"It Ends Tonight " by The All-American Rejects
Reviewed by: Krystal Burns
Note: We focus on reviewing songs, and therefore cannot comment on the appropriateness of the album in its entirety. Please use your best judgment whenever purchasing or listening to music.
The Artist
All-American Rejects, originally from Oklahoma, got their start when Tyson Ritter (vocals/bass) hooked up with Nick Wheeler (guitar/programming) while still in high school. Later they added Mike Kennerty (guitar) and Chris Gaylor (drums) to complete the band. Their self-titled album deputed in 2002, and their second and most recent release, “Move Along,” hit stores in July of 2006.
The Album
The most popular songs on “Move Along” include “It Ends Tonight,” the title song, and “Dirty Little Secret.” Other songs are “Stab My Back,” “Straightjacket Feeling,” and “Can’t Take It.” Recently, an acoustic version of “It Ends Tonight” was featured on MTV’s “Laguna Beach” soundtrack and won Best Group Video at the VMA’s. The group will be touring this fall and winter to promote “Move Along.”
The Song
A typical aspect of popular songs in a postmodern culture is their ambiguity and this song is no exception. Take the title for example, “It All Ends Tonight.” Well, what is “it”? The song never clarifies what’s going to end, leaving the listener to fill in the blank and apply it accordingly. “It” could be a friendship, a romantic relationship, an argument, a life… While maintaining the passion and angst the band is known for, the song is vague enough to relate to almost anything (although in the music video Ritter goes on a rampage and blows up a pile of fireworks, if that’s any indication).
Whatever is going to end, it’s obvious the singer isn’t happy with the person the song is directed to. “Your subtleties/ They strangle me…Maybe it’s best you leave me alone/ A weight is lifted/ On this evening/ I give the final blow.” The violent undertones are hard to ignore as he vents his anger. Later he says, “Just a little insight won’t make this right/ It’s too late to fight.” This again implies that he only has one option left, but what is it? Probably not a peaceful ending to the problem.
It’s too bad we don’t spend more time trying to make things right with people, because we’d probably be a lot happier. Unfortunately songs like this one don’t encourage us to resolve anything, but promote more anger and more frustration. The result is that we become bitter, self-centered people who think life is unfair and that it’s everyone else’s fault.
God didn’t give us life so that we would go around miserable and feeling sorry for ourselves. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Strategies to achieving such a thing: apologize if you’ve offended someone, forgive people who have hurt you even if they’re not sorry, and try to right any wrongs where you can. Once you’ve done everything possible, let it go. If we follow God’s guidelines for life, what might “end tonight” is our anger, resentment, and unhappiness.
So What Do You Think?
1. What do you think the band’s name, All-American Rejects, means?
2. How does their image influence their songs?
3. Do you know of any other popular songs by All-American Rejects?
4. When is the last time you fought with someone? How did it end?