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'.
Big Apple Heartbreak
Yellowcard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you, think I
Have not been missing
The way she breathes
You are mistaken, my friend
I've fallen down
So put your mouth on
One night with me and
I've broken your trust
I'd hate to be the bond
You know is gonna bust
(know is gonna bust)
Hurting lungs breathing
Sighs of disgust
This can't be home, anymore [Repeat: x1]
Now cold concrete
Blank walls are staring
Into your lonely eyes
I duck behind them
And hope that you won't go
And ask for answers to
Why I made you cry
I never wanted us to fade out
Resting on a love that fell apart
Where are you?
I need you
You still have, still have my heart
I never wanted us to fade out (fade out)
Resting on a love that fell apart (torn apart)
Where are you?
I need you
You still have, still have my heart
One night with me and
I've broken your trust
I'd hate to be the bond
You know is gonna bust
(know is gonna bust)
Hurting lungs breathing
Sighs of disgust
This can't be home, anymore [Repeat: x1]
Open up my heart [Repeat: x3]
The song "Big Apple Heartbreak" by Yellowcard is a melancholic track that explores the feelings of hurt and disappointment that comes with heartbreak. The opening line "This can't be home anymore" is a powerful statement that sets the tone of the song. The lead singer expresses his regret and sadness in a somber tone as he sings about the loss of his love. Throughout the song, he reminiscences about the moments he shared with his partner, his regrets about the mistakes he made, and the pain he caused.
The chorus "One night with me and I've broken your trust, I'd hate to be the bond you know is gonna bust, hurting lungs breathing sighs of disgust, this can't be home anymore" is emotive and captivates the heart of the listener. The line "hurting lungs breathing sighs of disgust" is a powerful image of the suffocation that comes with heartbreak — the feeling of not being able to breathe normally, the inability to enjoy life as you used to. The sadness is all-consuming, and the pain seems endless as he sings about the emptiness and loss of love.
The verses are poignant and reflective. They talk about the absence of love being replaced by the coldness of concrete walls, and the loneliness that comes with it. The lyrics "Where are you? I need you. You still have, still have my heart" show how difficult it is to move on and how strong the feelings of love can be, even when it's not reciprocated.
Line by Line Meaning
This can't be home, anymore
The singer feels like they can't find comfort in their surroundings anymore.
If you think I have not been missing the way she breathes
The singer misses their significant other deeply.
You are mistaken, my friend
The singer corrects anyone who believes otherwise.
I've fallen down, so put your mouth on my bloody knees
The artist is in a vulnerable position and hopes for comfort from anyone who's willing to help.
One night with me and I've broken your trust
The artist acknowledges that they're not always trustworthy and may have hurt others in the past.
I'd hate to be the bond you know is gonna bust (know is gonna bust)
The singer doesn't want to be in a relationship that's doomed to fail.
Hurting lungs breathing sighs of disgust
The singer is experiencing physical and emotional pain as a result of their situation.
Now cold concrete blank walls are staring into your lonely eyes
The artist is in an unfamiliar, unwelcoming environment.
I duck behind them and hope that you won't go and ask for answers to why I made you cry
The artist avoids confrontation and hopes to avoid having to explain their actions.
I never wanted us to fade out, resting on a love that fell apart
The artist regrets the end of their relationship and the way it happened.
Where are you? I need you. You still have, still have my heart
The singer is desperate to reunite with their significant other.
Open up my heart
The artist is vulnerable and wants someone to understand them.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BENJAMIN ERIC HARPER, LONGINEU PARSONS III, SEAN MICHAEL WELLMAN-MACKIN, WARREN MYERS COOKE, WILLIAM RYAN KEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind