Yellowcard
Album: Ocean Avenue
Song: Ocean Avenue
Reviewed by: Krystal Burns
Note: We focus on reviewing songs, and therefore cannot comment on the appropriateness of the album in its entirety. Please use your best judgment whenever purchasing or listening to music.
The Band
Well, it took a couple of albums, but they finally got there. Yellowcard has managed to hold their own in the top forty and maintain an MTV presence for almost an entire year! The four Florida boys formed in early ’97, but didn’t really solidify as a band until they moved to Ventura, California in 2000. The group consists of front man Ryan Key (vocals, guitar), Sean Mackin (violin, vocals), Benjamin Harper (guitar), and Longineu Parsons III (drums). Yellowcard released their debut album, One for the Kids (Lobster Records), in 2001. This was closely followed by The Underdog (Fueled By Ramen Records) in 2002. While these albums managed to generate some buzz, their real claim to fame is Ocean Avenue (Capitol Records), which was released in September 2003. Yellowcard has since released Where We Stand, but loads of fans were disappointed because it doesn’t feature lead vocalist Ryan Key. It’s actually a reissue of their 1999 effort. While their latest album might totally flop, at least they still have Ocean Avenue.
The Music
In March of 2004, Ocean Avenue was certified Gold because of its continued success and influence in the music industry. The album is meant to reveal “themes of self-empowerment and self-awareness.” They try to stay clear of the irony and sarcasm that typically makes punk, well, punk. The album itself is designed to take you through an emotional journey, opening with “Way Away”, a song about leaving home to make your dreams come true, and ending with “Back Home”, a nostalgic look at what you left behind.
The Song
The song that has in many ways been responsible for the success of the album is the album title track, “Ocean Avenue.” The song is about a past relationship. Two people were once close, but one said good-bye. The song isn’t specific, but let’s just assume it’s a romantic relationship. After all, the singer talks about walking on the beach barefoot, staying up all night, and just wanting to be together one more night. That’s about as risqué as the song gets as far as sexual connotations, and there’s no strong language. The only criticism would be that the song has a tendency to idolize the relationship, which is expected in secular songs.
Whether the guy had to leave, or chose to leave, isn’t really clear either. But what is clear is that he didn’t necessarily want to say goodbye. “When I told you this was goodbye/ You were begging me not tonight/ Not here, not now/ We’re looking up at the same night sky/ And keep pretending the sun will not rise…” Obviously, this is not an angry, dramatic departure or else they wouldn’t opt to hang out the rest of the night. Furthermore, given the fact that “Ocean Avenue” was inspired by this break-up, it probably wasn’t a something either of them wanted to do.
Unfortunately, most of us, if not all of us, have to say goodbye to people we really care about at some point. It might be a friend, family member, or even youth pastor/worker. Maybe they moved, maybe you just lost touch, or maybe they even passed away. Whoever it is, and whatever the reason, saying goodbye is extremely painful, and the wounds take a long time to heal. Every person in our lives is special and has something different to contribute. There’s the friend who always makes you laugh, there’s the one who always lets you cry, and there’s the one who brings out your goofy side. As we get to know more people, we find that we are blessed by more and more people. Everyone has something special to offer.
But what do you do when you have to say goodbye to someone you really care about? How do you get over it? Well, coming from someone who has moved a lot (and I mean, a lot), the truth is, you don’t ever get over it. No one will replace the person you lost. And it’s okay to miss someone. But it’s important to remember two key truths. First of all, although you have lost a loved one, God is still there for you 24/7. He loves you more than you can imagine, and he’s the greatest friend you could ask for. And best of all, he’s yours forever. God promises us in his word that he will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). This awesome God, who is also your friend, is the God of peace and comfort—who better to run to when you are lonely and brokenhearted? Secondly, try to remember to thank God for bringing that person into your life to begin with. God often uses other people to bless us. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” The same God who loves you blessed you through a special person will not leave you on your own now. Just wait to see what other blessings he has in store for you!
So What Do You Think?
1. Had you heard about Yellowcard before Ocean Avenue?
2. When have you had to say goodbye?
3. Who do you miss the most in your life?
4. Do you ever miss God? Why or why not?
5. Is it a bad thing to miss God?
6. Is it a bad thing NOT to miss God?