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'.
Life of a Salesman
Yellowcard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me why I'm here Dad
Whisper in my ear that I'm growing up to be a better man Dad
Everything is fine Dad
Proud that you are my Dad
Cause I know I'm growing up to be a better man
Father, I will always be
And watched you tower over me
Now I'm older I want to be the same as you
What's a Dad for, Dad?
Taught me how to stand Dad
Took me by the hand and you showed me how to be a bigger man Dad
Listen when you talk Dad
Follow where you walk Dad
And you know that I'll always do the best I can
I can
Father I will always be (always be)
That same boy that stood by the sea
And watched you tower over me (over me)
Now I'm older I want to be the same as you
The same as you
Father I will always be
That same boy that stood by the sea
And watched you tower over me
Now I'm older I want to be the same as you
Father I will always be (when I am a Dad, Dad, I'm gonna be a good Dad)
That same boy that stood by the sea (did the best you could, Dad, always understood, Dad)
And watched you tower over me (tell me I was right, Dad, opened up my eyes, Dad)
Now I'm older I want to be the same as you (proud to call you my, Dad, thank you for my life Dad)
The song "Life Of A Salesman" by Yellowcard is a touching tribute to a father figure who has taught valuable lessons and left an impactful impression on the singer's life. The first verse of the song conveys a desire to know why he exists and seeks validation from his father that he is on the right track to becoming a "better man." The chorus then repeats the sentiment that the singer wants to be like his father and the role model he has always looked up to. The second verse highlights specific things that the father has taught the singer, such as perseverance and listening with intent, and the singer acknowledges that he will always strive to do his best and follow in his father's footsteps. The final verse changes tense and has the singer imagining himself as a father one day and hoping to be as good of a father as his own.
The overarching theme throughout the song is the love and admiration a son has for his father and the desire to emulate the qualities that he admires in him. The lyrics eloquently capture the universal experience of children looking up to their parents and trying to become like them, making it a relatable and emotionally impactful song for many.
Line by Line Meaning
What's a dad for dad?
Asking for the role of a father in my life, dad
Tell me why I'm here dad
Help me understand my purpose, dad
Whisper in my ear that I'm growing up to be a better man, dad
Encourage me about my future prospects, dad
Everything is fine dad
Assure me of the present stability, dad
Proud that you are mine dad
Expressing gratitude for having you as my father, dad
Cause I know I'm growing up to be a better man
Confident of my personal growth, dad
Father I will always be
Always remain loyal to you, dad
That same boy that stood by the sea
Just like that young child who looked up at you with admiration, dad
And watched you tower over me
Witnessing the insurmountable greatness you possess, dad
Now I'm older I want to be the same as you
I aspire to be just like you, dad
Taught me how to stand, dad
Inspired me to be strong, dad
Took me by the hand and you showed me how to be a bigger man, dad
A mentor and guide to achieving maturity, dad
Listen when you talk, dad
Respect for your words and guidance, dad
Follow where you walk, dad
I look up to you and follow your steps, dad
And you know that I will always do the best I can
I promise to always give my best, dad
When I am a dad, dad
Speculating the day when I will be a father, dad
I'm gonna be a good dad
Aspiring to be a great father just like you, dad
Did the best you could, dad
Admiring the effort you put in, dad
Always understood, dad
Appreciating the empathy you displayed, dad
Tell me I was right, dad
Acknowledging me and approving of my choices, dad
Opened up my eyes, dad
Showing me the world and guiding me, dad
Proud to call you my, dad
No greater pride than having you as my father, dad
Thank you for my life dad
Expressing gratitude for the gift of life, dad
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Benjamin Eric Harper, Longineu Warren Iii Parsons, Peter Michael Mosely, Sean Michael Wellman-Mackin, William Ryan Key
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind