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.
Make It Up as You Go
Plain White T's Lyrics
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If you're smart or you're dumb
If you wanna be a bad guy or Mr. Right
I don't care what you say
I'mma go my own way
You go yours
And maybe we'll meet up someday
(Make it up)
As you go
(As you go)
Future's wide open
Nothing's written in stone
(Make it up)
Make it up
(As you go)
As you go
Future's wide open
Nothing's written in stone
I don't care what you think
I'mma do my own thing
Cut my own hair
Don't care if you like it
Just a matter of taste
And all the time you waste
Will get you there in fashionable time
Make it up
(Make it up)
As you go
(As you go)
Future's wide open
Nothing's written in stone
(Make it up)
Make it up
(As you go)
As you go
Future's wide open
Nothing's written in stone
Better make it up as you go
There's no need for lies
They have begun when your eyes meet the sun
We don't need any roads
Put your feet on the ground
And forget what you know
Don't make it down
Make it up as you go
I can't tell you what's best
I don't know what comes next
All I know is that I don't know anything
All I got is today, and I prefer it that way
Make a plan, but I know it's gonna change
And that's okay
Make it up
(Make it up)
As you go
(As you go)
Future's wide open
Nothing's written in stone
(Make it up)
Make it up
(As you go)
As you go
Future's wide open
Nothing's written in stone
(Make it up)
Make it up
(As you go)
As you go
Future's wide open
Nothing's written in stone
Better make it up as you go
Better make it up as you go
Better make it up as you go
Better make it up as you go
The song "Make It Up as You Go" by Plain White T's is an anthem for those who don't want to conform to societal norms and instead choose to pave their own path in life. The lyrics encourage listeners to ignore the pressure of conforming to other people's expectations and rather to embrace their own individuality. The song also emphasizes that the future is uncertain and not set in stone, so people should not let their fear of the unknown hold them back from pursuing their dreams.
The first verse establishes that the song's protagonist does not care what others think of him or where they come from. He is going to do his own thing and live life on his terms. The chorus encourages listeners to make it up as they go along, to not be afraid of the uncertain future, and instead to embrace it. The second verse emphasizes the importance of living in the present and not being afraid to make mistakes or alter plans as needed.
The bridge of the song speaks to the idea that people should not settle for what they know or follow the same paths as others before them. The final chorus repeats the message to make it up as you go, echoing the idea that people should not worry about having everything figured out and instead should embrace the uncertainty of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't care where you're from
I am not concerned about your origin
If you're smart or you're dumb
Your level of intelligence does not matter to me
If you wanna be a bad guy or Mr. Right
I do not have any preferences for whether you are a villain or a hero
I don't care what you say
Your words do not affect me
I'mma go my own way
I will follow my own path
You go yours
You should follow your own path as well
And maybe we'll meet up someday
We may cross paths in the future
Make it up
Be spontaneous
(Make it up)
As you go
Decide as you progress
(As you go)
Future's wide open
The future is full of possibilities
Nothing's written in stone
Nothing is set in stone
(Make it up)
(As you go)
As you go
You should decide as you progress
Better make it up as you go
It is better to be spontaneous and decide as you progress
I don't care what you think
Your opinion does not matter to me
I'mma do my own thing
I will pursue my own interests
Cut my own hair
I will make my own decisions, even if they are unconventional
Don't care if you like it
I am not concerned if you approve of my actions
Just a matter of taste
This is just a matter of personal preference
And all the time you waste
Your wasted time will come back to you
Will get you there in fashionable time
It will take you a stylish amount of time to get where you're going
There's no need for lies
Being truthful is best
They have begun when your eyes meet the sun
Lies start with the sunrise
We don't need any roads
We do not need a predetermined path
Put your feet on the ground
Be grounded and level-headed
And forget what you know
Forget your preconceptions
Don't make it down
Do not bring yourself down
I can't tell you what's best
I do not know what is best for you
I don't know what comes next
I do not know what will happen in the future
All I know is that I don't know anything
I am open to learning and do not claim to know everything
All I got is today, and I prefer it that way
I am focused on the present and enjoy living in the now
Make a plan, but I know it's gonna change
It is good to have a plan, but be prepared for it to change
And that's okay
That is acceptable
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID TIRIO, DAVID MICHAEL TIRIO, TOM HIGGENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind