"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."
Standing on top of the world
The Lost Trailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All I see has been bought, kept for safety,
Trade the rift of the change for the landing,
Save the light for the few that's left standing.
[Chorus]
You tried to tell me
These are the good times,
Down the line, down the line
Walking out used to be so easy
Close the door while the light was still fading
But those times seem to fade into memories
And bring us here while those streets are left sleeping
[Chorus]
It's what we left behind.
It's what we found inside
So what is on your mind
Now that we're wasted, and sitting on top of the world
Sitting on top of the world
Sitting on top of the world
Sitting on top of the world
Sitting on top of the world
The Lost Trailers’ song “Standing on top of the world” is all about reflecting on the past and the changes that have occurred. The first verse talks about looking out on streets that were brought to the singer that have been now bought and kept for safety. This suggests that things have changed and the streets are not what they used to be. The singer then talks about trading the rift of change for the landing and saving the light for the few that’s left standing. This could mean that the good things and opportunities have been replaced by something more stable but not as exciting.
The chorus talks about how the singer was told that these are the good times and they will find out down the line. This suggests that they were living in the moment and not really thinking about the future, but now that some time has passed, they are starting to realize the significance of those times.
The second verse only emphasizes this reflection on the past with the singer acknowledging that walking out used to be easy and they used to close the door while the light was still fading. Now, those times are nothing but memories and the singer is sitting on top of the world, wondering what others are thinking about now that they’ve reached this point in their life.
Overall, the song suggests that the singer is realizing the importance of living in the moment and being aware of the changes happening around them. It highlights the importance of enjoying life for what it is, and not just waiting for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking out on these back streets that you brought me
I am observing the streets that you once led me to
All I see has been bought, kept for safety
All that my eyes can perceive has been acquired and preserved for security
Trade the rift of the change for the landing
Let us exchange the discord brought about by change for stability
Save the light for the few that's left standing
Reserve the illumination for the remaining few who endure
You tried to tell me
You attempted to inform me
These are the good times
This is a period of happiness and prosperity
Guess we'll find out
We will only come to know for sure with time
Down the line, down the line
In the future, in the future
Walking out used to be so easy
Leaving was once an effortless act
Close the door while the light was still fading
Shut the door as the light was dying out
But those times seem to fade into memories
Those moments appear to recede into recollections
And bring us here while those streets are left sleeping
And deliver us to this point while the avenues remain dormant
It's what we left behind.
It's what we abandoned.
It's what we found inside
It's what we discovered internally
So what is on your mind
What is occupying your thoughts
Now that we're wasted, and sitting on top of the world
Now that we are inebriated and on top of the world
Sitting on top of the world
Perched on top of the world
Sitting on top of the world
Perched on top of the world
Sitting on top of the world
Perched on top of the world
Sitting on top of the world
Perched on top of the world
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEREMY MAX FINER, JAMES THIRKHILL FEARNLEY, TERRY WOODS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind