Formed in 1996 with four high schoolers from Maryland, O.A.R. (Of a Revolution, if you were wondering) has over the last decade grown from a small indie-rock band playing unadvertised gigs to a Top 200 band signed to a major label and performing in front of sold-out crowds. Now composed of five members, the band began to pick up steam at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, with their popularity quickly spreading by word of mouth alone. By 2005 they had released an album debuting at #40 on the Billboard 200.
The reason for the band’s popularity is clear: the unique combination of energetic rock, laid-back groove, and reggae flavorings create music that can be at times energetic, relaxing, or introspective. The lyrics conjure up memories of good times, hanging out with friends and finding love; or they can speak to deeper feelings, such as mortality, loss, or the cost of war.
This list is my ten favorite songs by this truly original and unique band. I feel the songs represented here will provide any newcomers to this band with an excellent sampling of the broad palette of styles and lyrics available in their music, and should provide long-time fans with a well-rounded playlist with which to enjoy this amazing band.
The songs, in no particular order, are:
Program Director- Stories of a Stranger
This song is a great example of the band’s reggae influences; a smooth, grooving rhythm guitar mixes with the horns and some occasional synth sounds; the lyrics are about listening to your favorite songs on the radio, and the song’s light, easy groove makes this a fantastic song to unwind to at the end of the day.
Dakota- Stories of a Stranger
A song about the murder of John Lennon, this piece asks the question… what if you had just kept walking, instead of turning into that fateful encounter? The very peaceful, quiet acoustic guitar and piano provides a soothing, thoughtful backdrop for the highly poetic lyrics.As a lament for one of the most influential artists of our time, this song is moving and meaningful; however, it also has a larger meaning, pondering some of the difficult questions we all ask after losing a loved one. As the lyrics say, “Maybe this is just a nightmare, and I’ll wake up… we’ll all wake up…”
That Was a Crazy Game of Poker- 34th and 8th
One of the songs featured on the band’s very first album The Wanderer way back in 1996, this song about hanging out with friends, talking about life, and the importance of enduring through challenge while remembering the importance of just chilling and having a good time has become the band’s signature tune, growing into a nearly 20-minute jam session closing out each of the band’s shows. I love this song because of the explosive energy, tight musicianship, and the way it conveys the spontanaiety and joy of a night out with friends. This song also features some of the best audience participation, as the crowd gets to take the lead singing the chorus a few times; not to mention, the solos that every member of the band takes are excellent displays of skill that are worth listening to on their own merits.
Hey Girl- In Between Now and Then
A song about finding romance and being with one’s significant other, the song has a steady and energetic rock feel blending reggae rhythms and featuring some excellent saxophone playing by Jerry DePizzo. The song artfully conjures up the excitement and craziness of love, and is one of the songs that first comes to mind any time I think of O.A.R.
Something Coming Over- All Sides
With it’s bright swinging beat punctuated by reggae-style rhythm guitar, this is one of my favorites off the band’s newest studio album– which was criticized for not sounding enough like the band’s previous styles, but this does a great job honoring that sound with it’s fresh, clean tones and lyrics about finding true love and the way it changes everything about a person for the better.
City on Down- Any Time Now
Another of the group’s classics, City on Down paints a bright and hopeful picture of heaven, when “we can all be together again.” The joy of finally arriving in that wonderful place and never having to know war or sadness, but walk hand-in-hand in peace, is infectious. This is the song I turn to when I need a pick-me-up, as it pulls together energetic and bright instrumentals with intelligent and hopeful (imagine that, optimism in modern music!) lyrics, adding up to a very solid and enjoyable tune.
Black Rock- Any Time Now
Another song about the simple joy of spending time alone and just relaxing, or enjoying the company of close friends. The song is named after a state park near Rockville, Maryland, where the band members used to go to get away and relax. The music is very calming and peaceful, and always reminds me of times I’ve been able to get away from the world for awhile and get some rest for my soul; it reminds that it’s important to have your own Black Rock, somewhere you can go to rest.
Revisited- In Between Now and Then
This is one of my all-time favorite songs to sing, because of the joyful la-da’n-day chorus, which singer Marc Roberge describes as “a cry for freedom, really, I guess. The song is about being who you are and not what others tell you to be. It is about standing up for what you believe in and praying that others will see what it is you believe in.” It is a musically complex and swirling piece, which is just fun to listen to for all the movement and flow in the texture.
About Mr. Brown- Risen
A highly reggae-influenced song (the title is very similar to a song by Bob Marley), this is one of the band’s more esoteric pieces; opinions vary wildly as to what it’s actually about. In my opinion, the song is about living with integrity and living an ‘examined life,’ having awareness of the big picture and being ‘real.’ I may be wrong there; but at any rate this is a great song just to listen to, with a very good groove and a nice, relaxed feel that is perfect for a late-night bike ride playlist.
Anyway- Live From Madison Square Garden
This is probably my all-time favorite song by O.A.R. The line in the opening verse, “don’t ever say nothing ever came from a mouse anyway,” pretty well sums up this song’s message: always look at the bright side, and realize that even insignificant and irritating things like mice have a purpose and can accomplish something (in this case, the mouse made the cat run away from home by chasing after it.) It’s an important sentiment, one that is greatly undervalued in our modern culture. The music has a very swinging, reggae-influenced feel, but with more of a rock feel than some others on this light; it’s still very light and playful, but it has a solidity that lets you to know to take it seriously.
And there it is, my list of my ten favorite songs by O.A.R. If you’re new to the band, this list would be a great place to start and gain a familiarity with the band’s sound and feel; if you’re a long-time fan and disagree with my choices, I’d love to hear your opinions as well. At any rate, those are my thoughts… and the rest, as they say, is just commentary.
