June 14, 2011 will be a bigger day.
On the former, they decided to put off the next year of college, giving themselves 365 days to make a career out of rock n' roll.
On the latter, Paradise Fears will release "Yours Truly," their debut full-length album, as one of the most potent and rapidly-growing young pop rock acts in the country.
In July 2010, just months after the majority of the band's high school graduation, they released Make Them Believe EP, produced by Jordan Schmidt (All Time Low, Sing it Loud). In just 8 months, the album has sold several thousand copies nation-wide, and the band's career has taken off. They've completed nation-wide tours with Quietdrive and Floral Terrace across 32 different states, and have shared the stage with acts like Stereo Skyline, The Audition, and You, Me, and Everyone We Know.
Coming from a town of 3,000 year round residents in a state noted for its lack of a music scene, nothing has come easy. But these six kids grew up fast. "It's been an entirely self taught process...with a very steep learning curve. We've had to teach ourselves how to promote, how to book shows, how to tour, how to record, everything…but it gives us a very unique approach, because in our area, what we're doing is so unprecedented that we haven't fallen victim the generic, cookie-cutter career path, and instead we've received a tremendous amount of support from our home town." explained lead singer Sam Miller.
Though they may be young, Paradise Fears has several things going for them:
First, an incredibly energetic and engaging live show that can win over even the most uninterested bystander, described by one Battle of the Bands judge as "N'Sync meets a UFC cage match." They were crowned champions of a 65-band, Midwest-wide Battle of the Bands in October, sponsored by Rawkzilla magazine, scoring them $14,000 in endorsements, equipment, and cash. Their performance, described by Paul Pederson (Prince, Steve Miller band), was "absolutely spectacular, one in a million, and completely breath-taking."
Second, an arsenal of infectiously catchy and musically developed rock-pop songs, some of which received airplay on top 40 radio stations throughout the Midwest. David Hooper of Music Business Radio described Make Them Believe as "catchy and remarkably polished, particularly given the age [of the members.]"
Third, an incredibly loyal internet following of all different ages. In just 8 months, their Facebook, Twitter, and social networking profiles have acquired tens of thousands of fans/ followers, and are still rapidly expanding by hundreds daily. "One of the best parts about our style of music has always been that it's not limited - it's the kind of music that someone can appreciate with their 12-year-old sister or their 70-year-old grandmother," said keyboard-player Michael Walker.
Finally, and most importantly, an insatiable drive for success. Paradise Fears is constantly touring or recording, and when they aren't, they're exploring new and creative ways of expanding their fan base. Most recently, the band split into three teams, racing around the country following large tours in a competition to meet the most potential listeners. 50,000 miles, 10,000 demos, and 5,000 CDs later, their "Amazing Race" has created both hundreds of fans and a Paradise Fears buzz in every major market in the United States.
The large-scale release of a full-length album will be a huge step forward in the band's career. Recording time for "Yours Truly" was split between Schmidt and Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount (Mayday Parade, Cartel). It will feature 11 new songs, tremendously evolved in music and lyrics. "It's a new found maturity for us...these songs are real. We wrote songs about people we love, songs about people we hate, songs that tell stories…it's an album full of songs we really love," described guitarist Cole Andre.
But why so independent? Says Miller, "That's the way we want to do it, and the dream we've always envisioned. We're financing it, we're writing it, we're releasing it, we're promoting it. It started out as just the six of us, and come good or come bad, we've still always got that. We're committed to being able to make it ourselves."
Waste of Time
Paradise Fears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you wanted me gone
You call me stupid, call me reckless,
Call me up whenever you need someone to lean on
But then you told me those pretty little lies
You say I've got nothing to worry about
Made me a pawn in the pretty little games you play
Whoa oh, whoa oh ooh oh
If I'm in this all (alone, you know)
Exactly where this is headed
Trying to make this right is just a waste of time
Hey little princess,
The town's been talking about us
Like a virus, a spreading disease
(Man that was dumb)
To think that we could be together
Thought I would've known better
Than to let you infect me
But then you told me those pretty little lies
You say I've got nothing to worry about
Made me a pawn in the pretty little games you play
But this time I'm calling you out
Whoa oh, whoa oh ooh oh
If I'm in this all (alone, you know)
Exactly where this is headed
Trying to make this right is just a waste of time
Whoa oh, whoa oh ooh oh
If I'm in this all (alone, you know)
Exactly where this is headed
Whoa oh, whoa oh ooh oh
If I'm in this all (alone, you know)
Exactly where this is headed
Trying to make this right (is just a waste of time)
Trying to make this right is just a waste of time
But then you told me those pretty little lies
You say I've got nothing to worry about
Made me a pawn in the pretty little games you play
But this time I'm calling you out
It's just a waste of time
The song Waste of Time by Paradise Fears tells the story of a toxic relationship where one person is constantly calling the other names, manipulating them with lies and using them for emotional support. The song starts with the singer acknowledging that there's no taking back the hurtful things that were said in the relationship. The other person had wanted them gone, calling them stupid and reckless, but then telling them pretty lies to keep them around. The singer realizes that they have been played and made a pawn in the other person's games. Despite trying to make it work, the singer comes to the conclusion that trying to make this right is just a waste of time.
The second verse speaks to the gossip that has spread about the relationship. The other person is referred to as a "little princess" who has infected the singer. The singer acknowledges the naivety of thinking they could be together despite the rumors and the toxicity of the relationship.
The chorus repeats the sentiment that trying to make this work is a waste of time. The singer has come to terms with the situation, knowing exactly where it's headed, and calls out the other person for their lies and games.
Overall, the song is about recognizing when a relationship is toxic and realizing that trying to make it work is futile. It's a powerful message about standing up for oneself and not allowing others to manipulate or mistreat us.
Line by Line Meaning
No taking back the things you said when you were giving this up
Whatever you said in the past when you wanted to end things cannot be undone or unsaid.
When you wanted me gone
It was clear that you had no interest in keeping me around.
You call me stupid, call me reckless,
You are quick to insult me and label me as foolish or careless.
Call me up whenever you need someone to lean on
Despite your insults, you still reach out to me for support whenever you need it.
But then you told me those pretty little lies
You deceived me with seemingly harmless and attractive falsehoods.
You say I've got nothing to worry about
You tried to put my fears at ease and make me feel secure when in reality there was cause for concern.
Made me a pawn in the pretty little games you play
You manipulated me for your own benefit and used me as a disposable piece in your schemes.
But this time I'm calling you out
I am no longer going to be complicit in your deceitful acts and am going to confront you for your behavior.
Hey little princess,
A sarcastic and demeaning way of addressing the person being talked about.
The town's been talking about us
Our situation has been a topic of conversation among others in our community.
Like a virus, a spreading disease
The way our relationship has been portrayed is negative and contagious.
(Man that was dumb)
A direct comment expressing regret for being involved with the person being addressed.
To think that we could be together
It was naive to believe that a relationship between us was possible or worth pursuing.
Thought I would've known better
I believed I had the sense and wisdom to avoid making a mistake, but I was wrong.
Than to let you infect me
Allowing myself to become emotionally attached to this person was a harmful and toxic decision.
If I'm in this all (alone, you know)
It seems like I am the only one invested or affected by our situation.
Exactly where this is headed
The outcome of this situation is uncertain and directionless.
Trying to make this right is just a waste of time
Attempting to fix or reconcile our relationship is futile and not worth the effort.
But then you told me those pretty little lies
Reiteration of the earlier phrases emphasizing the depth of deception that occurred.
You say I've got nothing to worry about
Same meaning as earlier.
Made me a pawn in the pretty little games you play
Same meaning as earlier.
This time I'm calling you out
Same meaning as earlier.
It's just a waste of time
The writer reiterates that trying to address or solve the situation is pointless and unproductive.
Writer(s): Samuel Miller Copyright: Sam Miller Pf
Contributed by Caden R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Katie Blaskowski
I would like to say, I love this song and band! And awesome lyric video ^^ So far this is the only lyric video I have liked! Good job!