“‘The Hurt is Gone’ is a song about the past and the future intersecting. It’s about moving forward and accepting change.” – Ryan Key
When Yellowcard announced their impending farewell back in June, it left many of us heartbroken. And with each new song they release from their forthcoming final album, we’re reminded just why they meant so much to us over the years; why they’ll continue to live on in our hearts and our record collections. It took some of us at idobi time to collect our thoughts, but with the sounds of a beautiful second single fresh in our ears, it only feels right for us to say thank you to the band that’s been such a huge part of our community. Read on to see some letters from our team as they say their goodbyes to the band, and listen to “The Hurt Is Gone” below.
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Yellowcard,
Oh Yellowcard. The sound of my youth, and then again of my older youth. I grew up jamming “Ocean Avenue” like I was begging to reconnect with my own high school love (despite being, like, eight) thanks to my pop punk loving Mom. Once I was older (and in my own pop punk stage) I rediscovered you by way of Southern Air. I found the album sitting out a few days ahead of release thanks to the negligence of my local Walmart. I knew the name from all those years ago, but I had no idea what was in store when I hit play on that album. From “Awakening” to “Rivertown Blues”, the album helped me grow up. “Here I Am Alive” and “Surface of the Sun” showed me through the best time of my life, when all of my dreams were coming true. “Sleep In The Snow” understood all of my 16 year old angst, while “Telescope” reminded me I wasn’t alone. “Ten” made me cry, and “Southern Air” captured my feelings about my Northern hometown pretty damn well. Without that album, I wouldn’t be who I am today. It gives me comfort to know I can always turn to it again when things get rough, no matter what.
It wasn’t long after I discovered Southern Air that Yellowcard played Warped Tour ’14 (okay, maybe it was two years, but it felt shorter). I was doing press that day, booked with back to back interviews throughout most sets. But fate intervened, and as my mom and I walked outside of the venue and into the parking lot, Yellowcard started playing the last song of the show: “Ocean Avenue”. Singing Screaming and dancing flailing along to that song live, with the person who instilled my pop punk love, at the Vans Warped Tour is a moment that won’t be forgotten.
I’m sad to see you guys go, but you gave me a lifelong best friend and one of my best memories before you left, and for that I’ll be forever thankful. I love you Yellowcard, best of luck. <3
– Emillie Marvel
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Dear Yellowcard,
I can’t deny, this hurts.
Throughout all the ups and downs, Yellowcard was there. Through the good times each album blasted from my speakers on repeat, to the point where certain songs remind me of specific times in my life; happy memories forever soundtracked. Through the tough times, they were the hand to guide me, the light in the darkness. I’m 13 years older now than I was when I started listening to Yellowcard, but I’m still sad to say goodbye—it feels a part of my childhood is going, someone that I could always depend on is telling me they can’t be there for me any more.
But I also know, I’ll get through it. Just like you will; you’ll move on, and I wish you all the best with whatever you decide to do next. And I’ll still listen to those records, and think back on the good times. Because time heals everything right? Yellowcard taught me that. Through your music I learned to respect and love with all I have, to keep on fighting for what I believe in, and that it’s okay to be sad sometimes. I hope you know your music was so much more to so many of us than just words and notes. I want to thank you for that. For the times when I didn’t think I’d make it. For the times life couldn’t have been better. For the epic, true rock n’ roll shows. For that time I punched a kid in the face because he was being too rough in the pit and someone needed to stand up to him—your moshpits were so violent, but I never stopped going and holding my own. For the acoustic singalongs. For the summers listening to your records on repeat. For the heartfelt speeches you gave onstage. For the legacy you’ve created that your fans will never forget. For the music. For Yellowcard.
Thank you.
– Alex Bear
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To the YC boys,
I found Yellowcard in 2003, the same year that Ocean Avenue came out. I was your typical punk kid but with a slight twist: I played the violin. To be honest, I was slightly ashamed to tell my friends about that because it wasn’t “cool” like my guitar was. From my point of view, kids who listened to punk music didn’t play orchestral instruments. “Ocean Avenue” and “Way Away” completely changed my opinion about that.
I can remember my best friend coming over and pulling up the video for “Ocean Avenue” and it blew me away. This band who appealed to every bit of my love for pop punk had beautiful violin lines too. Suddenly, two of my favorite things were working seamlessly together and people went crazy for it. My violin went to every band practice with me after that.
Yellowcard changed the way I saw my favorite music, and I’ll always be incredibly grateful to you for that. I was already planning on going to my local date of Warped Tour this year, but knowing it will probably be the last time I’ll get to see a band like you adds just a little something extra to it.
– Alex Mayes
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Ryan, Sean, Ryan, and Josh,
A few years ago, one of my friends’ sisters passed away due to circumstances their family has yet to disclose. I didn’t know her well, but it felt like a significant loss. Her sister gave a eulogy and cited Yellowcard’s “View From Heaven” multiple times. This hit me hard, for some reason. I couldn’t wrap my head around having to associate that song with an actual loss.
A lot of the music I listen to is not associated with anything I go through in real life. I listen to music because it is audio-logically pleasing to me and it gives me comfort. I barely ever pay attention to a song’s lyrics and what they actually mean. I focus on the rhythm and the patterns and the sonic resolution. I’d much rather get the singer’s pitch and intonation and accent down when I try to sing along. Then there’s Yellowcard.
No band has made me feel more than Yellowcard has. I’ve never been to Ocean Avenue but I longed for it. I feel my love for my father grow stronger with each listen to “Life Of A Salesman.” I’ve cried numerous times to “Sing For Me.” I smiled and teared up the hardest when I first heard “Here I Am Alive” played in person. Despite the innate New Yorker pride, I found myself relate the concept of home to “California.”
We’ve gone year-long benders without any new material from you in the past; but the idea of complete radio silence from Yellowcard after their next (last) record leaves a gaping hole in me.
I wish I could better explain the way Yellowcard tugs at my heart.
Thank you for making me feel alive.
– Dana Reandelar
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