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.
Tell Me Soon
Rooney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The games that lovers play
I've had them both, dear
The good times and the bad
Save all your tears for some other guy
Tell me you love me
It's all I wanna hear
It's all I wanna hear from you
Tell me soon
You want it all, dear
A life of fairy tales
You had it all, dear
I can't give you anymore
But I know what you need me to say
Tell me you love me
It's all I wanna hear
Tell me you love me
It's all I wanna hear from you
Tell me soon
Tell me
I've done it all, dear
The games that lovers play
I've had them both, dear
The good times and the bad
Save all your tears for some other guy
Tell me you love me
It's all I wanna hear
Tell me you love me
It's all I wanna hear
Tell me you love me
It's all I wanna hear
Tell me you love me
Come on and tell me, baby
Tell me you love me
Tell me you love me
From you
Tell me soon
Tell me soon
In the song Tell Me Soon by Rooney, the lyrics speak of a relationship that has run its course. The singer has been through it all - the ups and downs, the games that lovers play - and now they want nothing more than to hear their partner say that they love them. It seems that the relationship is at a crossroads - the singer can't give any more than they already have, but their partner wants more. The repeated refrain of "tell me you love me" underscores the desperate need for reassurance, but there is an urgency in the phrase "tell me soon," as if the singer knows that time is running out.
The lines "Save all your tears for some other guy" suggest a resignation on the part of the singer. They know that things are not going to end well and are trying to hold out for some scrap of affection before inevitably being rejected by their partner. There is a sense of sadness and melancholy in the song, as if the singer is lamenting the end of something that was once beautiful.
Overall, the lyrics of Tell Me Soon speak to the fragility of relationships and the need for open and honest communication. The singer is desperate for affection, but they are also aware that they cannot force their partner to give them what they want. It is a bittersweet song that captures the complexities of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
I've done it all, dear
I've experienced all aspects of love
The games that lovers play
The deceit and manipulation that often occurs in romantic relationships
I've had them both, dear
I've experienced both the good and the bad in love
Save all your tears for some other guy
Don't waste your emotions on me, find someone else who is worthy of them
Tell me you love me
I need to hear that you love me
It's all I wanna hear
I don't want to hear anything else
It's all I wanna hear from you
Specifically, I want to hear it from you
Tell me soon
Please tell me as soon as possible
You want it all, dear
You desire a complete and perfect love story
A life of fairy tales
A romanticized and unrealistic version of love
You had it all, dear
You may have found that at one point, but not with me
I can't give you anymore
I don't have any more love to give you
But I know what you need me to say
I understand that you need me to express my love for you
Come on and tell me, baby
Please, just tell me already
From you
I need to know that it is genuine and coming from you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT SCHWARTZMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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I used to love this band so much omfg and no one ever knows who they are when i talk about them
Beatriz Souza
I love this song and this album and I don't understand why it is not available on spotify :(
Tanoro
Was obsessed with Rooney in my high school years. I was lucky enough to see them at Anaheim House of Blues!!!
POETA FANTASMA
I love Rooney!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
민민
I loved this song! This song is reminds my childhood!
Susana Pedroza
I think it sweet of them to do a video like this because this is exactly what young girls fantasize when they think about their band crush. I know i did...i think i still do lol
Rachel Cromer
that little girl was so lucky. I can't imagine how amazing that would be for him to sing to her like that. even if it is just for the video.
Edman Nope
Just restarted watching the O.C. never realized how many good bands/tracks were in it.
K UGH
I can't stop listening to her 😎
Christian Cheyenne
This is a GREAT song!