During their career, the band released five albums: "If I Knew Now What I Knew Then" (1999), "If Its Cool With You, Its Cool With Me" (2000), "Sorry About Tomorrow" (2002), "Reality's Coming Through" (2004) and "The Underground is a Dying Breed" (2007).
The band initially formed as Antidote in Auburn, Alabama and released one album under that name, "Mr. Glenboski" in 1998 before moving to New Haven, Connecticut and adapting the name Hot Rod Circuit.
Tell the Truth
Hot Rod Circuit Lyrics
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Look up and down and everywhere but me, yeah
Something about tonight I know is missing
And I know it's more than insecurity, yeah
After all, all the time we've spent together
Don't you think I'd feel something
If I have to read your mind
Tell the truth
You know my heart is in your hand
So give it up or make a stand
Tell the truth
Come on, tell the truth
There's no sense in going on this way, baby
You know it's time to say what you mean
There's no sense in going out trying to replace
A love that never came clean
After all, all the time we've spent together
Don't you think it's worth something
If I have to read your mind
Maybe we're just wasting time
Tell the truth
You know my heart is in your hand
So give it up or take a stand
Just tell the truth
Come on, tell the truth
Let's start it over, or call it over somehow
(Start it over, or call it over)
Just bring your love back to me baby
Baby, somehow
So if you want to be mine
Baby, let's stop wasting time
Just tell the truth
'Cause you know my heart is in your hand
So give it up or take a stand
Just tell the truth
I said, if you want to be mine
Baby, stop wasting time
Just tell the truth
'Cause you know my heart is in your hand
So give it up, give it up
Come on, tell the truth
Let's start it over, or call it over
(Start it over, or call it over)
Just bring your love back to me baby
Baby, somehow
(Start it over, or call it over)
Over
(Start it over, or call it over)
Bring it on back to me baby
Baby, somehow, yeah
The lyrics to Hot Rod Circuit's "Tell The Truth" convey the singer's frustration with someone he cares about who is distant and avoiding direct communication. He notices that this person is avoiding eye contact and seems to be hiding something. He states that it's more than just his own insecurity causing him to feel this way. Despite spending a lot of time together, he doesn't feel the connection and asks for honesty. He wants them to either express their feelings or let him go so he can move on. He pleads with them to start over or call it quits.
The strong emotions in this song are conveyed through the vocals and the music style, which is often described as emo or pop-punk. The lyrics are relatable to anyone who has experienced the frustration of trying to communicate with someone who is emotionally unresponsive or avoidant. The singer's vulnerability and honesty create an authentic connection with the listener, making the song memorable and impactful.
Line by Line Meaning
Something about the way your eyes lately
The singer is noticing a change in the way the other person is behaving towards him/her.
Look up and down and everywhere but me, yeah
The other person seems to be avoiding eye contact with the singer, which makes the singer feel ignored and neglected.
Something about tonight I know is missing
The singer can sense that there is something wrong with the relationship that the other person is not acknowledging.
And I know it's more than insecurity, yeah
The singer knows that what's bothering him/her is not just a personal feeling of inadequacy or self-doubt.
After all, all the time we've spent together
The singer is reminding the other person of the history they share and the investment they've made in each other.
Don't you think I'd feel something
The singer is questioning why the other person doesn't seem to be reacting to the distance between them.
If I have to read your mind
The singer is frustrated that the other person is not being transparent or communicating honestly.
Maybe we're just wasting time
The singer is beginning to feel that the relationship might not be worth investing more time or energy into if the other person won't be truthful.
Tell the truth
The singer is asking the other person to be honest and transparent about their feelings and intentions.
You know my heart is in your hand
The singer is saying that he/she is vulnerable and emotionally invested in the relationship.
So give it up or make a stand
The singer is asking the other person to make a decision and take action - either choose to commit to the relationship or end it.
There's no sense in going on this way, baby
The singer feels that the current state of the relationship is unsustainable and needs to change.
You know it's time to say what you mean
The singer is telling the other person that it's time to communicate honestly and openly, instead of avoiding the issues.
There's no sense in going out trying to replace
The singer is warning the other person that if they end this relationship, they shouldn't try to replace it with a similar one, because there was something missing from this one that needs to be addressed first.
A love that never came clean
The singer believes that there's something dishonest or unclear about the way the other person has expressed their love or commitment in the past.
Let's start it over, or call it over somehow
The singer is suggesting that they either try to reset and rebuild the relationship with honesty and transparency, or end it for good.
Just bring your love back to me baby
The singer is pleading with the other person to come back to the relationship and to demonstrate their love openly and honestly.
So if you want to be mine
The singer is giving the other person a choice - either commit fully to the relationship or walk away.
Baby, let's stop wasting time
The singer is urging the other person to make a decision quickly, instead of continuing to avoid the issues.
'Cause you know my heart is in your hand
The singer is reiterating that he/she is vulnerable and invested in the relationship, and that the other person's decision will have a major impact on him/her.
So give it up, give it up
The singer is saying that the other person needs to stop hiding their feelings and intentions and be honest.
Bring it on back to me baby
The singer is asking the other person to come back to the relationship with open arms and an honest heart.
Over
The singer is saying that the relationship is either going to end or start over, but it cannot continue in its current state.
Come on, tell the truth
The singer is begging the other person to be honest and transparent about their thoughts, feelings, and intentions.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES NEWTON HOWARD, JUDE ANTHONY COLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind