"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."
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 lyrics of The Lost Trailers's song Sitting on Top of the World reflect on the changes and development of a city. The first two lines can be interpreted as the artist acknowledging the progress and gentrification of the city by stating that all they see has been bought and kept safe. The following line says "Trade the rift of the change for the landing" could be interpreted as the artist suggesting that it might be better to embrace change than to fight it. In the next line, "Save the light for the few that's left standing," the artist is saying that in the midst of change, it's essential to hold on to the things that remain constant.
The chorus says, "You tried to tell me, these are the good times, guess we'll find out down the line, down the line." This line might be interpreted as the artist questioning if these changes are truly the good times or if they will see the consequences further down the line. The next verse mentions that walking out used to be easy, and it was possible to leave the past behind, but it's no longer that simple. The artist explains that those times have faded into memories and that they are now here while the streets are sleeping.
The final lines of the song, "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" might be interpreted as the artist acknowledging that they have reached the top, but it seems bittersweet since they are now reflecting on what they left behind and what they found inside.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking out on these back streets that you brought me,
I am observing the dilapidated streets that you introduced me to,
All I see has been bought, kept for safety,
Everything that I see has been purchased and preserved for security purposes,
Trade the rift of the change for the landing,
Instead of risking the unknown changes of life, we are opting for a safe, predictable outcome,
Save the light for the few that's left standing.
The remaining individuals who survive are the only ones who will benefit from the light.
You tried to tell me
You attempted to inform me of something,
These are the good times,
Presently, we are experiencing good times,
Guess we'll find out
We will discover in due time,
Down the line, down the line
Further along in the future.
Walking out used to be so easy
Leaving was once a simple task,
Close the door while the light was still fading
Extinguishing the light as we walked out the door,
But those times seem to fade into memories
Sadly, those moments are distant memories,
And bring us here while those streets are left sleeping
Those streets remain inactive as we revisit this place.
It's what we left behind.
The things we failed to take with us,
It's what we found inside
The things that we discovered within ourselves,
So what is on your mind
May I inquire about your current thoughts,
Now that we're wasted, and sitting on top of the world
Now that we are worn out and sitting in a position of power,
Sitting on top of the world
Currently in a position of power and influence
Sitting on top of the world
Presently in a position of dominance
Sitting on top of the world
Currently in a position of power and influence
Sitting on top of the world
Presently in a position of dominance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JEREMY MAX FINER, JAMES THIRKHILL FEARNLEY, TERRY WOODS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind