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'.
Up Hill Both Ways
Yellowcard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm left wondering what I did so wrong
Everytime I try, try to rationalize
When everyone went wrong why didn't we die?
Everytime I think about what it would be like
Without all the things you give to me
All these thoughts keep running through my head
Look back find the things I lost
There's nothing left there so it seems
Up hill both ways
Nothing left to say
I don't know how I made it this far
I don't know how I made it last this long
I don't know why I try
All these things keeps going through my head
Don't know which way to turn
Each path goes up hill both ways
Nothing but dust
Since I learned, up hill both ways
Nothing left to say
I don't know how I made it this far
I don't know how I made it last this long
I don't know why I try
Up hill both ways
Nothing left to do now
I don't want nothing today
The lyrics to Yellowcard's song Uphill Both Ways explore the theme of confusion and uncertainty in a relationship. The singer is constantly trying to read between the lines and rationalize what went wrong, but is left wondering where he went wrong. Despite the confusion and difficulties, he acknowledges the importance of the things his partner brings to his life, and is unsure of how he would cope without them. The repeated phrase "uphill both ways" represents the difficult journey he is facing in his relationship, where each path seems to lead him uphill, leaving him with nothing but dust.
The lyrics express a sense of feeling lost and unsure in a relationship, which is something many people can relate to. They may feel like they are constantly trying to understand their partner and their actions, but are left feeling confused and frustrated. The use of the phrase "uphill both ways" adds a sense of hopelessness to the lyrics, as if the singer feels like he is in an impossible situation. Despite this, there is a sense of appreciation for what the partner brings to his life.
In conclusion, Uphill Both Ways is a song that explores the complexities of a troubled relationship. It expresses a sense of confusion and uncertainty, with the use of the repeated phrase "uphill both ways" to represent the difficulties of the journey. The lyrics highlight the importance of appreciating what our partners bring to our lives, even in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Everytime I try to read between the lines
Whenever I attempt to understand a situation or conversation that is not explicit, I am left perplexed.
I'm left wondering what I did so wrong
I am puzzled about what went wrong and what my mistake was.
Everytime I try, try to rationalize
Each time I think through the facts to arrive at a reasonable explanation,
When everyone went wrong why didn't we die?
If everyone was mistaken or harmed, why weren't we equally affected or expired?
Everytime I think about what it would be like without all the things you give to me
Whenever I imagine a life lacking every benefit, emotion, or belonging you provide me,
All these thoughts keep running through my head, nothing to believe
My mind is filled with multiple ideas, and none of them offers me any hope, faith, or assurance.
Look back find the things I lost
I look back, remembering what I've missed out on and regretted or yearned for in the past.
There's nothing left there so it seems
I infer that there is nothing remaining to recollect or retrieve.
Up hill both ways, nothing left to say
It's an improbable and challenging journey, with nothing further to express or communicate.
I don't know how I made it this far, I don't know how I made it last this long
I don't understand how I have been able to endure or succeed for that long or far without any obvious reasons.
I don't know why I try, all these things keeps going through my head
It feels futile to do anything, and my thoughts remain troubled and incessant.
Don't know which way to turn, each path goes up hill both ways
I am uncertain about the direction to follow since both options are equally arduous and challenging.
Nothing but dust, since I learned, up hill both ways
There's nothing left but the empty and desolate principle that I learned by experience: everything's a struggle and an obstruction.
Nothing left to do now, I don't want nothing today
Presently, I have no activity or purpose, nor do I have any desire to pursue anything.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hugh Clow
Thx for the upload, coming back in 17' ; shit aint the same! "Why did we die"
Matthew Steel
yup only the violinist and drummer have stuck with the band since '97
Andrea Elloise
was the whole where we stand album recorded with ben dobson as lead vocalist?
Rome Anaya
Andrea Elloise I believe so