"Anyone who has ever seen us live is going to hear the first 15 seconds of "Holler Back" and say ‘There’s The Lost Trailers. Those are the guys I saw open for Chesney or open for Sugarland’," says Stokes, tagged on the band’s website as The Writer."
Music is important and has a lasting quality," adds lead vocalist Ryder, aka The Voice. "But music should be fun too, there needs to be a balance. "Holler Back" is a fun song that captures the element of our live show which is really important to us as well.
"Ryder and Stokes both gravitated towards music in high school, where they convinced another student, drummer Jeff Potter, to join them in a band named Ryder Stokes. Soon, Stokes’ younger brother Andrew came on as their bassist, a position now held by the fifth and last member to join the band, Manny Medina (Andrew moved over to keyboards).
The new band caught a break early, as their demo found its way to Willie Nelson, who invited them to perform on his annual Fourth of July picnic. By the time they got to Austin, they had changed the band’s name, thanks to some unfortunate incidents involving successive equipment trailers. The 15,000 fans there that afternoon witnessed the debut of The Lost Trailers, and the response was so enthused that Nelson ended up inviting them to open other dates for him.
"What we learned from that experience was that putting on a great show will build a fan base," remembers Stokes. "If you do it night after night, your fan base will grow. If you earn those fans early on, they will stay fans for life. Even after all these years, Willie puts on a great show every night, and he takes care of his fans, and we strive for that sort of connection with our fans."
The Lost Trailers hit the road, first crammed into an SUV, then a van and ultimately graduating to a bonafide bus, which was the place they called home 300 days a year for five years. "For five years, we were basically living in America," says Ryder. "That experience was the basis of this record. It was being a group of guys with unique personalities who learn to live as a family, who have been there, done that, and tell that story honestly. We learned a lot about ourselves from constant touring, and we were able to define our sound before we got signed.
"The Lost Trailers came to the major label table after SONY/BMG Nashville A&R head Renee Bell introduced them to label chairman Joe Galante, who immediately signed them, seeing in The Lost Trailers that same road-tested talent and passionate drive that Alabama brought to his label 25 years before. "Alabama has always been one of our biggest role models," says Stokes. "It turned out that the first songs Ryder and I ever performed in front of an audience were Alabama songs. It was such a thrill to be on the same label where they spent their career, and signed by the guy who broke them. It just felt like it was meant to be.
"Through 2006, The Lost Trailers maintained their permanent temporary bus residence, headlining clubs like they had always done, and opening dates in massive arenas for established stars like Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley and another great teacher, Kenny Chesney.
"What we learned from Kenny was put out great songs, put out songs you believe in, and that your fans believe in," says Stokes. "Deliver to your fans. Give them what they want that’s the best of you. All the years of touring, we’ve learned what we do best. It was time to put that on a record.
"The band found the key to realizing that in producer Brett Beavers, who came into the picture with the same goal: capture the energy and excitement of The Lost Trailers’ live show and put it on a record. He produced several of the tracks, notably the album opener, "Holler Back," and the second cut, "How ‘Bout You Don’t". The wrenching ballad that does a complete emotional and musical 180 from the jacked-up title cut, and relies on Ryder’s resonate, soulful vocals to convey the desperation of a man about to lose everything, piercing the hearts of listeners who have been on either side of that door.
Ryder and Stokes not only share songwriting credits on several tunes, but also took the production reins in the studio on a couple of cuts, not unlike the way they used to do it before they were signed to a recording contract.
"We took six months off to make this record," says Ryder. "We haven’t taken that much time off the road in six years. We poured all of that energy that would have gone into performing live, and put it on this record. Everything we have done for the last seven years has led to this record."
Bad Habit
The Lost Trailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All that I do that's just the way I am.
But all I want is to be your man.
Just let me be your....your bad habit.
Just tell me what you need and you'll have it now
Just tell her heart to release me
I'm only with her cause I've had to fight against the world that wants to run our lives.
Just let me be your....your bad habit
Just tell me what you need and you'll have it now
Just tell her heart to release me
And you still please me so come on babe release me.
Leaving her now, I'm never thinking
'Til we went out by the river now I'm sinking down
Those days are gone
Thanks to you, now all I wanted is the love thats flowing through you
Just let me be your....your bad habit
Just let me be your....your bad habit
Just let me be your....your bad habit
Just let me be your....your bad habit
[Instrumental break]
Just let me be your....your bad habit
Just let me be your....your bad habit
Just let me be your....your bad habit
Just let me be your....your bad habit
I'm not asking you to understand.
But all I want is to be your man
The song "Bad Habit" by The Lost Trailers features lyrics about a complicated love affair. The singer admits he's not perfect and has flaws, but all he wants is to be with the person he loves. He asks for the chance to be their "bad habit," fulfilling their needs and desires. He's with someone else currently, but it's only because he's had to fight against the outside world to be with them. Despite the complications, he pleads to be with the person he truly loves.
The lyrics are emotional and reflective of a situation many people find themselves in. They capture the conflicting emotions of love, passion, and longing. The singer is upfront and honest about his faults and desires, hoping the other person can see past them and love him for who he truly is. The song's message is ultimately about taking a chance on love and being true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not asking you to understand.
I don't expect you to comprehend why I am the way I am.
All that I do that's just the way I am.
My actions are a result of my inherent nature.
But all I want is to be your man.
I desire to be the man you're with.
Just let me be your....your bad habit.
Accept me as your indulgence, your guilty pleasure.
Just tell me what you need and you'll have it now
Let me know what you require, I'll provide it instantly.
Just tell her heart to release me
Persuade her heart to let me go.
I'm only with her cause I've had to fight against the world that wants to run our lives.
I'm only with her because of external pressures that threaten our relationship.
But I would stop to be with you tonite.
I would put everything else aside to spend time with you tonight.
And you still please me so come on babe release me.
You still please me, so please free me from my current situation.
Those days are gone
The past is over.
Thanks to you, now all I wanted is the love thats flowing through you
Because of you, all I crave is the love that you possess.
Just let me be your....your bad habit
Allow me to be your addictive vice.
[Instrumental break]
Just let me be your....your bad habit
Let me be your irresistible addiction.
I'm not asking you to understand.
I don't expect you to grasp my situation fully.
But all I want is to be your man
However, I just want to be your partner.
Contributed by Alexis J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.