Track-By-Track: A Day To Remember

Frontman JEREMY McKINNON walks us through every track of A DAY TO REMEMBER‘s Homesick, which is being re-released this week.




Homesick


The Downfall Of Us All

“This song was written at a time when I was feeling the pressures that come along with writing a record. I was worried about pleasing every person, and I just decided, “Why not write a song about what I’m feeling?” No matter what you do, you can’t please everyone. This song is about being yourself, and just doing what you feel is right.”



My Life For Hire

“‘My Life For Hire’ was one of the first songs I started writing for Homesick, but I got stuck halfway through the process and ended up finishing it right before we went into the studio. It’s about the music industry and the people who told us we couldn’t be the band we wanted to be. Evidently they were wrong.”



I’m Made Of Wax Larry What Are You Made Of

“This song is about getting even. Who doesn’t like a little vengeance every now and then?”



NJ Legion Iced Tea

“This one is about how it felt going to shows when I was younger. It’s all about hangin with friends, having a good time, and feeling like we had a place.”



Mr. Highway’s Thinking About The End

“This song is about people trying to belittle your accomplishments and feeling like you get the shit end of the stick most of the time. This song helps you relieve some stress.”



Have Faith In Me

“I feel like this one is kind of self-explanatory, but it’s about trust and being there for people when you say you will be. I’m the kind of person who says what I mean, and this song is about keeping your word.”



Welcome To The Family

“A few weeks before Homesick came out, we needed to post a song from the record to show people what they could expect. We chose this song because we felt it was that perfect stepping stone from [2007’s] For Those Who Have Heart to Homesick. I think it showed our old fans that we didn’t change, but we became more comfortable with our sound, which helped us gain new fans.”



Homesick

“The title track is about the struggles of touring and life on the go. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but sometimes it’s harder than it seems. I’m more proud of this song than any on the record. I really felt like I wrote exactly what I wanted to say. My parents were really happy when they first heard it: My dad is always worried about me and my mom really did ask me to write her some soft songs. I finally did.”



Holdin’ It Down For The Underground

“When I was in the process of writing this song, two close family members passed away. We were on the road and it wasn’t possible for me to be at either of their funerals. It was the first time I had lost people that I was actually close to, and it was hard for me. Writing this was kind of a healing process for me.”



You Already Know What You Are

“When we started out, and even up through a few years ago, people told us that mixing genres like we do would never work. We didn’t care. We weren’t doing it for anyone other than ourselves. We wanted to hear a pop-punk band playing mosh parts. We were from a town that loved both, and it just seemed right to us. It’s funny because the same people who used to tell us we couldn’t do anything with this band are the ones asking us for help now.”



Another Song About The Weekend

“This one is about the strange pull that life on the road has on you. Once you get a taste of it, it’s almost addicting. Every time you’re gone, you miss home and when you get home, you miss the road. It’s a sick cycle. Get involved if you dare!”



If It Means A Lot To You

“This song took me the longest to write. It took almost a year, but it was another song that kinda stumped me. I really needed this song to say exactly what I wanted, and I finally got it there. We didn’t know if it would be on the record right up until the end of recording. I wrote it separate from the band, and I wasn’t comfortable changing things. It all worked out in the end, though. I think it’s the perfect end to this record.” alt