SONG: "The Saddest Song"
ARTIST: The Ataris
ALBUM: "Live At The Metro"
YEAR: 2004
PLACE OF ORIGIN: Anderson, Indiana
YEARS ACTIVE: 1996 - present
WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:
The Ataris' song "The Saddest Song," from their 2003 album "So Long, Astoria", is a deeply personal ballad primarily about lead singer Kris Roe's relationship with his daughter, Starla, and his feelings of absence due to constant touring. The song also draws a parallel to Roe's own childhood experience of growing up without a consistently present father due to divorce.
THE ATARIS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):
1997 - Anywhere But Here (Kung Fu Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
1999 - Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits (Kung Fu Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2001 - End Is Forever (Kung Fu Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2003 - So Long, Astoria (Columbia Records)
* peaked at #24 on the Billboard 200
* certified Gold
2004 - Live At The Metro (Columbia Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2007 - Welcome The Night (Sanctuary Records)
* peaked at #85 on the Billboard 200
2015 - Hang Your Head In Hope (self-released)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2015 - Record Store Day 2015 (self-released)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2017 - Silver Turns To Rust (funk turry funk Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2020 - Live In Chicago 2019 (self-released)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
MY THOUGHTS ON THE ATARIS:
The Ataris formed as a band back in 1996, hailing from Anderson, Indiana. The band is essentially the brainchild of guitarist/vocalist Kris Roe, who basically writes all the music and lyrics for the band. Plus the fact that the band has basically been a revolving door when it comes to band members with Roe being the only constant. The band's debut album dropped in 1997, titled "Anywhere But Here". This whole album was recorded in less than a week. At this time, the band was really struggling financially and Roe was living in his car in California at that point. The band's 1999 album, "Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits", was the album that started generating some buzz around The Ataris, especially from what is their signature song, "San Dimas High School Football Rules". In 2001, the band released "End Is Forever" which finished their relationship with Kung Fu Records. At this point, The Ataris were garnering attention from major labels and eventually they would sign with Columbia Records. Their major label release, 2003's "So Long, Astoria", proved to be the high point for the band. It was their highest charting album, peaking at #24 on the Billboard 200 and it would eventually be certified Gold. Their cover of Don Henley's "The Boys Of Summer" proved to be a huge radio hit for the band. Here's where things start turning somewhat sour for the band. All of the band member besides Roe would leave the band. Roe brought on new members and began work on their next album, 2007's "Welcome The Night". This album was a real departure from The Ataris style and sound. It was darker and lacking the pop punk and melodic rock sensibilities that The Ataris were known for. I thought it was a real bummer of an album. In 2009, there was talk that The Ataris had completed a new album tentatively titled "The Graveyard Of The Atlantic" but the album would never see the light of day. Eventually, the songs recorded for this project would show up on later EP's and compilations that The Ataris would put out. From 2010 to 2020, the only full lengths The Ataris would put out would be compilation albums or rarities or re-recordings like 2017's "Silver Turns To Rust" or the all acoustic "Hang Your Head In Hope" in 2015. Most recently, Kris Roe has stated that The Ataris have been in the studio in 2024 writing and recording a new full length album so we'll see. The band has released a single called "Car Song" in 2025 and Roe has confirmed that the band will cover Bryan Adams' "Summer Of '69" on the new album. The Ataris at their best are a pop punk band. Even their major label debut, "So Long, Astoria", had pop punk elements, maybe with a more mature sound but that catchy, melodic pop punk was always at the core. "Welcome The Night" was a disaster. I don't know what they were trying to prove with that album. It's just boring and has no life to it. Sometimes you are what you are. I know people want to push themselves but their is something at it's core that is the reason why people love what you do. Hopefully Kris Roe doesn't lose sight of that with this new album he's working on. People love The Ataris melodies and people love the heartfelt, personal lyrics of Kris Roe. Let's hope he gets back to his roots on this new release.
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TEN THE ATARIS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:
1. Summer Wind Was Always Our Song
2. San Dimas High School Football Rules
3. The Boys Of Summer (Don Henley cover)
4. A New England (Billy Bragg cover)
5. The Saddest Song
6. Boxcar (Jawbreaker cover)
7. Your Boyfriend Sucks
8. Rock N' Roll High School (Ramones cover)
9. All Soul's Day
10. Not Capable Of Love
