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.
If I Told You
Plain White T's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I said I was leavin' would you still find a reason to ignore my every word
'Cause I'm the one who waits here for you
I'm the one who will always adore you
I'm the one who's dying for your call
Do you care at all
Do you care at all
If I told you to meet me in the city this evening
Would you even think to come
Everyone would be here and my intentions are clear
I know you're easy when you're numb
'Cause I'm the one who waits here for you
I'm the one who will always adore you
I'm the one who sees right through it all
Do you care at all
Do you care at all
Do you care at all
If I told you would you care
If I told you would you still never be there
If I told you I need you would you still not agree to even offer me your hand
If I said I was dying would you keep on denying my attempts to be your man
'Cause I'm the one who waits here for you
I'm the one who will always adore you I'm the one who will catch you when you fall
Do you care at all
Do you care at all
Do you care at all
Do you care at all
Do you care at all
The lyrics of "If I Told You" by Plain White T's speak to the frustration and uncertainty felt in a one-sided relationship. The singer is expressing his love to someone who may not reciprocate those feelings. He questions whether his declarations of love and hints at leaving will have any impact on the other person's actions. He reveals that he is always waiting for this person and will constantly adore them, no matter how they treat him. However, he also implores the other person to show him whether they care at all about him and his feelings.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of numbness in relationships. The singer believes that the other person is easy to manipulate when they are not emotionally invested, but if they were to truly care, they would not ignore his calls or refuse to meet him. He questions whether the other person's lack of response is due to a lack of caring or a desperate desire to avoid hurt and disappointment.
Overall, the lyrics of "If I Told You" showcase the pain and uncertainty that can come with loving someone who may not love you back. The singer is open about his emotions and vulnerabilities, yet still unsure whether the other person cares at all about him.
Line by Line Meaning
If I told you I love you would it move you enough to even act as though you've heard
If I express my love for you, would it make you care enough to give me a proper response?
If I said I was leavin' would you still find a reason to ignore my every word
If I told you that I'm leaving, would you still act like you don't hear me?
'Cause I'm the one who waits here for you
I'm the one who always waits for you.
I'm the one who will always adore you
I'm the one who will always love you.
I'm the one who's dying for your call
I'm the one who is desperately waiting for your call.
Do you care at all
Do you even have any feelings towards me?
If I told you to meet me in the city this evening
If I asked you to meet me in the city tonight.
Would you even think to come
Would you even think about coming to see me?
Everyone would be here and my intentions are clear
Everyone would be there and I'm being honest with my intentions.
I know you're easy when you're numb
I know it's easier for you to not feel anything.
I'm the one who sees right through it all
I'm the one who understands everything you're going through.
If I told you would you care
If I told you how I feel, would you even care?
If I told you would you still never be there
If I told you how I feel, would you still never show up?
If I told you I need you would you still not agree to even offer me your hand
If I told you I need you, would you still refuse to give me your help?
If I said I was dying would you keep on denying my attempts to be your man
If I told you that I'm dying, would you still reject me as your partner?
I'm the one who will catch you when you fall
I'm the one who will always be there for you and help you when you're in trouble.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TOM HIGGENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind