In 2007, musicians Trace Cyrus and Mason Musso agreed to meet on the set of the Hannah Montana TV show, in which Mason's brother, Mitchel Musso, and Trace's half sister, Miley Cyrus, star together. Hitting it off, they soon discussed their love for cheerful pop rock. Sharing musical interests, they decided to form a band. Shortly thereafter, Cyrus recruited Blake Healy from Synthetic Joy as a keyboardist and bassist.
Trace soon dedicated himself to being the lead guitarist as well as a co-vocalist. Mason is the main singer and guitarist, having a nice vocal rapport with Trace. Mason notably sang the track "Seventeen Forever", which Metro Station released on their MySpace page to underground acclaim. The track gained the attention of percussionist Anthony Improgo, who was soon added as the band's drummer.
Their popularity on MySpace Music grew, topping the "MySpace Music Unsigned Bands" chart. An intern in Columbia Records' special 'Walking Eye' program discovered the band while looking through the MySpace charts, and they were signed shortly thereafter. In the July 2007 issue of music magazine 'Alternative Press', Metro Station was notably listed as one of the "22 Best Underground Bands (That Likely Won't Stay Underground for Long)".
The band released their self-titled debut studio album in September 2007. The album had two related singles released, "Kelsey" and "Control", but both failed to chart, although with higher sales of the album later on both became more popular. Though criticized for being overly derivative of previous electropop groups. 'Metro Station' received some positive critical reviews.
The release of the band's third single, "Shake It". in March 2008 proved to be the magic moment. As the weeks passed, the song grabbed the band a significant amount of commercial exposure, hiking up into the top-ten of three U.S. charts. Specifically, "Shake It" peaked at #3 on Hot Digital Songs, #9 in the Pop 100, #10 in the Billboard Hot 100 and also at #20 in the Hot Dance Airplay chart. The success of the song also affected album sales, the album charting nine months later in 2008 at #43 in the Billboard 200, #1 Top Electronic Albums, and #2 in the Top Heatseekers. The song has since been RIAA certified as double-platinum.
Since breaking through commercially, Metro Station has toured with numerous bands such as We The Kings, Boys Like Girls, Valencia, Cobra Starship and Good Charlotte. They toured with Boys Like Girls, Good Charlotte and The Maine for the popular 'Soundtrack of Your Summer Tour 2008' events, which meant opening for bands such as Simple Plan. However, Blake Healy and Anthony Improgo ended up deciding to leave the band.
The group also contributed a song to Tim Burton's 2010 re-imagining of 'Alice In Wonderland', putting into the related soundtrack the tune Where's My Angel". Yet things had come between the band members over the years. In March 2010, they decided to call it quits after many disputes arising.
Metro Station reformed in May 2011, and they released a new song titled "Ain't So High" with plans to release a new album. At that point, the band only consisted of Mason Musso with Blake Healy and Anthony Improgo contributing instruments and production. Over the past several years, the band's future has been very much in flux.
On August 13, 2014, Cyrus returned to the band, four years after previously leaving. Shortly after Cyrus' return, the band released a new single titled "Love & War" and announced the band's inclusion on The Outsiders Tour, which consisted of The Ready Set, The Downtown Fiction, and Against The Current. On October 28, 2014, the band released the music video for a single "She Likes Girls". On October 14, 2014, the group released an EP titled Gold.
On June 30, 2015, the band released a new album, Savior. The album features 18 tracks, including the single "Getting Over You" featuring Ronnie Radke.
Metro Station has announced that the band is in the process of recording an acoustic album.
In 2017, the band announced they were breaking up.
California
Metro Station Lyrics
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If I leave town would you leave along with me
We can fly away to outer space
We can find a way to leave this place
We don't need a map and you can throw your phone away
We don't wanna hear the things we know they're gonna say
You don't trust yourself but girl trust in me
What do you say we leave for California
If we drive all night we can make it by the morning
And no one has to know if we decide to go
What do you say we leave for California
If we leave our friends then we can be together
We can leave this town if only for the weather
I could drive and you could sleep
While the radio collides to the sound of our heartbeats
What do you say we leave for California
If we drive all night we can make it by the morning
And no one has to know if we decide to go
What do you say we leave for California
Hypnotized by the carbon monoxide
Would turning back be a good idea
Your cigarette after cigarette
Cannot help to calm your fear
But I'm still driving
Just keep sleeping
We'll keep moving
But I'm not leaving no I'm not leaving
What do you say we leave for California
If we drive all night we can make it by the morning
And no one has to know if we decide to go
What do you say we leave for California
What do you say we leave for California
If we drive all night we can make it by the morning
And no one has to know if we decide to go
What do you say we leave for California
What do you say we leave for California
If we drive all night we can make it by the morning
And no one has to know if we decide to go
What do you say we leave for California
The lyrics of Metro Station's song California depict a sense of escapism and a longing for a fresh start. The song starts with a proposal to the significant other to join the singer in leaving the town and all their troubles behind. The singer suggests they can fly away to outer space or find a way to leave this place. The following lines reveal a strong desire to flee from reality and start anew, even if it means leaving everything behind. The singer asks the significant other to leave their phone behind, indicating a desire to disconnect from the world and escape reality fully. They claim that they know the future holds nothing good for them, hence their decision to take a chance.
The chorus expresses a desire to go to California, where they can be together without any interference. The repetition of the request to go to California and the mention of driving all night suggest a sense of urgency and a need to escape as soon as possible. They plan to keep their departure a secret, indicating an avoidance of confrontations or judgments from people close to them.
The bridge of the song speaks of a moment of realization, where reality confronts them upon the sight of the carbon monoxide and the calming mechanism of cigarettes. However, the commitment to the journey remains strong, even though it's unclear whether it's to California or an escape from reality.
Line by Line Meaning
If I strum chords, would you sing a song with me
Would you like to make music with me?
If I leave town would you leave along with me
Will you come with me if I go somewhere far?
We can fly away to outer space
We can leave this world and all its problems behind.
We can find a way to leave this place
Together, we can escape our dull and routine life.
We don't need a map and you can throw your phone away
We don't care about directions or anyone trying to contact us.
We don't wanna hear the things we know they're gonna say
We're tired of the predictability and judgment of our current situation.
You don't trust yourself but girl trust in me
I believe in you even when you don't have faith in yourself.
Don't look in the mirror the past you don't wanna see
Don't dwell on the past, it will only bring pain and regrets.
What do you say we leave for California
Let's go to California together and start a new life.
If we drive all night we can make it by the morning
If we keep moving, we can reach our destination quickly.
And no one has to know if we decide to go
We don't have to answer to anyone or explain our actions.
If we leave our friends then we can be together
If we cut ties with our old life, we can build a new one together.
We can leave this town if only for the weather
We can leave this town behind for a better climate elsewhere.
I could drive and you could sleep
I'll take care of the driving, you rest and relax.
While the radio collides to the sound of our heartbeats
Our heartbeats are in sync with the music on the radio, making this road trip even more special.
Hypnotized by the carbon monoxide
We're in a trance-like state due to the exhaust fumes from the car.
Would turning back be a good idea
Should we reconsider this trip and return home?
Your cigarette after cigarette
You're smoking a lot to calm your nerves and fears.
Cannot help to calm your fear
Even smoking your cigarettes can't get rid of your anxiety completely.
But I'm still driving
I'm committed to taking us where we need to go, no matter what happens.
Just keep sleeping
You rest, and I'll keep pushing forward.
We'll keep moving
We'll persevere and continue on this journey.
But I'm not leaving no I'm not leaving
I'm not giving up on you, us, or this road trip.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRACE CYRUS, TIMOTHY HEALY, ANTHONY IMPROGO, MASON MUSSO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind