The group's debut EP, Songs for a Breakup, Vol. 1, was released in 2009. Dangerbird Records signed the group in 2010 and issued their first full-length album, Pickin' Up the Pieces, in August of that year. The album reached #15 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. Los Angeles Times music critic Ann Powers wrote, "Fitz & the Tantrums is the kind of band that communicates best in concert, but this album serves as a fine proxy and party-starter." Aly Comingore of the Santa Barbara Independent wrote that the band members craft "soulful, nostalgia pop that's not only infectious, but just fresh enough to make it stand apart from its predecessors."
In 2010 the group opened several dates on tour with Maroon 5. On January 12, 2011, Fitz & the Tantrums performed the songs "MoneyGrabber" and "Don't Gotta Work It Out" on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live in Los Angeles. In 2010 the groups music video for the song "MoneyGrabber" was incorporated into the opening scene of a sixth season episode of the CBS crime-drama Criminal Minds entitled "Safe Haven".
Fitzpatrick has said that the band's musical style can be fairly described as "soul-influenced indie pop". He noted that while the band is influenced by the classic songs of the Motown and Stax record labels, the band is not trying to create an exact replica of that music. In another interview, Fitzpatrick talked about his decision to not use guitars in the band. "I did want to try and make a big sounding record without guitars," he said. "For me, I just feel like in any music that has a band, the guitar is always there, it's always featured, it's always prevalent. I'm just sick of hearing it."
In 2012, the band signed to Elektra Records, and started to record their major-label debut More Than Just A Dream, which will be released on May 7, 2013.
Break the Walls
Fitz and the Tantrums Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through the epic unconsciousness
Through the valley of beatin' chests
Turn the sound down, still hear the roar
Let the beast out, what did you come for?
Give me a sledgehammer and give me strength
Cut me loose I seek the truth
I bet the freedom, the freedom will carry me
Hey! Break the walls [x4]
To the wild I travel the unknown
The fathers pray out to be overthrown
Turn the lights down oh to be blind at peace
Let the beast out and watch it bare its teeth
Give me a sledgehammer and give me strength
Watch the world come crumbling down
Cut me loose I seek the truth
I bet the freedom, the freedom will carry me
Hey! Break the walls [x4]
Kick and scream fight for the unseen
Fight for harmony, fight for you and me [x4]
Hey! Break the walls [x8]
The song "Break the Walls" by Fitz and the Tantrums is a powerful and uplifting call to break free from constraints and limitations. The repeated refrain of "break the walls" serves as a rallying cry for listeners to take control of their lives and pursue their dreams, no matter what obstacles may stand in their way. The lyrics describe a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, as the singer travels through the "epic unconsciousness" and "valley of beatin’ chests" to find their true purpose and identity.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of strength and determination in overcoming adversity, with lines like "Give me a sledgehammer and give me strength" and "Cut me loose I seek the truth". The singer is willing to do whatever it takes to break free of the walls that have been holding them back, whether it be physical barriers or emotional ones. Overall, "Break the Walls" is an inspiring anthem for anyone who is ready to take charge of their life and create their own destiny, regardless of the challenges they may face along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey! Break the walls. [x4]
The singer urges the listener to break down the walls that confine them from their true potential
Through the epic unconsciousness
Breaking down the walls will take the listener through an unknown journey and an unconscious state
Through the valley of beatin’ chests
The journey will be challenging, and the listener might have to overcome fear and danger
Turn the sound down, still hear the roar
Even if the listener tries to ignore the challenges, they cannot escape its presence
Let the beast out, what did you come for?
The listener should embrace their inner beast and overcome the challenges to fulfill their purpose
Give me a sledgehammer and give me strength
The singer wants the tools to break down the walls and the strength to do so
Watch the world come crumbling down
Breaking down the walls will lead to a significant change in the listener's world
Cut me loose I seek the truth
The singer acknowledges that the truth is out there and needs freedom to find it
I bet the freedom, the freedom will carry me
The singer believes that the freedom to find the truth will lead them to where they need to go
To the wild I travel the unknown
The journey to break down the walls will take the listener to the unknown and exhilarating wild
The fathers pray out to be overthrown
The older generation might want to maintain the status quo, but the listener should not let their beliefs hold them back
Turn the lights down oh to be blind at peace
The listener should calm themselves and find peace despite the challenges
Let the beast out and watch it bare its teeth
The listener should embrace their inner beast and use it to overcome their challenges
Kick and scream fight for the unseen
The listener should fight for their dreams and goals, even if they cannot see the end result
Fight for harmony, fight for you and me [x4]
The listener should work towards harmony and unity, not just for themselves, but for everyone else as well
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, SPIRIT MUSIC ALPHA, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: MICHAEL FITZPATRICK, SIA FURLER, JOSEPH KARNES, JAMES MIDHI KING, JEREMY RUZUMNA, NOELLE A SCAGGS, CHRIS SEEFRIED, JOHN WICKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mytmouse57
Damn, this band is good. I hope they get the recognition they deserve.
@princeinparis
Oh boi
they got it
@BruceBoi2
I am deeply in love with this group! The female vocalist specifically
@markfelix3738
Sia's backing vocals are in this song!
@MyMrGravity
I am totally in love with the songs of this band! Makes me wanna see them on concert
@Sammie1053
So incredibly happy with this album. Amazing job.
@berenicedominguez639
Loving this band. Really loving it. Amazing job.
@angiebeltre404
I love this band I went to one of their concerts amazing:)
@ericasusquehannalife
Learned of Fitz and The Tantrums watching them with Daryl Hall, on Daryl's House TV show - what an awesome combination of musical and vocal talent. I urge you to watch some of the videos of those performances - Nowell Scaggs is a standout - but they are all phenomenal!
@carlraney2408
Love this CD its energy the songwriting and the male and female lead singer, Tear Down the Walls!