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.
What More Do You Want
Plain White T's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me what's right
Tell me how you want me
To do it tonight
I don't wanna sing
I don't wanna shout
I just want a feeling
I've been living without
What more do you want?
What more do you want?
What more do you want from me?
Tell me what you want
Tell me what you need
Tell me that you only want
To get it from me
I know what to say
I know what to do
I know that you're staying
So the joke's on you
What more do you want?
What more do you want?
What more do you want from me?
(That's what you want. That's right. Oh!)
Tell me what's wrong
Tell me what's right
Tell me how you want me
To do it tonight
I don't wanna sing
I don't wanna shout
I just want a feeling
That I'm living without
I know to say
I know what to do
I know that you're staying
So the joke's on you
I don't wanna wait
But you tell me it's right
I don't wanna wait
'Cause I've been waiting all night
What more do you want?
What more do you want?
What more do you want from me?
The lyrics of "What More Do You Want?" by Plain White T's is about a man who is confused about what his partner wants from him. He tries to do everything to please her but is still not sure if that's what she wants. He's looking for assurance and questions her about what she wants and needs from him. He's been living without a certain feeling, which he needs to feel complete in a relationship, and his partner isn't giving it to him. He's also aware that his partner is trying to manipulate him and use him for her own benefit.
The chorus of the song, "What more do you want? What more do you want? What more do you want from me?" is a plea for his partner to be clear about her expectations so that he can fulfill them and make her happy. He's saying that he's willing to do whatever it takes, but she needs to be clear about what she wants from him. The lyrics also indicate that he's growing tired of waiting for her and is ready to move on if she doesn't figure out what she wants.
Overall, the song is a reflection of the complexities of relationships and the struggles that arise when there is a lack of communication and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me what's wrong
Please outline the issue(s) that you are facing
Tell me what's right
Explain what is currently working or suitable
Tell me how you want me to do it tonight
Give me specific instructions on how to proceed this evening
I don't wanna sing
I am not interested in entertaining or putting on a show
I don't wanna shout
I do not want to have to raise my voice to be heard
I just want a feeling I've been living without
I am missing something important and I want to experience it once again
What more do you want?
What additional requests do you have beyond what we have already discussed?
Tell me what you want. Tell me what you need
Please clearly articulate your desires and requirements
Tell me that you only want to get it from me
Confirm that you are exclusively seeking my input or involvement
I know what to say
I have a good idea of what I should express
I know what to do
I have a clear idea of what actions to take
I know that you're staying, so the joke's on you
I am certain that you are choosing to remain in this situation, although it may not be in your best interest
I don't wanna wait, but you tell me it's right
I do not want to delay or hesitate, but you are assuring me that this is the correct course of action
Because I've been waiting all night
I have been waiting for a period of time and do not want to continue to do so
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TOM HIGGENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
WOSCHIGTON
🎧👽
Matthew Osborne
Is that cowbell?
wabbis
Hey did they delete my comment and like? I was first 😢