Their music features a rare contribution to the genre, incorporating the use of a violin. Formed in 1997, the final line up consisted of Ryan Key (vocals, rhythm guitar), Ryan Mendez (lead guitar, vocals), Sean Mackin (violin, vocals), Nathan Young on drums, and Josh Portman on bass.
Yellowcard was formed in 1997 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA after meeting at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. The band was made up of six members back then:
Ben Dobson (1997 - 2000) : vocals, Todd Clarry (1997 - 2001) : guitar, vocals, Sean Mackin (1997 - 2017) : violin, vocals, Warren Cooke (1997 - 2002) : bass, Ben Harper (not the same as Ben Harper) (1997 - 2005) : guitar, Longineu W. Parsons III (1997 - 2014) : drums.
Former members: Ben Dobson (1997 - 2000) : vocals, Todd Clarry (1997 - 2001) : guitar, vocals, Warren Cooke (1997 - 2002) : bass, Alex Lewis (2003 - 2004) : bass, backing vocals, Ben Harper (1997 - 2005) : lead guitar, Peter Mosely (2002 - 2003, 2004 - 2007) : bass, vocals, Sean O'Donnell of Reeve Oliver(2010–2012) : bass guitar, backing vocals
The band released their first album, Midget Tossing, in 1997 but with not much success.
Around that time their lead singer was replaced by Ryan Key who convinced the band that they couldn't be successful in Florida, so they decided to move to Southern California.
The new group released their debut album, One for the Kids (Lobster Records), in 2001, and followed up with The Underdog EP (Fueled by Ramen Records) in 2002.
Yellowcard signed with Capitol Records in 2003 and released Ocean Avenue, which is their most successful album to date.
Soon after, bassist Alex Lewis was let go by the band. Pete Mosely who had produced and played bass on most of the songs on Ocean Avenue took over on bass.
The Yellowcard popularity "skyrocketed" after this period, with a song from Ocean Avenue, Breathing appearing in the game Burnout 3: Takedown.
Lights and Sounds was released in January 2006. The title track, Lights and Sounds, was the first single released off the album. It is also featured on the game Burnout Revenge. How I Go features Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks.
In 2005 the guitarist Ben Harper left the band. He chose to work with his record label TAKEOVER RECORDS and has signed bands since his departure. He was replaced by Ryan Mendez (formerly of Staring Back) shortly before the Lights & Sounds tour began.
Paper Walls released on July 17th, 2007. Light Up the Sky was the first single released off this album. The album debuted at No. 13 on the U.S. Billboard 200 selling about 40,000 copies in its first week. After their tour for Paper Walls in 2008, the band went on hiatus for almost 2 years.
While touring for Paper Walls, Peter Mosely announced in a MySpace blog message that he would be leaving Yellowcard. . Josh Portman took over on bass until the reformation of Yellowcard in 2010, upon which Sean O'Donnell became the bass player.
Yellowcard's official Facebook page announced on August 1, 2010, that the band has reformed and will be working on a new record. When You're Through With Thinking, Say Yes released on March 22, 2011. On October 24, 2011, the band released an acoustic version of the album.
Sean O'Donnell left the band in early 2012, replaced by Josh Portman.
Southern Air was released on August 14, 2012. It debuted at 10 on the US Billboard top 200, making this their second album to debut in the top 10 and their second-highest debut. The album's first single, Always Summer, was released May 22, 2012. Here I Am Alive was released July 31 as the second single.
An acoustic version of Ocean Avenue was recorded for the album's tenth anniversary. The album was released on August 13, 2013.
On March 13, 2014, the band announced that drummer and founding member Longineu Parsons III had left the band. Parson's departure left Sean Mackin as the only remaining original member of the band.
On August 4, 2014, Yellowcard announced that the next album would be titled Lift a Sail. On August 19, 2014, the band released the first single, One Bedroom. Lift a Sail released October 7, 2014. The album is a notable change of sound for the band, moving away from pop-punk.
On June 7, 2016, the band announced on Facebook that its next album would be a self-titled album. Yellowcard was released on September 30, 2016. On June 24, 2016, the band released the lead single titled Rest in Peace.
On June 25, 2016, the band announced on via its website that the group would be breaking up after a final tour, stating: "Please come and join us on our last trip around the globe. We hope to share this final record and tour with each and every one of you." The band's final show was on March 25, 2017 in Anaheim, CA.
In 2019, it was reported that they were suing American rapper Juice WRLD over his hit song 'Lucid Dreams'.
Always Summer
Yellowcard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It got dark, but now I think I see
The world around is full of arms still reaching out to me
I hear the notes and belt them back to you
I feel loved
I'm burning like a fuse
I'm not afraid
'Cause I know I've got nothing left to lose
I just want to say
I know I let you down, but I'm letting out
And I found a way that I can tell the truth, make it up to you
I know that I have always walked the line
In between of confidence and lies
So many scenes are full of words I wish I could rewind
But here you are forgiving me again
You'll never know how real to me you've been
This is the start of another empty page where I begin
I just want to say
I know I let you down, but I'm letting out
And I found a way that I can tell the truth, make it up to you
I left home but there's one thing I still know
It's always summer in my heart and in my soul
I loved you first, I love you still
I always will
I loved you first, I love you still
I always will
I just want to say
I know I let you down, but I'm letting out
And I found a way that I can tell the truth, make it up to you
I left home but there's one thing that I still know
It's always summer in my heart and in my soul
It's always summer in my heart and in my soul
It's always summer in my heart and in my soul
The lyrics to Yellowcard's song "Always Summer" speak to the theme of growth and self-awareness. The singer reflects on their past mistakes and the ways in which they have let down someone they love. However, they also acknowledge their growth and newfound understanding of themselves and their emotions. The lines "I know that I have always walked the line / In between of confidence and lies" suggest that the singer has struggled with being honest and confident in themselves, but they are now ready to make amends and move forward.
The chorus, "I left home but there's one thing that I still know / It's always summer in my heart and in my soul" carries a message of hope and optimism. Despite the challenges and past mistakes, the singer holds onto the warmth and positivity of summer. This can be interpreted as a symbol of their own personal growth and a belief in their ability to continue moving forward. Additionally, the repeated lines "I loved you first, I love you still / I always will" reinforce the idea of the unwavering love and commitment to the person they are addressing.
Overall, "Always Summer" is a song about accepting past failures and using them as a catalyst for growth and self-improvement. The lyrics suggest a hopeful outlook on life and the belief in the power of love and personal change.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I have everything I need
I have come to the realization that I possess everything required to live a fulfilling life.
It got dark, but now I think I see
Although I was in a dark place, I have now found clarity.
The world around is full of arms still reaching out to me
There are many people willing to offer assistance and support to me.
I hear the notes and belt them back to you
When I hear music, I sing the lyrics back to you loudly and proudly.
I feel loved
I feel a strong sense of love and appreciation towards you.
I'm burning like a fuse
I am feeling a strong sense of passion and energy.
I'm not afraid
I am unafraid of the challenges that may come my way.
'Cause I know I've got nothing left to lose
Since I don't have anything to lose, I am willing to take risks and live life to the fullest.
I just want to say
I would like to express my thoughts and feelings.
I know I let you down, but I'm letting out
I am aware that I have disappointed you, but I am expressing myself openly and honestly.
And I found a way that I can tell the truth, make it up to you
I have found a method to be truthful and make amends with you.
I know that I have always walked the line
I acknowledge that I have always lived on the edge and took risks.
In between of confidence and lies
I often find myself in a grey area between being confident and telling lies.
So many scenes are full of words I wish I could rewind
I have many regrets and wish I could change past conversations.
But here you are forgiving me again
Despite my mistakes, you continue to forgive and support me.
You'll never know how real to me you've been
I can't express how much you mean to me.
This is the start of another empty page where I begin
I am starting fresh like a blank page in a book.
I left home but there's one thing I still know
Although I left home, there is a constant in my life that I am sure of.
It's always summer in my heart and in my soul
I have a constant feeling of warmth and positivity.
I loved you first, I love you still
I have loved you from the start and I still do.
I always will
My love for you will remain eternal.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Longineu Warren Parsons, Ryan Michael Mendez, Ryan William Key, Sean Michael Wellman-Mackin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gabriel Addison
I just found this band and all their albums and they have so many songs that I can’t stop listening to 😂
Mike Winmill
10 years later, I still feel this so much
Hansel Cedillos
It's crazy but Ocean Avenue turns 20 on January 1, 2023. Time flies.
Shisno Gaming
One of the most underrated bands ever! Love these guys.
Anthony Ruiz
I wished so too but I'm sure the money and time wasn't there anymore to sustain everyone's situations families
Wazzupz 22
This describes most of their songs, no matter what season it is whenever I listen to it, it feels like summer
usagi
This song will never gets old
Mr.Tungstene Guillaume
I am so glad a band like Yellowcard are still together! This song kick ass!!
RockD90s
my heart stopped beating when i saw they put a video up for this song and then it resume beating at 3:15 Violin solo is epic, i really can't wait to see these guys at warp tour and im impatiently waiting for the album i been a YC fan since i was in 8th grade i waiting two years for them to come back, they did they released WYATSY i fell more in love with them now that am a senior im going to see them finally this July and watch them and meet them. This band will always be in my heart.YC forlife
Caleb Leung
There was never a bad song. Long live yellowcard!