It is often said that “the third time is a charm”, and for Throwing Gravity, that is precisely the expectation. In the fall of 2009, under their original name, The Rust, the band hit the road in promotion of their debut record - the first version that is - entitled “Anticipation”. Touring the House of Blues circuit in support of Secondhand Serenade & Parachute, the group traveled across the entirety of the continental U.S. and a portion of Canada, winning over fans night after night with rock and roll anthems and the live show to back them up.
Routing the group to territory previously unknown, the tour ultimately landed the quintet in Los Angeles, and as fate would have it, right into the lap of industry legend Jason Flom, credited with discovering Collective Soul, Stone Temple Pilots, Matchbox Twenty and Kid Rock, in addition to a host of other highly successful acts. After viewing the band’s showcase at the world-famous Viper Room, Flom signed the band to his newly-reformed Lava Records, doing business as a subsidiary of Universal Republic. All the hard work it seemed, had finally paid off - Throwing Gravity (to be) had finally landed the coveted “major label deal”.
Upon signing their contract with Lava/Universal in December 2009 and officially changing their name from The Rust to Throwing Gravity, the band was pushed right into the studio on January 1st, 2010 to begin the recording process for what would become “Wake Up”, the group’s (official) debut release. Featuring production and mixing from the likes of Chris Lord-Alge (Shinedown, Daughtry, Paramore), Ryan Williams (30 Seconds to Mars, 3 Doors Down, Outkast), Josh Abraham (Staind, Velvet Revolver, Limp Bizkit) and Jon King (Augustana, Future Leaders of the World, 3 Pill Morning), “Wake Up” included several new songs in addition to a collection of re-recorded songs from “Anticipation”, the bands original first record.
“Wake Up” was completed in the spring of 2010, and with masters in hand and multiplatinum team in place - production, mixing, legal, booking, management and label - the stage was set for what the members of Throwing Gravity planned to be the biggest year of their lives.
But plans don’t always work out.
For the better part of eight months, Throwing Gravity sat at home in Nashville, TN and waited. And waited. And waited. As time slowly dragged on, filled with unreturned phone calls, album release dates getting pushed back and tours falling through, it became increasingly clear that “the dream” was falling apart. And in late 2010, the dreaded phone call that everyone feared was on its way, finally came - Throwing Gravity was released from their contract with Lava/Universal Republic Records. And to make matters worse, their record - a product of countless hours of hard work, blood, sweat and tears, and lined with a slew of heavy-hitting industry names - was shelved, never to see the light of day.
By the end of 2010, the year that was so promising a mere 12 months earlier, Throwing Gravity was left with nothing. No record. No album. No money. A roller coaster ride leading straight back to square one.
After the inevitable period of mourning finally passed, Throwing Gravity decided to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and get back in the studio with friend and producer Jon King to record their first album yet again - for the third time. Armed with only the best songs from “Wake Up” and comprised predominately of new material, Throwing Gravity’s official debut record, “It’s Not the End”, is an audible masterpiece. Fueled by hard-hitting drums and burning guitar riffs on songs like “Circles” and “Stop”, layered with undeniable melodies and powerful lyrical content a la “Best Time” and “Given Up on Giving Up on You” and featuring the songs that have stood the test of time - “Wake Up”, “Missing You” and “Here We Go Again” - “It’s Not the End” is sure keep you listening from start to finish.
They say the third time’s a charm, and for the members of Throwing Gravity - Nick James (lead vocals/guitar), Jesse Triplett (lead guitar), Sam Hindmarsh (bass), Chris Scott (keys) and Tom DuPree III (drums) - that is precisely the expectation. And regardless of all the highs and lows that have occurred, the quintet’s mentality is no better expressed than through the title of their record. “It’s Not the End” proves that Throwing Gravity is in it for the long haul, and this time around, they’re playing for keeps.
Suffice it to say, Throwing Gravity is just getting started.
Stop
Throwing Gravity Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From all your conversations
Your rolodex is looking stacked
And that means complications
Between you and I
Stop don't say a thing
Or your diamond rings
I won't forget about the day you doubted me
It's just so simple to say
Next time your coming my way
I won′t forget about it
You′ve got your benz
But to what end
When we were crushed beneath you
You're spending money when there′s
Nothing left to give
Where does it end
Stop don't say a thing
Cause I don′t care about your games
Or your diamond rings
I won't forget about the day you doubted me
It′s just so simple to say
Next time your coming my way
I won't forget about it
Stop don't say a thing
You can keep your broken dreams
I won′t forget about the day you doubted me
It′s just so simple to say
Next time you're coming my way
I won′t forget about it
You're sitting back collecting checks
From all your conversations
How could you ever be so wrong (...I won′t forget about it)
You're got your benz but to what end
When we were crushed beneath you
Why would we ever play along (... I won′t forget about it).
The lyrics to Throwing Gravity's song "Stop" are a powerful message about not forgetting the negative impact that people have had on you in the past. The song speaks about someone who is successful, but only because they have stepped on others to get there. The singer is calling out this person for their shallow and selfish behavior, begging them to stop playing games and acting like they are superior.
The first verse speaks about this person's connections and success, and how that comes at a price of "complications" between them and the singer. The second verse speaks to their wealth and material possessions, and how those things don't matter when they have caused harm to others. The chorus repeats the message of not forgetting what this person has done, and not allowing them back into the singer's life. The final lines of the song, "You're sitting back collecting checks... How could you ever be so wrong?" show a frustration with people who seem to have everything, but got it through unethical means.
Overall, "Stop" is a song about standing up for oneself and refusing to be walked over by others who don't have your best interests at heart. It's a reminder that success does not justify harmful behavior, and that it's important to surround oneself with genuine and caring people.
Line by Line Meaning
You're sitting back collecting checks
You are passive and lazy, just sitting back and benefitting from others' hard work.
From all your conversations
You take credit for other people's words and ideas without contributing anything yourself.
Your rolodex is looking stacked
You have a lot of contacts, but they are only there to be used for your selfish gain.
And that means complications
Your manipulative behavior makes it difficult for people to trust you and work with you genuinely.
Stop don't say a thing
Your words are meaningless to me, and I don't want to hear them anymore.
Cause I don't care about your games
I see through your lies and manipulations and refuse to indulge in your games any longer.
Or your diamond rings
Your material possessions and status symbols do not impress me or make up for your lack of character.
I won't forget about the day you doubted me
You underestimated me in the past, but I will never forget that and will not let you do it again.
It's just so simple to say
Your apologies and promises mean nothing to me because of your actions and lack of integrity.
Next time you're coming my way
If you want to work with me, you need to be honest and genuine, and I won't tolerate anything less.
You've got your benz
You have a luxury car, but it doesn't define you or make you better than anyone else.
But to what end
What is the point of your material possessions if you cannot use them to bring any real value to the world or make genuine connections with people?
When we were crushed beneath you
You did not care about others' well-being and stepped on them to climb the social ladder.
You're spending money when there's nothing left to give
You are wasteful and use your resources to buy things that do not matter while ignoring those who truly need help.
Stop don't say a thing
Your words are empty and meaningless, and I want nothing to do with them.
You can keep your broken dreams
Your aspirations are disingenuous and selfish, and I am not interested in being a part of them.
You're got your benz but to what end
Your possessions and status do not impress me, and I see through your fake exterior.
Why would we ever play along
We refuse to be a part of your manipulative games and will not let you control us any longer.
How could you ever be so wrong
Your actions and manipulations are so misguided and detrimental to yourself and others that I cannot understand your reasoning.
I won't forget about it
Your past behaviors and actions have made a lasting impact on me, and I will not allow you to repeat them in the future.
Writer(s): Nicholas Newhouse, Jon T. King
Contributed by Julian S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.