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'.
Breathing
Yellowcard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But they never seem to close
The fan blades on the ceiling spin
But the air is never cold
And even though you're next to me
I still feel so alone
I just can't give you anything
For you to call your own
And I can feel you breathing
And it's keeping me awake
Can you feel it beating?
My heart sinking like a weight
Something I've been keeping locked away
Behind my lips
I can feel it breaking free
With each and every kiss
I couldn't bear to hurt you
But it's all so different now
Things that I was sure of
They have filled me up with doubt
And I can feel you breathing
And it's keeping me awake
Can you feel it beating?
My heart sinking like a weight
I can feel you breathing
It's keeping me awake
Could you stop my heart?
It's always beating
Sinking like a weight
How am I suppose to feel about the things I've done
I don't know if I should stay or turn around and run
I know that I hurt you
Things will never be the same
The only love I ever knew, I threw it all away
And I can feel you breathing
And it's keeping me awake
Can you feel it beating?
My heart sinking like a weight
I can feel you breathing
It's keeping me awake
Could you stop my heart?
It's always breathing
Sinking like a weight
The lyrics to Yellowcard's song "Breathing" speak of a feeling of detachment and struggle with emotions within a relationship. The first verse sets the scene for a feeling of exhaustion and loneliness, despite the physical presence of another person. The singer feels unable to give their partner what they need to feel satisfied, which leads to a feeling of guilt and a desire to keep certain thoughts and feelings locked away. The second verse reveals that something has changed in the relationship, causing the singer to question their previous certainties and feel overwhelmed by doubt. The chorus speaks of the physical effects of these emotions, with the partner's breathing and the singer's heart both causing a sense of restlessness and unease. The final verse reveals the guilt the singer feels for their actions, and a sense of confusion about what to do next.
Overall, "Breathing" can be interpreted as a reflection on the challenges of maintaining a healthy relationship, particularly when feelings of doubt and guilt arise. The song expresses the pain of feeling disconnected from someone you care about deeply, and the struggle to reconcile your actions with your sense of morality.
Line by Line Meaning
Eyes are feeling heavy
I am tired and worn out
But they never seem to close
I can't fall asleep even though I'm tired
The fan blades on the ceiling spin
There's a physical motion happening in the room
But the air is never cold
The environment is not having a cooling effect
And even though you're next to me
I have someone close to me
I still feel so alone
But I'm feeling very lonely
I just can't give you anything
I'm unable to provide my partner anything
For you to call your own
That is exclusively yours to have
And I can feel you breathing
I am aware of my partner's breath
And it's keeping me awake
It's disrupting my sleep
Can you feel it beating?
Can you sense my heart's movement?
My heart sinking like a wave
My heart feels low and heavy
Something I've been keeping locked away
I have been hiding something
Behind my lips
Within my thoughts
I can feel it breaking free
It is starting to surface
With each and every kiss
By being close to my partner
I couldn't bear to hurt you
I don't want to cause any harm to my partner
But it's all so different now
But everything has now changed
Things that I was sure of then
Things that were certain earlier
Now filled me up with doubt
I am now uncertain about those same things
How am I suppose to feel about the things I've done
What should my reaction be regarding my actions?
I don't know if I should stay or turn around and run
I am unsure if I should leave or stay in the relationship
I know that I hurt you
I am aware of the pain I have caused you
Things will never be the same
Things can never go back to the way they were
The only love I ever knew I threw it all away
I ruined the only love that I had
Could you stop my heart?
Can you halt my heart's movements?
It's always breathing
My heart is constantly pumping
Sinking like a wave
Going down like a crashing sea wave
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Benjamin Eric Harper, Longineu Warren Iii Parsons, Peter Michael Mosely, Sean Michael Wellman-Mackin, William Ryan Key
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind