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.
Winds Of Change
Fitz and the Tantrums Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're gonna find, I ain't so bad
When I'm gone, and you're alone, no one to give it to you
'Cause now I know, where its at
That's right I'm wrong, it's such a drag
That the bitch is back
But not for long
Any way now
Winds of change they blow in my direction
We both see that its time
Go on cry don't say words of inspiration
We both know that its time
So walk on by
So walk on by
Sitting there, your little throne
The queen of right, got no king of wrong
To bring it on, you play it on, go find someone else
You never felt this before
I don't feel the same anymore
'Cause I don't need this shit going on
Any day now
Any way now
Winds of change they blow in my direction
We both see that its time
Go on cry don't say words of inspiration
We both know that its time
So walk on by
So walk on by
Hanging clothes on the line
Does a ? to my time
Me, I'm doing fine
Then she sees me walk on by
So walk on by
So walk on by
The lyrics to Fitz and the Tantrums' song "Winds of Change" tell the story of a woman who has lost a good thing and now realizes that her ex-partner was not so bad after all. However, it appears that it is too late to go back and fix things. The singer is proud and unwilling to let go of their own dignity, as they express that they know where it's at, implying that the other person is missing out by not having them. The lyrics also reference the "bitch" being back, which could mean that the singer has a confident and assertive personality.
As the winds of change blow in their direction, both the singer and their former partner see that it's time to move on. The song encourages the partner to cry and let their emotions out, but not to say any words of inspiration, as they both know that it's time to end things. The last lines of the song, "hanging clothes on the line, does a number to my time, me, I'm doing fine" seem to indicate that the singer is already moving on and enjoying life without their former partner.
Overall, "Winds of Change" is a song about the realization that sometimes it's too late to fix things and the importance of moving forward when it's time to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't know, what you had
The person didn't appreciate what they had until it was gone.
You're gonna find, I ain't so bad
The person left behind will realize that the other person wasn't so bad after all.
When I'm gone, and you're alone, no one to give it to you
When the person who left is gone, the other person won't have anyone to give love and affection to them.
'Cause now I know, where its at
The person who left now knows where they belong.
That's right I'm wrong, it's such a drag
The person realizes they were in the wrong.
That the bitch is back
The person who left (referred to as the 'bitch') has returned.
But not for long
However, the person who left won't stay for long.
Any day now
It will happen soon.
Any way now
No matter how it happens.
Winds of change they blow in my direction
Changes are happening, and they're beneficial to the person singing.
We both see that its time
Both parties involved can see that it's time for the person who left to come back.
Go on cry don't say words of inspiration
It's okay to cry, but the person left behind shouldn't be too optimistic about the situation.
So walk on by
The person who left is telling the other person to keep walking past them.
Sitting there, your little throne
The person left behind is sitting comfortably, almost regally.
The queen of right, got no king of wrong
The person left behind thinks they're always right even though there's no one around to challenge them.
To bring it on, you play it on, go find someone else
If the person left behind wants to argue or fight, they can do it with someone else.
You never felt this before
The person who left has moved on from the relationship and no longer feels the same way.
I don't feel the same anymore
The person who left no longer feels the same way as they did before.
'Cause I don't need this shit going on
The person who left doesn't want any drama or unnecessary stress in their life.
Hanging clothes on the line
Doing mundane tasks and going about their day-to-day life.
Does a ? to my time
A question mark is placed on what they're doing with their time.
Me, I'm doing fine
The person who left is doing well.
Then she sees me walk on by
The person left behind sees the person who left walking by.
So walk on by
The person who left is telling the other person to keep walking past them.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: CHRIS SEEFRIED, MICHAEL FITZPATRICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dlara18x
I love their new songs but nothing beats the classics
@TheRomeVEVO
Agreed! the old albums are so good
@christopherpoxon9508
YouTube needs to add a ❤️ button for songs like this.
@DavidMRyanMD
Theese guys are the best in Years!!!!!!!!! No Machines,No Auto-Tuning,& Shit Even No Guitar,Cant wait 3 weeks their comin to Town!!
@soulfishstew
Coachella Live feed on Sunday and they blew me away. It looked hot as hell and the crowd was dancing their asses off.
@RoyalBakaness
My word, Michael looks amazing in every outfit I've seen him in. That man...
@akid07
Their unique sound and classic feel brought me here.
@simibro1709
I think it's the best single they spawned in their career. And the album is sooo cool!
@spark29slowsdown
These guys put on a great show last night in Portland!
@squishy654
I am thinking back to 2010 and a trip to Boston for a Saba conference. Fitz & Tantrums in the science center with an open bar, dancers and great food. I had never heard of them before and I wish I realized then what a magical night it was. Thanks for the memories guys and keep up the good tunes!