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.
The Leaving Song
Big Head Todd and the Monsters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I might be thinking it through.
Gonna pack my things and catch a train headed South.
Or step right out of my car, into the
Rain drippin' down my fingers,
Into my eyes, you won't see me cryin' but,
What will you do when I am gone.
Take one final look at you.
To empty out all those sweet memories from my head.
How did I ever end up playing your fool but,
What will you do when I am gone.
I creep slowly out of my bed,
Take one final look at you.
To empty out all those sweet memories from my head.
How did I ever end up playing your fool but
I'm on a train bound for glory,
Goin' klickity klack klickity klack
Away from you but
What will you do, when I am gone?
How the hell you ever get to be so damn cool?
Suck down my money and throw my love away.
How the hell did you ever get to be so damn slick?
You'll come slidin' slidin' down some day but,
I'm on a train bound for glory.
Goin' klickity klack klickity klack
Away from you but,
What will you do when I am gone?
The Leaving Song by Big Head Todd and the Monsters is a reflective track about a relationship that has come to an end. It’s clear from the opening lines, “Think ahead before you open your mouth, I might be thinking it through,” that there has been some interpersonal tension in the relationship. The singer is considering leaving, whether it be by train or car, and they know that once they’re gone, the other person will have to deal with the aftermath of their departure. The chorus asks the question, “What will you do when I am gone?” implying that the other person has taken their presence in the relationship for granted and hasn't considered the potential consequences of their actions.
The second verse is more introspective, as the singer takes stock of the situation and realizes that they have been played for a fool. The line “How did I ever end up playing your fool but,” suggests that the other person may have been manipulative or deceitful in their actions. However, the singer seems to have found a way to move on, as they are on a train headed for “glory.” The refrain of “klickity klack” suggests a sense of propulsion and a forward motion towards a new future, away from the toxicity of the past relationship. The final lines indicate a sense of bitterness towards the other person, as the singer accuses them of being “slick” and predicts that their actions will eventually catch up with them.
Line by Line Meaning
Think ahead before you open your mouth
Ponder on your words before you utter them
I might be thinking it through.
I could be carefully considering my thoughts
Gonna pack my things and catch a train headed South.
I will leave and travel down south
Or step right out of my car, into the
Alternatively, I might leave my car and
Rain drippin' down my fingers,
Feel the rainfall on my fingers
Into my eyes, you won't see me cryin' but,
Without showing, you'll not understand my sorrow
What will you do when I am gone.
What will you do when I am no longer here?
I creep slowly out of my bed,
I quietly move out of my bed,
Take one final look at you.
I give you one last glance
To empty out all those sweet memories from my head.
I erase every lovely memory about you
How did I ever end up playing your fool but,
I wonder why I fell for your deception?
What will you do when I am gone.
What action will you take when I am departed?
I'm on a train bound for glory,
I am on a journey to success
Goin' klickity klack klickity klack
The sound of the moving train
Away from you but
I am going farther away from you but
What will you do, when I am gone?
What will you do when I no longer come back?
How the hell you ever get to be so damn cool?
How did you become so darn impressive?
Suck down my money and throw my love away.
After using my money, you threw my feelings away.
How the hell did you ever get to be so damn slick?
How did you develop such smoothness in your character?
You'll come slidin' slidin' down some day but,
There will come a day when you'll be in a difficult situation
I'm on a train bound for glory.
I am on a journey towards great achievements
Goin' klickity klack klickity klack
The sound made by the train
Away from you but,
Moving further away from you but,
What will you do when I am gone?
What will your reaction be when I leave?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TODD PARK MOHR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Key Learning
This 2008 concert is 110% AWESOME.
I’m a newbie to BHT. Todd and band sell every song completely. I’m hooked.
Angela Some
@Dr. Dom is
Tee Cee
Agreed - me too. I have egg on my face coz I knew about them and even had an album 25 years ago but I didn't follow them closely. Oh well....thank goodness for Youtube!
Dr. Dom
Yup -- I'm a newbie as well. I cannot believe that this band flew under my radar for all of these years. Not any more, I caught their show in Asheville, NC in August and will see them in Jersey City in November. Outstanding LIVE act!!!
Dan Noble
What a tight group, These guys rock!
Diana Peterson
One of my FAVORITES!
Shalako Shakdaddy
I love that Vincent of Jersey ditty. What a nice talking guitar. Clickety clack clickety clack...that train bound for glory.
Dan Boston
Flippin awesome!!!
prhuffesq
Awesome! Thanks for posting!
nrich
man the drummer was cooking up a storm ....