Best remembered for their 1993 single "No Rain", the group enjoyed critical and commercial success in the early 1990s with their neo-psychedelic take on alternative rock. The 1995 death of lead vocalist Shannon Hoon halted the band's activity, and the members went on hiatus until officially disbanding in 1999. The band reformed with new lead vocalist Travis Warren in 2006, and although Warren departed two years later, he has since resumed performing with the band.
Car Seat
Blind Melon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why Mom, I thought I was your soldier
My brother sits by me
Buckled into the carseat
Feel the thirst, it's time for pulling over
Into the truckstop on my daddy's shoulder
Out back where they plant all the trees
(God's presents)
If my path be smooth or rugged
If with thorns or roses strewn
Where I go the Father seeith
And He will leave me not alone
If I take the wings of morning
far within the giant sea
Even there His hand will leave me
Even there my God will be
Though the gloom of night be round me
Though I cannot see my way
Yet the Lord will see and guide me
Because unto Him the night is day
If my thought are good or evil
Set me think to hide them not
there is one above all seeing
And He beholdth every thought
And ever more my eyes beholds me
And all my ways to Him are known
And His loving arms enfolds me
He will leave me not alone
The song "Car Seat" by Blind Melon is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to Shannon Hoon's childhood, including both happy times spent with his family and the sad memory of his father burying him alive. The first verse describes the feeling of being tongue-tied and nervous as a child, wondering why his mother would send him off to war with his brother. The imagery of being buckled into a car seat creates a sense of vulnerability and innocence. The second verse shifts to a memory of being on a family road trip, feeling thirsty and stopping at a truck stop. The lyrics take a dark turn as Hoon sings about his father burying him "ten feet away" from where they planted trees. However, the inclusion of "God's presents" in parentheses after this line suggests that Hoon may be viewing this memory as a divine experience, perhaps finding comfort in his faith as he thinks back on his past.
The final verse of the song pulls in imagery from Psalm 139, particularly verses 7-12. Hoon finds solace in the idea that no matter where he goes, God is with him. He reflects on the fact that even his thoughts are not hidden from God, and that God loves and protects him always. This verse brings a sense of resolution to the haunting memories of the previous verses - Hoon finds comfort in God's presence and care.
Overall, "Car Seat" is a poignant and introspective song that delves into Hoon's personal history and faith. Through vivid imagery and careful lyrics, he explores difficult memories and finds peace in the idea of a loving God.
Line by Line Meaning
Tongue tied, nerves as big as boulders
Overwhelmed and anxious, unable to speak due to nervousness
Why Mom, I thought I was your soldier
Questioning why his mother isn't protecting him and fulfilling a maternal role
My brother sits by me
Describing the physical setting of the car
Buckled into the carseat
Being secured in the car for safety
Feel the thirst, it's time for pulling over
Becoming dehydrated and needing to stop for refreshment
Into the truckstop on my daddy's shoulder
Stopping at a truckstop that his dad is familiar with
Out back where they plant all the trees
Referring to the location of his burial place
ten feet away my daddy buries me
Describing where he is buried and indicating his father as the one responsible for the burial
(God's presents)
Indicating that the following lines are about God's guidance and presence
If my path be smooth or rugged
Regardless of what happens in his life, God will be with him and guide him
If with thorns or roses strewn
Whether he faces hardships or blessings
Where I go the Father seeith
God is aware of his every move and action
And He will leave me not alone
God will always be with him
If I take the wings of morning
Even if he were to travel to a distant place quickly
far within the giant sea
Traveling far and entering unfamiliar territory
Even there His hand will leave me
Despite being far away, God's presence will never leave him
Even there, my God will be
God will always be with him regardless of where he is
Though the gloom of night be round me
Even during times of darkness and fear
Though I cannot see my way
Even when he can't see a clear path forward
Yet the Lord will see and guide me
God will help him and show him the way
Because unto Him the night is day
To God, there is no such thing as darkness or fear, as He shows the path forward
If my thoughts are good or evil
Regardless of his thoughts and intentions
Set me think to hide them not
Asks God to guide him to be honest with himself and others about his true intentions
there is one above all seeing
God sees everything, including internal thoughts and desires
And He beholds every thought
God knows what he is truly thinking and has pure intentions
And ever more my eyes beholds me
God is always watching over him
And all my ways to Him are known
God is aware of all his actions and how they align with his intentions
And His loving arms enfolds me
God's love is always present and embraces him
He will leave me not alone
Reiterating that God will never abandon him
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRAD SMITH, CHRISTOPHER THORN, CHRISTOPHER JOHN THORN, GLEN GRAHAM, SHANNON HOON, THOMAS STEVENS, THOMAS ROGERS STEVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gogetthink666
Tongue tied, nerves as big as boulders
Why Mom, I thought I was your soldier
My brother sits by me
Buckled into the carseat
Feel the thirst, it's time for pulling over
Into the truckstop on my daddy's shoulder
Out back where they plant all the trees
ten feet away my daddy buries me
If my path be smooth or rugged
If with thorns or roses strewn
Where I go the Father seeith
And He will leave me not alone
If I take the wings of morning
far within the giant sea
Even there His hand will leave me
Even there my God will be
Though the gloom of night be round me
Though I cannot see my way
Yet the Lord will see and guide me
Because unto Him the night is day
If my thought are good or evil
Set me think to hide them not
there is one above all seeing
And He beholdth every thought
And ever more my eyes beholds me
And all my ways to Him are known
And His loving arms enfolds me
He will leave me not alone
@breamurphey9428
Shannons' voice is hypnotizing. Especially in this song. My only wish is that it was longer.
@garyrouyea8314
I do believe this song is way more fucking great than given credit for...
on an album in the same situation...just my humble opinion...peace.
@Perspicuous87
Back when I was into hard drugs, I would always start my binges while listening to this song. At the time, I didn't realize what it was actually about. It just sounded so sorrowful and poetic which perfectly matched how I felt about what I was about to do to myself.
@cautionTosser
i always played Sympathy for The Devil
@zackc9864
Mine was From Here To Utopia by Pat The Bunny
@matthewhiggins8851
Soup is a masterpiece
@jamiechmiel8003
This song was recorded (100 years) to the day that his (great?) Grandmother wrote the biblical poem at the end. I wrote a paper about it in college about 15 years ago so I don't remember all the details.
@innuendo4469
Greatest album EVER
@korisandberg6574
I would have to agree
@nathandejaynes214
I totally agree! One of my favorites ever! Top ten.