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.
You Can't Simi
Houston Calls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wasting ink trying to make her move back east
To good old New Jersey
I know it's not feasible
Running out of reasons to
Have these doubts in my mind
Oh, in my mind.
Go for it, don't play these games
I promise you it's right
Settle down and think this out it's way too far to try
Always, you're on my mind
And if I can't sleep without you then why would I even try to?
Always, you're on my mind
And if I can't be without you then why would I even try to?
Selfish me, I can't think straight
Foolish me, I've begun to hate myself for this
For thinking more than what it is
Your radiance has filled all of my bones and skin
I can't leave you here,
Comeback with me so I can keep you smiling
[Chorus]
The trouble is it's there in plain sight
But we walk around it, let's fight the fight
If we stick together we can tear this down
But you refuse to leave your comfortable home town
I can't believe what I would give up for you look what you've done to me
It makes me think that the distance is nothing to keep me away to keep me from holding you
[Chorus]
The song "You Can't Simi" by Houston Calls is a heartfelt ballad about long-distance love and the struggles that come with it. The singer begins by expressing his frustration with the distance between him and his love interest. He writes letters and tries to convince her to move back to their hometown of New Jersey. But he knows that it's not a feasible solution and he's running out of reasons to justify his doubts.
In the chorus, the singer implores his love interest to take a chance on their relationship and not play games with him. He promises her that it's the right thing to do and that it's too far to try without commitment. He can't get her out of his mind and he knows that he can't be without her, so why even try to sleep or move on?
The second verse shows the singer's frustration with himself. He can't think straight and he hates himself for thinking more than what it is. He's completely smitten with his love interest and can't fathom leaving her. He begs her to come back with him to keep her smiling. The bridge highlights the struggle they both face - the distance is there in plain sight, but they walk around it rather than facing it head-on. If they stick together, they can tear those obstacles down, but his love interest refuses to leave her hometown.
Overall, "You Can't Simi" is a bittersweet song about love and distance. The singer is torn between his desire to be with his love interest and the reality of their situation. Despite the challenges, he implores her to take a chance on their relationship and not let the distance keep them apart.
Line by Line Meaning
Push the pen to the paper
Begin writing on paper
Wasting ink trying to make her move back east
Spending time and resources trying to convince her to move back to New Jersey
To good old New Jersey
To New Jersey, her original hometown
I know it's not feasible
I understand that it may not be possible or practical
Running out of reasons to
Starting to lose justification or explanations for actions
Have these doubts in my mind
To be uncertain about something in one's thoughts
Go for it, don't play these games
Take the chance and don't manipulate the situation
I promise you it's right
Assuring that the decision is correct
Settle down and think this out it's way too far to try
Calm down and rationally consider the situation, as it may be too difficult to attempt
Always, you're on my mind
Constantly thinking about the person
And if I can't sleep without you then why would I even try to?
If not being with the person prevents one from sleeping, then attempting to sleep without them is pointless
Selfish me, I can't think straight
I am being self-centered and unable to think clearly
Foolish me, I've begun to hate myself for this
I am behaving stupidly and starting to feel self loathe
For thinking more than what it is
Overthinking the situation, making it more complicated than necessary
Your radiance has filled all of my bones and skin
The person's presence is so powerful that it has taken over their entire being
I can't leave you here,
Cannot bear to leave the person behind
Comeback with me so I can keep you smiling
Return with me so I can maintain your happiness
The trouble is it's there in plain sight
The problem is visible and obvious
But we walk around it, let's fight the fight
We ignore or avoid the issue, let us face and overcome it
If we stick together we can tear this down
If we cooperate, we can overcome the obstacle
But you refuse to leave your comfortable home town
You are unwilling to leave your familiar hometown
I can't believe what I would give up for you look what you've done to me
I am willing to sacrifice so much for you, see the effect you've had on me
It makes me think that the distance is nothing to keep me away to keep me from holding you
The distance between us means nothing if it prevents me from holding you
Contributed by Alexandra R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.