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.
Tighter
Fitz and the Tantrums Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is to understand
When I had you
I was not
Completely in tune
'Cause I was blind
I let you drift away
Enough to stay
So you made up my mind
And you walked away
And why didn't I,
[Chorus]
Hold you tighter than tighter
When I could do no wrong
It's getting harder and harder
Why didn't I
Hold you tighter than tighter
How could I be so wrong
You can't hold on
To what is already gone
Come back baby
Don't be strong
Don't let it go
Cause are you out there
With someone else
Are you telling him no.
'Cause I could be
Your shelter from the rain
Come inside now
Not gonna give you pain
'Cause I made up my mind, I walk away.
And why didn't I
[Chorus]
Hold you tighter than tighter
When I could do no wrong
It's getting harder and harder
Why didn't I
Hold you tighter than tighter
How could I be so wrong
You can't hold on
To what is already gone.
Come back baby
And Why,
Oh why,
Won't you believe in me
Why oh why,
Won't you believe in me
Why didn't I
[Chorus]
Hold you tighter than tighter
When I could do no wrong
It's getting harder and harder
Why didn't I,
Hold you tighter than tighter
How could I be so wrong
You can't hold on to what is already gone.
Come back baby
The song "Tighter" by Fitz and the Tantrums is a heartbreaking reflection on a lost love. The lyrics speak to the singer's regret over not holding onto their partner tighter while they had the chance. The first verse acknowledges the singer's lack of understanding while they were with their partner, and how they allowed the relationship to drift away from them. The chorus reinforces this sense of loss and regret, with the singer acknowledging that they can't hold onto what is already gone. The second verse finds the singer reaching out to their ex, offering to be their "shelter from the rain" and urging them to come back. The final repetition of the chorus drives home the sense of longing and sadness that permeates the song.
Line by Line Meaning
To be real
Being authentic and honest
Is to understand
Requires the ability to comprehend
When I had you
At a point in the past
I was not Completely in tune
Not fully aligned or connected
'Cause I was blind
Because I was unaware
I let you drift away
Allowed you to become distant
I didn't give you Enough to stay
Provided insufficient attention or care
So you made up my mind
You made the decision for me
And you walked away
And left the situation
And why didn't I,
Asking a rhetorical question
Hold you tighter than tighter
Hold onto you with more strength
When I could do no wrong
When everything was going well
It's getting harder and harder
Becoming more difficult over time
You can't hold on
Unable to maintain or grasp
To what is already gone
To something that has already passed
Come back baby
Requesting someone's return
Don't be strong
Don't resist or fight back
Don't let it go
Don't give up or lose it
Cause are you out there
Because I wonder if you are with someone else
With someone else
With another person
Are you telling him no.
Are you rejecting someone else's advances
'Cause I could be
Because I have the potential to be
Your shelter from the rain
Your refuge from difficulties
Come inside now
Enter into my space
Not gonna give you pain
Won't cause you harm or hurt
'Cause I made up my mind, I walk away.
Because I've decided to leave the situation
And Why,
Another rhetorical question
Oh why,
An expression of deep contemplation
Won't you believe in me
Have confidence and trust in me
You can't hold on to what is already gone.
Restatement of an earlier line
Come back baby
Repetition of an earlier plea
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James King, Jeremy Ruzumna, John Meredith Wicks, Michael Fitzpatrick, Christopher Seefried, Ethan Phillips
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind