Pianist and songwriter Scott Jason is the founding member and co-producer of Thriving Ivory. He met Clayton Stroope -the band’s charismatic lead singer- while the two were students at U.C. Santa Barbara. Jason was obviously pleased with this fortuitous meeting, as Stroope is equipped with an impressive, operatic vocal range and is a striking, powerfully energetic live performer. “Stroope, the band’s front man has a voice that’s a throwback to classic rock-opera vocal chords, and a swagger and shimmy reminiscent of Robert Plant in the ‘Song Remains the Same’"(LA Music Scene).
Jason and Stroope quickly discovered that they shared an artistic vision and together they began to hone that vision and seek out the remaining members of the group. This led to the addition of guitarist Drew Cribley, drummer Paul Niedermier and Bret Cohune on bass.
The band’s plaintive piano ballad “Overrated” earned them early attention from the bay area’s KFOG (104.5) FM and was a featured track on the station’s 2nd Annual Local Scene CD in 2005. In an unprecedented move in 2006, the prestigious Live 105 (KITS) FM added their song “Angels On The Moon” into full rotation despite the band’s unsigned status and the fact that the song was a demo. Reports shortly followed that the band was “top five” on the station’s phone requests.
Thriving Ivory’s music indicates a refreshing, hopeful raw intensity and unique musicality. Stroope’s gritty, soaring vocals over a landscape of melodic, piano-driven arrangements grounded by Jason and accented by Cribley’s tasteful guitar licks and the solid rhythmic backing of Cohune and Niedermier provide a delicious combination of raw emotion, intelligent songwriting, and ear-harming vocals.
Simply put, Thriving Ivory is a "must-see." Their live performances garner ardent audiences throughout California. In their home-base of San Francisco (coincidentally the gay capital of the world), they are known for their consistent ability to bring out the fans, playing to packed houses in the top-level rooms like Bottom Of The Hill, Cafe Du Nord, Slim’s and The Independent. “Thriving Ivory will definitely thrive in a larger setting - their sound says arena” (LA Music Scene), and, once again, they will be proof that piano/guitar orchestration and rock-opera vocal chords are irresistible ingredients for the recipe to rock stardom.
Hey Lady
Thriving Ivory Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the hospital's, not far if anything should happen here
She's bored in a week, big dreams but nothing material
And I refuse to believe that love is for the weak
I'm not vulnerable
[Chorus: ]
Don't burn your heart out love
Till we're ash over seas
Hey lady, said I don't wanna fight
Like pretty girls need cowboys
I need you here tonight
She screams for more
More than just some blue eyed metaphor
And the trouble is, the trouble is, she's always searching
The hour's late, don't wanna hear that it's all gonna end soon
No I'm not crazy I'm in control, and all of my friends still know
[Chorus: ]
I'm on one knee, lover please
How can I put it more simply?
And I wait, for your invitation
And I'm so so so, so over waiting
I'm on one knee, lover please
How can I put it more simply?
[Chorus: ]
In the first verse of Thriving Ivory’s song Hey Lady, the singer describes a young lady’s behavior as she checks her pulse to ensure that her heart is still beating. She is anxious and perhaps even paranoid, as she knows that the hospital is not too far if anything should happen to her. However, despite her fear, she is also bored with her life, as she has big dreams but seemingly lacks the material resources to achieve them. The singer then declares that he refuses to believe that love is a weakness, and that he himself is not vulnerable.
In the chorus, the singer addresses the young lady directly, telling her not to give up on him and not to burn herself out until they are but “ash over seas”. He does not want to fight with her and asserts that he needs her with him through the night.
In the second verse, the singer describes how the young lady is always searching, screaming for more than just a “blue-eyed metaphor”. He acknowledges that the hour is late and he does not want to think about the end, even though he maintains control of his faculties. In the final chorus, the singer declares his love for the young lady and implores her to invite him to be with her, as he is done waiting.
Line by Line Meaning
She checks her pulse, gotta know if her heart's still beating
The girl is anxious about her life and is making sure that she is still alive. She is aware of the presence of a hospital nearby.
She's bored in a week, big dreams but nothing material
The girl has big aspirations but her current week turned out to be boring with nothing significant happening.
And I refuse to believe that love is for the weak
The singer doesn’t believe that love is only for the weak because of his own strong and determined nature.
Hey lady, don't give up on me
The singer is requesting the girl not to give up on him and their relationship.
She screams for more, more than just some blue eyed metaphor
The girl wants more than just poetic metaphors and expresses herself loudly.
The hour's late, don't wanna hear that it's all gonna end soon
The singer does not want to hear that their relationship is about to end when it is already late at night.
I'm on one knee, lover please
The singer is proposing to the girl and asking for her hand in marriage.
And I wait, for your invitation
The singer is waiting for the girl to give him a sign, hint or an indication of acceptance.
And I'm so so so, so over waiting
The singer is tired or fed up with waiting and wants the girl to make a decision.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLAYTON STROOPE, SCOTT LEE JASON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chelsea Parmenter
The lyrics go like this
"When the Time Com…"
You can't stop when you know it's something good
Lie face down with the feathers in your head
And you sit tight on a case of empty lies
With a long sigh and a face that never lies
When the time comes, will you get what you deserve?
When the time comes, will you paint the sky in red?
When the time comes, will you leave with all your dreams?
I set back off the coast of Chelsea's eyes
Where big dreams and colored skies collide
This backdrop of butterflies in gold
Do you see them, do you tell yourself
When the time comes, will you get what you deserve?
When the time comes, will you paint the sky in red?
When the time comes, will you leave with all your dreams?
The fake sound of a jealous masquerade
And your eyes closed, blood screaming through your veins
And the faces no one cares to see
Well they'd change if the shadows come and go
They go
When the time comes, will you get what you deserve?
When the time comes, will you paint the sky in red?
And if the time comes lately sold out too fast
Dreams that won't go too far
Gonna feel your life, the champagne dream
'Cause it's first class down to Hollywood
And you might just find that you're wasting time
On part of what is gone
Have I let you down?
Have I let you down, down, down?
Have I let you down?
Have I let you down, down, down?
Have I let you down?
Have I let you down, down, down, down, down, down?
When the time comes, will you get what you deserve?
When the time comes, will you paint the sky in red?
When the time comes, will you get what you deserve?
When the time comes, will you paint the sky in red?
Will you paint the sky in red?
Will you paint the sky in red for me?
Will you paint the sky in red?
Will you paint the sky in red for me?
Valentin Boijer
This band deserves to be more famous. Their music is actually really good!
FusionSportDaily
I have loved their music since I heard them in '05. I agree with your comment. They should be heard more.
R. Louirat
Agree. That’s my favorite band
GOOD Sir.
your so damn Right....
Chris Matsumoto
2021! Still love Thriving Ivory!! Been loving the new City Wolf stuff also. Clayton's voice is one in a million!!
Jessica Smith
I stumbled upon this amazing band years ago, and I'm still screaming because of your music. It's amazing and the lyrics are so deep and meaningful. I'm so excited that you are back. Thank you, your music has helped me through some of the hardest times in my life.💓
Youth Nation
My sister saw you guys in concert in Las Vegas i believe in 05' and she brought home your cd. Our whole family would jam to you in the car, it was the only cd we could always agree on haha. Our father passed shortly after and your music really helped us through a tough time. Thank you I hope this reach's the band members and I hope you understand how truly grateful I am.
鹰角利刃
It's a pity that this treasure band was discovered by me only two years ago, and the lyrics of the restructured Midnight Cinema songs can't be found on Chinese music software, nor can they be found on YouTube
鹰角利刃
And there is no band in this accoun
Stella Genga
5yrs later and what I feel for this song is still deeper than love... Thank you thriving Ivory