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.
Pleas Don't Do This
Plain White T's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saying that you just got home
You're lucky I'm even still awake
Awake enough to answer the phone
But I knew it would be you'cause I was hoping that you'd call
Hoping you'd say that you were sorry
But you don't apologize at all
And it's not ok and it's not alright
If they're really just friends
Why wouldn't you choose me over them?
Please don't do this again
I try to give you the space you need
But you end up walking all over me
Please don't do this to me
Oh no, please don't do this to me
You call me in the middle of the night
So drunk you're ready to pass out
Tellin' me you had a great time
Except for that hour you blacked out
Now you're surprised that I'm pissed
You think I'm acting all tough
Well I think you're acting like a bitch
And I swear this time I've had enough
Why do you have to push me so hard?
You're pushing me away
I ask, please don't do this to me
But you're doing it anyway
And it's not OK and it's not alright
You can't fool me, so don't even try
And it's not OK and it's not alright
What have you been doing with those guys all night?
In the Plain White T's song "Please Don't Do This," the lead vocalist expresses his frustration and disappointment towards his partner for constantly disrespecting him in their relationship. The song begins with the partner calling him in the middle of the night, admitting that they just got home. It is evident from the vocalist's tone that he is tired of the excuses and the lack of apology from his partner. He was hoping for an apology, but all he got was an explanation of where they have been all night. The partner is making it clear that they are not sorry for their behavior, and this is driving the vocalist crazy.
In the following verses, the vocalist explains how he tries to give his partner the space that they need. However, this seems to make things worse, and his partner is walking all over him. His partner doesn't treat him with the respect he deserves, and it's causing him pain. By the end of the song, the vocalist emphasizes that he is done trying to make things work. He cannot take it anymore, and he wants his partner to know that their actions are not okay.
Line by Line Meaning
You call me in the middle of the night
You contact me during the night
Saying that you just got home
Informing me of having just arrived at your house
You're lucky I'm even still awake
You are fortunate that I'm still conscious
Awake enough to answer the phone
Conscious enough to pick up the phone
But I knew it would be you'cause I was hoping that you'd call
I expected it to be you because I was anticipating your call
Hoping you'd say that you were sorry
Wishing for you to apologize
But you don't apologize at all
But you don't express regret whatsoever
And it's not ok and it's not alright
It's not acceptable
What have you been doing with those guys all night?
What activities did you participate in with your male friends during the evening?
If they're really just friends
If they're truly just acquaintances
Why wouldn't you choose me over them?
Why wouldn't you select me instead of them?
Please don't do this again
Kindly refrain from repeating this behavior
I try to give you the space you need
I attempt to provide you with the distance you request
But you end up walking all over me
But you mistreat me despite my efforts
Please don't do this to me
Please don't maltreat me
Oh no, please don't do this to me
Oh no, please don't mistreat me
So drunk you're ready to pass out
Inebriated to the point of nearing unconsciousness
Tellin' me you had a great time
Informing me of having enjoyed yourself
Except for that hour you blacked out
Aside from the time period you cannot recall
Now you're surprised that I'm pissed
Currently shocked that I'm angry
You think I'm acting all tough
You believe I'm posturing as intimidating
Well I think you're acting like a bitch
However, I perceive you as behaving poorly
And I swear this time I've had enough
And I promise that I've reached my limit this time
Why do you have to push me so hard?
Why do you have to emotionally strain me?
You're pushing me away
You're driving me apart from you
I ask, please don't do this to me
I plead with you, please don't mistreat me
But you're doing it anyway
However, you're treating me poorly regardless
You can't fool me, so don't even try
You can't deceive me, so don't bother attempting
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TOM HIGGENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind