Currently, the group comprises singer and harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, bassist Tad Kinchla and keyboardist Ben Wilson. Tad Kinchla and Ben Wilson joined the band following the death of original bassist Bobby Sheehan in 1999.
While Blues Traveler is best known among fans for their improvisational live shows, the general public is most familiar with the group from their Top 40 singles "Run-Around" and "Hook". They gained mainstream popularity after their fourth studio album four, released in 1994. Sheehan's death and Popper's struggle with obesity put a damper on the group's success, and A&M dropped the band in 2002.
You Can'T Stop Thinking About Me
Blues Traveler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At first never failing to amuse
We grow tired and dismount
Houses made of cards leave no debris when burning to the ground
But alas people leave slews of residues
Too residual to count
And there's no known preparation for this kind of a thing
And it don't much matter what kind of game you bring
You can take excursions around the world
From the mountains to the sea
You're coming back to the same dilemma
You can't stop thinking about me
When you wake in the morning for a second you'll wonder if I'm there
Issue your final warning by noon
Reassert that you don't care
And there's no known preparation for this kind of a thing
And it don't much matter what kind of game you bring
You can take excursions around the world
From the mountains to the sea
You're coming back to the same dilemma
You can't stop thinking about me
Don't think I don't believe you for I know that feeling all too well
But sometimes in our best desires come secrets
We may never tell
And there's no known preparation for this kind of a thing
And it don't much matter what kind of game you bring
You can take excursions around the world
From the mountains to the sea
You're coming back to the same dilemma
You can't stop thinking about me
Go ahead and try
, and it's likely that you'll fail
With each attempt you find yourself more captive than the last
Till you're overcome and you're out on bail
The lyrics of Blues Traveler's song "You Can't Stop Thinking About Me" explore the theme of obsession and how difficult it is to shake off thoughts of someone. The song begins by comparing the feelings of amusement and excitement that we feel when we ride a kiddie ride to the early stages of a relationship when everything is new and exciting. But as time passes, the excitement fades, and we grow tired and eventually move on. The metaphor of a house made of cards burning down without leaving any debris is used to describe how relationships that we thought were solid can come crashing down, leaving behind remnants that are too numerous to even count.
Despite our efforts to get over someone or to move on, the song suggests that there is no known preparation for this kind of thing. No matter how hard we try or what kind of game we bring, we can't stop thinking about the person who is haunting our thoughts. The lyrics describe how even as we take excursions around the world, we keep coming back to the same dilemma of not being able to shake off our thoughts about someone.
The song is a reminder that sometimes our desires come with secrets that we may never tell. It acknowledges the fact that we are reluctant to let go of someone, even if we know that it's the right thing to do. Ultimately, the song suggests that no matter how hard we try, we may never fully shake off thoughts of someone.
Line by Line Meaning
The kiddie ride just keeps turning round and round
The situation is repetitive and unchanging, like a amusement park ride that never stops.
At first never failing to amuse
Initially, the situation was entertaining and enjoyable.
We grow tired and dismount
Eventually, we become bored of the situation and move on.
Houses made of cards leave no debris when burning to the ground
Fragile structures, like a house of cards, do not leave behind significant remnants when destroyed.
But alas people leave slews of residues
People, however, leave behind countless emotional and psychological remnants after they are gone.
Too residual to count
These residues are so numerous that they cannot possibly be tallied or measured.
And there's no known preparation for this kind of a thing
There is no way to prepare for the impact someone may have on our thoughts or emotions.
And it don't much matter what kind of game you bring
No matter what strategies or tactics we employ, the impact will remain.
You can take excursions around the world
Even if one travels far and wide, the thoughts and memories will remain present.
From the mountains to the sea
Regardless of physical location, the impact will persist.
You're coming back to the same dilemma
No matter what, the same problem remains.
You can't stop thinking about me
The subject has left an indelible mark on the individual's thoughts and emotions.
When you wake in the morning for a second you'll wonder if I'm there
The impact is so strong that even waking up may bring thoughts of the individual to mind.
Issue your final warning by noon
Even after attempting to move on, thoughts may resurface throughout the day.
Reassert that you don't care
Despite the thoughts, the individual will attempt to reassure themselves that they do not care about the subject.
Don't think I don't believe you for I know that feeling all too well
The artist acknowledges the struggle of trying to move on from someone who has had a significant impact.
But sometimes in our best desires come secrets
Humans may have hidden desires or secrets that contradict what they try to project outwardly.
We may never tell
These inner desires or secrets may never be revealed to anyone else.
Go ahead and try
The subject challenges the individual to attempt to forget or move on, despite the powerful impact they have had.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: CHAN KINCHLA, JOHN C. POPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind