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.
Map of the World
Plain White T's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But where do I fit in?
Am I too small to matter at all?
Oh, where do I fit in?
Am I a dot on the map of the world?
Just a spot on the map of the world?
When I imagine the whole universe
The wind comes through, singing the blues
But where do I fit in?
The autumn trees dance with the breeze
But where do I fit in?
Am I a dot on the map of the world?
Just a spot on the map of the world?
When I imagine the whole universe
Oh, where do I fit in?
Wish I may, wish I might
Find some answers here tonight
Tell me, is there something out there?
Is there more than I can see?
I don't know what I believe
Tell me, is there something out there?
Anything out there?
Am I a dot on the map of the world?
Just a spot on the map of the world?
When I imagine the whole universe
Oh, where do I fit in?
Am I a dot on the map of the world?
Just a spot on the map of the world?
When I imagine the whole universe
Where do we all fit in?
The song "Map of the World" by Plain White T's revolves around the feeling of insignificance experienced by the singer. The opening lines, "The stars at night burn so bright, But where do I fit in?" set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer questions their place in the world and wonders if they are too small to matter at all. The idea that one's existence is just a blip on the map of the world is repeated throughout the song.
The wind and the autumn trees are also mentioned, with the singer questioning where they fit in with nature. The chorus repeats the same questions, "Am I a dot on the map of the world? Just a spot on the map of the world? When I imagine the whole universe, oh, where do I fit in?" The singer wishes for answers and wonders if there is something more out there, outside of what they can see or believe. The final line, "Where do we all fit in?" expands the question to all of humanity.
The song touches on themes of existentialism and the search for meaning in life. The lyrics are open to interpretation and can resonate with anyone who has ever felt small in the grand scheme of things. The melody is simple and allows the focus to be on the lyrics. The song is reflective and thought-provoking, encouraging listeners to contemplate their place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
The stars at night burn so bright
The stars shine brightly during the night
But where do I fit in?
However, I feel lost and unsure of my place in the world
Am I too small to matter at all?
I wonder if I am insignificant and unimportant in the grand scheme of things
Oh, where do I fit in?
I continue to question my place in the world
The wind comes through, singing the blues
The wind blows and creates a melancholic mood
The autumn trees dance with the breeze
The trees move gracefully with the wind during autumn
Wish I may, wish I might
I express a desire and hope for something
Find some answers here tonight
I hope to discover some answers or clarity about my place in the world
Tell me, is there something out there?
I seek to know if there is something beyond what I can see or understand
Is there more than I can see?
I wonder if there is something beyond my limited perspective or understanding
I don't know what I believe
I confess my uncertainty and lack of conviction about my beliefs
Anything out there?
I still search for answers or something to give me meaning and purpose
Where do we all fit in?
I broaden the question to include everyone, wondering about humanity's place in the universe
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN FELDMANN, TOM HIGGENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind