Lights and Sounds (song)

Last updated

"Lights and Sounds"
Yellowcard lights and sounds.jpg
Single by Yellowcard
from the album Lights and Sounds
ReleasedNovember 15, 2005 (2005-11-15)
Recorded2005
Genre Alternative rock, pop punk [1]
Length3:28
Label Capitol
Songwriter(s) Ben Harper, Ryan Key, Sean Mackin, Peter Mosely, Longineu W. Parsons III
Producer(s) Neal Avron
Yellowcard singles chronology
"Only One"
(2004)
"Lights and Sounds"
(2005)
"Rough Landing, Holly"
(2006)

"Lights and Sounds" is a song by American pop punk band Yellowcard. The song was written collaboratively by all the band members for their fifth album, Lights and Sounds (2006). The track is built around a guitar riff, which is then followed with a repetitive drumming beat, then it is followed by a roaring guitar sound. The song's lyrics are based on the band coping with the success they were enduring when writing songs for their second album. It is also based on how they have aged in the process. "Lights and Sounds" also goes with what vocalist Ryan Key described as when he was preoccupied with making the album.

Contents

The song was released on November 15, 2005, and peaked at number four on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, becoming the band's highest-charting song. The song also peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, the track charted for one week in the UK Singles Chart, at number 56. It additionally appeared on the Australian and New Zealand charts, respectively. "Lights and Sounds" was well received by music critics, who noted the track's general sound.

The song won the 2006 Spike Video Game Award in the category for Best Song, after it was featured in the video game Burnout Revenge . [2] [3] During promotion for the band's album, the music video for "Lights and Sounds" was featured in a Verizon Wireless V-cast commercial. The music video was shot in October 2005 and the video is a performance-only video, in which the band play in a dark room with thin lights, a homage to the song's title.

Background

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine in June 2005, Yellowcard vocalist Ryan Key revealed that the song was written "really late in the process" when development of the album began. [1] Key also talked about the sound featured in the song, saying: "...it's got such an amazing, driving, rock-&-roll vibe to it, with none of that frickin' pop-punk and alternative rock stigma. Secondly, I hate Yellowcard being tagged as an alternative rock band. It's just a great rock song. That's something we've been striving to write for a long time, so when we were done, it was a relief." [1]

In another Rolling Stone interview, the band explained the meaning of the title track, saying that is based on a "whirlwind rocker about the pressures on the band members" and how they have changed as they have aged. [4] Bassist Peter Mosely, in discussion of this, said: "We're older than people think we are. [...] We go through months of serenity, and then there'll be this one night where there will be evil." [4] In another interview discussion about "Lights and Sounds", Key noted that it is "about a band like us coming into a career that we didn't think we'd have. You find yourself surrounded by a lot of false people, a lot of people who are not doing it for the same reasons you are. That song is about the struggle of not giving in to that." [5] The band explained that the lyrics, "Make it new but stay in the lines / Just let go but keep it inside / Smile big for everyone / Even when you know what they've done / They gave you the end but not where to start / Not how to build, how to tear it apart", were written because of that particular reason. [5] Key also revealed that the lyrics, "They gave you the end / But not where to start / Not how to build / But how to tear it apart", were references to bands Nofx and Bad Religion. [6] Key also explained that when he was preoccupied by distractions, in which he referred to them as "lights and sounds", which ultimately resulted in the band naming the album and track title just that. Key also revealed that it was because that is how it surrounded the band, when working on the album. [7]

Release and reception

Yellowcard released "Lights and Sounds" in the United States on November 15, 2005, as the lead single of their fifth album. [8] The song peaked at number four on Billboard's Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. [9] It also charted on Billboard's Hot 100 and Pop 100, reaching numbers 50 and 43, respectively. [10] [11] Internationally, the song was released in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2006, and appeared on the UK Singles Chart at number 56 for one week. [12] [13] "Lights and Sounds" was released in Australia on January 16, 2006, reaching number 24 on the ARIA Singles Chart. [14] [15] The track peaked on the New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart at number 23. Afterward, the song spent 11 weeks on the chart, before leaving on April 19. [16]

The song received positive reception from critics. In the Blender magazine review of the album, critic Andy Greenwald, wrote: "The title track [Lights and Sounds], bursting with buzzing distortion, builds into a satisfying anti-glitz rant." [17] Tom Beajour of Entertainment Weekly reported that the song "crams all of the genre's essential tropes — distorted power chords, abrupt dynamic shifts, and singsong melodies — into three and a half minutes of radio-friendly fire." [18] Chris Saunders of MusicOMH noted that the song is laden with "memorable hooks, quiet/loud dynamics and emotive lyrics which will no doubt cut through to many a disenchanted youth: 'They gave you the end but not the where to start / not how to build, how to tear it apart.'" Saunders concluded that the song "is as lively and rousing as most of their best tracks." [19] Sputnikmusic wrote: "The adventure is only on the second track [Lights and Sounds] and the guys of Yellowcard are just getting started. This is by far the best tune on the album." [20] Bart Gottula of The Clarion wrote: "The album's single and title cut, 'Light's and Sounds', follows with an amazing performance by every band member. The song provides a quick, hard-hitting beat that brings back Yellowcard's hybrid punk and emo music that the band explored in its previous single, 'Way Away'." [21]

"Lights and Sounds" was featured on a Verizon Wireless Vcast commercial around the time of the album's release. [22] [23] The song was also featured in the video game Burnout Revenge [24] and won the 2006 Spike Video Game Award for Best Song. [25] The song is also featured in the 2010 video game Tony Hawk: Shred , and an episode of the teen drama One Tree Hill .

Music video

The video for "Lights and Sounds" was shot on a Van Nuys, California sound stage in October 2005. [26] Originally, the video was supposed to be directed by Ryan Key, [24] when the time came to start production, it was instead directed by Marc Webb, who had previously worked with Yellowcard on their 2004 video for "Ocean Avenue". [26] The video premiered on November 7, 2005, on MTV2. [27]

In an interview with MTV News, Webb revealed that the band wanted a "performance video" and that they wanted to go back to their "rock roots". [26] When asked the concept behind the video, Webb said: "They provided the sound and I provided the lights. A whole lot of lights. We used the same guy who did the lighting setup for Lenny Kravitz's 'Are You Gonna Go My Way?' and Coldplay's 'Speed of Sound.' But it's also rough around the edges — we used a bunch of different processes when developing the film." [26] He also concluded with, "...it's a big performance video. But it's them performing inside of this wind-tunnel of light. It's a lot of smoke and mirrors, and a lot of camera tricks. There's a big light wall, streaks of light, xenon lighting effects and strobe lights. [...] But it's all wrapped around this very simple performance environment". [26]

The video opens with a scene of the band in a stage room with a tunnel light, which is accompanied by the song playing in the background. The scene moves to the band grabbing their instruments, respectively. The band proceeds in performing the song. The scene then shifts to Key when he begins to sing. The camera shifts all around the room with different color lights, including a bullet hole scenery, as it then shifts to the band, as they continue performing. When Key sings "'Cause nobody's there" the light wall changes into a bright purple background. As the video shows the band continuing the song still at a fast pace, the effect is followed by a slow motion sequence. In the middle of the song, the lights are turned off, leaving the room pitch black. This is followed with the camera switching to the band members as they begin to play, once more, only with a bright yellow light on the tip of their instruments; the tips of the drum sticks that Parsons is holding also have yellow lights. As Key sings "I've got a way to work this out" blue lights emerge in the wall behind the group. The video ends with a focus on Key's microphone.

Track listings

Australian CD single [28]

  1. "Lights and Sounds" 3:28
  2. "Three Flights Down" 4:44
  3. "When We're Old Men" 3:32
  4. "Lights and Sounds" (live) 3:38

UK CD single [29]

  1. "Lights and Sounds" 3:30
  2. "When We're Old Men" 3:32
  3. "Lights and Sounds" (live) 6:08
  4. "Lights and Sounds" (video)

UK 7-inch single [30]

A. "Lights and Sounds"
B. "Three Flights Down"

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellowcard</span> Rock band from Jacksonville, Florida

Yellowcard is an American rock band that formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1997. The lineup currently consists of lead singer Ryan Key, lead guitarist Ryan Mendez, bassist Josh Portman and violinist Sean Mackin. Primarily a pop-punk group, their music is recognized for having a distinct sound in its genre, primarily due to the prominent use of a violin in their songs, and are best known for their singles "Ocean Avenue", "Only One", and "Lights and Sounds". Released in 2003, "Ocean Avenue" and its parent album of the same name are both certified double platinum in the US by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA); "Only One" and the band's 2006 album Lights and Sounds have been certified gold. The band has released ten studio albums, with its most recent, Yellowcard, released on September 30, 2016. Following this release and supporting tour, the band broke up. The band reunited in September 2022 for a performance at Riot Fest and embarked on a 20th-anniversary tour for Ocean Avenue in 2023. A new EP, Childhood Eyes, was released on July 21, 2023.

<i>Ocean Avenue</i> (album) 2003 studio album by Yellowcard

Ocean Avenue is the fourth studio album by American rock band Yellowcard. It was released on July 22, 2003, through Capitol Records. After touring to promote their third album One for the Kids in 2001, the band signed to the label in early 2002. Following this, bassist Warren Cooke left the band in mid-2002, and was replaced by Inspection 12 guitarist Peter Mosely. In February and March 2003, the band recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, California, with Neal Avron. Ocean Avenue is a pop-punk and punk rock album, which was compared to Blink-182 and Simple Plan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In My Place</span> 2002 single by Coldplay

"In My Place" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. The song was written collaboratively by all the band members and released on their second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. The track is built around thumping drums and chiming guitars. It was released on 5 August 2002 as the lead single from A Rush of Blood to the Head and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. The song also reached number 17 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Speed of Sound (song)</span> 2005 song by Coldplay

"Speed of Sound" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their third studio album, X&Y (2005). Constructed around a piano and guitar riff, the song builds into a huge, synthesiser-heavy chorus. It was released by Parlophone Records as the lead single from the album. "Speed of Sound" made its radio premiere on BBC Radio 1 with Lamacq on 19 April, then was serviced to US radio on 18 April 2005. The song was released physically in Japan on 11 May with two B-sides: "Things I Don't Understand" and "Proof". In the United Kingdom, the single was issued on 23 May 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beverly Hills (Weezer song)</span> 2005 single by Weezer

"Beverly Hills" is a song by American rock band Weezer. It is the first single from the band's fifth album, Make Believe. "Beverly Hills" was released to US radio on March 28, 2005. The song features Stephanie Eitel of Agent Sparks on the chorus on backup vocals, performing the "gimme, gimme" hook.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fix You</span> 2005 single by Coldplay

"Fix You" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all four members of the band for their third studio album, X&Y (2005). It was released on 5 September 2005 as the second single from X&Y and reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. The song reached number 18 in the United States Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks. Promo singles were released for the UK and US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stupid Girl (Garbage song)</span> 1996 single by Garbage

"Stupid Girl" is a song by American rock band Garbage from their self-titled debut studio album (1995). The song was written and produced by band members Duke Erikson, Shirley Manson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig. "Stupid Girl" features lyrics about a young woman's ambivalence and is a musical arrangement centered on a repetitive bassline and a drum sample from the Clash's 1980 song "Train in Vain".

<i>City of Evil</i> 2005 studio album by Avenged Sevenfold

City of Evil is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released on June 6, 2005, through Warner Bros. and Hopeless Records. Co-produced by Andrew Murdock, City of Evil contains a more traditional heavy metal and hard rock sound than Avenged Sevenfold's previous two albums, which showcased a predominantly metalcore sound. The album title is derived from a lyric in the song, "Beast and the Harlot". The album is notable for the absence of fry vocals. M. Shadows worked for months before the album's release with vocal coach Ron Anderson, whose clients have included Axl Rose and Chris Cornell, to achieve a sound that had "grit while still having the tone". In order to increase stamina and strength on the pedals, The Rev would sit for hours practicing until he could get up to 210 beats per minute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wake Up (Hilary Duff song)</span> 2005 single by Hilary Duff

"Wake Up" is a song by American actress and singer Hilary Duff from her first compilation album Most Wanted (2005). Written by Duff and the Dead Executives, a record production team consisting of Jason Epperson, Joel Madden, and Benji Madden, "Wake Up" was crafted with the intention of having a "totally different sound" from Duff's previous material. Although she thought of the work to be a new milestone in her career, she was at the same time nervous about how her fans would react to the material. "Wake Up" was released as the lead single from Most Wanted in the United States on July 12, 2005, by Hollywood Records. It was released also digitally in the United Kingdom on October 24, 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Immortal (song)</span> 2003 song by Evanescence

"My Immortal" is a song by American rock band Evanescence from their debut studio album, Fallen (2003). It was released by Wind-up Records on December 8, 2003 as the album's third single, following its inclusion on the soundtrack to the film Daredevil. The song was written by singer and pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody when they were 15. Several versions were recorded, with the earliest in 1997. Wind-up used the recording from their 2000 demo CD on Fallen against Lee's wishes, which featured Lee's demo vocals and a MIDI keyboard. Strings from Daredevil composer Graeme Revell were added during the production of Fallen. The single, dubbed "band version", is the re-recording Lee and Moody made for Fallen, featuring guitar, drums and bass after the bridge and a string arrangement by David Campbell. An alternative version of the song appears on the band's fourth studio album Synthesis (2017).

<i>Lights and Sounds</i> 2006 studio album by Yellowcard

Lights and Sounds is the fifth studio album by American rock band Yellowcard, released on January 24, 2006, in the United States through Capitol Records. Lights and Sounds is Yellowcard's first concept album, which was inspired to reflect what the band was feeling at the time of production and how they have matured in the process. Lights and Sounds also departs from the sounds on Yellowcard's previous album, Ocean Avenue (2003), which broke away from its pop punk sound to a more alternative rock album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City of Blinding Lights</span> 2005 single by U2

"City of Blinding Lights" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the fifth track on their eleventh studio album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004), and was released as the album's fourth single on 6 June 2005. It was produced by Flood, with additional production by Chris Thomas and Jacknife Lee. The song reached number one in Spain, and peaked in the top ten in Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and several other countries. The music video was shot at the General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Key</span> American rock musician (born 1979)

William Ryan Key is an American musician. He is best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Yellowcard. He is the owner/operator of a recording studio in Jacksonville, Florida, called The Lone Tree Recordings. He is currently writing music under his full name, William Ryan Key, as a solo acoustic act and electronic act. He is also one half of JEDHA, an electronic duo consisting of himself and lead guitarist of Yellowcard, Ryan Mendez. He has recently toured as guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist for New Found Glory. In late 2018, he played as a supporting act on Mayday Parade's Sunnyland tour along with This Wild Life. During 2021, he live-streamed his songwriting process on Twitch full-time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rough Landing, Holly</span> 2006 single by Yellowcard

"Rough Landing, Holly" is a song by the American pop punk band Yellowcard. The song was written collaboratively by all the band members for their fifth album, Lights and Sounds (2006). The track is built around an introductory guitar sound, followed by a soaring chorus, and heavy beating drums. "Rough Landing, Holly" is one of the songs from the album that is based on a character, Holly Wood, that Yellowcard had developed while working on Lights and Sounds. Despite its name, the song has nothing to do with the plane crash of Buddy Holly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ocean Avenue (song)</span> 2003 single by Yellowcard

"Ocean Avenue" is a song written and recorded by American rock band Yellowcard for their fourth studio album of the same name. It was released as the second single from Ocean Avenue on December 15, 2003, through Capitol Records. "Ocean Avenue" shares writing credits between the band's singer Ryan Key, guitarist Ben Harper, bassist Pete Mosely, drummer Longineu W. Parsons III, and violinist Sean Mackin. It was written about the band's teenage years along the Atlantic Coast. Neal Avron, a veteran punk rock producer, engineered and produced the tune.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only One (Yellowcard song)</span> 2004 single by Yellowcard

"Only One" is the third single from American band Yellowcard. This song is the third and last single from Ocean Avenue and the sixth track.

<i>Paper Walls</i> 2007 studio album by Yellowcard

Paper Walls is the sixth studio album by American rock band Yellowcard, released on July 17, 2007. This is also the first Yellowcard album with Ryan Mendez, their last with Peter Mosely, and their last studio album to be released through Capitol Records. The album was recorded at Ocean Studios in Burbank, California and was mixed at South Beach Studios in Miami, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellowcard discography</span>

The discography of Yellowcard, an American pop punk band from Jacksonville, Florida, consists of ten studio albums, twelve singles, two live albums, four extended plays, one video album, and three compilation albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean Mackin (musician)</span> American rock musician (born 1979)

Sean Mackin is an American rock musician. He is best known as the violinist and backing vocalist for the American rock band Yellowcard and the only original member left in the band.

<i>Southern Air</i> (album) 2012 studio album by Yellowcard

Southern Air is the eighth studio album by American rock band Yellowcard. It was released on August 14, 2012 through Hopeless Records. The songs "Always Summer" and "Here I Am Alive", were released as singles, the latter featuring Taylor Jardine of We Are the In Crowd. The album also features guest appearances by Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low and American recording artist Cassadee Pope. It debuted at #10 on the US Billboard 200, their highest-charting appearance since Lights and Sounds debuted at #5 in 2006. It is the last studio album to feature founding drummer Longineu W. Parsons III.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Devenish, Colin (June 24, 2005). "Yellowcard Green No More". Rolling Stone .
  2. "Yellowcard To Lead 'Burnout Revenge' Soundtrack". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  3. "Yellowcard headlines Burnout Revenge soundtrack". GameSpot. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  4. 1 2 Edwards, Gavin (February 13, 2006). "Yellowcard Rock With Strings Attached". Rolling Stone .
  5. 1 2 Neven, Tom (January 30, 2006). "Does Yellowcard Deserve One?". MTV . Plugged In Online. Archived from the original (Internet Archive) on May 12, 2008. Retrieved March 3, 2009.
  6. Montgomery, James (January 17, 2006). "Yellowcard: Split Decision". MTV News . MTV Networks. Archived from the original on January 13, 2009. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
  7. "Yellowcard Light and Sounds--Bio". College World Series - Omaha. 2006. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  8. Hasty, Katie (November 1, 2005). "Yellowcard Confirms New Album Track List". Billboard . Nielsen Business Media, Inc . Retrieved March 3, 2009.
  9. 1 2 "Yellowcard Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  10. 1 2 "Yellowcard Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  11. 1 2 "Pop 100". Billboard . Vol. 118, no. 6. February 11, 2006. p. 90.
  12. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . March 4, 2006. p. 23.
  13. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  14. "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 16th January 2006" (PDF). ARIA. January 16, 2006. p. 29. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 19, 2006. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  15. 1 2 "Yellowcard – Lights and Sounds". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  16. 1 2 "Yellowcard – Lights and Sounds". Top 40 Singles.
  17. Greenwald, Andy (January 24, 2006). "Yellowcard: Lights and Sounds". Blender . Retrieved March 3, 2009.[ dead link ]
  18. Beaujour, Tom (January 20, 2006). "Lights and Sounds". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2009.
  19. Saunders, Chris (March 6, 2006). "Yellowcard — Lights And Sounds". MusicOMH. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved March 3, 2009.
  20. "Yellowcard — Lights And Sounds". Sputnikmusic. January 28, 2006. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  21. Gottula, Bart (February 7, 2005). "Band Yellowcard matures with release of new album Lights and Sounds". The Clarion . p. 1. Archived from the original on August 15, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
  22. Lazarus, David (January 22, 2006). "What cell phone ads don't say". San Francisco Chronicle . Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  23. Sanneh, Kelefa (January 26, 2006). "Critic's Notebook; In the Wake of Grunge, A Rock Culture Clash". The New York Times . p. 2. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
  24. 1 2 Montgomery, James (September 13, 2005). "Yellowcard Line Up Club Tour, Post A Preview Of Newly Named LP". MTV News . MTV Networks. Archived from the original on December 22, 2007. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  25. Sinclair, Brendan (November 19, 2005). "RE4 named Game of Year at Spike Awards". GameSpot . Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 Montgomery, James (October 17, 2005). "Yellowcard Get Back To Rock Roots, Lure Moths In New Video". MTV News . MTV Networks. Archived from the original on December 22, 2007. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  27. "Go And Do". The News Tribune : A02. November 26, 2005.
  28. Lights and Sounds (Australian CD single liner notes). Yellowcard. Capitol Records. 2006. 3524542.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. Lights and Sounds (UK CD single liner notes). Yellowcard. Parlophone. 2006. CDCLS 875, 0946 3 50570 0 3.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  30. Lights and Sounds (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Yellowcard. Parlophone. 2006. CL 875, 0946 3 50570 7 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  31. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  32. "Alternative Songs – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.