2003–2004: Independent success
After the release of their mini-album, Fall Out Boy built a large following playing in the Chicago area. Drummer Andy Hurley, formerly of Racetraitor, joined the band, while Mike Pareskuwicz and T.J. Kunasch left. At this time, Stump also took over rhythm guitar duties. After signing to Fueled By Ramen, they released their first full-length album, Take This to Your Grave, on May 6, 2003.
With singles Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy and Saturday receiving video airplay on FUSE and mtvU and radio airplay on alternative stations across the country, the band soon gained a cult following. The album sold very well and eventually achieved gold status, but only after the success of their next album, From Under The Cork Tree.
In mid-2003 the band signed with Island Records, part of the super label The Island Def Jam Music Group along with Def Jam Records. While recording their mainstream debut, they released the acoustic EP My Heart Will Always Be the B-Side to My Tongue on Fueled by Ramen, May 18, 2004. It debuted at #153 on the Billboard Top 200, their first entry on the chart. The two-disc set included a DVD with videos, more acoustic performances, and a fan photo gallery.
2005–2006: Commercial debut
On May 3, 2005, Fall Out Boy released their major label debut, From Under the Cork Tree, which debuted on the Billboard 200 at #9, selling over 68,000 copies in its first week. The album achieved double platinum status and has sold over 2.5 million albums in the US alone. Earlier that year, the band’s stability was threatened when Wentz overdosed on the sedative Ativan in a failed suicide attempt. The track 7 Minutes In Heaven (Atavan Halen) from their album From Under the Cork Tree is based upon Wentz’s attempted suicide.
Their first single, Sugar We’re Goin’ Down, peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on the Pop 100 and #3 on the Modern Rock Charts. The video reached #1 on MTV’s TRL, where it was retired on August 26, 2005. The video also won the MTV2 Award at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, prompting a huge new interest and surge in sales. The band was also nominated for “Best New Artist” at the 2006 Grammy Awards.
The second single off the album, Dance, Dance, became their second Top 10 Single when it peaked at #9 on the Hot 100. It also reached #6 on the Pop 100 and became the bands top charted hit when it reached #2 on the Modern Rock Charts. The video for the song premiered on TRL on October 11, 2005; it soon reached #1 and was later retired on January 17, 2006. The third single off the album, A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More ‘Touch Me’, was much less popular than both prior singles but still managed to peak at #65 on the Hot 100 and hit #1 twice on TRL, retiring on June 6, 2006.
2007: Continuing prosperity
Fall Out Boy’s third studio album, titled Infinity On High, was released on February 6, 2007. The lead single, This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race, debuted at the 2006 American Music Awards. The video debuted on MTV on Tuesday, December 19, 2006. In the album’s opening week, Infinity on High reached number 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 260,000 copies.
“This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race” peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart on February 4, 2007, making it their most successful song in the UK to date. The single also peaked on the U.S. Hot 100 at number 2 and the U.S. Pop 100 at number 1. The Carpal Tunnel Of Love (the second single released from the album) reached number 81 on the U.S. Hot 100 by way of digital sales alone. Thnks fr th Mmrs was released on April 9, 2007 and made it to #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at #12 on the UK Singles chart.
Showing their versatility, Fall Out Boy has collaborated with rappers Kanye West, Babyface, Jay-Z, and Timbaland. Babyface produced and Jay Z is featured on Thriller. They also worked with Timbaland on his new album Timbaland Presents Shock Value, where they are featured on the track One and Only, for which Stump and Wentz both contributed in writing. Stump was also featured on two songs with Gym Class Heroes (also signed with Fueled By Ramen), including their #1 Single Cupid’s Chokehold. He also was a guest vocalist on Motion City Soundtrack’s single, Everything Is Alright as well as contributing to If You Could Remember.
2008-2009:
On April 1, 2008, Fall Out Boy released their live album, **** Live in Phoenix. The album was recorded in Pheonix on June 22. It contained a studio recording of Micheal Jackson’s Beat It with John Mayer as a guest on the guitar.
On December 16th, 2008, Fall Out Boy released their 4th studio album, Folie à Deux (literally meaning “madness shared by two”). The lead single for the album, I Don’t Care was released September 8, 2008.
On November 17, 2009, Believers Never Die - Greatest Hits was released, featuring two new songs titled Alpha Dog and From Now On We Are Enemies. Along with the release of this compilation, Fall Out Boy announced that they were taking a break. "We're just taking a break and decompressing. We're not putting terms on when we're coming back. We're going to come back when everybody's excited about it and it's fun." said Pete Wentz to J14 Magazine.
2010-2012: Hiatus
In early 2010 the band entered a state of hiatus, with each member eventually going off to explore their own musical interests. Wentz formed DJ duo Black Cards with singer Bebe Rexha in July 2010, releasing an EP before Rexha quietly left the group in January 2012. Trohman and Hurley started the band The Damned Things with Scott Ian from Anthrax and members of Every Time I Die, releasing their debut album Ironiclast in December 2010.
Stump recorded his debut solo album Soul Punk which was released on July 26, 2011. Despite gaining generally positive reviews, ticket sales were poor with many Fall Out Boy fans unwilling to follow him in his new musical direction. This negative feedback caused Stump to create his blog entry "We Liked You Better Fat" in which he honestly aired his feelings, causing Wentz to reach out to him and ultimately begin collborating again musically in February 2012.
2013-2014: Reunion and Save Rock and Roll
During 2012, the band reformed and began attempts to reinvent their sound. Sessions were difficult, with early attempts a struggle to produce new material. On February 4, 2013 the band simultaneously announced their reunion, a new single My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up) and the album Save Rock and Roll which was released the following month.
2014–2016: American Beauty/American Psycho
Centuries - the first single of Fall Out Boy's sixth studio album - premiered on September 8, 2014. Another song titled Immortals was released October 14, 2014, as part of the soundtrack for the Walt Disney film Big Hero 6. On November 24, 2014, the title of Fall Out Boy's sixth studio album was announced as American Beauty/American Psycho; the album was released on January 20, 2015.
2017–2022: MANIA
On April 27, 2017, Fall Out Boy announced that their new album was set to be released on September 15, titled M A N I A. The first single, Young and Menace was released the same day. The second single, Champion was released in the U.S. on June 22 and worldwide on June 23. On August 3, 2017, Patrick Stump tweeted that the album's release would be pushed back to January 19, 2018, because the band were not satisfied with the results of their work at the time.
A few months after the release of MANIA, Fall Out Boy released their ninth EP, Lake Effect Kid. It was released on August 23, 2018 through Island and DCD2. It features themes from their older albums as well as a song that was a demo for CitizensFOB Mixtape: Welcome To The New Administration -- which was a promotional mixtape for Folie à deux.
They then released Believers Never Die (Volume 2) on November 15, 2019. It is their second greatest hits album and was released through Island. It included two new songs, Bob Dylan and Dear Future Self (Hands Up) .
2023–present: So Much (For) Stardust
Fall Out Boy released a new single, Love From the Other Side, on January 18, 2023. The single featured the song, Love From the Other Side, as well as an edit of the track. After the release of this single, they announced that their eighth studio album, So Much (For) Stardust, was to fully release on March 24, 2023. This album marked the first time the band had released music through Fueled By Ramen since Take This to Your Grave, their 2003 debut album. They also once again joined forces with producer Neal Avron, who produced From Under the Cork Tree, Infinity on High, and Folie à Deux.
The Life of the Party
Fall Out Boy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a scar away from falling apart, apart
Blood cells pixelate and the eyes dilate
And the full moon pills, got me out on the street at night
Could it last?
Watch you work the room
Could it last?
Could it last?
Watch you work the room
Could it last?
Watch you work the room
Oh, put love on hold, Young Hollywood
'Cause on the other line
A nose runs ruby red, death's seen a double bed
Singing songs that could only catch the ear of the desperate
Could it last?
Watch you work the room
Could it last?
Watch you work the room
Could it last?
Watch you work the room
Could it last?
I'm a stitch away from making it
And a scar away from falling apart, apart
The blood cells pixelate, and the eyes dilate
Kiss away all these thrills and kills on the mouths of all my friends
Could it last?
Watch you work the room
Last?
Watch you work the room
Could it last?
(Watch you work the room)
(I'm a stitch away)
In Fall Out Boy's song The Life Of The Party, the lyrics suggest that the singer is struggling to maintain their composure and remain a part of the party scene while dealing with their personal issues. The opening lines "I'm a stitch away from making it and a scar away from falling apart" imply that the singer is on the brink of emotional collapse. The lyrics also mention blood cells pixelating and eyes dilating, which could indicate drug use and the sensation of losing control.
The chorus "Could it last? Watch you work the room" repeats several times throughout the song, suggesting that the singer is observing someone who is successful in the party scene and wondering if they too can maintain that level of popularity and acceptance. The lyrics "put love on hold, Young Hollywood" imply that the party lifestyle and fame can be distracting and hinder personal relationships.
The bridge of the song takes a darker turn, mentioning a "nose runs ruby red" and "death's seen a double bed," which could refer to drug use and its potential consequences. The lyrics "singing songs that could only catch the ear of the desperate" suggest that the party scene can attract those who are seeking attention and validation.
Overall, the lyrics of The Life Of The Party highlight the struggle to maintain a facade of happiness and success while dealing with personal issues and addictive tendencies.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a stitch away from making it
I am very close to achieving my goal, and just need one final push or step to get there.
And a scar away from falling apart, apart
At the same time, I am very fragile and one misstep or mistake could lead to my downfall.
Blood cells pixelate and the eyes dilate
The singer is experiencing a state of heightened emotion, likely due to drug or alcohol use.
And the full moon pills, got me out on the street at night
The artist is under the influence of drugs and wandering the streets at night, possibly in search of more drugs or alcohol.
Could it last?
The artist is questioning whether their current situation or feeling can be sustained.
Watch you work the room
The focus shifts to the subject of the song, observing their actions and presence in a social setting.
Oh, put love on hold, Young Hollywood
The singer advises someone (likely famous or wealthy) to postpone their search for love or commitment in favor of their career or public image.
'Cause on the other line
The singer is suggesting that while the subject may be focused on their public persona, someone else is waiting for them on the other end of the phone or in their personal life.
A nose runs ruby red, death's seen a double bed
This line is cryptic, but may suggest drug use or reckless behavior leading to a near-death experience.
Singing songs that could only catch the ear of the desperate
The artist criticizes the subject's music or art, suggesting that it preys on the emotions of those who are struggling or vulnerable.
Kiss away all these thrills and kills on the mouths of all my friends
The singer is almost pleading with their friends to help them move past their dangerous behavior and influence, suggesting that their own decisions are causing harm to those around them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Andrew John Hurley, Joseph Mark Trohman, Patrick Martin Stump, Peter Lewis Wentz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind