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.
Gimme a Chance
Plain White T's Lyrics
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These are more than passing glances
Why don't you say what's on your mind?
'Cause I'm taking all the chances
If I'm not everything you wanted, oh
If I'm not everything you need
And you can walk right out on me (you can walk right out on me)
But you're never gonna see just how good it's gonna be until you gimme a chance
Gimme a chance, oh
What do you see in all these guys?
Don't you know they're just pretending?
Somehow you always seem surprised
That it's not a happy ending
Don't you want a happy ending?
If I'm not everything you wanted, oh
If I'm not everything you need
Then you can walk right out the door (you can walk right out the door)
And you can walk right out on me (you can walk right out on me)
But you're never gonna see just how good it's gonna be until you gimme a chance
Gimme a chance, oh
Yeah you can walk right out the door (you can walk right out the door)
And you can say goodbye to me (you can say goodbye to me)
But I know you're going to stay and be happy everyday if you just gimme a chance
Gimme a chance, oh
All I want to do is spend my life with you
And all I want from you is a chance so I can prove my love to you
Just gimme a chance
Gimme a chance
If I'm not everything you wanted, oh
If I'm not everything you need
Then you can walk right out the door (you can walk right out the door)
And you can walk right out on me (you can walk right out on me)
But you're never gonna see just how good it's gonna be until you gimme a chance
Gimme a chance, oh
Yeah you can walk right out the door (you can walk right out the door)
And you can say goodbye to me (you can say goodbye to me)
But I know you're going to stay and be happy everyday if you just gimme a chance
Gimme a chance, oh
Why don't you open up your eyes?
Just gimme a chance
Gimme a chance, oh
Why don't you say what's on your mind?
Just gimme a chance
Gimme a chance, oh
The song "Gimme a Chance" by the Plain White T's is a plea from the singer to the person he is interested in to give him a chance and let him prove his love. The lyrics suggest that the person the singer is singing to may have been hurt in the past and is hesitant to open up to someone new. The singer pleads with them to take a chance on him and not let their past experiences prevent them from experiencing the happiness and love that they deserve.
In the first verse, the singer questions why the person he is interested in doesn't see his true intentions towards them. He suggests that he is not just giving passing glances but is genuinely interested in them. He encourages them to speak their mind because he is willing to take risks and put himself out there for them. The lyrics "cause I'm taking all the chances" reveal the singer's willingness to do what it takes to prove his love.
The chorus reiterates the singer's desire for a chance to be with the person he is interested in. He acknowledges that he may not be everything they want or need but is willing to work towards becoming that person. He is aware that they can choose to walk out on him, but he is hopeful that they will see just how good it can be if they give him a chance.
Overall, the song's lyrics convey a sense of hope and determination in the face of uncertainty, with a plea for a fair chance at love.
Line by Line Meaning
Why don't you open up your eyes?
Stop ignoring me and the potential we have. Take a real look at me and what could be.
These are more than passing glances
I'm serious about you and I want you to know that I mean it.
Why don't you say what's on your mind?
Don't be afraid to express your feelings and tell me what you really think about me and us.
'Cause I'm taking all the chances
I'm putting my heart on the line and being vulnerable in the hopes that we can make something work.
If I'm not everything you wanted, oh
I know I may not be perfect, but I'll do everything in my power to make you happy.
If I'm not everything you need
I understand that you have certain expectations, but I'm willing to listen and work towards fulfilling them.
Then you can walk right out the door (you can walk right out the door)
I don't want to hold you back or make you feel trapped. If you really want to leave, you have that option.
And you can walk right out on me (you can walk right out on me)
I won't try to stop you or guilt you into staying if you're not happy with me.
But you're never gonna see just how good it's gonna be until you gimme a chance
I believe that we have potential for a great future together, but we need to give it a chance to grow and flourish.
What do you see in all these guys?
I don't understand why you keep dating people who don't treat you well and don't appreciate you.
Don't you know they're just pretending?
Those guys are only putting on a facade to get what they want from you, but I'm being genuine.
Somehow you always seem surprised
It hurts to see you go through disappointment and heartbreak over and over again, but I'm not going to give up on you.
That it's not a happy ending
The relationships you keep getting into always seem to end in sadness and frustration, but I'm determined to change that for you.
Don't you want a happy ending?
I know you deserve to be with someone who will make you happy and treat you right. Don't you want that for yourself?
Yeah you can walk right out the door (you can walk right out the door)
I won't try to trap you or hold you back. If you want to leave, I won't stop you.
And you can say goodbye to me (you can say goodbye to me)
I won't beg you to stay or make you feel guilty for leaving. I'll accept your decision and move on.
But I know you're going to stay and be happy everyday if you just gimme a chance
I have faith that if you give me a chance, we can build a strong and happy relationship together.
All I want to do is spend my life with you
I see a future with you and I'm willing to commit to building a life together.
And all I want from you is a chance so I can prove my love to you
I just need an opportunity to show you how much I care about you and how committed I am to making you happy.
Just gimme a chance
I'm not asking for much, just a chance to show you what we could have together.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AVA POST, MIA POST, TOM HIGGENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind