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.
Airplane
Plain White T's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put me to sleep again
Take me away, off to a dream
And then I'll fly so high across the sky
Awake in a new place
Where mistakes of my past are erased
Don't drop me
Just hold me
So cozy
Airplane, airplane
Don't you go down today
Take me away, off to a better place
You know just where I'd like to go
Please get me there on time
Don't delay me from losing my mind
Don't drop me
Don't stop me
Just hold me
Airplane, airplane
Don't you go down today
Take me away, off to a better place
You know just where I'd like to go
Please get me there real soon
I've important things that I must do
In "Airplane" by Plain White T's, the singer addresses an airplane as if it were a person, asking it to take him away and put him to sleep so that he can escape his problems and anxieties. The repetition of "Don't drop me/Don't stop me/Just hold me/So cozy" speaks to a sense of vulnerability and need for comfort, as if the singer is relying on the airplane to provide emotional support. The idea of the airplane erasing mistakes of the past suggests that the singer is seeking a fresh start or a new perspective, and the desire to be taken to a better place and to not be delayed highlights a sense of urgency or desperation.
The imagery of flying across the sky and awakening in a new place creates a vivid sense of escapism and possibility, as if anything is possible once the singer is removed from his current situation. The repetition of the airplane's name also has a mantra-like quality, as if the singer is trying to will himself into a state of calm or relaxation.
Line by Line Meaning
Airplane, airplane
Addressing the airplane and urging it to take off.
Put me to sleep again
The singer wants to fall asleep during the flight and forget their troubles.
Take me away, off to a dream
The singer sees the airplane as a means of escape from reality.
And then I'll fly so high across the sky
The artist is looking forward to the adventure of flying.
Awake in a new place
The artist hopes the airplane will transport them to a different location where they can start anew.
Where mistakes of my past are erased
The singer longs for a fresh start and a chance to leave their past behind.
Don't drop me
The singer fears falling or crashing during the flight.
Don't stop me
The artist wants the airplane to continue flying without any interruptions or delays.
Just hold me
The artist wants to feel safe and secure during the flight.
So cozy
The artist desires comfort and warmth during the flight.
Don't you go down today
The singer fears the possibility of the airplane crashing.
Take me away, off to a better place
The artist wants to escape to a location that is more enjoyable or fulfilling than their current situation.
You know just where I'd like to go
The singer is relying on the airplane to transport them to the desired location.
Please get me there on time
The singer is anxious about reaching their destination within a specific timeframe.
Don't delay me from losing my mind
The singer is eager to depart and start their new adventure, and cannot handle any delays or setbacks.
Please get me there real soon
The artist is anxious about reaching their destination quickly.
I've important things that I must do
The artist has obligations or tasks to complete at their destination, and is eager to arrive as soon as possible.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MIKE RETONDO, TOM HIGGENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Baris C
I guess all the guitar tutors of the planet has agreed on this song to be taught , so that is why it is number one at UG.
Amir
just listen this song for at least 3 times and u will will love it.....great composition
Ghady Mrad
Who else is here cz of Ultimate Guitar?
TheMain
Yeah xD
Parker Nightingale
Ghady Mrad lol yup. I was like what is this song? I've never heard of it.
Julien Hery
so true ahaha
Djaz 1
lmao so true
Thaddaeus
i am :D
whenrobotstakeover
The Plain White T's are sooo hip hahaha <3. I've loved them for soooo long and they certainly have changed a lot, but I actually really love this entire album.
philippfuelb
The boys have really grown up. This sounds much more mature and experienced then before.