After years of independent recording and touring, including stints on the Warped Tour, the group signed to MCA Records. Their biggest albums, Enema of the State (1999) and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001), saw international success. Songs like "All the Small Things", "Dammit", "I Miss You", and "What's My Age Again?" became hit singles and MTV staples. Later efforts, including an untitled album (2003), marked stylistic shifts. Hoppus is the only member to remain in the band throughout its entire history. DeLonge left the group twice, both times a decade apart, before eventually returning. Founding drummer Scott Raynor recorded and toured with the group before being dismissed in 1998, with Barker taking his place from that point on. From 2015 to 2022, the band included Alkaline Trio singer/guitarist Matt Skiba, with whom they recorded two albums, California (2016) and Nine (2019) and toured in support of both.
Blink-182's straightforward approach and simple arrangements, which helped initiate pop-punk's second mainstream rise, made them popular among generations of listeners. Worldwide, the group has sold 50 million albums and moved 15.3 million copies in the U.S.
Early years (1992-1998)
In May 1993, Blink recorded their first demo tape, entitled "Flyswatter", in drummer Scott Raynor's bedroom. A 4-track was used to record the material. According to Hoppus, only around fifty copies of the demo were produced to give to their family and friends. Before the end of the year, the band released another two demos, one commonly known as Demo #2 while the other was entitled Buddha. Of this last record around 1,000 copies were produced by Filter Records, an independent record company headed by Hoppus's boss.
In early 1994, Blink signed with Cargo Records. The band recorded their début full-length album, "Cheshire Cat" in three days. The album contained a number of updated versions of songs such as "Carousel", "Strings", "Sometimes" and "TV" that had appeared on the "Buddha Promo Tape" as well as some originals.
Shortly after the release of "Cheshire Cat", Blink was threatened with legal action by a pop band in Ireland of the same name. In order to avoid a dispute, Blink appended "182" to the end of their name. The band has cited a variety of reasons for ultimately choosing 182, with some of the more common explanations being the number of times Tony Montana utters the word "fuck" in Scarface, references to the 1985 Timothy Hutton film, Turk 182!, the band's ideal weight, the number of half the days in a year and the number of miles Hoppus had to drive to visit his girlfriend. However, DeLonge has stated that it is just a number that they "pulled out of their ass".
After moving to Encinitas, California, the band recorded the album "Dude Ranch" in 1996 with producer Mark Trombino. blink-182 recorded the album under Cargo Records, but signed with MCA which later became Geffen Records in 1996, in order to handle increased distribution. The album was released in 1997 and was relatively commercially successful, selling 4 million copies worldwide.
The single "Dammit" did well on U.S. modern rock charts, however drummer Scott Raynor later left the band. There are two common explanations for his removal - that Raynor had a serious drinking problem and was asked to go into rehab or face ejection, or alternately, that he departed in order to attend college. Raynor claims he agreed to go to rehab, but that DeLonge and Hoppus were doubtful of his sincerity and subsequently fired him over the phone.
Hoppus and DeLonge had asked drummer Travis Barker of blink-182's support band The Aquabats to fill in for Raynor for the remainder of the tour, thus he had to learn all of the songs in a matter of hours before the show. He ultimately went on to join the band permanently afterwards, leaving The Aquabats.
In 1999, blink-182 hired Jerry Finn as its producer and recorded "Enema of the State". This album propelled the band into the mainstream with hit singles "What's My Age Again?", "All the Small Things" and "Adam's Song". All gained a significant amount of airtime on radio and MTV. Enema of the State went on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide making it the band's best-selling album to that point.
In 1999 the band also had small parts in the film American Pie, though Travis Barker was incorrectly credited as Scott Raynor.
In 2000, the band released The Urethra Chronicles, a DVD which featured behind-the-scenes information. "The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show: The Enema Strikes Back", blink-182's live album, was also released in 2000, featuring songs from their three full-length records. The album also included one new studio song, "Man Overboard," among the live renditions. The album quickly went out of print making it a much sought after item. A limited edition was printed in October 2006.
The band continued its commercial success with "Take Off Your Pants and Jacket" in 2001, which was in the same vein as "Enema of the State". However, a European tour in winter 2001 was canceled in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. Rescheduled dates in early 2002 were also canceled due to DeLonge's problems with his back.
In 2002, blink-182 co-headlined the Pop Disaster Tour with Green Day, along with supporting acts Jimmy Eat World and a little known band called Kut U Up. The tour was documented, from Kut U Up's point of view, on the DVD Riding In Vans With Boys.
After taking some time off in 2002, recording of the next record began in early 2003. The band released its next studio album on November 18, 2003. It featured the hit singles "Feeling This", "I Miss You", "Down", and "Always". According to Barker, the "Untitled" record was supposed to represent a new blink-182. It received significant airplay on radio and TV. The Cure front man Robert Smith, often cited as a major influence on the band, appeared on "All of This". During late 2003, the band embarked on the "Dolla Bill" tour, named for the inexpensive ticket costs (It was originally planned to be completely free but later realised that it would be necessary to charge something for the ticket). A tour with No Doubt in the summer of 2004 was also very successful.
Indefinite hiatus and new bands/spinoffs (2005-2009)
In mid-February 2005 the band inexplicably cancelled a performance at Music for Relief's Concert for South Asia (a show put on to aid victims of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake). Shortly there after, before a planned final US spring tour, on February 22, 2005, the band announced they were going on an "indefinite hiatus".
Geffen Records released a Greatest Hits compilation on November 1, 2005 in the U.S., one previously unreleased track was included "Another Girl Another Planet" (a cover song originally by The Only Ones). The song was also used as the theme song to Barker's new reality TV show, Meet the Barkers. Included was the previously issued "I Miss You" B-side and blink-182 album bonus track "Not Now". The album reached number 6 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
DeLonge announced his new band, Angels & Airwaves. As his reason for why blink-182 went on indefinite hiatus, DeLonge suggested the mounting tension between himself and Hoppus, ultimately caused by DeLonge's desire for a break with his family coupled with Hoppus' feelings of betrayal after the formation of Box Car Racer. He also announced his plans to create a film about the final days of blink-182. Angels & Airwaves released their debut album "We Don't Need to Whisper" on May 23rd, 2006, where it debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200.
Hoppus and Barker's new project +44 surfaced on December 13, 2005 with the song, "No It Isn't". Coincidentally, the song was released on +44's official MySpace on the same day that Angels & Airwaves were slated to release their first song (and also Tom DeLonge's 30th birthday), though the release of the latter was delayed. Initially, Hoppus was hesitant to admit any deliberate correlation between the song and breakup, but has since admitted the song was about DeLonge and the breakup of the band. +44 released their first album "When Your Heart Stops Beating" on November 14, 2006 and debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200.
In August 2006, Hoppus gave an extensive interview with B182.com. The interview focused on blink-182 and the unexplained events that had led to the band's hiatus. Contrary to DeLonge's statements, Hoppus said that the band had been getting along at the time of their final album. Hoppus went on to say that DeLonge requested a half-year respite from touring to spend time with his family, despite a planned final spring U.S. tour. Hoppus and Barker hesitantly conceded, leading to the cancellation of the upcoming tour. Further problems arose in discussions regarding the band's future recording endeavors. It was at this point that Hoppus felt that blink-182 had ceased functioning as a band. Hoppus went on to state that he and Barker eventually formed +44 at the end of the European leg out of frustration for DeLonge's constant reluctance.
On April 5, 2007, it was confirmed that blink-182, along with Rancid and Green Day are some of the bands set to feature in a documentary about modern punk music. The film is titled One Nine Nine Four and looks at the genre of music in the nineties. It will consist of band interviews and archive footage, which will be all compiled together by the documentary makers Robot Academy Films in [pace]Australia. It's expected to be released early next year. Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk will narrate the film, which also features the likes of NOFX and The Offspring.
Travis Barker of +44 currently was asked if the band would get back together. He said "I don't know, I haven't talked to Tom in a long time. I do however talk to Mark everyday."
On November 18th, 2008, after Travis Barker was in a small plane crash, Mark Hoppus updated his blog, himynameismark, with this statement:
"in the midst of everything else that has happened lately, tom, Travis, and i have all spoken together. first through a number of phone calls, and then a couple of weeks ago we all hung out for a few hours. they’ve all been great, very positive conversations. we’re just reconnecting as friends after four years of not talking. it’s a good thing."
He also stated that this doesn't mean a blink-182 reunion, but after several years they have finally begun speaking to each other again. Hoppus also talked about Travis Barker's brush with death in a plane crash in September 2008 and the death of their great friend and longtime producer Jerry Finn.
Blink-182 officially announced their reunion while presenting at the 2009 Grammy Awards. The band's Official Website confirmed the band's reunion with a statement on their website. This song, the first new material released by blink-182 following their indefinite hiatus, was posted in full to Blink182.com late on July 14, 2011, then officially premiered the following day at 10:30 a.m. on Los Angeles radio station KROQ. The Up All Night Songfacts reports that Up All Night, the first new material released by blink-182 following their indefinite hiatus, was posted in full to Blink182.com late on July 14, 2011, then officially premiered the following day at 10:30 a.m. on Los Angeles radio station KROQ.
7th Album - "California" (2016)
"California" is the band's seventh studio album, set for release on July 1, 2016 through BMG. The album was produced by John Feldmann and recorded at Foxy Studios in California, USA. It was the first album by the band to feature vocalist/guitarist Matt Skiba (from Alkaline Trio), who replaced former member Tom DeLonge. "Bored to Death" was the first single to be released from the album, on April 27, 2016.
8th Album - "Nine" (2019)
Nine is the eighth studio album by blink-182, released on September 20, 2019, through Columbia Records, as the band's first album on the label. The band began developing the album after fulfilling touring obligations for their previous release, California (2016). While Nine builds upon their collaboration with producer John Feldmann, who also produced California, it also utilizes additional outside producers and songwriters including Captain Cuts, the Futuristics, and Tim Pagnotta. Nine is the band's second and final album to feature guitarist/vocalist Matt Skiba before the return of Tom DeLonge in 2022.
On June 23, 2021, Hoppus confirmed that he had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and had been receiving treatment in secret for the last three months. After his cancer diagnosis, it was reported by sources that Hoppus had met with DeLonge and Barker together at his home to discuss old problems, personal issues, and Hoppus' cancer diagnosis. Hoppus was declared cancer-free later that year, but would continue screening every six months.
News of DeLonge's return to the band had been speculated about since his departure, but came to their peak in October 2022, when the band began posting cryptic messages on their social media accounts. DeLonge's official return was announced on October 11, 2022, alongside a world tour for the next two years, and that they were working on a new album. Following his return, DeLonge messaged Skiba on Instagram to thank him for his time with the band, and later shared the post publicly on his account. Skiba had known an announcement was going to happen, but was unaware that it was regarding DeLonge's return. In the months prior, he had also begun to question his status in the band when a fan asked him if he was still a part of recording. When the announcement was made though, he congratulated the other band members, and thanked fans for his time with the band.
The announcement of DeLonge's return was also accompanied by a new single, "Edging", later that week. The song performed well in the US, becoming their fourth and longest-running number one hit on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart, and their highest-charting single on the Hot 100 in eighteen years.While preparing for the tour, Barker suffered a serious finger injury at rehearsals that required surgery. Because of this, the band was forced to postpone the Latin America leg of the tour while Barker was healing. The band would however make a surprise appearance at Coachella in April, marking DeLonge's first appearance with the band in nine years. The band then served as a replacement Sunday headliner of the festival's second weekend after singer Frank Ocean was unable to perform.
In July 2023, Barker stated that the band's ninth studio album is currently projected for an October release.
Blame It On My Youth
blink-182 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wasn't born with the rich blood
I started out with plenty of nothing at all
I got stuck in the thick mud
The flash flood, punk rock, and the alcohol
I was raised on a rerun
I was bored to death, so I started a band
My attention span never stood a chance
It's too late
Can you forgive me now?
You could never kill my high
I'm the ink and you're the headline (oh)
Blame it, blame it on my youth
Blame it, blame it on my youth
You can never block my shine
I've been lost since 1999 (oh)
Blame it, blame it on my youth
Blame it, blame it on my youth
(Blame, blame, blame on my youth)
I wasn't made for the good life
I ended up getting stuck on the side of the road
I tripped and fell on hard times
Tough breaks are the only kind I know
I was left on a door step
I was scared to death with nowhere to go
Cut myself on the neighbors' fence
That I hopped as the cops tried to take me in
It's too late
Can you forgive me now?
You could never kill my high
I'm the ink and you're the headline (oh)
Blame it, blame it on my youth
Blame it, blame it on my youth
You could never block my shine
I've been lost since 1999 (oh)
Blame it, blame it on my youth
Blame it, blame it on my youth
I was raised on the Ritalin
Ever since I was a little kid (little kid)
No one ever seemed to give a shit (give a shit)
And I don't need an excuse
I don't need an excuse
You could never kill my high
I'm the ink and you're the headline
Blame it, blame it on my youth
Blame it, blame it on my youth
You can never block my shine
I've been lost since 1999 (oh)
Blame it, blame it on my youth
Blame it, blame it on my youth
You can never kill my high (endless summer)
I'm the ink and you're the headline (stretching on and on)
Blame it, blame it on my youth (oh, oh)
Blame it, blame it on my youth (oh, oh)
Endless summer
Stretching on and on
In this song, "Blame It On My Youth," blink-182 seems to be reflecting on the ups and downs of their lives, both past and present, and attributing it all to their youth. The opening lines mention a lack of privilege and opportunities, which could represent the struggles they faced when trying to make it as a band. The lyrics "Cut my teeth on a safety dance/ My attention span never stood a chance" could be referencing their early days of performing and trying to capture the audience's attention. The line "You could never kill my high/ I'm the ink and you're the headline" seems to indicate that they are not going to let anyone or anything bring them down or stop them from achieving their dreams.
The second verse expresses more difficulties that they have faced, including feeling like they were "not made for the good life" and experiencing tough breaks. The lines "I was raised on the Ritalin/ Ever since I was a little kid/ No one ever seemed to give a shit" could be an allusion to mental health struggles that they may have experienced as children or even now as adults.
Throughout the song, the repeated refrain of "Blame it on my youth" seems to suggest that while they may have made mistakes or faced challenges, they are ultimately not responsible for everything that has happened in their lives. It is a way to excuse their behavior or circumstances, while also acknowledging that they may have had little control or agency over what has happened.
Line by Line Meaning
Blame it, blame it on my youth
I attribute my mistakes to being young
I wasn't born with the rich blood
I didn't come from a wealthy family
I started out with plenty of nothing at all
I had nothing to begin with
I got stuck in the thick mud
I faced many obstacles in my journey
The flash flood, punk rock, and the alcohol
I was influenced by punk rock and consumed alcohol
I was raised on a rerun
I grew up watching the same things over and over again
I was bored to death, so I started a band
I formed a band because I was extremely bored
Cut my teeth on a safety dance
I learned through trial and error
My attention span never stood a chance
I had a short attention span
Can you forgive me now?
Is it possible for me to be forgiven?
You could never kill my high
You can never bring me down
I'm the ink and you're the headline (oh)
I'm in control and you're impacted by me (chorus phrase)
You can never block my shine
You can never dim my light
I've been lost since 1999 (oh)
I have felt lost for a long time (chorus phrase)
I wasn't made for the good life
I wasn't meant for a life of luxury
I ended up getting stuck on the side of the road
I was left stranded and unable to progress
I tripped and fell on hard times
I fell on tough times
Tough breaks are the only kind I know
I only experience setbacks
I was left on a door step
I was abandoned
I was scared to death with nowhere to go
I was very frightened and had nowhere to turn
Cut myself on the neighbors' fence
I injured myself trying to escape
That I hopped as the cops tried to take me in
I ran from the police
I was raised on the Ritalin
I was given medication to control my behavior
Ever since I was a little kid (little kid)
I have been taking medication since childhood
No one ever seemed to give a shit (give a shit)
Nobody cared about my struggles
And I don't need an excuse
I don't require a justification for my actions
Endless summer
Summer that lasts forever
Stretching on and on
Continuing for a long time
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mark Hoppus, Matthew Malpass, Matthew Skiba, Samuel Hollander, Tim Pagnotta, Travis Barker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eronfausto4173
Blame it, blame it on my youth
I wasn't born with the rich blood
I started out with plenty of nothing at all
I got stuck in the thick mud
The flash flood, punk rock, and the alcohol
I was raised on a rerun
I was bored to death, so I started a band
Cut my teeth on a safety dance
My attention span never stood a chance
It's too late
Can you forgive me now?
You could never kill my high
I'm the ink and you're the headline (oh)
Blame it, blame it on my youth
Blame it, blame it on my youth
You can never block my shine
I've been lost since 1999 (oh)
Blame it, blame it on my youth
Blame it, blame it on my youth
(Blame, blame, blame on my youth)
I wasn't made for the good life
I ended up getting stuck on the side of the road
I tripped and fell on hard times
Tough breaks are the only kind I know
I was left on a door step
I was scared to death with nowhere to go
Cut myself on the neighbors' fence
That I hopped as the cops tried to take me in
It's too late
Can you forgive me now?
You could never kill my high
I'm the ink and you're the headline (oh)
Blame it, blame it on my youth
Blame it, blame it on my youth
You could never block my shine
I've been lost since 1999 (oh)
Blame it, blame it on my youth
Blame it, blame it on my youth
I was raised on the Ritalin
Ever since I was a little kid (little kid)
No one ever seemed to give a shit (give a shit)
And I don't need an excuse
I don't need an excuse
You could never kill my high
I'm the ink and you're the headline
Blame it, blame it on my youth
Blame it, blame it on my youth
You can never block my shine
I've been lost since 1999 (oh)
Blame it, blame it on my youth
Blame it, blame it on my youth
You can never kill my high (endless summer)
I'm the ink and you're the headline (stretching on and on)
Blame it, blame it on my youth (oh, oh)
Blame it, blame it on my youth (oh, oh)
Endless summer
Stretching on and on
@cooperhorton6975
How did the same guy that wrote...
"You're cold with disappointment
While I'm drowning in the next room
The last contagious victim of this plague between us
I'm sick with apprehension
I'm crippled from exhaustion
And I dread the moment when you finally come to kill me"
...write this?
@donbeck8835
And the guy who wrote...
“Shaking like a dog shitting razor blades,
waking up next to nothing after,
dreaming of you and me.
Waking up all alone, waking up so relieved.
While you’re taking your time with apologies.
I’m making my plans for revenge.
Red eyes on orange horizons.
If Columbus was wrong I’d drive straight off the edge”
@andras.89
"I listen to you cry
A cry for less attention
But both my hands are tied
And I'm pushed into the deep end
I listen to you talk
But talk is cheap
And my mouth is filled with blood
From trying not to speak
So search for an excuse
And someone to believe you
In foreign dressing rooms
I'm empty with the need to
Curse my enemies forever
Let's slit our wrists and burn down something beautiful
This desperation leaves me overjoyed
With fading lights that lead us past the lives that we destroy
Please understand
I lay rotting where I fall. I'm dead from bad intentions
Suffocated and enbalmed, and now all our dreams are chased in
You swore you wouldn't lose, then lost your brain
You make a sound that feels like pain
So please understand
This isn't just goodbye
This is I can't stand you
"
+44 - No it isn't
@admonius9668
I like the fact that they are experimenting with their sound. It’s rather catchy and I’m interested to hear the new album
@N_895
i agree
@GamerKiller2347
Slayer did groove metal on Diabolus in Musica. People hated it.
Megadeth did hard rock on Risk. People hated it.
Metallica did nu metal on St. Anger. People hated it.
Chris Cornell did pop rock on Scream. People hated it.
Linkin Park did pop rock on One More Light. People hated it.
Blink-182 are doing pop rock on Nine. People are hating it so far.
When established artists change their genre, it will always get hate from some fans.
@trentblakeslee6643
Really? this sould about like every Blink-182 song I've ever heard
@cjb32
@@GamerKiller2347 that's because some people don't like change I can appreciate what blink did on this album the song is pretty good too if rock bands aren't allowed to stretch outside one specific genre then every album would become stale what with the same sound over and over and over again
@GamerKiller2347
@@cjb32 I agree
@jessicachapple2543
I don't understand why this song gets so much hate. I've been a die hard blink fan for 15 years... And I love this ♥️
@sadonion4378
same here! ive been a blink fan since dude ranch and i love this song. i also love the new angel & airwaves song "rebel girl"
@trentblakeslee6643
So people peaked in high school and miss thoes days, theses people are Blink-182's target demo
@sidewinder86ify
@@trentblakeslee6643 Dunno, I just like the music.