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.
Happy Someday
Plain White T's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
a few more hours 'til it's Monday
The weekend's almost over
I feel myself gettin' older
It's becoming more and more apparent
I'm turning out like my parents
I hate going to bed early
But I gotta go work for a man who doesn't know my name
But I can't be late
I've got those credit card bills I gotta pay
Hey hey hey, I'm gonna be happy someday
Then finally it's Friday
I'm thinkin' life's goin' my way
But there's nothing to do
Guess I'll hang out with my friends
And I know/we'll end up at a show
Where they'll drink away the dreams they gave up long ago
But I can't complain, 'cause I've been right there doin' the same
Someday I'll be happy
will someone tell me when will that be?
Somewhere I lost track of what's right
and now I'm stuck on the sidelines
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
not gonna take it any longer
It's time to take back control of my life
Someday I'll have everything
I'll get paid money just to sing
A new car, and a big house
a few kids running around
I'm gonna marry my girlfriend
and fall in love all over again
Someday I'll have it all
The song "Happy Someday" by Plain White T's speaks to the monotony and mundanity of everyday life. The first verse describes the feeling of being trapped in a routine that leaves the singer feeling drained and stuck. They hate having to go to bed early to prepare to work for a boss who treats them like just another number. The uniform they have to wear serves as a symbol of the pressure to conform and blend in with the rest of society. The singer is burdened with bills to pay, which makes it difficult to imagine a future where they can be happy.
The second verse offers a bit of respite, as the work week comes to an end and the singer looks forward to a much needed break. They plan to spend time with their friends and escape their worries by attending a show. However, even in these moments of reprieve, the singer is reminded of the dreams they've given up on and how they've fallen into the same pattern as their peers.
The chorus offers a glimmer of hope, with the singer believing that they will find happiness one day. They express a desire to take control of their life and look forward to a future where they can have everything they've ever wanted - money, a beautiful home, a loving partner and children. The song touches on the universal longing for something more and the hope that things will get better.
Line by Line Meaning
It's just another old Sunday
The singer is experiencing a monotonous Sunday, like many before.
a few more hours 'til it's Monday
The weekend is almost over, and the singer must prepare for the upcoming week.
The weekend's almost over
The time off from work is coming to a close.
I feel myself gettin' older
The passage of time is starting to feel more significant to the artist.
It's becoming more and more apparent
The artist is becoming increasingly aware of a particular life lesson or realization.
I'm turning out like my parents
The singer sees similarities between themselves and their mother and/or father.
I hate going to bed early
The singer dislikes the idea of ending their day early and not being able to enjoy their free time.
But I gotta go work for a man who doesn't know my name
The artist is employed by someone who doesn't recognize them as an individual and treats them as merely an employee.
Makes me wear a uniform so everybody looks the same
The worker is required to wear clothing that takes away their individuality and is meant to make everyone appear equal.
But I can't be late
The artist needs to be punctual or risk getting in trouble at work.
I've got those credit card bills I gotta pay
The singer has past expenses to account for and must pay them off with their upcoming paycheck.
Hey hey hey, I'm gonna be happy someday
Despite their current struggle, the artist is optimistic that they will eventually reach happiness.
Then finally it's Friday
The singer has made it to the end of the workweek.
I'm thinkin' life's goin' my way
The singer is feeling content with where they are in life at the moment.
But there's nothing to do
Despite their contentment, the singer can't think of anything entertaining or productive to do with their free time.
Guess I'll hang out with my friends
The artist decides to spend their time with people they enjoy being around.
And I know/we'll end up at a show
The artist and their friends plan on attending a concert or live performance.
Where they'll drink away the dreams they gave up long ago
The singer believes that some of their friends have given up on their aspirations and will attempt to mask their disappointment with alcohol.
But I can't complain, 'cause I've been right there doin' the same
The singer empathizes with their friends' actions because they too have found themselves in a similar position and dealt with it similarly.
Someday I'll be happy
The artist is hopeful that they will eventually find happiness.
will someone tell me when will that be?
The artist is unsure of when this future happiness will occur.
Somewhere I lost track of what's right
The artist has recently realized that they have diverged from a moral or ethical path they once followed.
and now I'm stuck on the sidelines
As a result of their actions, the singer feels left out or unable to participate in something important.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
The artist is trying to remain optimistic despite their recent struggles or difficulties.
not gonna take it any longer
The singer is determined to overcome their obstacles and make a change in their life.
It's time to take back control of my life
The singer has decided to take ownership of their life and make active decisions to improve their current situation.
Someday I'll have everything
The singer has high hopes and dreams for their future, envisioning a life of success and abundance.
I'll get paid money just to sing
One of the artist's goals is to make a living out of their passion for singing.
A new car, and a big house
The artist desires material possessions as a sign of their success and achievement.
a few kids running around
The singer has envisioned themselves as a married parent with a loving family.
I'm gonna marry my girlfriend
The singer is in a committed relationship and intends to marry their significant other.
and fall in love all over again
Even after years together, the artist still looks forward to feeling the rush of love in their relationship.
Someday I'll have it all
The artist reiterates their hopes and aspirations for their future and the confidence they have that it can happen.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TOM HIGGENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind