Shortly after the New Jersey ska punk group Face First disbanded in 2002, s… Read Full Bio ↴Shortly after the New Jersey ska punk group Face First disbanded in 2002, singer/guitarist Tom "Chitty" Keiger, bassist Jarrett Selzer, trumpet "Okie" Okamoto and drummer Tommie Clayton decided to reunite to play a poppier, more synthesized form of modern punk rock. Therefore, Okamoto switched from trumpet to keyboard, and Kenny Ryan, formerly of Hidden in Plain View, joined as a second guitarist. The name "Houston Calls", according to the band, is a combination of chapter titles from the Apollo 13 DVD. Other choices included "Zoltar Madness" (from Big), "Giant Green Insanity" (from The Toxic Avenger), and "Deeds in NY" (from Mr. Deeds).[1]
While they began performing live in June 2003, they soon released their 4 Song Sampler, produced by Hidden in Plain View's Rob Freeman, to help spread the word. Due to various national tours with bands such as Hidden in Plain View, The Academy Is... and Hellogoodbye, Houston Calls' fanbase grew steadily, until in spring 2004, Clayton left the band. Through mutual friends, Josh Grigsby was introduced to the band and became their drummer on May 15, 2004. The newly manned five-piece went into the studio with producer Jesse Cannon, to record their Sampler Volume 2 (2004). A few months after its release in August 2004, Houston Calls became the second band to sign with Rushmore Records, a subsidiary record label of Drive-Thru Records, who the band had been friends with ever since their formation.
On August 2, 2005, the band's official debut album, A Collection of Short Stories, was released. Produced by Ed Rose, the CD contained eleven songs, three of which had previously been released on their two samplers.

In November 2006, Kenny Ryan announced he was leaving the band, Houston Calls found a replacement in Jose Lopez in Feburary 2007 who had been filling in for Kenny.

In April 2008, the band entered the studio with producer Mark Weinberg to record their follow up to A Collection of Short Stories, The End of an Error and was released on October 14, 2008, along with the single "Life Won't Wait". The album was made available to stream via AOL on the day of release. The band went on a UK Tour as main support newcomers You Me At Six. Farewell were the openers.

At the end of December 2008, founding member Jarrett Seltzer left after no longer wishing to tour as a musician. Two weeks later, it was announced that Jose Lopez would no longer be in the band due to personal reasons. The band has announced that Dan Diaz of Red Light Green Light will be filling Jose's spot. Jason Jaksetic of The Pilot will be filling in on bass. The tour will go on as planned.

On June 9, 2009, the band officially announced that they are disbanding. They will play their last show on August 29, 2009, at School of Rock in their hometown.

Some of the members brand new band Future of the Party with some of the Paulson members.

Stay With Me Tonight
Houston Calls Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

My mind is racing at a mile a minute.
It's losing to the lonely hearts
Of a thousand wishful lovers running in my shoes.
They're running circles around my morals.
Anytime, I would be there for you.
Open your eyes, I'm here and waiting for you.

Biting my tongue 'til the perfect moment.

A bittersweet chase that's slowing me down.
Look at me tonight – it's all I need now.

You've painted pictures of some beautiful still life,
But this one's better, it's so much better than
The ones I dream of as I cross the Atlantic –
A jaded lover and a hopeless romantic.
Anytime, I would be there for you.
Open your eyes, I'm here and waiting for you.

Biting my tongue 'til the perfect moment.
A bittersweet chase that's slowing me down.
Look at me tonight – it's all I need now.

"Until you're sure you mean it just wait to say it."
Don't you remember that's advice you gave me?
Stay with me tonight.

You're safe here.
I know you can't believe, dear, that I would say this
But once-upon-a-time's can happen and all you have to do is grab them.
Stay near. I hate to make you wait, dear. I'd never want to.
But what's a boy supposed to do when happy-ever-afters might come true?

Biting my tongue 'til the perfect moment.
A bittersweet chase that's slowing me down.
Look at me tonight – it's all I need now.

"Until you're sure you mean it just wait to say it."

Don't you remember that's advice you gave me?
Stay with me tonight

Overall Meaning

In the song "Stay With Me Tonight" by Houston Calls, the singer's mind is racing with thoughts, but the common theme is loneliness. The singer feels like they are losing to the "lonely hearts" of other people who also long for love. They wish to be in the shoes of those who are in love, as they are running circles around the singer's morals. However, the singer reiterates that they would be there for their lover at any time and is waiting for them. The singer is holding back their words until the right moment because they wish to make the perfect impression.

The singer continues to describe how the lover has painted beautiful pictures for them but this one depicted is so much better. Even though the singer is jaded, they are also a hopeless romantic. The remainder of the song is spent asking their lover to stay with them, assuring them of their safety, and reminding them of the advice they gave them to wait until they mean it to say it. The singer believes that happy-ever-afters can happen, and they want to grab them. They, however, find themselves in a bittersweet chase that is slowing them down.

Line by Line Meaning

My mind is racing at a mile a minute.
I am overwhelmed with thoughts that are affecting me emotionally.

It's losing to the lonely hearts Of a thousand wishful lovers running in my shoes.
My thoughts are competing with the emotions felt by others who share my experiences of unrequited love.

They're running circles around my morals.
These emotions are making it difficult for me to stick to my values and principles.

Anytime, I would be there for you.
I want to assure you of my unwavering love and support.

Open your eyes, I'm here and waiting for you.
I am patiently waiting for you to see and acknowledge my love for you.

Biting my tongue 'til the perfect moment.
I am choosing to hold back my feelings until the right and appropriate moment arrives.

A bittersweet chase that's slowing me down.
This pursuit of love is making me feel a mix of pleasure and pain, which is starting to hinder my progress.

Look at me tonight – it's all I need now.
Seeing you tonight will complete me and give me what I need to go ahead with my pursuit.

You've painted pictures of some beautiful still life,
You have created a picture of a perfect relationship that you would like to have.

But this one's better, it's so much better than The ones I dream of as I cross the Atlantic – A jaded lover and a hopeless romantic.
This relationship with you is better than any other that I have imagined, especially as an experienced lover who has also been a hopeless romantic.

Don't you remember that's advice you gave me?
You once gave me this advice on love, and it is still relevant now.

You're safe here.
I want to assure you that you can trust me and feel safe around me.

I know you can't believe, dear, that I would say this
I understand if you find it hard to trust me since you may have been let down in the past.

But what's a boy supposed to do when happy-ever-afters might come true?
As a young man, I can't help but chase after happiness, even if it comes with some uncertainty.

Stay with me tonight.
I want you to spend the night with me so we can continue to explore our connection.

Contributed by Ellie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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