Music Metrics Vault

Rob Thomas

Data updated on 2024-12-01 15:45:55 UTC
As the lead singer for Matchbox Twenty, Rob Thomas was at the forefront of the polished mainstream alt-rock that emerged in the late '90s. Unlike the grungy Seattleites who defined the first half of the decade, Thomas was clean-cut and not opposed to classicist pop hooks or sophisticated production gloss, a combination that worked to soften the palpable angst at the heart of Matchbox Twenty's 1996 debut, Yourself or Someone Like You. The band's first record built into a blockbuster, by which time Thomas stepped outside of the confines of the group to co-write and sing "Smooth," a record-breaking smash hit for Santana in 1999. "Smooth" ruled the airwaves during the Y2K era, helping Thomas become a star on his own. While he never left Matchbox Twenty behind, he did pursue a concurrent solo career beginning with 2005's Billboard 200-topping ...Something to Be. On his solo material, Thomas embraced his adult contemporary inclinations without abandoning the confessional aspects of his earliest work, qualities that helped him remain in the Top 20 with albums like 2009's Cradlesong, 2015's The Great Unknown, and 2019's Chip Tooth Smile. In 2021, he brought his earnest emotionality to the Yuletide season with his first holiday album, Something About Christmas Time.

An army brat, Rob Thomas was born in 1972 in Landstuhl, Germany. When he was two, his parents divorced, with his mother retaining custody. During his childhood, his mom moved Thomas and his sister from town to town through the American South, usually returning to her mother's home in Lake City, South Carolina. By the time he was ten, the family moved to Florida, initially relocating to Sarasota before setting their anchor in Orlando. During this period, Thomas began to learn how to play keyboards, picking up guitar not long afterward. Personal problems plagued the adolescent Thomas. His mother struggled with addiction and her illness had ramifications in his personal life, contributing to him leaving high school just prior to his scheduled graduation. At the age of 17, he briefly went to jail for stealing a car, and he spent his early adulthood drifting before finally finding a measure of stability with music.

Tabitha's Secret, a band he founded with bassist Brian Yale, was Thomas' first serious group. Formed in 1993, the band played the Orlando circuit, eventually earning the attention of Matt Serletic, a record producer who recently scored a hit working with Collective Soul. Not long after this introduction, Tabitha's Secret split, but Thomas, Yale, and drummer Paul Doucette formed Matchbox Twenty in its wake. Serletic guided them through their demos, then produced their debut, Yourself or Someone Like You.

Released on Atlantic's subsidiary Lava in 1996, Yourself or Someone Like You got off to a slow start, yet the singles "Push," "3AM," "Real World," and "Back 2 Good" pushed it up the charts, turning Matchbox Twenty in general and Rob Thomas in particular into rock stars. Thomas' profile gained a considerable boost in 1999, when he co-wrote and sang "Smooth" for Supernatural, the star-studded Santana comeback album masterminded by Clive Davis. "Smooth" stayed on the top of the Billboard charts for 12 weeks, spending 30 weeks in the Top Ten and becoming one of the biggest hits in Billboard history.

After "Smooth," Thomas' star shone brightly, but he remained in Matchbox Twenty, who released their second album, Mad Season, in March 2000. Thanks to the number one single "Bent" and its Top Ten sequel "If You're Gone," Mad Season was another platinum smash. Arriving in 2002, More Than You Think You Are maintained their success, with its lead single, "Unwell," reaching the Top Ten.

Thomas stepped outside of Matchbox Twenty for his first solo album ...Something to Be in 2005; it debuted at number one on Billboard's Top 200. He supported the album with a solo tour, then returned to Matchbox Twenty to record new songs for the compilation Exile on Mainstream, which came out in 2007.

Cradlesong, Thomas' second solo album, arrived in 2009; it debuted at three on the Billboard 200, with lead single "Her Diamonds" reaching number two on the Adult Contemporary Charts. In 2012, Matchbox Twenty reunited for North, which became their first album to hit number one in the U.S. upon its September release. Thomas resumed his solo career with the release of The Great Unknown in 2015. Although the album generated no Hot 100 singles, "Hold on Forever," "Pieces," and "Heaven Help Me" all reached the Adult Contemporary chart and helped push the album to number six on the Billboard 200.

Thomas worked with producer Butch Walker for his fourth solo album, 2019's Chip Tooth Smile. Buoyed by the adult contemporary radio hit "One Less Day (Dying Young)," the record again found the singer cracking the Top 20 of the Billboard 200. In 2021, he again paired with Santana for the single "Move" before releasing his first-ever holiday-themed album, Something About Christmas Time, the latter of which featured duets with Ingrid Michaelson, BeBe Winans, Brad Paisley, and Abby Anderson. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Total plays

1.4 billion
Updated on 2024-12-01

Monthly listeners

1,353,417

Followers

942,536

Top Cities

  1. Australia
    42,611 listeners
  2. Australia
    37,323 listeners
  3. Australia
    33,226 listeners
  4. United States
    17,795 listeners
  5. Australia
    16,640 listeners

Related artists

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Smooth (feat. Rob Thomas)
Smooth (feat. Rob Thomas)
430,083,538 4:55 1999-01-01
3AM
3AM
325,236,398 3:46 2005-12-27
Little Wonders
Little Wonders
97,435,712 3:45 2007-01-01
Bright Lights
Bright Lights
54,594,840 3:55 2005-12-27
Lonely No More
Lonely No More
52,969,851 3:46 2005-02-08
Her Diamonds
Her Diamonds
50,315,061 4:40 2009-04-23
Ever the Same
Ever the Same
48,018,963 4:17 2005-04-05
Pieces
Pieces
31,905,016 4:21 2015-08-21
Hold on Forever
Hold on Forever
30,457,465 3:35 2015-06-30
Someday
Someday
22,781,344 4:08 2009-06-16
One Less Day (Dying Young)
One Less Day (Dying Young)
22,179,204 3:05 2019-04-26
Streetcorner Symphony
Streetcorner Symphony
19,908,415 4:09 2005-04-05
This Is How a Heart Breaks
This Is How a Heart Breaks
19,388,221 3:51 2005-04-05
Can't Help Me Now
Can't Help Me Now
15,746,578 3:23 2019-04-26
Hand Me Down - iTunes Originals Version
Hand Me Down - iTunes Originals Version
13,084,453 5:03 2005-12-27
A New York Christmas
A New York Christmas
9,601,300 4:40 2003-01-01
Mockingbird
Mockingbird
9,568,580 4:00 2009-06-22
Move
Move
6,535,795 2:45 2021-08-18
Trust You
Trust You
5,214,951 3:08 2015-05-26
Pieces - Sam Feldt Remix
Pieces - Sam Feldt Remix
4,292,756 3:26 2013-01-01
Sunshine Of Your Love (feat. Rob Thomas)
Sunshine Of Your Love (feat. Rob Thomas)
4,072,521 4:43 2010-09-20
I Think We'd Feel Good Together
I Think We'd Feel Good Together
3,843,402 3:01 2015-08-07
When the Heartache Ends
When the Heartache Ends
3,207,675 2:54 2005-04-05
Pieces - Radio Mix
Pieces - Radio Mix
2,731,665 3:40 2013-01-01
Give Me the Meltdown
Give Me the Meltdown
2,683,880 3:13 2009-06-05
Cradlesong
Cradlesong
2,618,974 4:13 2009-06-22
Something to Be
Something to Be
2,447,078 4:28 2005-04-05
Smooth (feat. Rob Thomas) - Radio Edit
Smooth (feat. Rob Thomas) - Radio Edit
2,382,609 4:02 2017-09-29
Now Comes the Night
Now Comes the Night
2,326,476 4:54 2005-04-05
Funny
Funny
2,297,362 3:08 2019-04-26
The Great Unknown
The Great Unknown
2,150,341 3:38 2015-08-21
Heaven Help Me
Heaven Help Me
2,123,380 3:21 2015-08-21
Small Town Christmas
Small Town Christmas
2,041,319 2:52 2021-10-22
I Love It
I Love It
2,030,815 3:23 2019-04-26
Problem Girl
Problem Girl
1,952,270 3:56 2005-04-05
Snowblind
Snowblind
1,901,235 3:54 2009-06-22
Timeless
Timeless
1,882,391 3:56 2019-04-12
Things You Said
Things You Said
1,861,268 3:02 2015-08-21
We Were Beautiful
We Were Beautiful
1,770,161 2:56 2019-04-26
The Worst in Me
The Worst in Me
1,675,234 3:14 2019-04-26
Used To Be (feat. Rob Thomas) - Acoustic
Used To Be (feat. Rob Thomas) - Acoustic
1,527,491 3:04 2021-04-06
Paper Dolls
Paper Dolls
1,507,097 3:05 2015-08-21
One Shot
One Shot
1,504,344 2:51 2015-07-17
The Man to Hold the Water
The Man to Hold the Water
1,483,019 2:40 2019-04-26
All That I Am
All That I Am
1,471,086 4:29 2005-04-05
Real World '09
Real World '09
1,468,805 2:46 2009-06-22
Gasoline
Gasoline
1,463,282 3:55 2009-06-22
I Am an Illusion
I Am an Illusion
1,353,595 4:51 2005-04-05
Wind It Up
Wind It Up
1,319,181 3:09 2015-08-21
It's Only Love
It's Only Love
1,304,940 3:30 2019-04-26
Lie to Me
Lie to Me
1,293,003 3:43 2015-08-21
I Believe In Santa Claus
I Believe In Santa Claus
1,284,800 3:30 2020-12-15
My My My
My My My
1,274,574 4:19 2005-04-05
Hard on You
Hard on You
1,233,115 2:43 2009-06-22
Early in the Morning
Early in the Morning
1,195,674 4:21 2019-04-26
NLYTM
NLYTM
1,181,530 2:47 2015-08-21
Fire on the Mountain
Fire on the Mountain
1,148,937 5:09 2009-06-12
Tomorrow
Tomorrow
1,141,457 3:00 2019-04-26
Gasoline And Matches
Gasoline And Matches
1,113,311 3:46 2013-04-09
Absence of Affection
Absence of Affection
1,106,294 3:37 2015-08-21
Christmas Time
Christmas Time
1,073,406 3:31 2021-10-21
Wonderful
Wonderful
1,065,681 3:28 2009-06-22
Breathe Out
Breathe Out
1,059,492 3:05 2019-04-26
Getting Late
Getting Late
1,017,464 3:30 2009-06-22
Fallin' to Pieces
Fallin' to Pieces
991,909 4:12 2005-04-05
Still Ain't over You
Still Ain't over You
981,872 3:09 2009-06-22
Sunday Morning New York Blue
Sunday Morning New York Blue
941,424 3:25 2009-06-29
Can't Help Me Now - Stripped
Can't Help Me Now - Stripped
822,924 3:31 2019-09-06
Natural
Natural
804,940 4:48 2009-06-22
Not Just a Woman
Not Just a Woman
764,881 3:04 2005-04-19
Soul Sick
Soul Sick
760,657 3:46 2009-06-29
One Less Day (Dying Young) - GOLDHOUSE & Mokita Remix
One Less Day (Dying Young) - GOLDHOUSE & Mokita Remix
722,785 3:23 2019-04-05
This Is How a Heart Breaks (feat. Rob Thomas)
This Is How a Heart Breaks (feat. Rob Thomas)
584,896 3:17 2013-05-03
Feel so Bad
Feel so Bad
581,490 2:46 2009-06-29
Lonely No More - Acoustic
Lonely No More - Acoustic
567,661 4:06 2005-05-16
You Know Me
You Know Me
494,772 3:49 2005-04-19
Save Some Christmas
Save Some Christmas
415,023 3:13 2021-10-22
Love in Pain
Love in Pain
370,414 4:02 2020-11-27
Smooth (feat. Rob Thomas) - Chris Staropoli Club Mix
Smooth (feat. Rob Thomas) - Chris Staropoli Club Mix
351,161 3:53 2003-12-15
Higher Ground - Live at Live 8, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, 2nd July 2005
Higher Ground - Live at Live 8, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, 2nd July 2005
300,794 2:52 2005-01-01
Someday - Live
Someday - Live
299,273 4:12 2009-06-29
Lonely No More - Clear Channel "Stripped" Mix
Lonely No More - Clear Channel "Stripped" Mix
282,916 3:45 2005-04-19
Santa Don't Come Here Anymore
Santa Don't Come Here Anymore
244,878 2:33 2021-10-21
Doesn't Feel Like Christmas (Samy's Song)
Doesn't Feel Like Christmas (Samy's Song)
235,931 2:51 2021-10-22
This Is How a Heart Breaks - Pull Defibrillator Mix
This Is How a Heart Breaks - Pull Defibrillator Mix
231,496 6:33 2005-04-19
Trust You - Bottai Remix
Trust You - Bottai Remix
209,592 5:16 2015-08-07
A New York Christmas '21
A New York Christmas '21
201,716 4:51 2021-10-22
That Spirit of Christmas
That Spirit of Christmas
192,983 5:02 2021-10-21
Gasoline And Matches - Dave Aude Remix
Gasoline And Matches - Dave Aude Remix
156,038 4:43 2014-08-05
New Year's Day
New Year's Day
141,881 3:33 2021-10-22
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
135,581 3:50 2021-10-22
Trust You - HIIO Remix
Trust You - HIIO Remix
127,045 5:23 2015-08-07
My Christmas Prayer
My Christmas Prayer
118,057 5:18 2003-01-01
Original Sin (feat. Rob Thomas & DJ Yaleidys)
Original Sin (feat. Rob Thomas & DJ Yaleidys)
89,316 4:21 2010-01-01
Overrun
Overrun
54,366 4:13 2009-05-22
Lonely No More - Live at Live 8, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, 2nd July 2005
Lonely No More - Live at Live 8, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, 2nd July 2005
53,402 3:40 2005-01-01
This Is How a Heart Breaks - Radio Edit
This Is How a Heart Breaks - Radio Edit
52,806 3:24 2005-07-13
My Song for You
My Song for You
32,848 2:02 2023-06-06
Gasoline And Matches (Dave Aude Radio Mix)
Gasoline And Matches (Dave Aude Radio Mix)
30,539 3:47 2014-01-10
Trust You - Mack & Jet Set Vega Remix
Trust You - Mack & Jet Set Vega Remix
29,078 3:43 2015-08-07
Trust You - Riddler Remix
Trust You - Riddler Remix
28,069 5:42 2015-08-07
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (with Rob Thomas) - Live 2016
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (with Rob Thomas) - Live 2016
10,583 3:45 2018-10-19
Itsbynne Reel
Itsbynne Reel
9,376 10:57 2009-07-21
Spirit Of The Pacific Rim
Spirit Of The Pacific Rim
8,341 4:24 2000-01-01
Ochoco
Ochoco
7,890 2:57 2000-01-01
There Was A Time
There Was A Time
7,884 3:40 2000-01-01
Years from Now
Years from Now
6,481 3:37 2009-06-26
Mr. Pacelbel Takes A Vacation
Mr. Pacelbel Takes A Vacation
5,798 4:14 2000-01-01
Believe
Believe
4,883 3:30 2009-06-26
Hide & Seek In The Tall Grass
Hide & Seek In The Tall Grass
4,597 3:54 2000-01-01
Remembered Well
Remembered Well
4,551 3:46 2009-06-26
Global Village
Global Village
4,222 3:28 2000-01-01
Sleep Til the War Is Over
Sleep Til the War Is Over
4,198 3:59 2009-06-26
One Blue Pearl - (Earth)
One Blue Pearl - (Earth)
4,097 4:05 2000-01-01
To Fight The Good Fight
To Fight The Good Fight
3,776 2:22 2000-01-01
Sea Of Cortez
Sea Of Cortez
3,703 4:56 2000-01-01
Details At Eleven
Details At Eleven
3,429 4:04 2000-01-01
Across The Distance
Across The Distance
3,158 4:53 2000-01-01
Her Diamonds - Radio Edit
Her Diamonds - Radio Edit
2,227 3:51 2010-01-19
The Mystery In Dreams
The Mystery In Dreams
2,043 3:36 2000-01-01
Rubatoland
Rubatoland
1,794 5:08 2000-01-01
Lonely No More
Lonely No More
1,224 3:32 2005-12-27
iTunes Original
iTunes Original
< 1000 0:05 2005-12-27
Finding My Connection to Something Special
Finding My Connection to Something Special
< 1000 4:12 2005-12-27
A Collage of All Manners of Bad Relationships
A Collage of All Manners of Bad Relationships
< 1000 2:25 2005-12-27
Push
Push
< 1000 4:16 2005-12-27
Headlights Pointed at the Dawn
Headlights Pointed at the Dawn
< 1000 0:58 2005-12-27
1979
1979
< 1000 4:16 2005-12-27
Meeting Itaal Shur
Meeting Itaal Shur
< 1000 3:56 2005-12-27
The First Song for Mad Season
The First Song for Mad Season
< 1000 2:03 2005-12-27
Bent - Demo Version
Bent - Demo Version
< 1000 3:21 2005-12-27
Coming into Our Own
Coming into Our Own
< 1000 1:48 2005-12-27
The Latin Influence
The Latin Influence
< 1000 2:43 2005-12-27
Disease
Disease
< 1000 3:25 2005-12-27
How I Write - Interview
How I Write - Interview
< 1000 1:03 2005-12-27
Matchbox Twenty Isn't Finished
Matchbox Twenty Isn't Finished
< 1000 1:10 2005-12-27
Putting the Solo Record Together
Putting the Solo Record Together
< 1000 2:09 2005-12-27
This Is How a Heart Breaks - iTunes Originals Version
This Is How a Heart Breaks - iTunes Originals Version
< 1000 4:51 2005-12-27
A Moment out of Our Life
A Moment out of Our Life
< 1000 1:25 2005-12-27
Ever the Same
Ever the Same
< 1000 3:43 2005-12-27

New releases

SOMETHING ABOUT CHRISTMAS TIME
SOMETHING ABOUT CHRISTMAS TIME
2021-10-22
[Atlantic Records]
Santa Don't Come Here Anymore
Santa Don't Come Here Anymore
2021-10-21
[Atlantic Records]
Christmas Time
Christmas Time
2021-10-21
[Atlantic Records]
That Spirit of Christmas
That Spirit of Christmas
2021-10-21
[Atlantic Records]
Move
Move
2021-08-18
[BMG Rights Management (US) LLC]
Used To Be (feat. Rob Thomas) [Acoustic]
Used To Be (feat. Rob Thomas) [Acoustic]
2021-04-06
[Big Beat Records]
I Believe In Santa Claus
I Believe In Santa Claus
2020-12-15
[Atlantic Records]
Can't Help Me Now
Can't Help Me Now
2019-09-13
[Atlantic Records]
Can't Help Me Now (Stripped)
Can't Help Me Now (Stripped)
2019-09-06
[Atlantic Records]
Chip Tooth Smile
Chip Tooth Smile
2019-04-26
[Atlantic Records]
Timeless
Timeless
2019-04-12
[Atlantic Records]
One Less Day (Dying Young) [GOLDHOUSE & Mokita Remix]
One Less Day (Dying Young) [GOLDHOUSE & Mokita Remix]
2019-04-05
[Atlantic Records]
The Great Unknown
The Great Unknown
2015-08-21
[Atlantic Records]
Trust You (Remixes)
Trust You (Remixes)
2015-08-07
[Emblem / Atlantic]
I Think We'd Feel Good Together
I Think We'd Feel Good Together
2015-08-07
[Emblem / Atlantic]
One Shot
One Shot
2015-07-17
[Emblem / Atlantic]
Hold on Forever
Hold on Forever
2015-06-30
[Emblem / Atlantic]
Trust You
Trust You
2015-05-26
[Emblem / Atlantic]
Pieces (Sam Feldt Remix)
Pieces (Sam Feldt Remix)
2013-01-01
[Big Beat Records]
Pieces (Radio Mix)
Pieces (Radio Mix)
2013-01-01
[Atlantic Records]
Mockingbird
Mockingbird
2010-02-19
[Emblem / Atlantic]
Someday EP
Someday EP
2009-06-29
[Emblem / Atlantic]
Cradlesong
Cradlesong
2009-06-26
[Atlantic Records]
Cradlesong
Cradlesong
2009-06-26
[Emblem / Atlantic]
Cradlesong
Cradlesong
2009-06-22
[Emblem / Atlantic]
Someday
Someday
2009-06-16
[Emblem / Atlantic]
Fire on the Mountain
Fire on the Mountain
2009-06-12
[Emblem / Atlantic]
Give Me the Meltdown
Give Me the Meltdown
2009-06-09
[Emblem / Atlantic]
Give Me the Meltdown
Give Me the Meltdown
2009-06-05
[Emblem / Atlantic]
Her Diamonds (International)
Her Diamonds (International)
2009-05-22
[Atlantic Records]
Her Diamonds
Her Diamonds
2009-04-23
[Emblem / Atlantic]
The Best of Tabitha's Secret Vol. # 1
The Best of Tabitha's Secret Vol. # 1
2008-09-08
[JTJ Records Inc.]
Little Wonders
Little Wonders
2007-04-14
[Melisma/Atlantic Records]
Little Wonders
Little Wonders
2007-04-07
[Melisma/Atlantic Records]
Little Wonders
Little Wonders
2007-01-01
[Walt Disney Records]
iTunes Originals
iTunes Originals
2005-12-27
[Melisma/Atlantic Records]
This Is How a Heart Breaks (Radio Edit)
This Is How a Heart Breaks (Radio Edit)
2005-07-13
[Melisma/Atlantic Records]
This Is How a Heart Breaks
This Is How a Heart Breaks
2005-07-12
[Melisma/Atlantic Records]
Lonely No More (Acoustic)
Lonely No More (Acoustic)
2005-07-05
[Melisma/Atlantic Records]
Lonely No More
Lonely No More
2005-05-16
[Atlantic Records UK]
Something to Be (Deluxe)
Something to Be (Deluxe)
2005-04-19
[Melisma/Atlantic Records]
Something to Be
Something to Be
2005-04-05
[Melisma/Atlantic Records]
Lonely No More
Lonely No More
2005-02-08
[Melisma/Atlantic Records]
A New York Christmas
A New York Christmas
2003-01-01
[Atlantic Records]