Since he started performing in DC coffeehouses in 2006, the tireless 29-year-old hasn’t let any moss grow under his trademark flip flops: two full-length CDs (Naked Without and Back to Love), two EPs (Rise and The Politics of Love), a live DVD (Live At Terry’s), four music videos—two rose to the #1 and #2 viewer-choice slots on MTV’s LOGO network—and nearly 500 shows in 100 cities nationwide. His latest CD, Turn It Around, releases April 12, supported by a ten-week, 50-city tour.
Tom is an unabashed romantic, known for his songs about love (many inspired by his new husband Mike, whom he married in October 2010) and longing. Recorded in Steubenville, Ohio, at Innovation Studios in December, Turn It Around glides from soulful, pensive ballads to infectious pop, from tender melodies to muscular rhythms, buoyed by an unflagging belief in the healing power of love. Drawing comparisons to his contemporaries such as Matt Nathanson, Jason Mraz and Lee DeWyze, Tom’s intimate live performances reflect his gift for incisive personal narratives. Tom is committed politically as well, having released songs and videos in support of marriage equality and the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” (A video for the song “Lover,” from his last album, is currently in rotation on LOGO—it tells the story of a soldier killed in Afghanistan while his husband waits at home, and stars servicemen who were discharged under don’t ask, don’t tell.)
Like his music, Tom’s story is a mix of struggle and spirit. A native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, he spent his high school and college years as a wrestler, leaving the family sport of gymnastics for one better suited to his teenage aggression. Following a brief stint as a teacher, he moved to Washington, DC in 2004 to enter Catholic seminary. It didn’t go as planned, and he abandoned his quest to become a priest—but not his desire to spread a message of hope and reconciliation through his music.
Now he’s winning followers across the country while still finding time to lead and raise funds for a DC nonprofit called Charlie’s Place that provides free meals, clothing and social services to the homeless. It’s the perfect day job for a man who lives what he sings.
I Do
Tom Goss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Swear I've told you ten thousand times before
I can't live like this
And you said you'll try harder every time
And then you step over piles like you're dodging land mines
I guess I'll live like this
And so you think you've heard snoring before
Until you step into town and hear my Michael's sleeping roar
I can't sleep like this
And so you read on-line the perfect fix
Fell back asleep embracing all of it
I guess I'll sleep like this
And I'll say I do
Because your greatest faults
Are my greatest loves
There are no words to describe how I feel
And with this ring I wed
Only two words said
I do, I do, I love you
And could I ever ask for more
Than your hand in mine and our love forever swore
I'll say I do
The song "I Do" by Tom Goss tells the story of a couple's life together. The opening lines suggest a frustration with a partner's lack of cleanliness, but the repetition of "I can't live like this" takes on a larger meaning. The singer is acknowledging that commitment requires compromises and accepting that not everything will be perfect. The lines, "And you said you'll try harder every time / And then you step over piles like you're dodging land mines / I guess I'll live like this," show the struggle and the compromise.
Later in the song, the singer talks about the snoring of their partner, Michael. The irritation of the snoring is another example of the need for compromise, but the chorus shifts to a positive refrain. The words "I do" show a commitment to their relationship, despite these imperfections. The lines "Because your greatest faults / Are my greatest loves / There are no words to describe how I feel" encapsulate the idea that love isn't about perfection, but about finding beauty and meaning in the flaws of one's partner.
The final lines of the song, "And with this ring, I wed / Only two words said / I do, I do, I love you / And could I ever ask for more / Than your hand in mine and our love forever swore / I'll say I do," bring the story of the song full circle, emphasizing the power of the simple words "I do" to hold together a lifelong commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
You never pick your clothes up off the floor
You always leave your clothes lying around, despite me asking you countless times to pick them up.
Swear I've told you ten thousand times before
I have repeatedly asked you to pick up your clothes and clean up after yourself.
I can't live like this
I am unhappy with the way you are behaving and living together is becoming unbearable.
And you said you'll try harder every time
You promise to do better and improve your behavior every time I bring up your faults.
And then you step over piles like you're dodging land mines
Despite your promises, you continue to ignore the mess and dodge around piles of clothes like they are dangerous.
I guess I'll live like this
I have given up hope of you ever changing your behavior, and I suppose I will have to put up with it.
And I'll say I do
Despite your faults, I am committed to marrying you and staying together.
And so you think you've heard snoring before
You thought you knew what snoring sounded like until you heard my partner snoring loudly.
Until you step into town and hear my Michael's sleeping roar
My partner's snoring is so loud and disruptive that it sounds like a roaring animal.
I can't sleep like this
The snoring is so loud and disruptive that I cannot get a good night's sleep.
And so you read on-line the perfect fix
You search online for a solution to the snoring problem.
Fell back asleep embracing all of it
You fall back asleep while embracing the idea of finding a solution to the snoring problem.
I guess I'll sleep like this
Although I have not found a solution to the snoring problem, I will have to continue sleeping like this.
Because your greatest faults
Despite your flaws and shortcomings,
Are my greatest loves
I still love and accept you for who you are.
There are no words to describe how I feel
My love for you is beyond words and cannot be fully expressed.
And with this ring I wed
I commit to marrying you and spending the rest of my life with you.
Only two words said
The only words we need to express our love for each other are 'I do.'
I do, I do, I love you
By saying 'I do' I am reaffirming my love and commitment to you.
And could I ever ask for more
I am already so grateful to have you by my side, I could never ask for more.
Than your hand in mine and our love forever swore
To me, nothing could be better than holding your hand and promising to love each other forever.
I'll say I do
I am committed to marrying you and staying by your side despite any hardships or flaws we may face.
Contributed by Alexander O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alex Boo
ahhh so beauty. очаровательно
Kevan Riggett-Barrett
Sorry iv never heard your music before but wow, loving it Tom.. I'd love your permission to use "I do" for my wedding video please... X
tomgossmusic
Sure, of course : )
kimmo lonka
beautiful
Kevan Riggett-Barrett
Thank you sir
Xavier Goss
Mom says why do we hear mikes words coming out of your mouth, lol