Yellowcard - Ocean Avenue Lyrics

"Ocean Avenue" is a song written and recorded by American rock band Yellowcard for their fourth studio album of the same name. It was released as the second single from Ocean Avenue on December 15, 2003, through Capitol Records. "Ocean Avenue" shares writing credits between the band's singer Ryan Key, guitarist Ben Harper, bassist Pete Mosely, drummer Longineu W. Parsons III, and violinist Sean Mackin. It was written about the band's teenage years along the Atlantic Coast. Neal Avron, a veteran punk rock producer, engineered and produced the tune.

Yellowcard began in Florida and moved to California at the onset of the aughts, signing to Capitol in 2002. "Ocean Avenue" was one of many songs the band wrote for their major-label debut, but primary lyricist Key had difficulty completing its chorus. It was nearly left off the album until Key wrote the song's anthemic refrain. While the song's subject matter appears to be romantic in nature, the song takes root in the band's longing for home: for the group, "Ocean Avenue" represented a farewell to the sunsets and youthful days in Florida, where they lived, rehearsed, and grew up near the beach.

"Ocean Avenue" saw heavy radio airplay and was the band's biggest hit, peaking within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. It received praise from music critics, many of whom have called it a classic of the coalescing pop-punk and emo genres. Its music video, directed by Marc Webb and which starred Key in a sci-fi/time travel concept, won the MTV2 Award at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards. It was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).