Jonny and Phil became fast friends after meeting at Lebanon Valley College with both of them majoring in Music Business. However the idea of the two of them forming a band never really crossed their minds. One year later, Mark joined them at LVC. Jonny and Mark quickly became friends as well, with both of them being the only guys at the school who could be seen walking around in Motley Crue and Metallica t-shirts. The two of them formed a band, but it quickly ended. Ben Guiles was a friend, and a well-known guitar player in another band at LVC. Jonny and Ben had actually jammed together upon first arriving at LVC years earlier.
Jonny and Mark had wanted to jam with Phil for a while, despite having somewhat different tastes in music, or so it seemed. Jonny gave Phil a call. As luck would have it, Ben was now looking to join a new band. Ben was invited to jam along with the group. That night, without a bass player, the soon-to-be band began playing together at LVC's Blair Music Center. The feeling was unanimous between the four. Everything felt right. After an eventual lineup change, the band found Eddie Roberts, a high school friend of Mark's. The lineup was complete, and for the boys, the excitement truly began.
Their first show took place on May 30th, 2011 and since then, the band has accomplished more than any one member could have imagined in just over 1 year. Despite hefty college schedules and the demands of full time work, STT refuses to die. The band quickly saw success through winning Lebanon Valley College’s Battle of The Bands, which reserved them a spot to share the stage with international artist Secondhand Serenade in the spring of 2012, despite having quite a different sound from the headliners. Almost immediately following their victory, the band caught the attention of Susquehanna Entertainment’s Terry Selders at the college’s annual evolution Music Industry Conference. The band soon signed with Terry as their personal manager at Susquehanna Entertainment in February of 2012.
Over the course of only a few months, STT has quickly received an impressive amount of attention from rock radio stations including 105.7 The X and 105.5 BOB. They have also just very recently shared the stage with national recording act Saving Abel, known for their platinum selling smash single "Addicted".
With momentum continuing to rise, the band has just successfully recorded a 5 track EP with Jason Rubal of Seventh Wave Studio. Thanks to increasing demand for recordings, the guys quickly and efficiently finished the songs in a mere 10 days. “The name may have “small” in it, but their sound is the exact opposite. We had a blast making this record and I am thrilled to see what these kids have in store for the industry. They are more than ready!” says Rubal. The record is due to be digitally released to over 60 digital music vendors on July 10, 2012 and is sure to create quite a buzz across the state of PA and the rest of the nation. If this strong group continues with the drive, passion, and success they have achieved in just 1 year, their future is bright, and their potential is unlimited: a very fitting description for a band with the word “titan” proudly displayed in their name.
Band Members:
Phil Freeman - Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
Jonny Ross - Drums
Ben Guiles - Guitar, Vocals
Eddie Roberts - Bass
The Man
Small Town Titans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Catch me if you can
The line is in the sand
You better plan to fail
'Cause boy you failed to plan
Underestimation
Is the word of the day
And get ready for a losing game
'Cause you have no idea what's coming
Stay in your lane ya better keep on running
Run til you realize I've proven you wrong
I'll keep stringing you along
I am the man
I'm the wanted man
Whatchya waiting for
Try to serve me with a ball and chain
I am the man
I'm the wanted man
That's hitting high scores
And leavin' on that one way train
You better understand
I am the man
Your voice is telling lies
It tells me not to try
Just take the easy way out
And don't get out of line
It's not the path I choose
I surrender to the muse
You surrender to the world
That's how you're gonna lose
'Cause you have no idea what's coming
Stay in your lane ya better keep on running
Run til you realize I've proven you wrong
I'll keep stringing you along cause
I am the man
I'm the wanted man
Whatchya waiting for
Try to serve me with a ball and chain
I am the man
I'm the wanted man
That's hitting high scores
And leavin' on that one way train
You better understand
I am the man
You better comprehend
I am the man
I'm declaring my wars
And I'm hitting high scores
You don't even know what's coming
Never heard this shit before
I'm declaring my wars
And I'm hitting high scores
You don't even know what's coming
Never heard this shit before
I'm declaring my wars
And I'm hitting high scores
You don't even know what's coming
Never heard this shit before
I'm declaring my wars
Hitting high scores
You don't even know what's coming
I am the man
I'm the wanted man
Whatchya waiting for
Serve me with your ball and chain
I am the man
I'm the wanted man
That's hitting high scores
And leaving on that one way train
I am the man
The lyrics of Small Town Titans' song "The Man" speaks about confidence, determination, and perseverance. The song is a statement of an individual's belief in his abilities and his decision to be in control of his life. The first few lines of the lyrics convey a challenge to the listeners to try and catch the man if they can. It also suggests that the listener might not be prepared for the challenge because they failed to plan.
The second verse talks about surrendering to the muse, which means submitting oneself to something that inspires creativity. The man in the song chooses to surrender to the muse while the listener surrenders to the world. The line "stay in your lane, ya better keep on running" implies that the man is ready to compete and win, and the listener is not even close to understanding what is coming.
The chorus continues to reinforce the image of the man as someone who is confident in himself, hitting high scores, and leaving on a one-way train to success. The repeated declaration of "I am the man," further emphasizes that it is a message of pride, confidence, and determination.
Overall, the song encourages people to be confident in their abilities, not to be afraid to stand out, and not to surrender to the world's standards.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the man
The singer has confidence in their abilities
Catch me if you can
The singer believes they are difficult to catch or defeat
The line is in the sand
A challenge has been laid down and there's no going back
You better plan to fail
The artist expects others to fail when going up against them
'Cause boy you failed to plan
The artist has already outsmarted their opponent
Underestimation
The tendency of others to underestimate the singer
Is the word of the day
Underestimation is expected and common
You better tighten up your laces
Preparation is key when facing the artist
And get ready for a losing game
The opponent will likely lose and should prepare for that outcome
'Cause you have no idea what's coming
The opponent is unprepared for what the artist will bring
Stay in your lane ya better keep on running
The opponent should stick to what they know and not try to match the singer
Run til you realize I've proven you wrong
The opponent must run away until they realize they were wrong to challenge the artist
I'll keep stringing you along
The singer will keep leading the opponent on
Whatchya waiting for
The opponent should hurry up and try to defeat the singer
Try to serve me with a ball and chain
The opponent should try to trap the singer, but it won't be successful
That's hitting high scores
The artist is achieving great success
And leaving on that one way train
The artist is moving on to bigger and better things
You better understand
The opponent should fully comprehend the singer's abilities and success
Your voice is telling lies
The opponent is trying to deceive the singer
It tells me not to try
The opponent is trying to discourage the artist from even attempting to compete
Just take the easy way out
The opponent suggests that the artist should give up and quit
And don't get out of line
The opponent doesn't want the artist to push back or challenge them
I surrender to the muse
The singer is choosing to follow their creativity and inspiration
You surrender to the world
The opponent is willing to give in and conform to society's expectations
That's how you're gonna lose
The opponent's willingness to conform will lead to their defeat
I'm declaring my wars
The singer is being assertive and declaring their intentions to challenge others
And I'm hitting high scores
The singer is achieving significant success
You don't even know what's coming
The opponent is completely unprepared for the artist's abilities and success
Writer(s): Phillip Freeman
Contributed by Mason P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
William Millsaps
At 65 with a 100 year musical experience ( The evolution of my taste beginning long before I, was...
In the 1920's.)
There have been many three-piece outfits along that path; and seriously...you guys can hold steady with the best of them.
The raw power, presentation, phrasing, and in your face presence...yeah it's awesome.
The six string becomes a battle axe, the percussion; a artillery barrage pounding the primal soul. And the vocals; reach into your
Head grabbing one's
synapses...and screaming ... HEY YOU!
Holy crap ... Real Rock...in REAL TIME!!!
Kudos...
I'm hard to impress,
Very Impressed though.
You Guys Rock!
The Charismatic Voice
How is this song NOT on all of the other reaction/analysis channels? Phil's voice blows me away. This needs to be heard more.
Single Malt Whisky Enthusiast
Ja
bridgeburner909
Thanks for introducing me to this song Elizabeth :D I'd seen SMT's cover of Mr Grinch ages ago when it was doing the rounds on social media but didn't follow up and look at more - really should have This one is a belter. That entrance cracks me up every time haha
Eirik Eidsvåg
I agree completly. Never heard of them before seeing this song/reactin on your channel, and like you, I got blown away. Such talented musicians.
dumattco
Have you reacted to the cover of you are a mean one Mr. grinch? That’s how I discovered them and it’s probably the best cover of any song I’ve heard his voice is absolutely insane. 🤪
Sam Hell
Miss Elizabeth, unfortunately too many people only check out the famous musicians, and completely miss out on truly incredible talent out there. I think YOU have the ability to bring these lesser known talents to the forefront and get the word out. Maybe have some "my choice" vids wherein you find these folks, and bring their wonderful abilities to our attention, and maybe even make them household names? I can definitely give a couple of amazing suggestions to get you started.
Btw, when Phil drops his voice at the end of the speak singing verses.. that is one awesome effect
John Spoonemore
I'm dealing with cancer, and some days are a real struggle. Thank you for this song, and for driving home the inspiration and the impetus to beat this effing disease the way it deserves to be.
98erics
Fellow cancer survivor here. Their music was the best medicine while going through chemo/radiation therapy. I felt bad for my neighbors due to my daily bass heavy jam sessions.
Cancer sucks. God is good. Be strong and keep fighting.
tony bosen
Your gonna beat this man set your mind that your gonna win this !
Gene C
Keep kicking ass John!