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.
Welcome to Paradise
Plain White T's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How'd you end up here?
Reach out and grab it
Let your worries disappear
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
It′s waiting straight ahead
That's what I said
And if you falled down and skinned your knee
Roll with the changes
Take a few chances now and then
Make every moment count
And you just might have the time of your life...
Welcome to paradise
Hey you, missing out on all the fun?
Just take it easy, seems you're always on the run
Slow it down, take in the scenery
And give into the magic of the day
That′s what I say
Woke up to sunshine
Now, it′s pouring rain
No guarantees, enjoy it all the same
I'm telling you,
It′s all you how take it in
Grab some lemons and you make some lemonade
You've got it made
And if you falled down and skinned your knee
Will you get back up again?
Roll with the changes
Take a few chances now and then
Make every moment count
And you just might have the time of your life...
Welcome to paradise
Everything′s so different...
It's all so strange...
Reach out and grab it...
Roll with the change...
And if you falled down and skinned your knee
Will you get back up again?
Roll with the changes
Take a few chances now and then
Make every moment count
And you just might have the time of your life...
Welcome to paradise
To paradise...
To paradise...
Everything′s so different...
To paradise
The lyrics to "Welcome to Paradise" by Plain White T's deliver a positive and uplifting message about embracing change and making the most out of every moment. The song begins by questioning how the singer ended up in this new place, encouraging the listener to let go of their worries and seize the unique opportunity that lies ahead. The lyrics suggest that life can be unpredictable and challenging, but it's important to persevere and get back up when you fall. The phrase "roll with the changes" emphasizes the need to adapt and take chances in order to truly enjoy life.
The song also encourages the listener to slow down and appreciate their surroundings, to "take in the scenery" and find magic in the ordinary moments of the day. The lyrics highlight the idea that even when faced with unexpected circumstances or disappointments, there's always a way to make the best of it. The image of making lemonade out of lemons represents turning adversity into something positive and finding joy even in difficult situations.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything's so different
The current situation is unlike anything before
How'd you end up here?
What led you to this moment?
Reach out and grab it
Seize the opportunity that lies ahead
Let your worries disappear
Relax and let go of your concerns
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
It's a rare chance that may not come again
It's waiting straight ahead
The opportunity is right in front of you
That's what I said
I have mentioned this before
And if you falled down and skinned your knee
In case you stumble and get hurt
Will you get back up again?
Will you regain your composure and continue?
Roll with the changes
Adapt to the new circumstances
Take a few chances now and then
Embrace some risks from time to time
Make every moment count
Maximize the value of every experience
And you just might have the time of your life...
You could possibly have an incredible experience
Welcome to paradise
Welcome to this wonderful place or moment
Hey you, missing out on all the fun?
Are you unaware of the enjoyment you're missing?
Just take it easy, seems you're always on the run
Relax and slow down, as it appears you're constantly busy
Slow it down, take in the scenery
Reduce your pace and appreciate the surroundings
And give into the magic of the day
Allow yourself to be enchanted by the present moment
That's what I say
That's my advice
Woke up to sunshine
Began the day with happiness or positivity
Now, it's pouring rain
Currently, there are difficulties or sadness
No guarantees, enjoy it all the same
There are no assurances, but still find pleasure in it
I'm telling you,
I'm emphasizing
It's all you how take it in
It's up to you how you perceive it
Grab some lemons and you make some lemonade
Take a negative situation and turn it into something positive
You've got it made
You have the ability to succeed
To paradise...
To this wonderful place or moment
To paradise...
To this wonderful place or moment
Everything's so different...
The current situation is unlike anything before
To paradise
To this wonderful place or moment
Writer(s): Nick Nolan
Contributed by Hudson R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.