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.
Tell Me What to Do
Metro Station Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're only gonna solve this for one day
You wanna get high
And then complain
Girl, I only think of you always and forever
And forever
Remember when you just came out
You faked your death and that was fun
But girl, I think it's just begun
You take another line
And you feel fine this time
And it goes like this, girl
[Chorus]
Girl, tell me what to do
Girl, I'm so in love, whoa
I'm so in love with you, you, you
I'll just stop
Right around when things get bad
You said that
And much has passed
Come on now, this'll be real fast
Darling, I know you need the cash
Yeah, move like that
Yeah, yeah, yeah, move like that
The sky will clear
You say with ease
You leave real fast to get relieved
Your heart was locked
I had the key
Now this disease won't let us be
You take another line
And you feel fine this time
And it goes like this, girl
[Chorus]
Come on, girl, I need you
(Just to try to break you)
Everything about you
(Makes me wanna leave you)
Come on, girl, I need you
(Just to try to break you)
Everything about you
(Makes me wanna leave you)
[Chorus]
Girl, tell me what to do
Girl, I'm so in love, whoa
I'm so in love with you, you, you (x2)
The song "Tell Me What To Do" by Metro Station is a cautionary tale about a girl who is struggling with addiction. The singer is in love with her, but he is frustrated by her self-destructive behavior. He knows he can't control her or fix her problems, but he still cares for her deeply. The lyrics address the girl directly, urging her not to give in to temporary pleasures that will only cause more pain in the long run. The chorus is a cry for help, as the singer begs the girl to tell him what to do to help her overcome her addiction and save their relationship.
The first verse sets the scene of the girl's downward spiral. She is seeking an escape from her problems, but the singer knows that it won't solve anything in the long run. He thinks about her constantly, even though she is causing him pain. In the second verse, the singer references a past incident where the girl faked her own death. He suggests that her addiction is a continuation of the same self-destructive behavior. He tries to reason with her, telling her that he understands she is in need of money, but he doesn't want to watch her destroy herself to get it.
Overall, the song is a bittersweet message of love and concern for someone who is struggling with addiction. The singer knows he can't fix everything, but he still loves and cares for this person deeply.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, don't feel this way
Encouraging someone to not give into their negative emotions and urges.
You're only gonna solve this for one day
Reminding someone that their temporary escape from their problems will only bring temporary relief.
You wanna get high
Acknowledging someone's desire to escape reality through substance use.
And then complain
Noting that sometimes people who use substances still find reasons to be dissatisfied with their lives, despite temporary relief.
Girl, I only think of you always and forever
Expressing a deep dedication to someone despite their struggles with addiction.
Remember when you just came out
Reminiscing about a time before addiction took over someone's life.
When everyone knew what you were all about
Referencing a time before the person's addiction became their defining characteristic.
You faked your death and that was fun
Recalling a time when a person may have felt invincible or detached from their problems and consequences of their actions.
But girl, I think it's just begun
Suggesting that the problems associated with addiction are only getting worse, not better.
You take another line
Describing someone's continued substance use.
And you feel fine this time
Noting that temporary relief from substance use continues to be a motivator.
And it goes like this, girl
Acknowledging that this cycle of escape and eventual dissatisfaction is ongoing.
Girl, tell me what to do
Asking for guidance from someone despite the singer's love for and desire to help them.
Girl, I'm so in love, whoa
Expressing the depth of the singer's feelings for the person despite their addiction.
I'm so in love with you, you, you
Reiterating the focus on and importance of the person despite their struggles.
The sky will clear
Offering a message of hope and optimism that things will eventually get better.
You say with ease
Referencing the person's own belief that things will improve.
You leave real fast to get relieved
Noting how the person may try to quickly escape or find relief from their problems.
Your heart was locked
Acknowledging that the person may be emotionally guarded or not open to receiving help or support.
I had the key
Asserting that the artist wants to help the person and believes they can unlock their heart and address their problems together.
Now this disease won't let us be
Recognizing that the hold of addiction is powerful and continues to affect not just the person, but those around them.
Come on, girl, I need you
Reaffirming the depth of the artist's love and support even in the face of addiction.
(Just to try to break you)
Acknowledging that the task of helping someone overcome addiction is not easy, but the singer is willing and committed to trying.
Everything about you
Recognizing that even with addiction, the artist still loves and appreciates everything about the person.
(Makes me wanna leave you)
Admitting that the struggles of addiction can be overwhelming and can test the resilience of even those who love and support the person.
Girl, I'm so in love, whoa
The repeated chorus continues to express the depth of the singer's love and dedication to the person despite their struggles.
I'm so in love with you, you, you (x2)
Reiterating the focus on and importance of the person despite their addiction.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTHONY IMPROGO, MASON MUSSO, TIMOTHY HEALY, TRACE CYRUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind