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.
House On Fire
Fitz and the Tantrums Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got caught with love in the hand
Blinded by the sun and the steel
Nothing but the sound of the feel
The blood sweat and tears
Shake off my past
I knew it but I see it at last
All I see, the smell of the smoke
The tears that they choke
I never wanted
Truth is a liar
I never needed
This house is on fire
Flashes kick in
Honoring the day you stepped in
Image of him touching your hand
Thought of it as just innocence
But now it makes sense
You were so free
Never saw that picture with me
Now this fly is climbing the walls
All I see are ashes, the pain
The love lost in vain
I never needed
Truth is a liar
I never needed
This house is on fire
I never wanted
Truth is a liar
I never needed
This house is on fire
Bury the echoes
Turn it back
Melt all my wishing
For the times we once had
Damage my vision
Set it ablaze
Destroy the hour
Take me away
I never wanted
Truth is a liar
I never needed
This house is on fire
The song "House On Fire" by Fitz and the Tantrums depicts a relationship that has gone up in flames. The first two verses seem to be sung from the perspective of someone who has been cheated on, as they describe their partner being "caught with love in the hand" and the image of them touching another person's hand. The chorus repeats the line "I never wanted, truth is a liar, I never needed, this house is on fire" which suggests that the singer never wanted to know the truth because it would have destroyed their relationship.
The bridge of the song seems to be sung from the perspective of someone who has decided to move on from the failed relationship. They want to "bury the echoes" of the past and "destroy the hour" that it all fell apart. The final repetition of the chorus is a final statement of the singer's feelings, that the truth may have been a liar but now they are left with a burning house.
Overall, the song seems to be about the destruction that can come from a relationship built on lies and betrayal. The singer's house is on fire both in the literal sense, as the relationship is burning to the ground, and in the emotional sense, as their trust and love have been destroyed.
Line by Line Meaning
So here we stand
We are currently in a situation.
You got caught with love in the hand
You are in love, but possibly caught in a complicated or unfortunate situation.
Blinded by the sun and the steel
There are external factors or distractions affecting our perception or judgment.
Nothing but the sound of the feel
Our emotions are the only thing that we can rely on in this moment.
The blood sweat and tears
The situation has been emotionally and physically draining.
Shake off my past
I need to let go of my past experiences for this situation.
I knew it but I see it at last
I had an understanding of the situation before, but now I see it more clearly.
And now it's like climbing the walls
The situation feels overwhelming and suffocating.
All I see, the smell of the smoke
The damage from the situation is becoming increasingly evident.
The tears that they choke
The pain from the situation is becoming too much to handle.
I never wanted
I never desired this situation or outcome.
Truth is a liar
The truth may not be as straightforward or truthful as we think.
I never needed
I didn't require this burden in my life.
This house is on fire
The situation is out of control and potentially destructive.
Flashes kick in
Memories or realizations suddenly come to mind.
Honoring the day you stepped in
Acknowledging the moment when everything changed.
Image of him touching your hand
A specific memory or event that signifies the beginning of the situation.
Thought of it as just innocence
Initially, the situation was perceived as harmless or without consequence.
But now it makes sense
Now, the true meaning or significance of the situation is apparent.
You were so free
You had a sense of freedom or liberation before the situation began.
Never saw that picture with me
We never saw ourselves in the situation or didn't picture how it would affect us.
Now this fly is climbing the walls
The situation is becoming increasingly overwhelming and suffocating, like a fly trapped in a room.
All I see are ashes, the pain
The destruction and pain caused by the situation is becoming more and more visible.
The love lost in vain
The love or affection that once existed has been lost or wasted due to the situation.
Bury the echoes
Let go of the echoes or memories from the situation.
Turn it back
Reverse the situation or undo the damage caused by it.
Melt all my wishing
Let go of any hopes or dreams associated with the situation.
For the times we once had
Reflecting on the happier times before the situation began.
Damage my vision
The situation has affected or distorted our perception of reality.
Set it ablaze
Destroy the situation and start fresh.
Destroy the hour
Erase the moment when everything began to change.
Take me away
Remove me from this situation or pain.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, SPIRIT MUSIC ALPHA, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: Michael Fitzpatrick, Joseph Karnes, James Midhi King, Jeremy Ruzumna, Noelle A Scaggs, Chris Seefried, John Wicks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
L Zarate
So here we stand
You got caught with love in the hand
Blinded by the sun and the steel
Nothing but the sound of the feel
The blood sweat and tears
Shake off my past
I knew it but I see it at last
And now it's like climbing the walls
All I see, the smell of the smoke
The tears that they choke
I never wanted
Truth is a liar
I never needed
This house is on fire
Flashes kick in
Honoring the day you stepped in
Image of him touching your hand
Thought of it as just innocence
But now it makes sense
You were so free
Never saw that picture with me
Now this fly is climbing the walls
All I see are ashes, the pain
The love lost in vain
I never needed
Truth is a liar
I never needed
This house is on fire
I never wanted
Truth is a liar
I never needed
This house is on fire
Bury the echoes
Turn it back
Melt all my wishing
For the times we once had
Damage my vision
Set it ablaze
Destroy the hour
Take me away
I never wanted
Truth is a liar
I never needed
This house is on fire
Kenneth Thomas
Love this band. This what I call music. Keep it going.
ogabinho
Conheci essa banda recentemente e já tô amando!
Ryocryte
My god, this band is so great!
Kifflom
So underrated!!! They have made some huge bangerz for sure.
TrueGritProductions
Love Fitz and the Tantrums. They are amazing and most of the guys are in their 40's proving you can rock forever if you want to.
TheHarmonicOwl
I'm in love with all of the different sounds that this band can produce. oh my god it's unreal.
Kenneth Thomas
Love this band. This what I call music. Keep it going.
James B
These guys are the epitome of perseverance. Small band that hasn't been popular but keeps plugging away and making great music behind the scenes. I'll admit I wasn't a fan until I heard "the walker" but now that I've heard of this band i've been loving every single song. KEEP IT UP GUYS!!!
MaariSilveiraa
I love it! You guys rock!
Emily Levy
I love Fitz and the Tantrums<3