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.
06. Friends Don't Let Friends Dial Drunk
Plain White T's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But actions speak louder
In case you haven't heard, I'm all alone
While you're out on the town drinkin' with your friends
You can say all these beautiful things
But they don't mean nothing
No, they don't mean a thing
Gotta back it up
Tell me how this ends
If you think it's possible then anything is possible
But I think you're impossible
I hope you prove me wrong
You only call me after you've had a few
You only want to hang out when you've got nothing to do
Don't tell me you love me and act like you don't
Oh, if you really want me you just gotta let me know
Same old thing happens every night
You get me going, and then you say goodbye
I'm heated up
And you just leave me there to take care of myself
Don't get mad, don't get all wound up
Just get your act together, or baby give it up
Just let me know if I should hit the road or if you want my help
If you think it's possible then anything is possible
But I think you're impossible
I hope you prove me wrong
You only call me after you've had a few
You only want to hang out when you've got nothing to do
Don't tell me you love me and act like you don't
Oh, if you really want me you just gotta let me know
You only call me when there's no one around
You only wanna come up when you know I'm going down
Don't tell me you love me and act like you don't
Oh, if you really want me you just gotta let me know
You gotta show me you mean it, if you really mean it
You're talking to me like you mean it, and I don't believe it
You only call me after you've had a few
You only want to hang out when you've got nothing to do
Don't tell me you love me and act like you don't
Oh, if you really want me you just gotta let me know
You only call me when there's no one around
You only wanna come up when you know I'm going down
Don't tell me you love me and act like you don't
Oh, if you really want me you just gotta let me know
You only call me after you've had a few (oh oh oh)
You only want to hang out when you've got nothing to do (oh oh oh)
Don't tell me you love me and act like you don't
Oh, if you really want me you just gotta let me know
In "Friends Don't Let Friends Dial Drunk," the Plain White T's express their frustration with a lover who only seems to be interested in them when they are drunk or have nothing else to do. The lyrics convey a sense of longing for genuine affection and commitment, while also recognizing the need for actions to back up words.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics by pointing out that words are empty without action to back them up. The singer is longing for genuine connection and affection, but the other person only seems to be interested when they are drunk or have nothing else going on. The singer wants to believe that anything is possible if both parties are willing to put in the effort, but fears that it may not be possible with this particular person.
The chorus repeats the sentiment that the other person only seems to show interest when it's convenient for them, and implores them to show genuine interest and affection if they really want to be with the singer. The repeated line "don't tell me you love me and act like you don't" highlights the singer's frustration with the other person's mixed signals and lack of commitment.
Overall, the song is a plea for honesty and genuine affection, and a recognition that actions speak louder than words.
Line by Line Meaning
Those are all very beautiful words
You can say nice things, but without actions, they mean nothing.
But actions speak louder
What you do is more important than what you say.
In case you haven't heard, I'm all alone
You're not there for me when I need you.
While you're out on the town drinkin' with your friends
You choose to spend time with your friends instead of me.
You can say all these beautiful things
You talk about love and commitment, but don't show it.
But they don't mean nothing
Your words don't have any value without actions.
No, they don't mean a thing
What you say has no significance if you don't follow through.
Gotta back it up
You need to support your words with actions.
But you keep backing down
You promise to change, but then don't follow through.
Tell me how this ends
What is the outcome of our relationship if you keep behaving this way?
If you think it's possible then anything is possible
You have the power to make things happen with a positive mindset.
But I think you're impossible
I don't believe you're capable of changing or following through on your promises.
I hope you prove me wrong
I want you to show me that you can change.
You only call me after you've had a few
You only reach out to me when you're drunk.
You only want to hang out when you've got nothing to do
You only spend time with me when you're bored.
Don't tell me you love me and act like you don't
Your actions don't match your words and I can see through it.
Oh, if you really want me you just gotta let me know
If you want to be with me, you need to show it with actions, not just words.
Same old thing happens every night
Our relationship is stuck in a cycle of you making empty promises and not following through.
You get me going, and then you say goodbye
You give me hope, only to disappoint me by leaving.
I'm heated up
I'm frustrated and angry with your behavior.
And you just leave me there to take care of myself
You don't support me emotionally and I have to handle things on my own.
Don't get mad, don't get all wound up
Don't get upset when I call you out on your behavior.
Just get your act together, or baby give it up
Either change your behavior or end the relationship.
You only call me when there's no one around
You only reach out to me when there's no one else to hang out with.
You only wanna come up when you know I'm going down
You only want to be around when I'm at a low point.
You gotta show me you mean it, if you really mean it
You have to follow through on your promises for me to believe you are sincere.
You're talking to me like you mean it, and I don't believe it
Your words sound genuine, but your actions say otherwise.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CRAIG M HEILMAN, BRET HADLEY MAZUR, THOMAS JOHN HIGGENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind