Throughout the band's existence, the duo toured and recorded with a revolving door of musicians, and as of 2007, the band consisted of guitarists Mike Schey and Mark Buzard, bassist Don Raymond, drummer Adam Boyd, and its principal members, singer Nate Ruess and multi-instrumentalist Sam Means. The band chose their name to make fun of the music industry's inclination towards a cookie-cutter "format" for a hit. Despite this critique of the music industry, the band's aptly-titled first single--"The First Single" (from their five-song debut EP on Western Tread)--became popular in the Southwest music scene. This success led to The Format's signing with Elektra Records in 2002. Their first major label release and full-length album Interventions and Lullabies was released in October 2003. However, Elektra began to fold into a merger just as the album was rolling out its promotion, leaving the band as merely an afterthought as label restructuring began. The band toured North America for about two years while making plans for a new album and waiting out industry red tape.
The Format released a second EP on Atlantic (which had absorbed much of Elektra's roster after the label folded) titled Snails in April 2005. Although the EP was not a conventional mass release, it could be purchased at any of the band's performances, from their online merch store, and on iTunes. Not long after the release of the Snails EP, The Format was dropped from Atlantic. Due to their frustrating experiences with major labels, the band chose to record and release their second full-length album Dog Problems independently on The Vanity Label. The July 11, 2006 release of Dog Problems came two months after the band released the album for download on their website, in a move to combat an early leak.
On February 4, 2008, The Format announced that they will putting the band on hiatus because of creative differences. Nate Ruess already has plans to release a solo album which is scheduled to come out later this year.
Nate Ruess, the band's singer and lyricist, left the following message on the band's website:
"We have just put out word that we will not be making a new Format album. Please understand this was a tough decision and we're both upset about it. While we accept there will be false speculation as to why, understand that Sam and I remain extremely close and in fact are still passing the twin peaks box set back and forth in an attempt to figure out who REALLY killed Laura Palmer. We also want to thank everyone with and within the Format, particularly Mike, Don, and Marko, whom without, none of this would have ever even been fully realized. We both suggest you support their musical talents and whatever they decide to do. And lastly we want to thank the fans who made this the best 5 years of our lives."
Ruess announced August 11, 2008 that he is starting a new project called fun. with Andrew Dost formerly of Anathallo and Jack Antonof of Steel Train.
The Vanity Label, an imprint of major label Nettwerk, is managed by the band.
Since the end of The Format, Sam has continued designing merchandise. He converted theformatmerch.com into hellomerch.com where he features his newest work.
On February 4, 2020, the band announced a return from their hiatus for a tour of special shows.
Give It Up
The Format Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Right on past 83rd street
That's where we once belonged, but I'm gone
I swear, I'm long gone
So give it up, throw your hats in the air
And change just as they land
You're saying, "We'll get out of here"
So the stairs that you could climb
Are the ones you've left behind
And your eyes light up when we talk about the past
God, I miss those songs we used to sing
Talking like getting away would be the greatest thing
Well me, I got out
And you, you kept singing to me
Like that's really going to set this free
So give it up, throw your hats in the air
And change just as they land
You're saying, "We'll get out of here"
But something tells me that you're too scared
Something tells me that you're too scared to go
Like a ghost
You've been haunting all these dusty old roads and old homes
The ones we swore we'd never go, never go
As for Joe, oh, I've seen him around
Then there's Adam, he's afraid to go out
I don't blame him, I just wanted to go out to eat
Then there's Mark, god damn, I wish him the best
We were kids back then, as if we could progress
Sometimes I, I just can't sleep
Thinking of everything we could have been
So give it up, throw your hats in the air
And change just as they land
You're saying, "We'll get out of here"
But something tells me that you're too scared
Give it up, throw your hats in the air
And change just as they land
You're saying, "We'll get out of here"
But something tells me that you're too scared
Something tells me that you're too scared
Something tells me that you're too scared to go
The Format's song "Give It Up" is a nostalgic reflection on the past, adolescence and friendship, and how people change over time, while some remain stuck in the same place. The first verse sees the singer return to his old neighborhood, past 83rd St., where he once belonged. It is clear that he has moved on, and he declares "I'm gone, I swear I'm long gone", suggesting a certain discomfort with going back to the familiar. The chorus is the central part of the song, where the singer encourages people to give it up, throw their hats in the air, and change. He maintains that people are scared of leaving, even though they express the desire to, and that they should seize the opportunity to escape their current situation.
The second verse continues the theme of longing for the past and the singer's desire for progress. He reflects on the stairs that people could climb but left behind, a metaphor for missed opportunities or choices that led to stagnation. The nostalgia is palpable as he talks about missing the songs they used to sing and dreaming of getting away. The bridge focuses on specific people and how they have changed (or not) since the past, highlighting the subtle differences that come with the passage of time. The singer mentions Joe, Adam, and Mark, and while he wants the best for them, he sees that their lives have not progressed much. The final chorus is a call to action, where the singer urges people to give it up, make a change, and move on from the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I made my way back down to the valley, right on past 83rd St.
I returned to the place where we were once familiar, but now I have moved on.
That's where we once belonged, but I'm gone, I swear I'm long gone.
Although we used to be part of this place, I have left and have no intention of staying.
So give it up throw your hats in the air, and change just as they land, your saying “We'll get out of here” but something tells me your to scared to go.
Let go of the past and move forward with me. I hear you saying we'll leave this place, but I sense fear in your voice.
So the stairs that you could climb are the ones you've left behind and your eyes light up when we talk about the past.
You had opportunities to improve but chose to stay stagnant. Your nostalgia is clear when we reminisce about the past.
God I miss those songs we used to sing. Talking like getting away would be the greatest thing.
I fondly remember the music we shared and how we dreamed about leaving this town.
Well me, I got out, and you singing to me like that's really gunna set this free.
I have successfully left, and your singing won't change that. We need to take action to move on.
Like a ghost you've been haunting all these dusty old roads and old homes. The ones we swore we'd never go, never go.
You remain stuck in the past, and it feels like a haunting presence. We promised to never return, yet here we are.
As for Joe, oh I've seen him around. Then there's Adam, he's afraid to go out. I don't blame him I just wanted to go out to eat.
I've come across our old acquaintances, Joe and Adam. Adam seems hesitant to leave his comfort zone. I just wanted a casual, normal outing.
Then there's Mark, goddamn I wish him the best. We were kids back then as if we could progress. But sometimes I just can't sleep, thinking of everything we could have been.
I hope Mark is doing well, but I can't help but think about the potential we had as young people. It keeps me up at night.
So give it up throw your hats in the air, and change just as they land, your saying “We'll get out of here” but something tells me your to scared to go.
Let go of the past and move forward with me. I hear you saying we'll leave this place, but I sense fear in your voice.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Nate Ruess, Sam Means
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind