They started as an electronic dance music project in 2003 in Berlin, but have since slowly developed into a band with no programmed elements. Their German record label is Bubbles. Their debut album Dreams was released on June 21, 2006 in Germany. In July 2007, Modular Records signed them to their UK imprint and the band played their first UK performance with New Young Pony Club at the London Astoria in September 2007. The album was released in the UK with the single Burning in November 2007. The Band released their second album, Rules, in March 2009. It was recorded in a newly built studio located on Punta Burros, Nayarit, Mexico.
Their single "1517" was also featured in the soundtrack of the video-game FIFA 10.
The band started The Whitest Boy Alive + The New Wine tour in April, 2009, visiting Germany, Denmark, United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden. In 2011 the band travelled to China with promoters Split Works.
In June 2014, the band announced via their Facebook page that they "are no longer composing or playing together as The Whitest Boy Alive."
They reactivated in 2019.
Promise Less or Do More
The Whitest Boy Alive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No need to shout about it,
I'm sick and tired too.
I spend the hours searching
For better ways of working.
It's him and me and you.
So often taking your side,
So often slacking your line,
Then get yourself together.
But it was now or never,
Already long ago.
Luck is a gift, but rarely only a random thing.
It's not enough to sit down and wait for a phone to ring.
A year a go somebody
Was here and now they tell me
Our issues were the same.
Whereas I've recently been,
We keep on keeping you in.
Nothing will ever change.
You must have heard it humming,
You must have seen it coming.
Your back had shown the belt.
Did you just never notice?
You know what high or low is,
You brought this on yourself.
Luck is a gift, but rarely only a random thing.
It's not enough to sit down and wait for a phone to ring.
The lyrics to The Whitest Boy Alive's Promise Less or Do More is a deep reflection on the struggles and frustrations of daily life. The singer starts by pleading for peace, stating that there is no need to fight or shout about things. He immediately follows up by admitting that he is sick and tired as well, implying that he is just as frustrated as the person he is speaking to. The chorus then comes in, and it centers around the idea that luck is a gift but not entirely random. Sitting down and waiting for the phone to ring does not necessarily make good things happen, implying that one must put in the effort to change their situation.
The second verse continues with the theme of frustration, where the singer is comparing their current situation to that of someone who was here a year ago. He then says that nothing has changed, and nothing ever will, as they keep allowing the same issues to persist. Emphasizing this, they mention how the person must have heard or seen the problems coming, but chose to ignore them. The final line of the verse, "You brought this on yourself," places the blame on the person and encourages them to take responsibility for their actions.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the importance of taking charge of one's life and not waiting for things to happen to them. Luck may play a part in life, but that alone is not enough. One must put in the effort to make things happen and not just sit around hoping things will change.
Line by Line Meaning
No need to fight about it,
There's no need to argue or get angry.
No need to shout about it,
There's no need to yell or raise your voice.
I'm sick and tired too.
I'm also exhausted and worn out.
I spend the hours searching
I dedicate a lot of time to finding better ways to do things.
For better ways of working.
For more efficient, productive methods of getting things done.
It's him and me and you.
The responsibility for success or failure lies with all of us.
So often taking your side,
I often support you and your ideas.
So often slacking your line,
I often don't perform up to your expectations.
Hoping that you will grow.
I hope that you will develop and improve.
Then get yourself together.
It's time to pull yourself together.
But it was now or never,
The opportunity to act has come and gone.
Already long ago.
It's been a while since the chance to act has passed.
Luck is a gift, but rarely only a random thing.
While luck plays a role in success, it's not the only factor.
It's not enough to sit down and wait for a phone to ring.
You can't just sit idle and hope success comes to you without effort.
A year ago somebody
Someone was here a year ago.
Was here and now they tell me
They were here in the past but have now told me their story.
Our issues were the same.
We faced the same problems and obstacles.
Whereas I've recently been,
I've had different experiences recently.
We keep on keeping you in.
We're still relying on you to contribute and help us succeed.
Nothing will ever change.
If we don't take action, things will never improve.
You must have heard it humming,
You must have noticed something was wrong or amiss.
You must have seen it coming.
You should have been able to predict what was going to happen.
Your back had shown the belt.
You were already experiencing negative consequences or discipline.
Did you just never notice?
Did you not realize what was happening?
You know what high or low is,
You understand both success and failure.
You brought this on yourself.
You're responsible for the current situation and problems we face.
Contributed by Mackenzie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.