On April 19, 2005, he released a solo album, ...Something to Be. This marked the first time that a male artist from a rock or pop group has debuted at No 1 with their first solo album since Billboard introduced the chart 50 years ago. His first single off that album, Lonely No More, reached No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In January 2007, Rob Thomas released a single entitled Little Wonders , which he wrote for the Disney movie Meet the Robinsons.
In June of 2009 he released his 2nd solo album titled Cradlesong
Heaven Help Me
Rob Thomas Lyrics
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All the bridge and tunnel girls come out
We can dance until the walls fall down
'Cause tonight we own this town
But in the morning when the sun's on fire
I'm burning through you like a razor wire
When we see ourselves in passing windows
We feel like hell, everyone knows
You can't go back, heaven help me
We've gone too far, when we can't be
The ones we want
This is who we are, who we are
A shot of neon in a window pane
A shot of whiskey and we end again
You're moving further but you just can't win
And that's the way it's always been
You don't wanna let your life go by
So you give until the well runs dry
But when you lose your faith it never comes back
And time don't wait, now you know that
You can't go back, heaven help me
We've gone too far, when we can't be
The ones we want
This is who we are, who we are
I'm sorry but you can't go back, heaven help me
We know too much, please believe me
Believe yourself
This is who you are, who you are
You try to get your head around it but it's never enough
You give yourself a little something but it's not what you need
And all that worry, all for nothing
Where you've been and where you're going
And even if you changed it somehow
Every step would lead to right now
You can't go back, heaven help me
We've gone too far, when we can't be
The ones we want
This is who we are, who we are
I could tell you that you can't go back, heaven help me
We know too much, please believe me
Believe yourself
This is who you are, who you are
Oh, you can't go back, heaven help me
We've gone too far
We can't go back
This is who are, who we are
Oh, you can't go back, heaven help me
We've gone too far
We can't go back
The lyrics of Rob Thomas's song "Heaven Help Me" explore the themes of self-discovery, regret, and the inability to change the past. The song paints a vivid picture of a night out where the singer and the "bridge and tunnel girls" find temporary liberation and escape from their mundane lives. They dance and feel like they own the town, but this euphoria is fleeting. When morning comes, reality sets in, and the singer realizes that their connection with others is shallow, leaving them feeling empty and disheartened.
The chorus emphasizes the idea that once certain choices are made, there is no going back. The plea for divine intervention symbolizes the desire for guidance and a way to rectify the mistakes that have been made. The singer acknowledges that they have gone too far and can no longer be the person they once desired to be. Their true identity is revealed, shaped by their experiences and the consequences of their choices.
The second verse continues to delve into the struggles faced by the singer. The neon lights and whiskey represent temporary escapes or distractions from the reality they try to avoid. Despite their attempts to move forward, they feel stuck, unable to succeed or find fulfillment. The phrase "And that's the way it's always been" implies a pattern of repeating the same mistakes and never achieving the desired outcome.
The bridge of the song reflects upon the futility of trying to understand and control one's life. The singer realizes that even if they were able to change their past, every step they took would inevitably lead them to the present moment. This realization further reinforces the previous message that it is impossible to go back.
In the final repetitions of the chorus, the desperation intensifies. The plea for heavenly help becomes stronger, potentially indicating a sense of hopelessness or disillusionment. The mention of knowing too much suggests that the singer has become aware of their own limitations and the impossibility of truly changing their circumstances. Nevertheless, the emphasis on believing in oneself suggests that despite the hardships and mistakes, it is essential to find self-acceptance and embrace one's identity, regardless of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
In the evening when the stars shine down
When the night falls and the stars illuminate the sky
All the bridge and tunnel girls come out
All the girls from nearby cities and towns emerge to join the fun
We can dance until the walls fall down
We can dance energetically until the surroundings seem to collapse
'Cause tonight we own this town
Because tonight we feel like we are in control of this entire city
But in the morning when the sun's on fire
But when the morning comes and the sun rises intensely
I'm burning through you like a razor wire
I'm causing you pain and discomfort as if you were being cut by sharp wire
When we see ourselves in passing windows
When we catch glimpses of ourselves in reflections as we pass by windows
We feel like hell, everyone knows
We feel terrible and it's apparent to everyone
You can't go back, heaven help me
You cannot revert to the past, seeking assistance from a higher power
We've gone too far, when we can't be
We have progressed too much to change our current state
The ones we want
To become the individuals we desire
This is who we are, who we are
This is our true identity, our essence
A shot of neon in a window pane
A flicker of vibrant light in a pane of glass
A shot of whiskey and we end again
A gulp of whiskey and we start over once more
You're moving further but you just can't win
You're progressing, but you are unable to achieve victory
And that's the way it's always been
And that's how it has always been
You don't wanna let your life go by
You don't want to let your life pass without taking action
So you give until the well runs dry
So you give relentlessly until there's nothing left
But when you lose your faith it never comes back
But when you lose your belief, it is difficult to regain
And time don't wait, now you know that
And time doesn't wait, now you understand that fact
I'm sorry but you can't go back, heaven help me
I apologize, but it's impossible to return to the past, seeking divine intervention
We know too much, please believe me
We have acquired vast knowledge, please trust my words
Believe yourself
Have confidence and trust in your own abilities
This is who you are, who you are
This is your true identity, your essence
You try to get your head around it but it's never enough
You attempt to comprehend it, but you never fully succeed
You give yourself a little something but it's not what you need
You provide yourself with small comforts, but they aren't truly fulfilling
And all that worry, all for nothing
All the anxieties and concerns, pointless and without purpose
Where you've been and where you're going
Reflecting on your past and contemplating your future
And even if you changed it somehow
And even if you altered it in some way
Every step would lead to right now
Every step would still lead you to this current moment
Oh, you can't go back, heaven help me
Oh, you can't revert to the past, seeking assistance from a higher power
We've gone too far
We have progressed too much
We can't go back
We are unable to return to a previous state
This is who we are, who we are
This is our true identity, our essence
Oh, you can't go back, heaven help me
Oh, you can't revert to the past, seeking assistance from a higher power
We know too much, please believe me
We have acquired vast knowledge, please trust my words
Believe yourself
Have confidence and trust in your own abilities
This is who you are, who you are
This is your true identity, your essence
Oh, you can't go back, heaven help me
Oh, you can't revert to the past, seeking assistance from a higher power
We've gone too far
We have progressed too much
We can't go back
We are unable to return to a previous state
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind