Although Rooney had flirted with enlisting Ric Ocasek to produce, they eventually opted to rehire Keith Forsey, the producer responsible for the the strong batch of demos that had gotten them signed in the first place. Rooney's sunny, self-titled debut arrived in 2003 and its sales spiked considerably the following year when the band appeared on Fox's popular teen drama The O.C. (the first in a long line of bands to do so). Later that year, the concert DVD Spit and Sweat was released, highlighting the group's transformation from teenage musicians into a road-seasoned outfit. Rooney began recording their follow-up later that year with producer Tony Hoffer, but the album was eventually scrapped despite several songs being posted on the band's MySpace page. A second attempt to record their sophomore album was made in fall 2005, this time with Howard Benson in the producer's seat. Although it was slated for a 2006 release, this version too was scrapped as friction between the band and its label increased.
Following a 2006 tour with Kelly Clarkson, Rooney returned to the studio with producer John Fields for a third -- and successful -- attempt at recording their second album. The slightly darker, but no less catchy Calling the World was released in summer 2007 and debuted on the Billboard charts at number 42. By this point, though, the band's relationship with Geffen had suffered too much damage and Rooney eventually left the label's roster in 2009. That same year, the band celebrated their independent status by self-releasing an EP, Wild One, and launching a brief tour. They didn't remain independent for long, though, eventually partnering with Warner Bros. for the release of their third full-length album, the self-produced Eureka, in June 2010. Although bassist Matt Winter played on the record, he left the band's lineup several months before its release, with Brandon Schwartzel climbing aboard in his place. By the end of 2011, support for the record had mostly ceased and Rooney essentially entered into a lengthy hiatus. Schwartzman remained busy with a number of projects, including two solo records and a pair of film scores. Following years of silence regarding his band's fate, Schwartzman revealed in early 2016 that he had completed a new Rooney album entirely on his own. Released in May 2016, Washed Away was the fourth LP under the Rooney banner, and was supported on the road by a completely retooled lineup. In June 2017, the band issued the single "Second Chances" in anticipation of the release of the El Cortez EP, which arrived in July of that year.
Believe In Me
Rooney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I try but you don't let me through
What's the point in fighting when we're down?
I know I've been acting strange
But wait don't leave I know I'll change
We're wasting all our time together now
Every word just makes you turn away
And I don't know what to do
Every day I want to be with you
Well I've lost the battle and I'm losing the war
And I keep on asking myself what for
If you believe in fate and destiny
Then open your eyes and believe in me
I call up and apologize
But you just think its one big lie
Don't you know you're pushing me away?
We've been through so much together
You can't tell me the past will never
Mean a thing it's more than a memory
'Cause everyone I see around
Tells me that I'm such a fool
For making you my punching bag
When things really weren't that bad
I've lost you now
I've lost you now
But I don't know how to get you back
I'm not myself
I'm not myself
I've gotta get us back on track
"Believe In Me" by Rooney is a song that delves into the complexities of a failing relationship where both parties are struggling to find common ground. In the opening lines, the lead singer talks about his futile attempts to win over his partner despite her continued resistance. He mentions how the constant fighting brings them down and wonders why they're both wasting their time together. With every word, he utters, she turns away, and he feels helpless as he doesn't know how to rescue the relationship.
The chorus of the song talks about his desperation to make things work, and he pleads with her to believe in fate and destiny, and believe in him. He acknowledges that he hasn't been his best self and has acted strangely, but he promises to change. He calls her up to apologize, but she thinks he's lying, and he realizes that his actions are pushing her away. He also recognizes that they've been through so much together, and simply brushing it all off as just a memory is a disservice to their love.
The song's intriguing aspect is how the lyrics and the melody complement each other to create a sense of desperation that one feels when they know they're on the brink of losing someone they love deeply. The chorus captures the emotional journey of someone trying to hold onto a relationship regardless of the consequences. The verses touch upon the reality of the situation, how the relationship is failing, and the struggle to come to terms with it. The song is a relatable journey that many can identify with, making it a fan favorite.
Line by Line Meaning
I can never win with you
No matter how hard I try, I can never please you
I try but you don't let me through
I put in effort, but you don't allow me to succeed
What's the point in fighting when we're down?
What's the use in arguing when we're both feeling defeated?
I know I've been acting strange
I recognize that my behavior has been different lately
But wait don't leave I know I'll change
Please don't go, I promise I'll improve
We're wasting all our time together now
Our time together seems unproductive and meaningless
I don't know what to say
I'm at a loss for words
Every word just makes you turn away
Anything I say causes you to distance yourself from me
And I don't know what to do
I'm unsure of how to fix things
Every day I want to be with you
I yearn to spend time with you everyday
Well I've lost the battle and I'm losing the war
I've lost so many small battles that I'm now losing the bigger picture
And I keep on asking myself what for
I question why I'm still holding on
If you believe in fate and destiny
If you trust that our future is predetermined
Then open your eyes and believe in me
Then see that I can be the one for you
I call up and apologize
I contact you to express regret
But you just think its one big lie
You don't believe my apology is genuine
Don't you know you're pushing me away?
You don't realize that your actions are driving me further from you
We've been through so much together
We've shared a lot of significant experiences
You can't tell me the past will never
You can't deny that our history holds meaning
Mean a thing it's more than a memory
Our past is more than just a recollection
'Cause everyone I see around
The people I encounter
Tells me that I'm such a fool
Convince me that I'm foolish
For making you my punching bag
For using you as my outlet to release frustration
When things really weren't that bad
When the situation wasn't as bad as I made it out to be
I've lost you now
I've let you slip away
But I don't know how to get you back
I'm clueless on how to win you back
I'm not myself
I don't feel like my usual self
I've gotta get us back on track
I need to get our relationship back to where it's supposed to be
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT SCHWARTZMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind