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.
Where We Belong
Thriving Ivory Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we've got miles to go before we can sleep
I said, we've been walking a thin line
You've got one hand on the devil baby and one hand in mine
But don't let go no it's not too late you know
Hold on we're gonna make it if it takes all night
Hearts racing like a rocket at the speed of light
We're going back where we belong
So hold on we got our wings and we're chasing the wind
Farewell to all the places that we have been
And if it takes us all night long
We're going back where we belong
So we'll build temples in our heads
When we've grown frail and all our bones are of lead
We've been walking a winding road
Let's go, no footsteps to follow baby and no signs to guide us home
Don't let go, no it's not too late you know
Hold on we're gonna make it if it takes all night
Hearts racing like a rocket at the speed of light
Don't fight it we've been running for far too long
We're going back to where we belong
So hold on we got our wings and we're chasing the wind
Farewell to all the places that we have been
And if it takes us all night long
We're going back where we belong
See I have to believe that there's more than this seems
More than a soul in a boat in a sea of sinking dreams
And I have to be sure that there's gonna be a cure
'cause somewhere down the line, I lost that part of me that's pure.
But don't you let go yet no it's not too late you know
Hold on we're gonna make it if takes all night
Hearts racing like a rocket at the speed of light
Don't fight it we've been running for far too long
We're going back to where we belong
Hold on we got our wings and we're chasing the wind
Farewell to all the places that we have been
And if it takes us all night long
We're going back where we belong
Hold on we're gonna make it if it takes all night
Hearts racing like a rocket at the speed of light
And if it takes us all night long
We're going back where we belong
We're going back where we belong
The song "Where We Belong" by Thriving Ivory is an anthem about perseverance through adversity and the desire to return to a place where one feels at home. The opening lines, "We're too far out we're in too deep / And we've got miles to go before we can sleep," signify that the journey that the singer and their partner are on is daunting and exhausting. The line "You've got one hand on the devil baby and one hand in mine" suggests that they are facing obstacles that are both external and internal. However, the chorus serves as a rallying cry for them to hold on and continue their journey: "Hold on we're gonna make it if it takes all night / Hearts racing like a rocket at the speed of light / Don't fight it we've been running for far too long / We're going back where we belong."
The second verse is about the power of the mind to create one's own reality. "So we'll build temples in our heads / When we've grown frail and all our bones are of lead" suggests that even when the body is weak, one can still create a sense of purpose and identity within their own mind. The line "Let's go, no footsteps to follow baby and no signs to guide us home" signifies that they are paving their own path and that the choice to continue their journey is entirely theirs. The song ends on a triumphant note, with the repeated refrain "Hold on we're gonna make it if it takes all night / Hearts racing like a rocket at the speed of light / And if it takes us all night long / We're going back where we belong", signifying that they will not give up until they return to the place where they feel they truly belong.
Line by Line Meaning
We're too far out we're in too deep
We are in a difficult situation that we cannot easily escape from.
And we've got miles to go before we can sleep
We have a lot of work to do before we can finally rest.
I said, we've been walking a thin line
We have been taking risks and treading carefully in our actions.
You've got one hand on the devil baby and one hand in mine
You are balancing your good and bad aspects and holding on to me for support.
But don't let go no it's not too late you know
Don't give up yet, there's still hope to fix things.
Hold on we're gonna make it if it takes all night
We will persevere and be successful no matter how long it takes.
Hearts racing like a rocket at the speed of light
We are putting all our energy and passion into what we do.
Don't fight it we've been running for far too long
Stop resisting, we have been working hard for a while now and need to slow down.
We're going back where we belong
We are returning to where we feel comfortable and happy.
So hold on we got our wings and we're chasing the wind
We are free to go anywhere and are pursuing our dreams.
Farewell to all the places that we have been
We are leaving behind and saying goodbye to our past experiences.
We've been walking a winding road
We have taken a long and difficult path to get where we are now.
Let's go, no footsteps to follow baby and no signs to guide us home
We have no clear direction of where we are going but are ready to take the step into the unknown.
See I have to believe that there's more than this seems
I have faith that there is more to life than what meets the eye.
More than a soul in a boat in a sea of sinking dreams
The reality of life is not just about pursuing unachievable dreams.
And I have to be sure that there's gonna be a cure
I need to be confident that there is a solution to our problems.
'cause somewhere down the line, I lost that part of me that's pure.
At some point in life, I lost my innocence and became jaded.
Hold on we're gonna make it if takes all night
We will continue to work hard and be successful, even if it takes a long time.
And if it takes us all night long
We are prepared to put in the effort and time necessary to achieve our goals.
We're going back where we belong
We are returning to where we feel comfortable and happy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, WIND-UP PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLAYTON STROOPE, GREGG WATTENBERG, SCOTT JASON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind