Tommy and the High Pilots is a group of friends who have known each other for years and finally formed a band. Tommy Cantillon and his brother Michael (keys) have been playing and singing together their whole lives. Steve Libby (bass) has been a friend for over a decade. And Tommy met Matt Palermo (drums) when their previous bands crossed paths on the road years ago.
When singer/songwriter Tommy started writing the songs he decided to use your life instead of his own. “I’m influenced by and very interested in people and their stories,” Tommy said. “I feel badly, in a way, because every time I talk to people I start getting song ideas. Not that there’s some ulterior motive there. It’s just the way my brain works.”
It is born partly of necessity. The band spends so much time on the road that writing and traveling have to go hand-in-hand. It’s no easy place to find inspiration but among the tour stops with Allen Stone, the Hush Sound and Ludo the guys have been able to create their sound. “The stories come from other people’s lives, but there’s plenty of us in there too. Being a way from home, the sacrifices that come with this life. Lyrically and musically, I think that stuff shows up a lot on this record.”
“I could give you a list that never ended,” Tommy says about his influences. And then he does, running across decades to mention artists including Tom Petty, Radiohead and R.E.M. To create Only Human, the band worked with producers Matt Wallace (The Replacements, Maroon 5), Marc McClusky (Weezer) and Jason McEntire (Son Volt). Recorded in multiple studios all across the country, the songs reflect a feeling central to Tommy and the High Pilots: that restless dissatisfaction that comes before you settle into life. The songs strike a chord as power pop, with clear influences from the jangle pop of the ‘80s and anthemic sounds suited for an arena. The experiences other people bring to your life can run the gamut, like the songs on Only Human do: uplifting, exciting, dark, and hungry.
The album’s first single, “Outta My Head” may be the most SoCal song on the album, in the sense that it came together in Tommy’s head while he was walking on a beach in Santa Barbara, but it’s got an edge to it that stops it from quite fitting into the super laid back SoCal tradition. It’s infectious enough to make audiences pogo and, even when they’ve never heard it before, start singing along to the chorus. It’s followed by, “Devil To Pay,” which Tommy describes as a track he sees in red. It started in a hotel in St. Louis, as an exercise in chord progression inspired by Tom Petty. It turned into an exploration of the desperation and suffocation that comes with the end of a relationship. A few tracks later is “Young and Hungry” which is simultaneously an aggressive battle cry and a heartfelt apology with a nod to Springsteen’s “Born To Run.”
“The songs can be lighthearted but there’s always this thing underneath,” Tommy says. “Only Human means that you’re making mistakes, that it’s okay to be fallible. There’s a darkness under there.”
Outta My Head
Tommy & The High Pilots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rather have more likes then friends
And I just think it's fucked up cause that's the world we live in
today
And all I know is what to do with myself
People are always gonna try and tell you what to do
Tell you do this
Do that
Don't worry about nothing
You gotta believe
You gotta do what you gotta do
You really have to believe
Baby I been dealing with some Demons in my head
I try to let go but I think i'll end up dead
I got money on my mind I can say it again
Yeah I always told my mom I would be the man
Baby I been dealing with some demons in my head
I try to let go but i think i'll end up dead
I got money on my mind I can say it again
Yeah I always told my mom I would be the man
Yeah I always told my mom I Would be the man with the Bands big bands cause I got the plan
And I know why they hate cause I'm just winning
Yeah always on my grind yeah I'm not finished
Yeah hop in the Maybach lay Back smoke the pac' relax
Yeah you know I can't relapse
Can't relapse yeah I can't relapse
This the aftermath of all the shit That I did
Yeah i'm writing all these Rhymes since I been a kid
You can't take it from me if I say That imma do it
Wait till' I go up have you Looking clueless
Can't wait till' I make it just to Prove you wrong
Yeah these people acting dead They can't pick up the phone
But i'm charged up to 100 like a Iphone, Pull your plug you end up dead
Baby I been dealing with some Demons in my head
Tried to let go but I think i'll end up dead
I got money on my mind I can Say it again
Yeah I always told my mom I would the man
Baby I been dealing with some Demons in my head
I try to let go but I think i'll end Up dead
I got money on my mind I can Say it again always told my mom I would be the man
Baby I been dealing with some Demons in my head
I try to let go but I think i'll end Up dead
I got money on my mind I can Say it again
Yeah I always told my mom I would be the man
Baby I been dealing with some demons in my head
I try to let go but I think i'll end up dead
I got money on my mind I can say it again
Yeah I always told my mom I would be the man
The song "Outta My Head" by Tommy & The High Pilots is an introspective look at the struggles of life and a society that values social media fame more than genuine human connections. The opening lines call out our era of digital fame, where people prefer online likes to real-life friends, which is a troubling aspect of the modern society we live in. The singer confronts this world that is focused on superficial matters, one that the people who are caught up in it can't get out of.
Throughout the song, the message is clear: if you have dreams, you need to be true to yourself and believe in them. The singer urges the listener to ignore those who try to tell them what to do and to pursue their dreams. The song's tone is simultaneously hopeful and desperate, showing the duality of the human experience. The chorus, "Baby I been dealing with some demons in my head," is an expression of the inner turmoil that comes with striving for greatness while also trying to maintain one's mental health in a world that is not always understanding.
Overall, "Outta My Head" is a powerful reminder that we are all dealing with our inner demons, but that we must keep pushing forward and believe in ourselves to achieve our dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
It's crazy cause like we live in a world where people
Rather have more likes then friends
And I just think it's fucked up cause that's the world we live in
today
The world today is obsessed with gaining popularity online, and it's taking away from genuine friendships. This reality is disheartening and concerning.
And all I know is what to do with myself
People are always gonna try and tell you what to do
Tell you do this
Do that
But if you got a dream you gotta believe
Don't worry about nothing
You gotta believe
You gotta do what you gotta do
You really have to believe
In spite of the world's clutter and noise, one must tenaciously hold onto their dreams with unwavering belief in oneself. Others will try and stop them, but only they can determine their path to success.
Baby I been dealing with some Demons in my head
I try to let go but I think i'll end up dead
I got money on my mind I can say it again
Yeah I always told my mom I would be the man
The internal conflicts that linger in one's mind can be consuming and exhausting, and they feel like they will never go away. However, fighting for material wealth is a reminder of their larger ambitions that will come to fruition.
Yeah I always told my mom I Would be the man with the Bands big bands cause I got the plan
And I know why they hate cause I'm just winning
Yeah always on my grind yeah I'm not finished
Yeah hop in the Maybach lay Back smoke the pac' relax
Yeah you know I can't relapse
Can't relapse yeah I can't relapse
Even though some people will always find reasons to hate, the singer will continue to aspire for greatness and work tirelessly to achieve it. Relaxation is just as essential to his success, and he cannot allow setbacks or distractions to interfere with his progress.
This the aftermath of all the shit That I did
Yeah i'm writing all these Rhymes since I been a kid
You can't take it from me if I say That imma do it
Wait till' I go up have you Looking clueless
Can't wait till' I make it just to Prove you wrong
Yeah these people acting dead They can't pick up the phone
But i'm charged up to 100 like a Iphone, Pull your plug you end up dead
The past can shape one's future, and the singer has always been driven to pursue music. Regardless of naysayers, he will continue to pursue his goals and prove them wrong. Those who lack faith in his abilities are insignificant in the grand scheme of things since he is empowered and confident in himself.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Tommy Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sharon Zentner
These guys are so great to see live. I love their music, their dancing, and their amazing energy. Go High Pilots!
Britnee D.
Saw these guys live last night! They are the definition of good vibes and positive energy. Tommy's got some killer dance moves, too ;) Can't wait to see them again on the 24th!
Karlie Winchester
Awesome job guys! Can't wait to see you guys perform again sometime! :)
Dino M
There's no such thing as a wrong dance move. These guys are amazing!
Claudia Pineda
I saw them live last night, it was SO AMAZING!
They are all lovely, and extremely nice with the fans. I'm in love with this band!
neroncity
es una gran canción!!! no la puedo dejar de escuchar :)
Brent Smith
Love the sound! Love the message!
jm s
This is truly a great song
Kelli Sheffield
catchy tune! Can't stop singing it!
Samantha Meier
I just love this song and the dancing in this video. :) Usually I feel self-conscious dancing so this makes me happy. :)