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.
You Need Love
Big Head Todd and the Monsters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Diamonds are forever, but people are more like little flowers
Growing in the crash of the loud traffic noise
Of desperate western relationships
Past life regressions, romantic depressions,
And midnight walks down repeating sunsets
You killed me with the truth of my relationship-wrecked
Ever since you sunk my battleship
Where we came from
Trying to get some
Shika dow shika dow dow
Shika dow shika dow shika dow dow
She took my hand and said to me
"Let me let you in on a secret
"You've already got all the love you're needing
"In your heart, in your mind, in your imagination
"You've already got all the love you're needing"
We wanted each other so bad we wanted to possess
We wanted success in the area of undress
We wanted to own, we were so tired of renting
We wanted to attack, we were so tired of defending
Of moving on the motorcycles of life,
Without a seatbelt, without a tail on a kite
Diamonds are forever, but people are more like little flowers
More like September, October, November, December
More like the minutes to the hour
She took my hand and said to me
"Let me let you in on a secret
"You've already got all the love you're needing
"In your heart, in your mind, in your imagination
"Already got all the love you need"
I can't get enough, I can't pay enough
Don't mess with my conditional reality
Reward and punishment mentality
Always get the best of me
I wound you, you wound me
I need you, you need me
I want you, yeah, you want me
She took my hand and said to me
"Let me let you in on a secret
"You've already got all the love you're needin'
"In your heart, in your mind, in your imagination
"You've already got all the love you're needin'"
Hey yeah,
Already got all the love you needed
In your heart, in your mind, in your imagination
You've already got all the love you needed
The lyrics of "You Need Love" by Big Head Todd and the Monsters explore the complexities of human relationships, contrasting the idea of diamonds - a symbol of eternal, unchanging value - with the fragility and variability of people, who are more like small flowers that grow amidst chaos and noise. The singer reflects on past experiences of love and heartbreak, examining the power dynamics and desires that can fuel romantic relationships. The verses express a longing for intimacy and connection, as well as the difficulties that arise when trying to navigate those feelings.
The chorus introduces a redemptive message, delivered by a supportive partner who encourages the singer to believe in themselves and recognize the love that already exists within them. The repetition of the phrase "you've already got all the love you're needing" reinforces the idea that human connection is something that can be found within oneself, rather than requiring external validation or possession of another person. Overall, the song is an exploration of the universal questions and struggles that arise in the pursuit of love and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Diamonds are forever, but people are more like little flowers
While diamonds remain unchanged forever, people are more like flowers that grow and change in response to their environment.
Growing in the crash of the loud traffic noise
People grow and develop amidst chaos and disruption, similar to how flowers can still thrive amidst loud traffic noise.
Of desperate western relationships
The song speaks to the desperation that can sometimes be present in relationships in Western societies.
Past life regressions, romantic depressions,
The song touches upon the lingering emotional baggage that can come from past experiences like past lives or past romantic relationships.
And midnight walks down repeating sunsets
The song hints at the cyclical nature of relationships, as represented by the daily sunset cycle and the repetition of certain patterns.
You killed me with the truth of my relationship-wrecked
The truth about the singer's failed relationship was so painful, it felt like being killed.
Ever since you sunk my battleship
The end of the relationship felt like a great defeat, like losing a game of battleship.
This is the story of the whole world yeah everyone
The experiences of failed relationships and the feelings of desperation and cyclical patterns are universal, experienced by everyone.
Where we came from
The song questions the origins and motives behind people's desires and relationships.
Trying to get some
The driving force behind these desires, such as trying to attain or acquire something.
Shika dow shika dow dow
A playful nonsense phrase, possibly meant to represent the underlying drive behind people's desires and relationships being something silly or trivial.
She took my hand and said to me
The artist is recounting a conversation with another person.
"Let me let you in on a secret
The other person is sharing a secret or insight about life.
"You've already got all the love you're needing
The secret is that the singer already has all the love they need within themselves, rather than needing it from another person.
"In your heart, in your mind, in your imagination
This love is found within the singer's own emotions, thoughts, and creativity.
"We wanted each other so bad we wanted to possess
The song acknowledges the dangerous tendency to view relationships as a way to possess another person rather than to experience mutual love and respect.
"We wanted success in the area of undress
The song touches upon the often-overvalued importance of physical intimacy in romantic relationships.
"We wanted to own, we were so tired of renting
The song returns to the theme of wanting to possess or own another person, rather than viewing a relationship as a shared experience.
"We wanted to attack, we were so tired of defending
This line speaks to the desire for control and power in a relationship, which can often manifest in defensive or aggressive behaviors.
"Of moving on the motorcycles of life,
This line is a metaphor for the fast-moving, unpredictable nature of life that people are constantly navigating through.
"Without a seatbelt, without a tail on a kite
The added detail of not having a seatbelt or a tail on a kite speaks to the lack of control people have over the direction their lives may take, and the risk that comes with that uncertainty.
"More like September, October, November, December
People are more like the changing seasons, which are constantly in flux and evolving, than the static structure of diamonds.
"More like the minutes to the hour
Just as the minutes tick by and cannot be stopped or slowed down, people are constantly changing and moving forward.
"I can't get enough, I can't pay enough
The song touches upon the impossible demands of a reward and punishment mentality, where one can never truly win or achieve enough in a relationship.
"Don't mess with my conditional reality
The singer is expressing their need for control and stability, which can manifest as a conditional reality.
"Always get the best of me
This line speaks to the power that the reward and punishment mentality can have over someone's actions and emotions, often to their own detriment.
"I wound you, you wound me
The song acknowledges that relationships can be a cycle of hurting and being hurt, rather than a source of true love and support.
"I need you, you need me
Despite the inherently flawed nature of relationships, the desire for connection and companionship remains strong.
"I want you, yeah, you want me
The song acknowledges the physical and emotional desire that can be present in relationships, but warns against letting that desire turn into possessiveness or control.
"Hey yeah,
A playful interjection, signaling the final chorus of the song.
"Already got all the love you needed
The song concludes with the reassurance that the love we need can always be found within ourselves.
"In your heart, in your mind, in your imagination
This line repeats as a reminder that love can be found within ourselves, rather than relying on another person to provide it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TODD PARK MOHR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lisa Noelle
I've decided to post a post I left in a video from last year. You may not see it, so since this song is so spiritual, I leave this hear:
I have fallen in love with your band!! I see you'll be here Sep 18th. I may try to get tickets soon, I mean I want to go see you guys.
I first heard "Bittersweet" and it really fits my situation recently. I played it over & over. I'm just now getting familiar with your work.
But here's what's odd, I had a dream about a really nice guy I felt spiritual drawn to who look exactly like you. A few days ago I was feeling like what am I doing? Am I giving anyone hope? I was asking the Universe if I'm doing any good helping people in chat on YouTube with activist, do I give them hope in a place of people facing racism. It's a show called "Like it or not" created by Ben Dixon.
My divorce was upsetting to people. I married very young, I married a narcissist. I hid that from the religious people around me that he was emotionally and verbally abusive. He threatened me with a hammer when I was 8 months pregnant. I was done!! I faked it for years and everyone believed me, that he was a spiritual person and a good father & husband. And the guilt of hiding it followed me for years. I didn't literally shoot him, but often I did proverbially say, "I could just kill him!" So, by this time you can about guess what song showed up in my feed today!! Fortune teller!! I just burst out crying. Like the Universe (God) brought me a sign I asked for. Thank you for writing that song!! It brought me hope.
I write my poems much like you write songs. You are very good at describing your process. I often felt, that words lie and the music tells the truth! That just blew me away. Music is everything to me. I can't really sing or play an instrument, but I can get lost in the music and it lifts me to another place far above the daily crowd of voices!!
Hope to see you and the band soon!!
THEKIDWISCONSIN
Is it possible the older songs are getting even better? 😉 Fantastic! And goodness I love me some Hazel Miller
Sean Hackbarth
The correct answer is "Yes."
Carol Ward
That's because the music today doesn't compare!🎉🎉
Lisa Noelle
My goodness, I'm in love with this dude, Todd and his talented band. The backup singers are fantastic!! They are just perfect. Their voices are blowing me away! Need more of them.
James Wimbrow
I saw BHT&M the 1st time by accident as they were the opening band for Dave Matthews in Greenville SC in the early 90s. I fell in love with them, purchase all their albums and over the years have see them 4 other times. They are like wine, they just get better and better.
Michael Boone
One of BHTM's best songs.
Mark Seery
WHOA YEAH! Beautiful Sound Guys and Ms. Hazel & Ms. Coco!! Thank you for this gift.
George Schemel
That whole album is amazing.
Nancy P
So good! We could listen to you over and over! can’t wait to see you live again. Love you guys!
Diane Wood
That was great! Thank you for the music! 🌻