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
Hold Me Together
Royal Tailor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have been searching for you lately
I've been wounded and from what I hear
You have the remedy
They told me You would be for me
So now I need to know
Is this a love that can save me
Will You stay with me when nobody is around
If this is real, then tell now
Can you hold me together
Can your love reach down this far
Can you hold me together
Cause without You holding my heart
I'm falling apart
Falling apart
Saying so long, been lost, been gone
Not sure what to pray
It's not easy but I know You see me
When I lose my way
I keep on floating not knowing
If there is more for me
Don't want to sink beneath waves of negativity
I'm going under,
I'm afraid that I might drown
If this is real,
I need you now
Can you hold me together
Can your love reach down this far
Can you hold me together
'Cause without You holding my heart
I'm falling apart, yeah
Falling apart
Oh, Lord
I'm feeling stronger
With you by my side
And I realize You are my hope
I need to know
Can you hold me together
Can your love reach down this far
Can you hold me together
'Cause without You holding my heart
I'm falling apart,
Falling apart, yeah
Hold me together Lord
Without You,
I'm falling apart
Falling apart
The song "Hold Me Together" by Royal Tailor is a powerful ballad that speaks about the need for love and support during times of struggle and hardship. The lyrics are addressed to Mercy, who is referred to as a healer and a savior. The singer is asking for Mercy's love to hold him together during difficult times, to be his rock when he is falling apart.
The song acknowledges the difficulties of life and how easy it is to lose one's way. The singer speaks about feeling lost and not knowing what to pray, but he knows that Mercy sees him even when he loses his way. The song expresses a need for reassurance and hope that things will get better with the help of Mercy's love and support.
The chorus emphasizes the depth of the singer's need for Mercy's love to hold him together. He is struggling to stay afloat and feels like he is falling apart without her. The song ends on a note of hope, with the singer feeling stronger and more hopeful with Mercy by his side.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello Mercy,
Addressing God who is referred to as Mercy
I have been searching for you lately
Expressing the desire to find God recently
I've been wounded and from what I hear
Referring to emotional or spiritual wounds and hearing about God's healing abilities
You have the remedy
Believing that God has the solution to the wounds
They told me You would be for me
Referring to the idea of God being a helper to those who seek Him
So now I need to know
Expressing the need for clarification and assurance from God
Is this a love that can save me
Asking if God's love is capable of providing salvation
Or say You will then don't
Requesting God not to make false promises
Will You stay with me when nobody is around
Asking if God's presence is consistent even when there is no one else around
If this is real, then tell now
Asking God to confirm the reality of His love and presence
Can you hold me together
Asking God if His love is powerful enough to keep one from falling apart emotionally or spiritually
Can your love reach down this far
Asking if God's love can reach and heal even the deepest wounds
Cause without You holding my heart
Acknowledging that life can fall apart without God's grace and love
I'm falling apart
Expressing the emotional and spiritual turmoil without God's love
Saying so long, been lost, been gone
Referring to feeling lost and disconnected from God
Not sure what to pray
Admitting the difficulty in finding words to express prayers
It's not easy but I know You see me
Believing that God sees and understands the challenges being faced
When I lose my way
Acknowledging the tendency to stray from the right path
I keep on floating not knowing
Feeling lost and adrift without direction
If there is more for me
Wondering if there is more to life than what is currently being experienced
Don't want to sink beneath waves of negativity
Seeking to avoid being consumed by negative thoughts and feelings
I'm going under,
Feeling overwhelmed and helpless
I'm afraid that I might drown
Feeling like the situation is becoming too much to handle
I need you now
Asking God for immediate help and intervention
I'm feeling stronger
Experiencing a sense of strength and resilience
With you by my side
Acknowledging God's presence and support
And I realize You are my hope
Realizing that God is the ultimate source of hope and strength
Hold me together Lord
A plea for God to provide strength and support
Without You,
Acknowledging the importance of God's love and grace
I'm falling apart
Expressing the emotional and spiritual turmoil that occurs without God's love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHUCK BUTLER, TAUREN WELLS, TONY WOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aniesrebeca7300
Lyrics
Hello Mercy,
I have been searching for you lately
I've been wounded and from what I hear
You have the remedy
They told me You would be for me
So now I need to know
Is this a love that can save me
Or say You will then don't
Will You stay with me when nobody is around
If this is real, then tell now
Can you hold me together
Can your love reach down this far
Can you hold me together
Cause without You holding my heart
I'm falling apart
Falling apart
Saying so long, been lost, been gone
Not sure what to pray
It's not easy but I know You see me
When I lose my way
I keep on floating not knowing
If there is more for me
Don't want to sink beneath waves of negativity
I'm going under,
I'm afraid that I might drown
If this is real,
I need you now
Can you hold me together
Can your love reach down this far
Can you hold me together
'Cause without You holding my heart
I'm falling apart, yeah
Falling apart
Oh, Lord
I'm feeling stronger
With you by my side
And I realize You are my hope
I need to know
Can you hold me together
Can your love reach down this far
Can you hold me together
'Cause without You holding my heart
I'm falling apart,
Falling apart, yeah
Hold me together Lord
Without You,
I'm falling apart
Falling apart
@nathanvarghese.
2022 and I’m still here!!! EPIC. Royal Tailor pls come back together
@jonathanfleury2307
Tauren Wells is still writing music as a solo artist, go check his stuff out - AMAZING!
@sarahbaptiste8383
2020 and I still love them ❤️
It's a pity that they disbanded years ago, but their songs will always be remembered.
@Jackie-tx8if
100%! 🙌💓
@lucytan9761
What's the reason??
@sarahbaptiste8383
@Lussi mussi I'm not sure
@eggy8730
@Lucy Mussi Once Tauren left to pursue his solo career, I’m assuming the band had trouble producing the same sort of voice, and in the end, decided it’d be best to disband altogether. I’m honestly kinda sad we didn’t get at least one more album from Royal Tailor, but I’m super happy with what we did get. Nothing but great songs on each record.
@FerLima16
Casi 2022 y sigue siendo la misma joya como al escucharla hace 10 años 😭 Gracias Tauren!!!
@aniesrebeca7300
Lyrics
Hello Mercy,
I have been searching for you lately
I've been wounded and from what I hear
You have the remedy
They told me You would be for me
So now I need to know
Is this a love that can save me
Or say You will then don't
Will You stay with me when nobody is around
If this is real, then tell now
Can you hold me together
Can your love reach down this far
Can you hold me together
Cause without You holding my heart
I'm falling apart
Falling apart
Saying so long, been lost, been gone
Not sure what to pray
It's not easy but I know You see me
When I lose my way
I keep on floating not knowing
If there is more for me
Don't want to sink beneath waves of negativity
I'm going under,
I'm afraid that I might drown
If this is real,
I need you now
Can you hold me together
Can your love reach down this far
Can you hold me together
'Cause without You holding my heart
I'm falling apart, yeah
Falling apart
Oh, Lord
I'm feeling stronger
With you by my side
And I realize You are my hope
I need to know
Can you hold me together
Can your love reach down this far
Can you hold me together
'Cause without You holding my heart
I'm falling apart,
Falling apart, yeah
Hold me together Lord
Without You,
I'm falling apart
Falling apart
@TJYasha
Thank you, Royal Tailor. This song has pulled me through some major hurt over the past few years. Keep drawing your audience closer to the Lord.