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.
Love Alone
Thriving Ivory Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it's only on the inside.
I know you're lost and you're confused
Yeah it's only on the inside.
I see you walk and you're dragging your feet
But it's only for a moment.
Stuck at the part where you feel incomplete
Yeah it's only for a moment.
It's not too late to walk in my direction,
When honey, everything you needs in your reflection.
Who's gonna walk you home and who's gonna hold your hand?
When you're heavy like a stone and there's trouble where you stand.
No I won't tell your heart where to go
I'll make it feel something it won't
You could rearrange the stars and make them all your own
But you can't fall in love alone.
I know you're torn and in between dreams
But it's all you've ever known.
And I know you're worn out at the seams
Yeah it's all you've ever known.
Well there's no place left for you to run
You can cast your past into the sun
Watch it light up the night and honey, you will be fine.
It's not too late to walk in my direction,
When honey, everything you needs in your reflection.
Who's gonna walk you home and who's gonna hold your hand?
When you're heavy like a stone and there's trouble where you stand.
No I won't tell your heart where to go
I'll make it feel something it won't
You could rearrange the stars and make them all your own
But you can't fall in love alone.
You can't fall in love alone.
Tell me who's gonna walk you home.
Who's gonna walk you home and who's gonna hold your hand?
When you're heavy like a stone and there's trouble where you stand.
No I won't tell your heart where to go
I'll make it feel something it won't
You could rearrange the stars and make them all your own
Tell me who's gonna walk you home
Tell me who's gonna walk you home
'Cause you can't fall in love alone.
The song "Love Alone" by Thriving Ivory is a powerful ballad that speaks to the pain and uncertainty of love. The lyrics describe someone who is struggling to find love and feels lost and confused, but the singer is offering comfort and love to help them through it. The first verse establishes that the pain is only on the inside, showing that while the wounds may not be visible, they are no less real. The second verse suggests that the person is stuck in a cycle of feeling incomplete and lost, but it's only for a moment. The chorus then serves as a reminder that falling in love requires two people, and that even if the person rearranges the stars, they can't do it alone.
Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes that the person is not alone, that they don't have to carry the weight of their painful experiences on their own. They also repeat the question "who's gonna walk you home and who's gonna hold your hand?" as a way to underscore the importance of having someone by your side in the journey of life. The message is clear: love is not something that can be accomplished alone, and by reaching out for help and support, the person can find healing and growth.
Overall, "Love Alone" is a poignant reminder of the power of love as a force that can help us overcome our pain and struggles. The lyrics serve to comfort and inspire listeners who may be dealing with their own feelings of confusion and heartache, offering hope and the promise that they are not alone.
Line by Line Meaning
I know it hurts, I know you're bruised
I understand that you've been through some pain and discomfort
But it's only on the inside.
You may not show it on the outside, but I can sense your internal struggles
I know you're lost and you're confused
You may feel disoriented and uncertain
Yeah it's only on the inside.
Your confusion may not be apparent to others, but I can tell
I see you walk and you're dragging your feet
I notice that you're moving slowly and without enthusiasm
But it's only for a moment.
Your lack of energy won't last forever
Stuck at the part where you feel incomplete
You're struggling with feeling like something is missing from your life
Yeah it's only for a moment.
This feeling of incompleteness won't last forever
It's not too late to walk in my direction,
You can still change direction and seek my help
When honey, everything you needs in your reflection.
I can offer a mirror that reflects everything you need to be complete
Who's gonna walk you home and who's gonna hold your hand?
Who is going to offer you comfort and guidance?
When you're heavy like a stone and there's trouble where you stand.
When the weight of the world feels heavy, and you're struggling with problems
No I won't tell your heart where to go
I won't force any decisions upon you, but rather support you in following your heart
I'll make it feel something it won't
I'll encourage you to take chances and go beyond your comfort zone
You could rearrange the stars and make them all your own
You have the power to make changes in the universe that will benefit you
But you can't fall in love alone.
You need other people to support and love you in order to thrive
I know you're torn and in between dreams
You may be conflicted and torn between different desires
But it's all you've ever known.
This sense of conflict may be something you've dealt with your whole life
And I know you're worn out at the seams
You may be feeling tired and worn down
Yeah it's all you've ever known.
These feelings of exhaustion may have been with you for a long time
Well there's no place left for you to run
You've come to a point where you can't escape your problems any longer
You can cast your past into the sun
You have the ability to let go of your past struggles and pain
Watch it light up the night and honey, you will be fine.
You'll feel a sense of release and everything will be okay
Tell me who's gonna walk you home
I want to be the one to offer you support and guidance
Cause you can't fall in love alone.
You need love and support from others to thrive and be happy
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CLAYTON STROOPE, GREGG WATTENBERG, SCOTT JASON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind