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'.
How I Go
Yellowcard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My friend the giant and traveling sales
Tell you all the times that I failed
The years all behind me
The stories excelled.
And I'm drying out
Crying out
This isn't how I go
I could tell you of a man not so tall
Who said life's a circus and so we are small
Tell you of a girl that I saw
I froze in the moment and she changed it all
And I'm drying out
Crying out
This isn't how I go
Hurry now
Lay me down
And let these waters flow
Flow
Son I am not everything you thought that I would be
But every story I have told is part of me
And you keep the air in my lungs
Floating along as a melody comes
And my heart beats like timpani drums
Keeping the time while a symphony strums
And I'm drying out
Crying out
This isn't how I go
Hurry now
Lay me down
And let these waters flowâ?¦
Flow
Let it flow
Let it flow
Son I am not everything you thought that I would be
But every story I have told is part of me
Son I leave you now but you have so much more to do
And every story I have told is part of you
The lyrics of Yellowcard's song "How I Go" illustrate the story of a person reflecting on their life while nearing the end of their journey. The song starts off with the person acknowledging the stories they have to tell and the experiences they've had throughout their life. They talk about their friend, the giant, and traveling sales as well as several other people and moments that have impacted their life. However, they come to realize that this isn't how they want to go, and that they are drying out and crying out.
As the song continues, the person shares more stories, including a short statement from a man who said that life's a circus, and they are all small. They talk about a girl they saw who changed everything in a single moment. They still feel like their life is incomplete and they are not ready to go yet. The person then talks to their son, admitting that they are not everything their child thought they would be. Still, every story they've told is a part of them and a part of their child.
Overall, "How I Go" is about the journey of life and its complexities. It showcases how every person has a story to tell, no matter how big or small, and these stories make up who they are. The song encourages listeners to embrace their own stories and to understand that every moment and person they encounter on their journey is significant.
Line by Line Meaning
I could tell you the wildest of tales
I am capable of sharing with you the most astonishing stories.
My friend the giant and traveling sales
My friend is a giant who travels and sells goods.
Tell you all the times that I failed
I can recount every instance where I have not succeeded.
The years all behind me
The past years are gone and have faded away.
The stories excelled.
The stories have become more extraordinary.
And I'm drying out
I am becoming parched or exhausted.
Crying out
Desperately calling for help or attention.
This isn't how I go
This is not how I want to leave or depart.
I could tell you of a man not so tall
I can describe a person who is not of great height.
Who said life's a circus and so we are small
He believed that life is like a big top and we are small performers.
Tell you of a girl that I saw
I can recount a story of a girl I witnessed.
I froze in the moment and she changed it all
I was petrified during that moment that she altered everything for me.
Hurry now
Do it quickly or hastily.
Lay me down
Put me to rest or keep me at peace.
And let these waters flow
Allow any emotions to be released or let tears fall.
Son I am not everything you thought that I would be
My child, I am not who you expected or idealized me to be.
But every story I have told is part of me
However, each tale I have shared is a part of who I am.
And you keep the air in my lungs
You give me the strength to keep breathing.
Floating along as a melody comes
As a tune plays in my head, I feel like I am floating.
And my heart beats like timpani drums
My heart is pounding like the deep, resonant sound of timpani drums.
Keeping the time while a symphony strums
Keeping pace while a symphony plays a chord or melody.
Son I leave you now but you have so much more to do
My boy, I am leaving you, but you have so much potential to accomplish in this world.
Let it flow
Allow whatever the feeling or emotion is to be released or expressed.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER MICHAEL MOSELY, WILLIAM RYAN KEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind