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'.
For The Longest Time
Yellowcard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For the longest time
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
For the longest time
If you said good-bye to me tonight
There would still be music enough to write
What else can I do, I'm so inspired by you
For the longest time
If you said that I was the one that was wrong
Would I have the strength to carry on?
That's why you found me
When you put you arms around me
You haven't been there
For the longest time
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
For the longest time
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
For the longest time
That voice your hearing in the hall
When the greatest miracle of all
That's where you found me
When you put your arms around me
You haven't been there,
For the longest time
If you said that I was the one that was wrong
Would I have the strength to carry on?
I'll take my chances
I almost got us sweet romances
You haven't been there for the longest time
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
For the longest time(4x)
The lyrics of Yellowcard's song "For The Longest Time" are about longing and the importance of a person that has been absent. The chorus repeats "For the longest time" followed by a few "whoas". These lines establish the main theme of the song which is the length of time that someone has been gone. The singer is inspired by this person he is referring to in the song, and speaks of the immense impact that person has had on his music. If that person were to leave, he can still find inspiration to write music because of the depth of the influence they have had on him.
Later in the song, the singer addresses the weight of a hypothetical situation where he is in the wrong and this person calls him out on it. He questions whether he would be able to carry on without this person being there for him. The line, "I'll take my chances, I almost got us sweet romances", is a reference to taking a risk and pursuing something with someone but almost failing to make it work. Even though there have been ups and downs for the singer and this person, he still values their presence and impact on his life.
Overall, "For The Longest Time" is a melodious reflection on the longevity of a special connection and how significant it can be for someone's growth and artistic inspiration.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
A melodic exclamation that doesn't carry meaning but serves as musical punctuation
For the longest time
The song's central refrain conveying the singer's feelings of enduring love
If you said good-bye to me tonight
Contemplation of the idea of losing the subject of the song
There would still be music enough to write
A declaration that the inspiration from the subject would continue even in their absence
What else can I do, I'm so inspired by you
Admission of passion and creativity that the subject motivates
You haven't been there
The subject has not been present with the singer during all of their experiences
If you said that I was the one that was wrong
Wondering if the subject would put blame on the singer and how they would react
Would I have the strength to carry on?
Asking if the artist could handle rejection or criticism from the subject
That's why you found me
The subject came to the artist during a trying moment
When you put your arms around me
Physical embrace symbolizing emotional support
That voice you’re hearing in the hall
Auditory hallucination due to longing for the subject
When the greatest miracle of all
Finding the subject was the artist's stroke of luck
I'll take my chances
Risking it all for a chance with the subject
I almost got us sweet romances
Narrator recalling a time of almost-love with the subject
For the longest time
Reiteration of the song's refrain conveying the singer's feelings of enduring love
Contributed by Ryan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
rcfllrtn
I love this version.
Oh Romeo
love it!
Jacob
Ke poca madre!!
Ross Pullen
Nobody will see this comment, but anyway:
This was on Yellowcard's first album in 1997. They were 17/18 years old, and went on to be an incredibly successful band over a 20 year span. Go listen to Billy Joel if you want the original, and just cover your ears if you hate punk music. This has every right to be bad, but it's weird to not understand that.
Sir Hooligan
I saw this comment lol
rev
wel personally i like this cover better then the original .... everybody has his/her own style respect that ...
Brian Schaich
I see everyone doesn't get the concept of a punk cover. It's not meant to sound like the original. It's meant to sound like punk music. If you want to hear the original song, don't listen to a cover.
unacopadete
I prefer Ted and Barney's version :)
sparkysue sparx
i like this :)
Foam Roller
sounds good to me. Its a punk cover. Its not supposed to sound like the original. from Yellowcard's first album, my favorite album by them. I don't like all that alternative stuff.