultaneously, the line-up was completed by guitarist Nick Rucker and bassist Derek Vaughn, replacing Teegarden. However, the two soon left the band, and a permanent bassist was found in Andrew Grosse, frontman Jones' former bandmate in their Christian accented high school band Formula316.[2] Without record label distribution and solely through word of mouth promotion, the CD's first pressing of 1,000 copies (being only available through the band's website and at their concerts) sold out within a month.[3] To date, the six-song CD managed to sell over 10,000 copies.[4] Its success landed the band a booking agent and allowed them to drop out of college, to pursue a career in the music industry. As the result of their constant touring and — due to lucky circumstances — their participating in 2004's Warped Tour, word spread fast and garnered the attention of several record labels, including Tooth & Nail Records, home to such bands as Further Seems Forever, Mae and Underoath. Tooth & Nail signed Waking Ashland and released their first full-length album Composure — produced by Lou Giordano — in May 2005. The album scanned 2,400 units within its first week of sales, debuting at #19 on Nielsen SoundScan's Alternative New Artist chart and at #53 on their Top New Artist Album chart.[5]
On September 5, 2005, a statement on the band's website announced that Grosse and Lee had left the band due to in-band conflicts. Temporary touring members included drummers Joe Greenetz from Sherwood and Rob Lynch from Harris, as well as bassists Jon Sullivan from Jack's Mannequin and Trevor Sellers from Number One Gun. On February 8, 2006, Waking Ashland released a nine-song EP, titled Telescopes, only in Japan. Immortal Records released Telescopes in the United States on June 13, 2006. The Japanese release had two bonus tracks, which were acoustic versions of "October Skies" and "I Am For You" from Composure. While the release featured session musicians to back up Jones and Lallier, a permanent rhythm section was finally announced in a blog on the band's MySpace profile as Nate Harold and Tim Very.
Part of the band's success can be attributed to their pages on MySpace and PureVolume. As of September 2006, Waking Ashland's songs have been played over 1.3 million times on MySpace and over 1.2 million times on PureVolume. Their song "I Am for You" appeared on the first MySpace Records compilation and the Drive Thru Records/PureVolume compilation, "Bands You Love, Have Heard of, and Should Know".
Waking Ashland's second album, The Well, was released by Immortal Records on April 17, 2007.
On July 9, 2007, Jones announced on their MySpace page that the band had broken up, citing irreconcilable differences. Jones is currently working with his newly formed band We Shot the Moon, consisting of him and two other musicians from the band Sherwood, Dan Koch and Joe Greenetz. Jones and Lallier are also currently working on solo projects.
All Hands on Deck
Waking Ashland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll never know what it could have been
All hands on deck my ship is sinking
Don't let me go, Don't let me drown
A step to the right to your own rhythm
Because what comes next is up to you
I need a miracle to save me from this
I can't believe you
Another day another worry
Breaks right through
And indecision bleeds me dry
She's turning pages I'm not making for her
She's painting pictures without me in mind
I can't believe you
The long walks on Moon Light beach
The promises you could not keep
Your so contagious, Your so contagious
For all the world we did not see
For all the smiles you gave to me
They're so contagious, So contagious
So very fake
Goodbye to you
Goodbye to you
The song "Hands On Deck" by Waking Ashland is about the singer's ship sinking and needing the help of everyone around him to stay afloat. The lyrics are filled with metaphoric language, primarily nautical references like "Don't abandon the ship" and "All hands on deck." It's a plea for help and a reminder that we need one another in life. The urgency in the lyrics suggests that this isn't just a regular request for assistance, and that without it, things could end tragically.
The main theme of the song is fighting for survival and not giving up. As the verse progresses, the singer turns inward, questioning his own actions and his indecisiveness. He references "another day and another worry that breaks right through," implying that this is an ongoing problem, and is ultimately affecting his life. He begs for a miracle and the intervention of angels to help him. The song then ends with a farewell to someone, perhaps to the things that were holding him back in life or to someone who couldn't be there for him when he needed help.
Line by Line Meaning
All hands on deck don't abandon the ship
Everyone needs to work together and not give up in the face of hardship
You'll never know what it could have been
If we give up now, we'll never see what the outcome could have been
All hands on deck my ship is sinking
The situation is dire and requires everyone's immediate attention
Don't let me go, Don't let me drown
I need your help to keep me from giving up or falling apart
A step to the right to your own rhythm
Do what feels right to you, not what others expect or demand
Because what comes next is up to you
The future is in your hands and you have the power to shape it
I need a miracle to save me from this
I am in such a desperate situation that only a miracle can save me
I need the angels to all pray for me
I need all the help I can get, even from divine sources
I can't believe you
You've let me down and I can't trust you anymore
Another day another worry
Every day brings new challenges and problems to deal with
Breaks right through
Problems are overwhelming and difficult to ignore
And indecision bleeds me dry
Not being able to make a decision is draining and exhausting me
She's turning pages I'm not making for her
She's moving on with her life without me and I'm not keeping up
She's painting pictures without me in mind
She's creating a future and a life without me in it
The long walks on Moon Light beach
Looking back on happy memories that are now bittersweet
The promises you could not keep
You let me down and broke your promises
Your so contagious, Your so contagious
Your influence and behavior are spreading to others
For all the world we did not see
There are things in the world that we are unaware of or blind to
For all the smiles you gave to me
Despite everything, I still look back on happier times and remember you fondly
They're so contagious, So contagious
Those happy memories and good times still have an effect on me
So very fake
What I thought was real and true turned out to be a lie
Goodbye to you
It's time for me to say goodbye and move on
Goodbye to you
I'm truly letting go and goodbye is final
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JONATHAN WESLEY JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
verse pagefall
one of the best songs ever written
chabrastamepues
One of the most beautiful songs ever written that hardly anyone knows about! First heard it in 2006 and still listening to it consistently six years later!
chabrastamepues
One of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. It absolutely captivates me!
Tormented
I was stranded at a hotel/casino on a rainy night because my friends couldn't take me home and my parents were already asleep so before the time I resorted to calling my grandma who lives across town, this video came on the mointor in the lobby room and its sound just sang to my heart. I asked the lobbyist if she knew its name because it didn't say at the end of the video but here I am 2 months after hearing it from typing in its lyrics on Google. Glad I remembered its simple catchy chorus. ;]
qrsabcdhieflm
I cant believe that I'm just finding out about them now. How did i make all the way here with out knowing about them?? This is definitely one of their best songs, everything about it is just perfect.
mattplayscheap
I will never forget the first time I saw them live. It was the only time that I think I saw them. Never even expected them to breakup. I didn't know who they were that night and Jonathan was the nicest person and stuff. I wish I saw them when I knew the music and all. Its terrible. Glad we have this though.
Stormyshade D
I remember seeing these guys years ago on warped tour. Loved them then and still love listening to their music now. I never thought they would spilt ways, but all good things come to an end at some point. Thanks for the great memories!! :-)
Ryan Winslade
The music video adds to the song so much! Unbelievable. Beautiful.
Tormented
If I had the choice, they wouldn't have broken up, they were so magnificent.
Jason Reichl
Amazing lyrics, and song altogether. <3