Big Head Todd & the Monsters is a rock band formed in 1986 in Colorado. The… Read Full Bio ↴Big Head Todd & the Monsters is a rock band formed in 1986 in Colorado. The band has released eight studio albums since 1989 with their 1993 album Sister Sweetly going well beyond platinum in the US. The band has developed a sizeable live following especially in the Mountain States of the US.
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.

Salvation
Big Head Todd and the Monsters Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If ever you are walkin' down the lonely street
No one to lean on
No one to help you on
Cars and buildings so high
Disparity so wide
The only dreams we can see
Are the ones on the t.v.
If you need somebody,

If you need,
If you grieve,
I'm your sole salvation.

The city is on fire
Can't you see these streets emptied in ashes, witless
Made afraid
Made ex-patriots
Made youth of idle science and unbelief

So far from my brother
Passin' down the street.

Overall Meaning

The song "Salvation" by Big Head Todd and the Monsters describes the feeling of loneliness and desperation that one might experience while walking down the streets of a big city. The lyrics describe the towering buildings and the feeling of disparity and isolation that comes with being surrounded by so many people, yet feeling completely alone. The only escape from this reality is through the dreams presented on television, which can offer a fleeting sense of comfort.

The chorus of the song offers a glimmer of hope, with the singer offering themselves as a "sole salvation" for anyone who needs help or comfort. The final verse discusses the destruction and chaos of the city, with the streets empty and in ashes. The singer sees their fellow man suffering and feeling disconnected from each other, and feels the need to offer comfort and salvation to those in need.

Overall, "Salvation" is a song that speaks to the human need for connection and comfort, and the desire to reach out and offer help to those who are struggling. It reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there is always the possibility of salvation and hope.

Line by Line Meaning

If ever you are walkin' down the lonely street
If you're ever feeling alone and lost while walking down the street

No one to lean on
Without anyone to rely on for support

No one to help you on
Without anyone to assist you

Cars and buildings so high
The towering presence of infrastructure

Disparity so wide
An extreme and evident difference

The only dreams we can see
A limited and shallow view of what's possible

Are the ones on the t.v.
Influence and perception from media sources

If you need somebody,
When you're in need of another's help

If you need,
If you want something you don't have

If you grieve,
If you're feeling sad and sorrowful

I'm your sole salvation.
I'm the only one who can save you from these struggles.