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.
02Please Don't Do This
Plain White T's Lyrics
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Saying that you just got home
You're lucky I'm even still awake
Awake enough to answer the phone
But I knew it would be you'cause I was hoping that you'd call
Hoping you'd say that you were sorry
But you don't apologize at all
And it's not ok and it's not alright
If they're really just friends
Why wouldn't you choose me over them?
Please don't do this again
I try to give you the space you need
But you end up walking all over me
Please don't do this to me
Oh no, please don't do this to me
You call me in the middle of the night
So drunk you're ready to pass out
Tellin' me you had a great time
Except for that hour you blacked out
Now you're surprised that I'm pissed
You think I'm acting all tough
Well I think you're acting like a bitch
And I swear this time I've had enough
Why do you have to push me so hard?
You're pushing me away
I ask, please don't do this to me
But you're doing it anyway
And it's not OK and it's not alright
You can't fool me, so don't even try
And it's not OK and it's not alright
What have you been doing with those guys all night?
The lyrics of "Please Don't Do This" by Plain White T's describe the frustration and confusion of a person in a troubled relationship who is constantly being let down and disrespected by their partner. The song begins with the partner calling in the middle of the night, having just returned home after presumably spending time with other people, and failing to apologize for their actions. The singer is waiting for an apology and an explanation, but instead, they are met with defensive behavior and dishonesty. They are left feeling hurt and wondering why their partner chooses to spend time with others instead of choosing them.
The second half of the song continues the theme of disappointment, as the partner calls again, this time drunk and barely coherent. They are dismissive of the singer's feelings and seem oblivious to the hurt they have caused. The singer is tired of being treated poorly but still tries to find a way to make things work. They give their partner space, but instead of appreciating it, the partner continues to disregard their feelings and do things that hurt them.
Overall, this song captures the frustration of being in a one-sided relationship where one person is constantly disregarding the other's feelings. It's a plea for communication and mutual respect in a relationship, and a warning that if things don't change, it's time to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
You call me in the middle of the night
You contact me during odd hours
Saying that you just got home
Informing me that you just came back
You're lucky I'm even still awake
I am still up and around
Awake enough to answer the phone
Awake to receive your call
But I knew it would be you'cause I was hoping that you'd call
I anticipated your call because I wanted to hear from you
Hoping you'd say that you were sorry
Expecting an apology
But you don't apologize at all
You don't express remorse
And it's not ok and it's not alright
I don't approve of it at all
What have you been doing with those guys all night?
What did you perform with those guys throughout the night?
If they're really just friends
If those guys are solely your friends
Why wouldn't you choose me over them?
Why won't you prioritize me over them?
Please don't do this again
Please abstain from doing this again
I try to give you the space you need
I strive to provide you with the personal room you require
But you end up walking all over me
But you eventually take advantage of me
Please don't do this to me
Please don't subject me to this
Oh no, please don't do this to me
Oh no, please don't repeat this
So drunk you're ready to pass out
Drunk enough to fall asleep soon
Tellin' me you had a great time
Informing me that you enjoyed yourself
Except for that hour you blacked out
Excluding the interval when you lost consciousness
Now you're surprised that I'm pissed
Now you're astonished that I'm offended
You think I'm acting all tough
You assume that I'm attempting to show off that I'm strong
Well I think you're acting like a bitch
But I believe that you're behaving horribly
And I swear this time I've had enough
I declare that this time I've reached my limit
Why do you have to push me so hard?
Why do you have to strain me so much?
You're pushing me away
You're driving me away
I ask, please don't do this to me
I plead with you to avoid doing this to me
But you're doing it anyway
But you're still doing it
You can't fool me, so don't even try
You can't deceive me, so don't attempt it
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TOM HIGGENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind