Fitz and the Tantrums are an American soul group from Los Angeles, Californ… Read Full Bio ↴Fitz and the Tantrums are an American soul group from Los Angeles, California. The group was founded in 2008 by Michael Fitzpatrick, who had begun writing soul music for a solo project on an old church organ he had purchased. He added friend James King to the group as an arranger and soon after expanded the band to a seven-piece, including several horns. Fitzpatrick shares the vocal duties with Noelle Scaggs. Other members include Joseph Karnes, Jeremy Ruzumna, and John Wicks.

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.

Tricky
Fitz and the Tantrums Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've a nasty habit
What am I to do
That's a passive passion
Oh hey, oh hey, oh

What's a little danger?
If I'm next to you
'Cause it's human nature

Oh hey, oh hey, oh

So if you're patient, I'll be worth your time
Just tell me that you need me
You can make this anything you like
But good things don't come easy

I am a, I am a, I'm a tricky one, ooh ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh
I love the way you love me back
I am a, I am a, I'm a tricky one, ooh ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh
I love the way you love me back

Got a reputation
That I'm out to play
But you changed the station
(Away-away-away)
Why do I deserve you when you're stuck with me?
You're my favorite virtue
(Away-away-away)

So if you're patient, I'll be worth your time
Just tell me that you need me
You can make this anything you like
But good things don't come easy

I am a, I am a, I'm a tricky one, ooh ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh
I love the way you love me back
I am a, I am a, I'm a tricky one, ooh ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh
I love the way you love me back
I am a, I am a, I'm a tricky one, ooh ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh
I love the way you love me back
I am a, I am a, I'm a tricky one, ooh ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh
I love the way you love me back

I love the way, I love the way you love me back
I love the way, I love the way you love me back

I love the way, I love the way you love me back
I love the way, I love the way you love me back

I am a, I am a, I'm a tricky one, ooh ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh
I love the way you love me back
I am a, I am a, I'm a tricky one, ooh ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh
I love the way you love me back

I am a, I am a, I'm a tricky one, ooh ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh
I love the way you love me back

I am a, I am a, I'm a tricky one, ooh ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh
I love the way you love me back

Overall Meaning

In the first verse of "Tricky," Fitz and the Tantrums' lead singer Michael Fitzpatrick describes his "nasty habit" - a passive passion that he can't quite control. The focus then turns to the listener, as Fitzpatrick asks "What's a little danger?" and acknowledges that being close to someone naturally entails some risk. Despite this uncertainty, he promises that if the listener is patient with him, he will be worth their time. He concludes the verse with the admission that he is a "tricky one," while reveling in the joy of mutual love.

The second verse continues the theme of contradiction and the ways in which Fitzpatrick's behavior can seem to contradict his nature. He admits to having a "reputation" for playing around, but claims that the listener has "changed the station" and made him steadfast. He wonders why someone who seems so virtuous and good would be interested in someone like him. Despite this, he remains committed to the relationship, promising again to be worth the effort required.

Overall, "Tricky" is a song about the challenges of committing to love and the contradictory nature of human behavior. It acknowledges that relationships are inherently risky, but also that the rewards can be great. The lyrics are matched by the band's upbeat, soulful sound, creating a catchy tune that perfectly captures the emotions it expresses.

Line by Line Meaning

I've a nasty habit
I have a bad tendency or behavior

What am I to do
I don't know how to fix this issue

That's a passive passion
This flaw is something I don't actively pursue but rather am drawn to

What's a little danger?
Taking risks can be exciting and worthwhile

If I'm next to you
As long as I'm with you, I feel safe and able to face the danger

'Cause it's human nature
It's a natural instinct to take risks in pursuit of happiness

So if you're patient, I'll be worth your time
If you stick with me, I'll prove to be a valuable and worthwhile person

Just tell me that you need me
Communicate your feelings to me so that I am aware of them

You can make this anything you like
Our relationship can be whatever you desire it to be

But good things don't come easy
A fulfilling relationship takes effort and work to maintain

I am a, I am a, I'm a tricky one, ooh ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh
I acknowledge that I can be difficult to handle or understand

I love the way you love me back
I deeply appreciate and enjoy your affection for me

Got a reputation
Others have a certain perception of me

That I'm out to play
They believe I am driven by a desire to have fun or mess around

But you changed the station
You altered my outlook or perspective

(Away-away-away)
An expression of being lost in thought or swayed by emotions

Why do I deserve you when you're stuck with me?
I feel unworthy of your love and attention, yet you are still devoted to me

You're my favorite virtue
Your positive qualities make you extremely special and cherished by me

I love the way, I love the way you love me back
Reinforcing my appreciation for your affection and commitment to me

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL FITZPATRICK, ROSS JACOB GOLAN, JOSEPH KARNES, JAMES MIDHI KING, JEREMY RUZUMNA, NOELLE A SCAGGS, JESSE SAMUEL SHATKIN, JOHN WICKS

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