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.
Move On
Plain White T's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause I know I don't belong
And I won't place the blame on anybody else
'Cause I know I don't belong
Don't have to take it
And I won't give in to this
You make me feel like I'm evil
I don't belong
As I sit back
I see it's you who feels
The need to put me down so you belong
Don't have to take it
And I won't give in to this
I'll just move on
Gonna make my move today
It's gonna be okay
Gonna make my move today
It's gonna be okay
Don't have to take it
And I won't give in to this
I won't sit back and watch it drown
Don't have to take it
And I won't give in to this
I'll just move on
The lyrics of Plain White T's song Move On express a feeling of detachment from a negative situation the singer has been enduring. They are tired of feeling sorry for themselves and blaming others for not fitting in. Throughout the song, the singer explains that they don't belong in this situation, but they won't place the blame on anybody for that. They get a lot of grief from people who put them down to make themselves feel better, but the singer has decided to move on instead of feeling defeated.
The chorus repeatedly alludes to the singer's resolve to move on and not give in to negativity or discouragement. It's an anthem for anyone who has experienced disconnection and bullying, choosing to take a stand and move forward into a new chapter. The inference is that it's time to take the reins, make bold decisions, and say goodbye to anything holding you back, as the singer believes it's the right thing to do and, more significantly, an act of self-love.
Overall, the song is upbeat and energetic, with a catchy chorus that encourages listeners to take control of their lives and move on from negative, dark moments.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm feeling sick of feeling sorry for myself
I'm tired of constantly pitying myself and wallowing in self-doubt.
'Cause I know I don't belong
I realize that I don't fit in and I shouldn't get upset or blame others for that fact.
And I won't place the blame on anybody else
I take full responsibility for my own feelings and actions instead of blaming others.
Don't have to take it
I don't have to tolerate or accept the negativity and criticism of others.
And I won't give in to this
I won't let the negativity bring me down and affect me in a negative way.
You make me feel like I'm evil
You are trying to bring me down and make me feel like I'm a bad person.
But the record shows I'm not
But the facts and evidence clearly prove that I am not a bad person, despite what you may say or think.
As I sit back
As I take a moment to reflect and analyze the situation.
I see it's you who feels
I realize that it's actually you who has the problem and not me.
The need to put me down so you belong
You put me down in order to feel superior or to fit in with certain social groups.
I'll just move on
I will not dwell on this negativity and instead focus on moving forward.
Gonna make my move today
I am taking action and making a change in my life.
It's gonna be okay
I am confident that everything will work out and be fine in the end.
I won't sit back and watch it drown
I won't be passive and let negativity consume me or the situation.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MARK OWEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pedrooberlaender91
Why don't they post this song officially? This song is just amazing!
@debbieann3594
Another one I've never heard till now Chris! Thanks for posting!! <3 the PWTs
@Calebeqz
How did you even find this gem of a song???
@hsm4life09
It's from the album "Songs From a Scene". I have the physical copy of the album. 0:06
@AceMusicFreak
epicness :)
@hsm4life09
@graceandcaity Yeah they are coming out with a new album in a few months! Thanks 4 watching!
@hsm4life09
Songs from a scene @ 0:05 thanks 4 watching PWTS ROCK!
@anniemac7625
Yes, Racist Koi fish
@dumbs7561
Really? One black guy