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.
Gary Indiana Blues
Big Head Todd and the Monsters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sleep inside this junkyard train
It's cold and I'm loosing my covers
She won't take me any further south, than Gary Indiana (blues)
I never learned the easy out
Cracklin' chain and silver spoon
I shot a man for stealing food
Mother quit your cryin' now
Think of the sisters and brothers who never learned the easy out
Dancing to the midnight moon
Snowflake in my whiskey too
Hear a knock on the door and some screaming
The eviction man is in town
Here's to the sisters and brothers, who never learned the easy out
The lyrics to Big Head Todd and the Monsters' song "Gary Indiana Blues" tell a story of struggle and hardship. The singer of the song is faced with the difficulties of life, represented by his sleeping in a junkyard train and losing his covers despite the cold. He is desperate to go further south, but the person he is relying on won't take him further than Gary, Indiana. This represents his frustration and sense of being trapped in his current situation, unable to break free from the hardships he is facing.
The lyrics also touch on themes of violence, poverty, and the harsh realities of life. The singer admits to shooting a man for stealing food, highlighting how difficult it can be to survive in poverty. The lyrics "Mother quit your cryin' now, think of the sisters and brothers who never learned the easy out" further emphasize this message. It is clear that the singer has been dealt a challenging hand, and he is not alone in his struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Turning like a hurricane
I feel like my head is spinning out of control
Sleep inside this junkyard train
I am homeless and seeking shelter in a rundown train car
It's cold and I'm losing my covers
I am struggling to stay warm without proper bedding
She won't take me any further south, than Gary Indiana (blues)
I am stuck in a bleak and desolate place with no hope of escaping
I never learned the easy out
I have always faced challenges and obstacles, and have never taken the easy way out
Cracklin' chain and silver spoon
My background is not one of privilege or wealth
I shot a man for stealing food
I have had to resort to violence to survive in difficult circumstances
He got caught with his gun on the table
The thief was foolish and got caught in the act
Mother quit your crying now
I am trying to remain strong in the face of adversity
Think of the sisters and brothers who never learned the easy out
I am not the only one who has had to struggle and fight to survive
Dancing to the midnight moon
Despite my hardships, I try to find joy and happiness where I can
Snowflake in my whiskey too
Even in moments of levity, there is a sense of melancholy and isolation
Hear a knock on the door and some screaming
I am constantly on edge and waiting for the next challenge to arise
The eviction man is in town
I am at risk of losing my shelter and being forced out into the cold
Here's to the sisters and brothers, who never learned the easy out
I raise a glass to those who have been in my shoes and faced similar struggles
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: TODD PARK MOHR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@randallloyed9456
Man, Todd Park Mohr is the most underated writer and especially guitar player. I saw them 2 years ago and was absolutely blown away. Please keep rockin BHG....LOVE IT...
@breezin80
I requested this song on their message board for this show :) I took my brother and can actually see us in the crowd. He passed away in 2014 so it's really special to me. We had such a great time at this show. Here's to the sisters and brothers who never learned the easy out.
@davemaners2880
Love their Music, very entertaining and relaxing! Smoke up!
@jerryaldeens3903
Boring? Self indulgent? Can't say I agree. Riviera a massively underrated album and this tune has great tone and interesting lyrics. Dig this version with the horns.
@dr.bob2582
great tune needs a finish
@herbrandchris5948
Cooooooooooooooooool
@pbl1
love the band, but this a boring, self-indulgent song
@jillbilljay15
So what? Its their song. Go listen to Adele or something more within your lane