The band’s self-titled sophomore album, Royal Tailor, out October 22 on Essential Records, is an electrifying step forward on every front: funkier, more danceable grooves; bigger sing-alongs; broader stylistic leaps; and deeper, more intimate conversations about God and faith. Royal Tailor shows the eclectic, pop-infused rock band fully growing into that potential.
"I think the first album was based off of our instincts, because we were so new to everything," singer Tauren Wells says. "In the last two years of touring, we've all grown. This time, we knew what we wanted to do, knew what we wanted to write about. Being out there on the road, seeing the things that kids are dealing with, what we’re dealing with ourselves too -- there's just so much learning that has taken place that we were ready to pour it all into these songs."
Royal Tailor’s songs expand on Black & White’s soul- and funk-angled pop sensibilities, stylistically spanning as broadly as the four bandmates’ influences, from hip-hop to pop, R&B, EDM, rock and gospel, with Wells' powerful, acrobatic vocal leading the way. Hats are tipped from Michael Jackson to Coldplay, though the LP remains centered, lyrically, on inspiration for anyone to know they can change no matter where they are, and in turn, can make a difference in the world and positively impact culture.
The hope is that the songs on Royal Tailor will move feet, hearts and minds, encouraging listeners to get closer to both God and their community -- to focus on coming together when too many people are pulling apart.
"We want to connect people, because there's strength in unity,” Wells says. "We believe that we're called to build bridges, not walls."
Royal Tailor feels called to use its music and campaigns to help tear down the walls that already exist, too -- the ones we put up between each other, because of differences in politics, religion, race or preference; or self-imposed walls, allowing circumstances or guilt to make us feel separated from God and happiness.
“Nothing can completely knock you down unless you let it,” Wells says. “So this album is get-back-up music. This is don't-let-'em-hold-you-down music."
Royal Tailor’s get-back-up music is fittingly celebratory, from the dance floor energy and spiritual enthusiasm of "Ready Set Go" and "Got That Fire” to the encouraging, '80s-throwback pop of "Jesus Love." But the album has tender moments, too, including thanks-bearing ballad "You Are My Rescue" and “Remain,” an uplifting anthem of steadfast faithfulness.
The breadth is intentional, meant to reflect the well-rounded, well-honed musicianship that defines Royal Tailor as a unit.
"There's rap, there's more guitar solos, bigger drum tones, funkier basslines,” Wells says. “I think if people give Royal Tailor a chance, they'll find that there's something for everyone."
Produced by Chris Stevens (Mandisa, Colton Dixon), Aaron Lindsey (Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp) and Chuck Butler (worked with Britt Nicole, Brandon Heath), Royal Tailor boasts additional collaborators tobyMac on 80’s pop throwback, “Jesus Love,” and other co-producer, Cole Walowac of Capital Kings, who co-wrote and teamed up on the song “Ready Set Go.”
To craft and capture the songs on Royal Tailor, the band connected with a mix of talented collaborators including producers Chris Stevens (Mandisa, Colton Dixon), Aaron Lindsey (Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp) and Chuck Butler (worked with Britt Nicole, Brandon Heath), hit songwriter Jason Ingram and co-writer, producer and friend, Cole Walowac of Capital Kings on the song “Ready Set Go.” To ramp up its already explosive live show, Royal Tailor also teamed with musical director Adam Blackstone, known for guiding Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and countless other mega-talents.
"The musicianship and the level that he brought it to was just crazy," Wells says of Blackstone. "I learned a lot about the energy that it takes to really move people emotionally -- he was completely tapped into all of that, and shared it with us."
The act of sharing one's gifts fittingly forms "an integral part of who we are" as a band, Wells says. Prior to signing with Essential, Royal Tailor spent a year working at a Granite City, Ill., church, mentoring and teaching kids to form their own worship bands, an experience that Ingram says instilled a valuable sense of patience and purpose. The band’s continued to follow that passion, helping students across the U.S. at colleges, camps, master classes and shows aimed at underlining the importance of music and teaching the fundamental truths of how impactful the arts, mixed with positive messaging, can truly be. Wells also recently developed Prisma Worship Arts School in his home of Houston, Tex., aimed at inspiring and teaching a new generation of faith-based artists.
"We're constantly trying to think of ways to be involved with the next generation," Wells says, "We want to invest in people, and (teaching) showed us that it could be done, that balancing both worlds is possible -- going out and being on the road and having a meaningful, personal impact."
Whether it’s through writing, recording, performing or talking about God and faith with fans and friends, that push toward a meaningful, personal impact stays front and center for the members of Royal Tailor. They’ve had far and wide opportunities to share that intent since Black & White’s 2011 release, from its Best Contemporary Christian Music Album GRAMMY nomination, to being honored as Google’s “50 bands under 30,” to a stocked international touring schedule, including Casting Crowns’ 43-city “Come To The Well” tour, Britt Nicole’s “You’re Worth More Than Gold” tour alongside Group 1 Crew, the Pollstar-topping, 44-city Winter Jam arena tour (seeing more than 550,000 in attendance) and Newsong’s “Swallow The Ocean” Tour.
With Royal Tailor, the band aims to take the conversation further, to start deeper discussions of faith and community, to encourage more focused action – to help keep knocking down walls.
“We want people to come and enjoy the music, have fun and enjoy the presence of God,” Wells says. “But we also want to inspire them to go out and do something with that, like it has inspired us. We want to encourage them to get ready and go get plugged into their community, in their schools, in their churches and make a difference. We want people to know you can be who you want to be, you can achieve what you want to achieve and realize we’ve all been created for something greater than ourselves”
“So, let’s all be that hope, be the light, be the love right now! Ready, Set, Go!”
Members:
Tauren Wells
Blake Hubbard
DJ Cox
Jarrod Ingram
Website: http://www.royaltailoronline.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/royaltailor
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/royaltailor
Gravity
Royal Tailor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's war without a cause
What's hope without humanity in need
What's a win without a loss
I know, I know we fight against gravity
But gravity's no enemy
Yes, I know, I know we fight against gravity
But gravity is what we need
It's pulling Heaven down, down, down
It's pulling Heaven down, down, down
How could it be the gravity that holds me to the ground
Is pulling Heaven down, down, down
What's free if there's no chains to be found
What's death without a cost
What's truth if we keep it out of reach
Who's Christ without a cross
I know, I know we fight against gravity
But gravity's no enemy
No, I know, I know we fight against gravity
But gravity is what we need
It's pulling Heaven down, down, down
It's pulling Heaven down, down, down
How could it be the gravity that holds me to the ground
Is pulling Heaven down, down, down
Gravity found us a Savior
Put Him on Earth so He could save us
No love, no force is greater
Heaven meets Earth, that's the gravity of love
Gravity found us a Savior
Put Him on Earth so He could save us
No love, no force is greater
Heaven meets Earth, that's the gravity of love
Pulling Heaven down so look up there's a change in the wind
A revolution is about to begin, love wins
Yeah, I'm talking about a holy visitation
For God to come and visit, this nation's patiently waiting
For Him to move like He said He would move
Ready for God to do anything that He wants to
The time is now to pull, if you ask me,
I'm not afraid of gravity It's pulling Heaven down
It's pulling Heaven down, down, down
It's pulling Heaven down, down, down
It's pulling Heaven down, down, down
It's pulling Heaven down, down, down
It's pulling Heaven down, down, down
It's pulling Heaven down, down, down
How could it be the gravity that holds me to the ground
Is pulling Heaven down, down, down
The song "Gravity" by Royal Tailor explores the idea of the opposing forces of gravity and love. The lyrics contrast different concepts, such as love without a heart to teach, war without a cause, and hope without humanity in need. The chorus repeats the phrase "I know we fight against gravity, but gravity's no enemy" to emphasize the need for this force in our lives. The song suggests that gravity is pulling heaven down to earth and that the gravity of love is a powerful, unstoppable force.
The lyrics also reference the idea of a holy visitation and revolution that is about to begin. The song suggests that people should not be afraid of gravity, but rather embrace it as an essential force in life. Ultimately, the song suggests that love is a fundamental force that brings heaven down to earth and changes the world for the better.
Line by Line Meaning
What's love without a heart that it can teach
Love cannot exist without the ability to learn from it.
What's war without a cause
War would be meaningless and unnecessary without a reason to fight.
What's hope without humanity in need
Hope serves no purpose if there is no one to hope for or if there are no problems to overcome.
What's a win without a loss
Success has no meaning without the possibility of failure.
I know, I know we fight against gravity
We are aware of the struggle against the natural forces that hold us down.
But gravity's no enemy
Gravity is not a foe to be defeated, but a force to be understood and harnessed.
Yes, I know, I know we fight against gravity
Despite the challenge, we continue to fight against the pull of gravity.
But gravity is what we need
Gravity is a necessary force that keeps us grounded.
It's pulling Heaven down, down, down
Gravity is the force that brings the divine closer to Earth.
How could it be the gravity that holds me to the ground
The same force that tethers us to Earth is pulling Heaven closer to us.
What's free if there's no chains to be found
Freedom has no value if there are no obstacles to overcome.
What's death without a cost
Death is meaningless without the price that must be paid for it.
What's truth if we keep it out of reach
Truth is useless if it is not accessible or understood by others.
Who's Christ without a cross
The sacrifice of the cross is integral to the identity of Christ.
No, I know, I know we fight against gravity
We acknowledge the challenge of overcoming gravity.
But gravity is what we need
Gravity keeps us grounded and connected to our earthly home.
Gravity found us a Savior
The force of gravity brought the divine to Earth in the form of Jesus Christ.
Put Him on Earth so He could save us
Christ came to Earth to save humanity from their sins.
No love, no force is greater
Love is the most powerful and unstoppable force in the universe.
Heaven meets Earth, that's the gravity of love
The force of love brings together the mortal and the divine.
Pulling Heaven down so look up there's a change in the wind
The divine is drawing closer to Earth and change is coming.
A revolution is about to begin, love wins
A revolution of love is on the horizon, and love will always prevail.
Yeah, I'm talking about a holy visitation
A divine encounter and revelation is on its way.
For God to come and visit, this nation's patiently waiting
Humanity eagerly anticipates a visit from the divine.
For Him to move like He said He would move
Humanity expects the divine to fulfill its promises and move in powerful ways.
Ready for God to do anything that He wants to
Humanity is prepared for the divine to act in whatever way it sees fit.
The time is now to pull, if you ask me,
It is the present moment in which humanity must act and not delay.
I'm not afraid of gravity It's pulling Heaven down
The natural forces of the universe are not to be feared, as they are bringing the divine closer to us.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Tauren Wells, Daifah Davies, Aaron Lindsey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind