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'.
Here I Am Alive
Yellowcard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd tell him you'd get everything you ever wanted
But you will still want more
Someone's gonna tell you
Who you should wanna be
So you forget the vision that they didn't want to see
And when they give up, 'cause they will give up say
"Here I am alive"
They say you don't grow up you just grow old
It's safe to say I haven't done both
I made mistakes, I know, I know
But here I am alive
So many people close to me cut me down
This is supposed to be a bad luck town
I jumped, I fell, I hit the ground
But here I am alive
If I could write to myself when I was on top of it all,
I'd say you're going overboard and when you are falling
You're gonna feel so small
Someone's gonna tell you that you deserve the worst
They'd say you're never coming back and tell you that you're cursed
But when they give up, 'cause they always give up say-
"Here I am alive"
They say you don't grow up you just grow old
It's safe to say I haven't done both
I made mistakes, I know, I know
But here I am alive
So many people close to me cut me down
This is supposed to be a bad luck town
I jumped, I fell, I hit the ground
But here I am alive
And when they give up, 'cause they will give up
Say: "Here I am alive!!"
And when they give up, 'cause they always give up
Say: "Here I am alive!!"
They say you don't grow up you just grow old
It's safe to say I haven't done both
I made mistakes, I know, I know
But here I am alive
So many people close to me cut me down
This is supposed to be a bad luck town
I jumped, I fell, I hit the ground
But here I am alive
Here I am alive
(Here I am alive)
Here I am alive
(Here I am alive)
Here I am alive
(Here I am alive)
Here I am alive
(Here I am)
If I could write to the kid I was before
Yellowcard's "Here I Am Alive" is a reflective and introspective track that delves into the idea of resilience, perseverance, and survival. The lyrics speak to the desire to break away from society's expectations and refuse to conform to the narrow definitions of success and the pressures of fitting in. The song urges the listener to stay true to themselves and their own vision, despite the obstacles and criticisms that they may face along the way.
The verses highlight the struggles and challenges the band has faced while pursuing their dreams, acknowledging their imperfections and mistakes that have led them to where they are now. The chorus acts as an anthem of hope, celebrating the realization that despite everything, they are still here and alive. The song's message is universal and relatable, encouraging listeners to keep going when things get tough and reminding them that they can overcome any obstacle in their path.
Overall, "Here I Am Alive" delivers a powerful and timely message to anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world, offering a glimmer of hope and inspiration in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could write to the kid I was before
If I had the chance to communicate with my younger self
I'd tell him you'd get everything you ever wanted
But you will still want more
I would inform my younger self that despite achieving all my desires, I would still crave for additional things
Someone's gonna tell you
Who you should wanna be
So you forget the vision that they didn't want to see
And when they give up, 'cause they will give up say
"Here I am alive"
There will be people who will influence me in a way that makes me lose sight of my vision. But, when they eventually lose hope, I would proclaim my resilience and perseverance - "Here I am alive"
They say you don't grow up you just grow old
It's safe to say I haven't done both
I made mistakes, I know, I know
But here I am alive
People say that growing up and growing old are two different things, but I believe I've failed to accomplish either. I accept my mistakes and flaws but I'm glad I'm still alive
So many people close to me cut me down
This is supposed to be a bad luck town
I jumped, I fell, I hit the ground
But here I am alive
Numerous people have doubted me or reduced me to nothing, and the place where I live is notorious for being unlucky or harsh, but despite those circumstances, I've still managed to overcome obstacles and survive
If I could write to myself when I was on top of it all,
I'd say you're going overboard and when you are falling
You're gonna feel so small
Someone's gonna tell you that you deserve the worst
They'd say you're never coming back and tell you that you're cursed
But when they give up, 'cause they always give up say-
"Here I am alive"
If I could communicate with the version of myself who was successful, I would warn them about the consequences of becoming too arrogant. Eventually, people will discourage and disparage me, but when they lose faith in me, I'll still be alive and thriving
And when they give up, 'cause they will give up
Say: "Here I am alive!!"
And when they give up, 'cause they always give up
Say: "Here I am alive!!"
Repeatedly, people will inevitably lose hope in me, but regardless of those situations or difficulties, I want to proclaim my strength and endurance - "Here I am alive!!"
Here I am alive
(Here I am alive)
Here I am alive
(Here I am alive)
Here I am alive
(Here I am alive)
Here I am alive
(Here I am)
I want to assert and declare my continued existence, resilience, and triumph - "Here I am alive"!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PATRICK STUMP, WILLIAM KEY, LONGINEU PARSONS, SEAN WELLMAN-MACKIN, RYAN MENDEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tyguy0256
The violin player and dreadlock drummer are such classics!!!
@zerolucksgivenzeroluckstak1763
tay jardine heavenly voice ~ 2020 and still rockin this song ~
@Norelyakin33
listening to her voice casually everyday to motivate me at work and at the gym
@pandapopthethird4623
I have lyrics from this song tattooed on me 🤩🥰
@AutumnStardust
This song is really great. It's basically telling you not to give up on your dreams, and even if they do come true, and things still aren't right and what you want, still striving cause you are alive in your dreams that have come true. Don't give up fellow musicians out there!
@daniellegandrachb
I heard this song live. It was amazing. The whole crowd shouting “HERE I AM ALIVE!”
@cloroxbleach4227
We are the in crowd <3
@bforbesut
Still my favorite song. So excited to see them in concert next month!
@TheScrubExpress
even though I'm a punk/pop punk fan for much of the last 20+ years, I only just heard this song like a month ago. And it's been stuck in my head ever since.
@darkelfshadownight
where??