For over a decade, Plain White T's have been playing to packed audiences craving for that perfect pop-punk punch. Their journey, which began in a small suburban basement playing covers, has taken the band to Warped Tour three times, and landed them opening slots for bands like Jimmy Eat World and AFI. Plain White T's are road warriors in the truest sense and with their first major label album, Every Second Counts, the band is ready to rock in a big way.
PWT's story started back in high school, when frontman Tom Higgenson first stepped into Chicago's famed rock club the Metro and saw his future on the stage. With the local music scene exploding nationally courtesy of bands like Smashing Pumpkins and Veruca Salt, he decided the time was ripe for his own dreams to be realized. Armed with paper, pen, and guitar, Tom went to task, experimenting with lyrics and melodies on a four-track in his parents' Villa Park, Illinois home. Once he'd reached a level of comfort with his songwriting, he worked up the courage to hand off a tape to Christian Lane, singer of 90's buzz band Loud Lucy, and to his surprise, Christian actually listened to it.
Once he'd recruited a group of school pals, including guitarist Dave Tirio, it was only a matter of a couple years before Plain White T's, who'd attracted a loyal following thanks to Tom's ridiculously melodic tales of teen angst and loveless nights, were playing the Metro themselves.
The music industry took notice of that success and after selling thousands of copies of their self-released 2002 debut, Stop, PWT's were picked up by Fearless Records who re-issued the album along with 2005's All That We Needed. But it was their heartfelt, acoustic-tinged "Hey There Delilah" that cemented their status as potential hitmakers.
Tom's songwriting evolved after the success of the romantically frank "Delilah," which really was a departure for a band known for their energetic powerpop. On Hollywood Records debut, Every Second Counts, Tom, along with bandmates Mike Retondo (bass and vocals), De'Mar Hamilton (drums), and Tim Lopez (guitar, vocals), continues to turn the personal into the universal. Throughout the album, he sings of hook-ups and break-ups and the emotional rollercoaster in between. A prime example is lead single "Hate (I Really Don't Like You)." In a similar vein, the lyrics for "Friends Don't Let Friends Dial Drunk" also showcases Tom's offbeat take on love and life, while its melody sucks you in with every turn of phrase. Delving slightly deeper into emotional territory are upbeat tracks like "Our Time Now" and "Come Back to Me" as well as one of the album's quieter numbers, "Write You a Song."
In 2008, the group released the album 'Big Bad World'. The album had two hit singles: "1, 2, 3, 4" and "Natural Disaster". Both were on the American Top 40 at numbers 1 and 2 for three consecutive weeks. By late 2008, the band had joined the Rock Band Live tour with Panic! at the Disco, Dashboard Confessional and The Cab. Later that year, the band played at the Give It a Name festival in the UK. In 2007, the band performed the single "Our Time Now" on an episode of the Nickelodeon television series, iCarly. "Our Time Now" was also the theme song of the ABC Family dramedy series, Greek.
The band's "Rhythm of Love" single was the first to be released from the group's 2010 album, The Wonders of the Younger.' The song reached number five on the Hot AC chart, and was in the top ten in 2010 as well. In 2012, the band also covered The Ramones' "Pet Sematary" for the song soundtrack of the 2012 Disney film Frankenweenie. Should've Gone to Bed, a four-song EP, was released on April 9, 2013.
The band left Hollywood Records after creative conflicts with the label during the production of the American Nights album. 'American Nights' was released by Megaforce Records on March 31, 2015.
In 2015, they also appeared on Blues Traveler's album Blow Up the Moon, co-writing the song "Nikkia's Prom." On November 22, 2015, the band released a music video for "American Nights" featuring Higgenson's son, Lennon.
In May 2017, Plain White T's released a music video for their song "Land of the Living." The band, which had left their label Fearless Records in 2005, returned to the label. As of April 2017, the band have said that they are currently writing new music.
01 Hey There Delilah
Plain White T's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's it like in New York city?
I'm a thousand miles away
But, girl, tonight you look so pretty
Yes, you do
Times Square can't shine as bright as you
I swear, it's true
Don't you worry about the distance
I'm right there if you get lonely
Give this song another listen
Close your eyes
Listen to my voice, it's my disguise
I'm by your side
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
What you do to me
Hey there, Delilah
I know times are gettin' hard
But just believe me, girl
Someday I'll pay the bills with this guitar
We'll have it good
We'll have the life we knew we would
My word is good
Hey there, Delilah
I've got so much left to say
If every simple song I wrote to you
Would take your breath away
I'd write it all
Even more in love with me you'd fall
We'd have it all
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
A thousand miles seems pretty far
But they've got planes and trains and cars
I'd walk to you if I had no other way
Our friends would all make fun of us
And we'd just laugh along because we'd know
That none of them have felt this way
Delilah, I can promise you
That by the time that we get through
The world will never ever be the same
And you're to blame
Hey there, Delilah
You be good, and don't you miss me
Two more years and you'll be done with school
And I'll be makin' history like I do
You know it's all because of you
We can do whatever we want to
Hey there, Delilah, here's to you
This one's for you
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
What you do to me, oh oh, woah, woah
Oh woah, oh
Oh
The song "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's featuring Danse Daimons is a love song about a long-distance relationship between the singer and Delilah. The singer is a thousand miles away in New York City, but he still thinks about Delilah and how pretty she is. He reassures her not to worry about the distance because he is always by her side through the song he is singing to her. The singer tries to cheer up Delilah by telling her that someday he will hit the big time with his music and pay the bills with his guitar. He promises her that by the time they are done they will change the world together.
The song's lyrics convey a strong sense of longing and devotion, and the melody is stripped down and heartfelt, making it a classic romantic song. The lyrics emphasize a sense of unyielding determination and the willingness to take on the hardships of a long-distance relationship. The song's simplicity and sincerity also make it an enduringly popular ballad.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey there, Delilah
Addressing a person named Delilah
What's it like in New York City?
Asking what the experience is like being in New York City
I'm a thousand miles away
Stating that the singer is located far away from Delilah
But, girl, tonight you look so pretty
Complimenting Delilah's appearance
Yes, you do
Agreeing with the compliment previously given
Times Square can't shine as bright as you
Comparing Delilah's beauty to the brightness of Times Square
I swear, it's true
Asserting the accuracy of the previous statement
Hey there, Delilah
Addressing Delilah again
Don't you worry about the distance
Assuring Delilah not to worry about the physical distance
I'm right there if you get lonely
Promising to be there for Delilah if she feels lonely
Give this song another listen
Suggesting Delilah to listen to the song again
Close your eyes
Instructing Delilah to close her eyes
Listen to my voice, it's my disguise
Revealing that the song is a way to disguise the singer's voice
I'm by your side
Reinforcing the promise to be there for Delilah
Oh, it's what you do to me
Expressing how Delilah affects the singer's emotions
What you do to me
Repeating the above statement
Hey there, Delilah
Addressing Delilah again
I know times are gettin' hard
Acknowledging that times are tough
But just believe me, girl
Encouraging Delilah to trust the singer
Someday I'll pay the bills with this guitar
Having hope that the artist will be able to support himself with his music
We'll have it good
Having faith that things will turn out well
We'll have the life we knew we would
Believing in the vision of a successful life together
My word is good
Assuring Delilah that the promises are genuine
I've got so much left to say
Expressing that there is more to be said
If every simple song I wrote to you
Stating that all the songs written for Delilah are simple
Would take your breath away
Implying that the songs are emotionally affecting
I'd write it all
Stating that the singer would write everything he feels for Delilah
Even more in love with me you'd fall
Believing that Delilah would love the artist more because of his sincerity
We'd have it all
Having faith that everything will be perfect
A thousand miles seems pretty far
Observing that the distance is significant
But they've got planes and trains and cars
Noting that transportation methods exist to close the distance
I'd walk to you if I had no other way
Indicating the artist's willingness to travel great distances
Our friends would all make fun of us
Acknowledging that others might ridicule the relationship
And we'd just laugh along because we'd know
Not allowing the mockery to affect them
That none of them have felt this way
Believing that their love is unique and not understood by others
Delilah, I can promise you
Making a firm promise to Delilah
That by the time that we get through
Having hope for the future
The world will never ever be the same
Believing that they can make a significant impact on the world
And you're to blame
Attributing the success to Delilah's inspiration
You be good, and don't you miss me
Prompting Delilah to stay strong and not miss the artist too much
Two more years and you'll be done with school
Reminding Delilah of an upcoming milestone
And I'll be makin' history like I do
Expressing the confidence that the singer will achieve greatness
You know it's all because of you
Acknowledging that the inspiration comes from Delilah
We can do whatever we want to
Believing in the possibilities of what they can accomplish
Hey there, Delilah, here's to you
Toasting to Delilah
This one's for you
Dedicating the song to Delilah
Oh, it's what you do to me
Repeating the sentiment that Delilah affects the singer emotionally
What you do to me, oh oh, woah, woah
Repeating the above statement with additional vocalization
Oh woah, oh
Finishing the song with a vocalization
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TOM HIGGENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@abc_yenbruh1362
Hey there, Delilah
What's it like in New York city?
I'm a thousand miles away
But, girl, tonight you look so pretty
Yes, you do
Times Square can't shine as bright as you
I swear, it's true
Hey there, Delilah
Don't you worry about the distance
I'm right there if you get lonely
Give this song another listen
Close your eyes
Listen to my voice, it's my disguise
I'm by your side
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
What you do to me
Hey there, Delilah
I know times are gettin' hard
But just believe me, girl
Someday I'll pay the bills with this guitar
We'll have it good
We'll have the life we knew we would
My word is good
Hey there, Delilah
I've got so much left to say
If every simple song I wrote to you
Would take your breath away
I'd write it all
Even more in love with me you'd fall
We'd have it all
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
A thousand miles seems pretty far
But they've got planes and trains and cars
I'd walk to you if I had no other way
Our friends would all make fun of us
And we'll just laugh along because we know
That none of them have felt this way
Delilah, I can promise you
That by the time we get through
The world will never ever be the same
And you're to blame
Hey there, Delilah
You be good, and don't you miss me
Two more years and you'll be done with school
And I'll be makin' history like I do
You'll know it's all because of you
We can do whatever we want to
Hey there, Delilah, here's to you
This one's for you
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
What you do to me
Oh, whoa, whoa
Oh whoa, oh
Oh, oh
@dkumar3770
don't know why but it gives some kind of positive sadness
@timothyjoseph3867
That's how I would describe nostalgia.
@prettyfox1413
Its a nostalgic, melancholy feeling.
@aqungugel6756
ikr
@emmypaig.e6942
Same
@qe2eqe
His raging confidence in making it as a guitarist reminds me of a very talented friend who lost the fine motor skills in his hands as a side effect of chemo, right after graduating high school
Reminds me of relationships that I thought would survive distance but didn't
god damn I'm negative
@unity1532
“I’ll pay the bills with this guitar” my man did it.
@me-eh1zt
🎃
@colleenaplays4565
Olivia haha
@ClosestSunKB
@@me-eh1zt oh hey ots you again lol