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.
Better Luck Next Time
Plain White T's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Preys upon the day
Red is for the blood that flows like rivers in our veins
Gray is for betrayal
What you did to me
White is for the blinding light
That I know I'll never see, know I'll never see
You needed tenderness
I gave you everything I had
I gave you all my trust
Handed out so neatly
Caught me in your trap
When I needed you the most
You stab me in the back, stab me in the back
Better luck, better luck, better luck next time
If you do it once there'll never be a second time
Better luck, better luck, better luck next time
Find somebody else, you're never gonna be mine
How do you find the nerve
To lie right to me face
How do you find the nerve
Black is for the nighttime
Preys upon the day
Red is for the blood that flows like rivers in our veins
I try and find excuses
For what you did to me
Can't forget that burning rage
When I wake up thinking of your face
For the blinding swiftness of revenge
That I know I'll never see, know I'll never see
Better luck, better luck, better luck next time
If you do it once there'll never be a second time
Better luck, better luck, better luck next time
Find somebody else, you're never gonna be mine
Better luck, better luck, better luck next time (better luck, better luck)
Better luck, better luck, better luck next time (better luck, better luck)
How do you find the nerve
To lie right to me face
How did you find the nerve
Better luck, better luck, better luck next time (better luck, better luck)
Better luck, better luck, better luck next time (better luck, better luck)
Better luck, better luck, better luck next time (better luck, better luck)
The song "Better Luck Next Time" by Plain White T's is about betrayal and revenge. The lyrics portray the emotions of someone who has been betrayed by a loved one, represented by the colors black, red, and gray. Black is for the nighttime, which preys upon the day, symbolizing the darkness of the betrayal. Red is for the blood that flows like rivers in our veins, representing the hurt and pain caused by the betrayal. Gray is for betrayal itself, what the person did to the singer. The color white represents the blinding light that the person will never see again, as they can never trust or love the betrayer in the same way.
The singer gave everything they had to the person they loved, but that person betrayed their trust and stabbed them in the back when they needed them the most. The lyrics convey the anger and hurt the singer feels towards the betrayer, questioning how they could lie to their face and find the nerve to do so.
The chorus, "Better luck, better luck, better luck next time," represents the singer's desire for revenge and for the betrayer to feel the same hurt that they do. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes their determination to move on and find someone else who won't betray them.
Overall, the song is about the pain of betrayal and the desire for revenge, but ultimately, it shows the strength and resilience of the singer in moving on and finding someone better.
Line by Line Meaning
Black is for the nighttime
The color black symbolizes the night, a time when one can hide in the darkness and prey on others.
Preys upon the day
The nighttime represents a time when people can be taken advantage of by those who hide in the darkness.
Red is for the blood that flows like rivers in our veins
The color red represents the blood that flows through our bodies, and symbolizes the intense emotions and passion that we feel.
Gray is for betrayal
The color gray represents the feelings of uncertainty and betrayal that come when someone you trust does something to hurt you.
What you did to me
The singer is referring to a specific incident where they were betrayed by someone they trusted.
White is for the blinding light
The color white represents a bright and unattainable light, a symbol of something the singer will never achieve or see in their life.
That I know I'll never see, know I'll never see
The singer knows that they will never achieve the bright and unattainable future they imagine for themselves.
Found you in the gutter
The singer met the person who betrayed them when they were at a low point in their life.
You needed tenderness
The person who betrayed the singer was in a vulnerable state and needed comfort and support.
I gave you everything I had
The singer gave their all to the person who betrayed them, in an attempt to help and support them.
I gave you all my trust
The singer trusted the person who betrayed them completely.
Handed out so neatly
The singer's kindness and trust were given to the person who betrayed them without hesitation or reservation.
Caught me in your trap
The person who betrayed the singer deceived them and manipulated them to gain their trust, only to turn around and hurt them.
When I needed you the most
The singer was vulnerable and depended on the person who betrayed them in a time of need.
You stab me in the back, stab me in the back
The person who betrayed the singer did so by turning on them and causing them harm, even though they had been trusted completely.
Better luck, better luck, better luck next time
The singer acknowledges the failure of the relationship and the hope for better circumstances in the future.
If you do it once there'll never be a second time
The singer believes that once someone betrays them, they will never trust that person again.
Find somebody else, you're never gonna be mine
The singer recognizes that the relationship is over and that the person who betrayed them will never be a part of their life again.
How do you find the nerve
The singer is bewildered and confused as to how someone they trusted could have the audacity to lie to them and betray them.
To lie right to me face
The singer is hurt that the person they trusted could so easily deceive and manipulate them, even when looking them in the face.
I try and find excuses
The singer attempts to justify the actions of the person who betrayed them, but ultimately cannot accept or understand their betrayal.
Can't forget that burning rage
The singer still feels a strong anger and resentment towards the person who betrayed them.
When I wake up thinking of your face
The betrayal of the person is so impactful that it haunts the singer and affects them even in their dreams.
For the blinding swiftness of revenge
The singer craves revenge for the betrayal, but recognizes that it will never be achieved and is merely a fleeting and unrealistic desire.
Better luck, better luck, better luck next time (better luck, better luck)
The singer repeats the chorus, emphasizing the hope for better circumstances in the future.
How did you find the nerve
The singer repeats the phrase, expressing their continued disbelief and shock at the actions of the person who betrayed them.
Contributed by Alexis P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.