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Two years ago, it seemed impossible to escape the ever-present song “Hey There Delilah.” Especially for Tom Higgenson, lead singer of Plain White T’s, the Chicago-based band behind the massive hit.
When “Delilah” was blowing up over the summer of 2007, Higgenson says he often sang the song at three consecutive radio station gigs, an aco
ustic session and a full band concert…then did it all over again the next day in a new city. (Higgenson claims “Delilah” never gets on his nerves.)
But the T’s—who will open for Snow Patrol on Sunday at the LC Pavilion—are already putting the love-it-or-loathe-it, Grammy-nominated hit behind them with their latest effort, “Big Bad World.” The tough-to-resist album is a more poppy, upbeat record than “Every Second Counts” despite “World” being, as Higgenson says, a personal album on which he constantly blame himself for all his mistakes.
Higgenson, 29, talked to us before hitting the stage in New Orleans.
“Natural Disaster” is about a girl who fell for you because you were on TV. How can you tell if a girl is into you just because you’re famous?
You really can’t. But I feel like I have a pretty good judge of character. You can tell just the way someone talks to you and interacts with you, I think. Or maybe some girls are just smoother than others. It’s funny though, it turns out by the end of the song, it’s like, “You know what? I don’t even care what you’re after. ‘Cause you’re so hot I can’t resist you.”
I’m sure it’s hard to tell. Sometimes you think the waitress is really into you but she’s just going for the tip.
Ahh, yeah, I hate that! Man, there was this one time we were in California. It was one of those clubs with bottle service and everything. This little waitress was so cute, totally flirting all night, and one of our friends at the end of the night was like, “Hey, this guy, he wants to get your number.” And she’s like, “Nope. I can’t do that.” Just completely denied it. Not even entertained it for a second. But I gave her a good tip anyway.
Wasn’t anyone compelled to say, “Don’t you know who this guy is?!”
[Laughs] No, I never throw that thing around. There was one time where we went to a club and I knew we were on the list, but I had a bunch of friends with me, and I’m sure I could’ve been like, “Hey, you know, Plain White T’s, that song ‘Hey There Delilah,’ that’s me.” But I don’t want to be that douche-y L.A. guy. If the club doesn’t want to let me and my friends in, then we’ll find someplace else to spend our money. Some place else to hang out.
You’re so modest. You don’t throw your name around and you write an album about all your own mistakes.
Well, we’re from Chicago, so we have a good upbringing. Very modest, middle-class families.
If someone only heard “Delilah,” they might think you’re a softie. Have you ever been in a fight?
Believe it or not, I have never been in a fight. Which you probably can believe ‘cause I wrote “Hey There Delilah.” I like to mouth off a lot. I’m really bad with authority. If there’s a cop or something that will stop us, or giving somebody s--- for no reason, I will definitely be the one to stand up and shoot my mouth off a little too much. Usually just to the point where he’s about to arrest me or give me some s--- back.
And that’s when you say, “I’m the singer of Plain White T’s, you can’t arrest me!”
Yeah, right. No. See, I should get arrested, right? To get some publicity. Damn, next time that happens I’m going to milk it.
You have a song called “1, 2, 3, 4,” and both Feist and Coolio also had songs with that title. What would have to happen to get you all on stage together?
Well, I think Feist would be pretty easy ‘cause we’re both relevant artists right now and kind of have the same thing goin’ on. Coolio, I don’t know. Where is that guy? Is he even still alive? What’s he doing?
If you keep talking so negatively about him, you may have your first fight on your hands.
Uh oh! I’m not saying anything negative. I’m just saying I haven’t heard from the guy. He was awesome back in the day.
He doesn’t call you anymore?
No, he doesn’t call me. I think he got a new number. Either that or he’s avoiding my calls. But this could be the perfect chance for him to get back in the game by doing the “1, 2, 3, 4” reunion tour or something like that.
