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.
Secret Mission
Big Head Todd and the Monsters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She put a curse on me that eventually came true
She was a head on wreck,
On a mystic ride (you know the kind)
Among the visions and the ruins
She was my unsuspecting secret mission
Leftover passion and desire, they only deepen the wound
It makes you howl at the moon
I guess you are my unsuspecting secret mission
Every eleven days or so
I get a message from you
Invisible ink on invisible paper
But I can smell the perfume
I guess I ain't your unsuspecting secret mission
No, you aren't my unsuspecting secret mission
The song "Secret Mission" by Big Head Todd and the Monsters tells the story of a man who was cursed by a woman he once knew. The woman was described as a "head on wreck" who went on a "mystic ride", suggesting that she was troubled and unpredictable. Despite this, the man had a secret mission to win her over, even though she was completely unaware of it.
The woman may have symbolized a person or situation that was difficult to deal with, yet irresistible to the man. He was drawn in by her "leftover passion and desire", even though it only deepened the wound that she had caused him. He admits that the pain is sweet, as it makes him feel alive and howl at the moon. It's a bittersweet tale of unrequited love and obsession.
The song also touches on the idea of communication and the lengths that people will go to stay in touch with someone they care about. The man receives messages from the woman every eleven days or so, but they are written in invisible ink on invisible paper. Despite this, he can still smell her perfume, implying that her presence is always lingering.
Overall, "Secret Mission" is a haunting and mysterious song that captures the essence of human desire and the complexity of relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Once knew a woman,
I used to know a woman
She put a curse on me that eventually came true
She cast a spell on me and unfortunately it worked
She was a head on wreck,
She wasn't in a good state of mind
On a mystic ride (you know the kind)
She was on a wild journey, one that is hard to explain
Among the visions and the ruins
Amidst all the crazy dreams and destruction
She was my unsuspecting secret mission
I had a hidden goal of winning her over without her knowing
Leftover passion and desire, they only deepen the wound
Remaining feelings of love and longing only make the pain worse
But you must admit that the pain is sweet
There's something strangely enjoyable about feeling the pain of heartbreak
It makes you howl at the moon
It can drive you to an emotional extreme
I guess you are my unsuspecting secret mission
I still desire to secretly win her over
Every eleven days or so
Occasionally, but somewhat regularly
I get a message from you
She reaches out to me
Invisible ink on invisible paper
She's not direct with me, maybe even intentionally cryptic
But I can smell the perfume
I still recognize her scent
I guess I ain't your unsuspecting secret mission
She has no intention of secretly winning me over
No, you aren't my unsuspecting secret mission
I've given up on the goal of secretly winning her over
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TODD PARK MOHR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ibcleve
I love this song and concert. Wish I could buy the CD and DVD of this show.
Diana Peterson
Me too! If you ever find it available somewhere, please let me know.
tkotan
great song great band, and you can still see these guys at a fair price for a great show! keep rockin bht!
Key Learning
This band having peak moments at Red Rocks!
Jon Weaver
thanks for the post - i just recently re-discovered these guys - i forgot how awesome they are
Dee Weeks
Love, love, love!❤
John Cassidy
Coming to newton theater, Saturday, can't wait
Lisa Halun
Elizabeth , you are a lucky woman