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.
Dear Mr. President
Fitz and the Tantrums Lyrics
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Hey, woo
Broken man and his wife with a child ain't got no hope
Outta work outta time, old man winter's comin' on
One meal ain't enough for three
is this the way its supposed to be
Hey put your foot down and take a look round
Don't like what you see
No No No No No No
Hey put your foot down and take a look round
Don't like what you see
No No No No No No
Hey, Woo
Hey, Woo
Get in line there's no jobs and the kids are shootin' dope
Outta work outta time mamma's startin' to loose hope, hope
It ain't enough to pray
When you got no place to stay
Daddy just walked out mamma raisin' family.
Hey put your foot down and take a look round
Don't like what you see
No No No No No No
Hey put your foot down and take a look round
Don't like what you see
No No No
Dear Mr. President
There is trouble on the streets
Now is the time and the test we must meet.
Dear Mr. President,
take a look around
Please Mr. President,
put your foot down
No No No
Hey, woo
Hey woo
The lyrics of the song Dear Mr. President by Fitz and the Tantrums is a passionate plea to the President of the United States. The song portrays the reality and hardships of being poor and the struggles that come with it. The opening lyrics describe a "broken man and his wife" who are struggling to survive with a child and have lost all hope. They are out of work, out of time and winter is coming. The line "one meal ain't enough for three" tells the story of their struggle to put food on the table. The dad walks out and leaves the mom to raise the family on her own.
The chorus "Hey put your foot down and take a look round, don't like what you see" is the cry of the family, pleading with the President to see their situation and do something about it. The second verse is the story of a single mother raising her kids alone, she is also out of work and losing hope. The lyrics drive home the point that it's not enough to pray and hope when you have no place to stay, which highlights the need for immediate action. The chorus repeats and the song ends with the plea "Dear Mr. President, take a look around. Please Mr. President, put your foot down."
Overall, the song's powerful lyrics and passionate delivery make it an emotional plea to the President to help those who are suffering from poverty and unemployment.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, Woo
The song starts off with an enthusiastic greeting.
Broken man and his wife with a child ain't got no hope
A man is struggling to provide for his family and has lost hope.
Outta work outta time, old man winter's comin' on
The family is facing financial difficulty and winter is approaching.
One meal ain't enough for three
The family is struggling to have enough food for all its members.
is this the way its supposed to be
The artist questions whether this is how life is meant to be.
daddy just walked out mamma raisin' family
The father has left and the mother is left to raise the family.
Hey put your foot down and take a look round
The singer is urging someone to take action and observe their surroundings.
Don't like what you see No No No No No No
The artist is not satisfied with what they observe.
Get in line there's no jobs and the kids are shootin' dope
There are no jobs and children are turning to drugs.
Outta work outta time mamma's startin' to loose hope, hope
The mother is losing hope as well because of financial struggles.
It ain't enough to pray When you got no place to stay
Praying cannot solve the problem of homelessness.
Daddy just walked out mamma raisin' family.
The father has left and the mother is left to raise the family alone.
Dear Mr. President There is trouble on the streets
The singer is addressing the President and acknowledging the issues in society.
Now is the time and the test we must meet.
This is a crucial time for society and the test is whether the issues will be addressed.
Dear Mr. President, take a look around
The singer is urging the President to observe and understand the problems present in society.
Please Mr. President, put your foot down
The artist is requesting the President to take action and make a difference.
No No No
The artist reiterates their dissatisfaction with the current situation.
Hey, woo
The song ends with the same enthusiastic greeting it started with.
Hey woo
The song ends with the same enthusiastic greeting it started with.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: CHRIS SEEFRIED, MICHAEL FITZPATRICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind