Ocean Avenue

Album: Ocean Avenue (2003)
Charted: 65 37
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Songfacts®:

  • This song finds the Florida natives reminiscing over their early days when they hung out on Ocean Boulevard in Jacksonville's Atlantic Beach. Ben Harper, Yellowcard's guitarist at the time, told The Boston Phoenix: "It's this place where we used to hang out in Jacksonville. Instead of talking about a girl, it's talking about a scene and a feeling that we want to get back to: hanging out and writing, before we moved to California."
  • While Yellowcard frontman Ryan Key was writing the lyrics, he changed "Ocean Boulevard" to "Ocean Avenue" because it rhymed better. The lyrics also reference Cherry Street, where Key's childhood home is located in Neptune Beach.
  • After signing with Capitol Records, Ocean Avenue was the band's major-label debut. The title track became their breakthrough hit, but it almost didn't happen. Key nearly cut the song from the album because he was struggling to finish the chorus.
  • Marc Webb (The Amazing Spider-Man) directed the music video, which follows Ryan Key trapped in a time loop. It was a huge success, hitting #1 on Total Request Live and winning the MTV2 Award at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards.
  • This was used on the MTV reality series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County in the 2004 episode "Fast Cars and Fast Women."
  • The band released an acoustic version of Ocean Avenue for the album's 10th anniversary.

Comments: 20

  • Nodiffrt from Orange CountyAfter moving here I always assumed this was about Laguna Beach or Huntington Beach because Ocean Avenue and Cherry Street both exist here. Crazy thing is I grew up visiting my grandparents and Florida. Honestly the music suits the California aesthetic better. Weird.
  • Ben from Jax, FlOk some of you got the wrong info somewhere, so allow me to clear it all up. First, the song is not about a guy and a girl, in an interview lead singer Ryan Key says " the song is about a time in place where they were writing and hanging out and having a good time, and the song is about trying to get back to that creative space" second, the song is not actually about ocean avenue but rather ocean street in downtown jacsonville, i spoke with lead guitarist Ben Harper on FB and he told me its about ocean street but avenue sounded better. Third cherry street is about a 10min drive to the beach so you literally cant walk on the beach on the corner of it, cherry street is in jacksonville beach and it is where lead singer Ryan Key grew up at his parents house....on cherry street. I grew up with these guys (the original yellowcard, not the ones from Cali) just wanted to set everything straight.
  • Hannah from Gustavus, OhThis song makes me think of summertime. I remember summer 2007, my sister and I went to Cedar Point with our cousins from Detroit and this came on in the car on the way there. I think it can be about anything you miss - the band has said it was about the atmosphere of their hometown. Or it could be about an old friend you don't see anymore. Either way, awesome song.
  • Dylan from Pittsburgh, Pawaiting game is about a couple sitting together on a rooftop during a flood from hurricane katrina
  • Karen from Atlantic Beach, FlI can relate being that I now live in Atlantic Beach, FL . Just miles down the road from Ocean Avenue. Have been at the beach in front of Cherry street. But no matter where you are from, we all have a similar story to tell.
  • Blake from Chico, CaThis song is sad for me because to me it's about a guy and a girl who had a past relationship, and the guy is cherishing the memories while he can, knowing that he will grow to hate and resent her. That happened to me and my ex-girlfriend, so when she cut the relationship short, I realized that there was a lot more to the song than I understood. I couldn't stop listening to it for a week.
  • Adrian from Houston, Txman this song never gets old.it simply rocks.every time u hear it u cant help but 2 sing and dance along 2 it crazy.YELLOWCARD ROCKS!!!
  • Brodie from Melbourne - Victoria, Australiawhat is waiting game about???? please tell me!!!!!
  • Chris from Kings Park, NyThats not what the song is about. It's not about a girl or a relationship, but more about a certain time and feeling. that is what one of the band members said.
  • Melissa from Toledo, OhThis is a really good song. Yellowcard is a good band.
  • Cadon from San Fransico, Cathis songs pretty self explanitory
  • Stacey from Someplace, Australiai reckon that if artists can change their style to meet what the people want they are going to have the ability to try alot of different sounds and possibly be able to express many different sides of themselves so its really cool that yellowcard do that
  • Daniel from Morganville, Njthis song is awsome. i luv it.
  • Alex from Kinnelon, Njoh i dont know jack about music huh? have you ever heard of nirvana? tool? rage against the machine? they knew what they wanted and they didnt follow the scene. if heavy metal was what was popular, yellowcard would be out there with their double bass pedals and heavy guitar riffs. i have more musical knowledge and talent in my little finger than you do in your whole body jessi.
  • Jessi from Crownpoint, NmI think i like this song because it has catchy lyrics. ALex from NJ u probably dont know jack if ur talkin about other bands like that what do u listen to? Ballet?
  • Sharon from Aucklandthis song is very very good and yellowcard rock!!!
  • Alex from Gaithersburg, MdI LOVE THIS SONG A IS THE GRADE FOR THIS SONG
  • Cassie from Erie, PaThis song is awesome. I'm not one for mainstream very much, but Yellowcard rocks.
  • Chrissy from ManchesterFab song!
  • Brittany from Richmond, KyThis song was good the first few times I heard it, now im over it. But the main singer is pretty hot!
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