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'.
Drifting
Yellowcard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Such a sad man in disguise
Waiting, wishing, dreaming, drifting from me
Hurts my heart to see you cry
Waiting, wishing, dreaming, drifting from me
I don't know you anymore, wish I knew what's wrong
Can't we try to slam that door, start a brand new song
I know you're lonely and you cry, wondering why
I know it's lonely but if once, you could help me understand
What it takes to be a man
Look back on what you've said, and the life you've led
Is it what you dreamed when you were young like me.
Now it's time you took something back
Just for the sake of your mind.
When I look into your eyes, I can see
Life has buried you alive
Waiting, wishing, dreaming, drifting from me
You can't breathe
Heart as big as ocean's wide
Waiting, wishing, dreaming, drifting
The lyrics of "Drifting" by Yellowcard seem to be about a relationship that has lost its connection. The singer looks into the eyes of the other person and sees a "sad man in disguise" who is "waiting, wishing, dreaming, drifting from me." This person seems to be disconnected from the singer, and their sadness is hurting the singer's heart. The singer wants to understand what's wrong, but they don't seem to know the person anymore. The line "Can't we try to slam that door, start a brand new song" suggests a desire to start fresh.
The chorus of the song describes how the other person is feeling alone and crying, while the singer is trying to understand what it takes to be a man. The lines "Look back on what you've said, and the life you've led / Is it what you dreamed when you were young like me" suggest that the singer is reflecting on the course of their own life and is curious about how the other person feels about theirs. The singer tells the other person that it's time for them to take something back for the sake of their own mind.
The repeated phrase "Waiting, wishing, dreaming, drifting" seems to represent the emotions that the other person is going through. They are waiting for something to change, wishing for something better, dreaming about a future that is different from their current reality, and drifting away from the singer. The final line "Heart as big as ocean's wide / Waiting, wishing, dreaming, drifting" suggests that despite the other person's sadness, they still have a big heart that feels deeply.
Line by Line Meaning
When I look into your eyes, I can see
I can perceive a man feeling saddened, hidden beneath his exterior
Such a sad man in disguise
A man who appears to be happy, but is actually quite melancholy
Waiting, wishing, dreaming, drifting from me
I feel sorrow when I realize that you're gradually moving away from me
Hurts my heart to see you cry
It causes me pain to observe you in tears
I don't know you anymore, wish I knew what's wrong
I don't recognize you any longer, and I yearn to understand what is troubling you
Can't we try to slam that door, start a brand new song
Why don't we attempt to move on from what's been hindering us, and begin anew
I know you're lonely and you cry, wondering why
I comprehend that you're lonesome and weeping, while questioning the reason for your state of mind
I know it's lonely but if once, you could help me understand
I understand it can be isolating, but if you would only speak to me, it may aid my comprehension
What it takes to be a man
What qualities are essential for someone to be considered a man
Look back on what you've said, and the life you've led
Reflect on the things you've verbalized and the existence you have experienced
Is it what you dreamed when you were young like me.
Does it align with the hopes you had as a youngster, just like I had
Now it's time you took something back
It's time for you to take ownership of an aspect of your life
Just for the sake of your mind.
To benefit your mental well-being.
When I look into your eyes, I can see
Through your eyes, I can witness
Life has buried you alive
Life has smothered you
Waiting, wishing, dreaming, drifting from me
You are procrastinating, hoping, fantasizing, and slowly separating from me
You can't breathe
You feel confined, stifled
Heart as big as ocean's wide
You have a generous and kind heart
Waiting, wishing, dreaming, drifting
You are waiting, yearning, envisioning, and floating away
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SOPHIE FRANCES COOKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind