Big Head Todd and The Monsters – singer-guitarist Todd Park Mohr, bassist-singer Rob Squires, drummer-singer Brian Nevin and keyboardist-guitarist-singer Jeremy Lawton -- could have begun resting on their laurels back in 1993, when their Top 10 singles “Bittersweet,” “Broken Hearted Savior,” “Circle” and “It’s Alright” pushed the album Sister Sweetly to platinum certification. However, Mohr says, “I’ve fought throughout our career not to be a one-trick pony, to be the kind of band that has depth and diversity in its catalogue. I’m a fan of this band, and I’m constantly looking forward to what comes next.”
The essence of Big Head Todd and The Monsters – a rootsy, emotionally direct variety of rock ’n’ roll that lends itself particularly well to a live setting – has been winning fans since Mohr, Rob Squires and Brian Nevin started playing together in high school (Jeremy Lawton joined in 2004). Needless to say, the three never expected to be in the same band at this late date, but, as Mohr points out, “It was a really fortunate combination of musical personalities, and we’re still partners in every sense of the word.”
The band spent seven years developing their chemistry and amassing a following, boosted significantly by the independent releases Another Mayberry (1989) and Midnight Radio (1990), before being “discovered” by the listening public at large with 1993’s Sister Sweetly. After a major-label stint (Sister Sweetly, 1994’s Stratagem, 1997’s Beautiful World), during which the trio increasingly found itself frustrated artistically, they reclaimed their independent status (2001’s Riviera, 2004’s Crimes of Passion). “If it were not for our ability to do things for ourselves, we would have disappeared a long time ago,” Mohr allows.
Bittersweet
Big Head Todd and the Monsters Lyrics
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She dances and I dream, she's not so far as she seems
Of brighter meadows, melting sunsets
Her hair blowing in the breeze
And she can't see me watching
I'm thinking love, love
Love, love
It's bittersweet, more sweet than bitter
Bitter than sweet
It's a bittersweet surrender
It's bittersweet, more sweet than bitter
Bitter than sweet
It's a bittersweet surrender
I said I'm older now
I work in the city, we live together
But it's different than my dream
Morning light fills the room, I rise
She pretends she's sleeping
Are we everything we wanted
I'm thinking love, love
Love, love
It's bittersweet, more sweet than bitter
Bitter than sweet
It's a bittersweet surrender
It's bittersweet, more sweet than bitter
Bitter than sweet
It's a bittersweet surrender
I said I know we don't talk about it
We don't tell each other
All the little things that we need
We work our way around each other
As we tremble and we
As we tremble and we bleed
As we tremble and we
As we tremble and we bleed
It's bittersweet, more sweet than bitter
Bitter than sweet
It's a bittersweet surrender
It's bittersweet, more sweet than bitter
Bitter than sweet
It's a bittersweet surrender
The song "Bittersweet" by Big Head Todd and The Monsters is a contemplative tune about the nature of relationships and the challenges of love. The lyrics describe the singer's thoughts and feelings about his significant other as he watches her sleep. He reminisces about the sweet moments of their relationship, the passion that once was, and how everything seemed perfect at first. However, as time has passed, they've settled into a routine, and he wonders whether they truly are what each other wants.
The lines "It's bittersweet, more sweet than bitter/Bitter than sweet/ It's a bittersweet surrender" suggest that the singer is aware of the flaws and shortcomings in their relationship but is still holding on to it, even if their love is not as strong as it once used to be. The lines "We work our way around each other/As we tremble and we bleed" depict the singer acknowledging the difficulties and struggles that come with any relationship and how they continue to work through it all.
Overall, the song is a poignant commentary on love's highs and lows, how it can be bittersweet, and how people find it difficult to let go of something that once brought them so much happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
A little light looks through her bedroom window
A glimpse of light peeks through the window of her bedroom
She dances and I dream, she's not so far as she seems
As she dances, I longingly dream, realizing her proximity isn't as distant as it appears
Of brighter meadows, melting sunsets
Her mind wanders to beautiful imagery of brilliant fields and picturesque sunsets
Her hair blowing in the breeze
Her hair drifts and moves freely outdoors
And she can't see me watching
She is unaware of my observance
I'm thinking love, love
Love, thoughts of love
It's bittersweet, more sweet than bitter
The feelings are mixed, although largely sweet
Bitter than sweet
Yet somewhat bitter
It's a bittersweet surrender
Ultimately, it feels like a surrendering to these powerful emotions
I said I'm older now
I'm older than before
I work in the city, we live together
We work in the urban area, residing with each other
But it's different than my dream
However, our reality doesn't completely align with my previous expectations
Morning light fills the room, I rise
As dawn creeps into our space and I awaken
She pretends she's sleeping
She feigns being asleep
Are we everything we wanted
Are we together everything we had hoped and aimed for
We don't tell each other
We don't openly express to one another
All the little things that we need
All the small things that we require
We work our way around each other
We fumble around each other trying to figure things out
As we tremble and we
As we shake and...
As we tremble and we bleed
As we quiver and experience pain
It's bittersweet, more sweet than bitter
Again, these sensations are mixed but largely sweet
Bitter than sweet
But still with some bitterness
It's a bittersweet surrender
This journey feels like a bittersweet relinquishing of control to these overpowering emotions
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Todd Park Mohr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@seaangelable
@Wayne Ranson '
Just Awesome 😎
I just turned 65, in July and I'm trying to learn how to play electric guitar. ❤️
X💯🤘
I just got my first electric guitar, It is a gold top, Ephiphone remake of a 1956 Les Paul. 🎸☮️
Thanks for your Inspiration !!
Here's to you and Australia. My Fiance is from there, his background. But he's never been there. Would , LOVE to go.
We're coming from the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Cape lookout national seashore, highway. 🌴🏖️🌙⛵
☮️PEACE & LOVE, to You & Yours, Abroad.
@Steve-dw2di
OMG, I’m 56 years old and listen to music all the time……but this is first time I’ve ever heard this, what a perfect song. The music is so in the groove that you almost miss the fantastic lyrics about the changes in a relationship over many years. This is proof positive you don’t need a 10 piece band to make awesome music. Don’t get me started on that guitar solo either, I can’t stop listening to this. Anyone else fall in love with this song the first time they heard it?
@TheMinecraftOasis
also fell in love with this song instantly, been coming back to it for years! :)
@TheNucMed
Man. Got to see these guys live in Indianapolis back in the 90's when they were just coming out. Small venue. Absolutely freaking amazing. Go check these guys out live!
@garykoukal8682
OOOOOOOOOh,yea said it beutiful
@tonyz6421
What took you so long?
@debbiebreeden9259
I've loved this song along time and it still gives me goosebumps..LOL
@Borgy1
Hard to believe that this song is over 30 years old! Could have been released last year and been a hit!! Great music...
@darrylammons4446
Awesome isn’t it 😊
@raefredbegay6070
I know fucking cool love the music
@ttech694
His voice still sounds amazing. Thanks for the reality check letting me know it's 30 yrs old. I remember when it just came out