Currently, the group comprises singer and harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, bassist Tad Kinchla and keyboardist Ben Wilson. Tad Kinchla and Ben Wilson joined the band following the death of original bassist Bobby Sheehan in 1999.
While Blues Traveler is best known among fans for their improvisational live shows, the general public is most familiar with the group from their Top 40 singles "Run-Around" and "Hook". They gained mainstream popularity after their fourth studio album four, released in 1994. Sheehan's death and Popper's struggle with obesity put a damper on the group's success, and A&M dropped the band in 2002.
All Hands
Blues Traveler Lyrics
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I remember what I left behind by sailing off alone
Pitch and yaw through hurricane, my position is unknown
And the bell rings seven times
Salted brine, I drink it down and breathe it through my nose
No sign of land but I hang on and do my best to close
But the swirling tidal undertow keeps pulling me below
All hands left on deck
An icy rest is waiting at the bottom of the sea
She's tried her best to take me as I struggle to get free
But while I have a breath to breathe, she isn't taking me
And the bell rings seven times
All hands left on deck
No hope of rescue
No hope of dry ground
The siren calls all souls on board
To follow her down
Swirling silently beneath the noise and light up there
Push past the frozen arms and legs, ignore the lifeless stare
I grab a line that pulls me up for a precious gasp of air
And the bell rings seven times
All hands left on deck
The lyrics to the Blues Traveler's song All Hands tell a story of a sailor lost at sea. The first verse describes the sailor's feeling of loneliness and isolation as he sails off alone. This is followed by a description of the dangerous conditions he faces while navigating through a hurricane. The sailor has no idea of his position at sea and is constantly battling the elements. The ringing of the bell seven times perhaps symbolizes the sailor's struggle against the forces of nature and the possibility of his impending doom.
The second verse describes the sailor's struggle to survive as he faces another danger of the high seas- drowning. The sailor is constantly surrounded by saltwater and the tidal undertow keeps pulling him below. The sailor's life is in danger as there is no sign of land and no hope of rescue. The ringing of the bell seven times perhaps represents the sailor's impending doom.
The final verse is a description of the sailor's final encounter with death. The sailor is tempted by the siren's call to follow her down into an icy rest. However, he fights back and refuses to give up. The ringing of the bell seven times perhaps symbolizes the sailor's triumph over death and his determination to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time the water breaks and soaks me to the bone
Each time the waves crash and drench me completely, it reminds me of what I left behind and the consequences of my decision to sail solo.
I remember what I left behind by sailing off alone
My memory of the life and people I left behind resurfaces whenever I am alone on the sea.
Pitch and yaw through hurricane, my position is unknown
Navigating through a fierce hurricane with violent horizontal and vertical movements, I have lost track of my location.
And the bell rings seven times
The bell signifies a warning or an announcement, and in this case, it signals an impending danger or crisis.
Salted brine, I drink it down and breathe it through my nose
I consume saltwater and even inhale it as I struggle to survive on the ocean without any freshwater in sight.
No sign of land but I hang on and do my best to close
Although there is no sign of land or rescue, I hold on to hope and try my hardest to stay alive.
But the swirling tidal undertow keeps pulling me below
Despite my efforts, the strong underwater current and flow of the ocean continue to drag me down and away from safety.
An icy rest is waiting at the bottom of the sea
Death is a cold and final state that undoubtedly awaits me if I cannot find a way to escape the dangers at sea.
She's tried her best to take me as I struggle to get free
The ocean and its vastness are powerful enough to overcome and claim my life, but I resist and fight to survive.
But while I have a breath to breathe, she isn't taking me
As long as I have the ability to inhale and exhale, I refuse to succumb to the ocean and will continue to struggle for my life.
No hope of rescue
Without any means of contact or communication with others, I have accepted that there is no hope of being rescued.
No hope of dry ground
I have come to terms with the fact that I may never have the luxury of standing on dry land again.
The siren calls all souls on board to follow her down
Death is depicted as a siren, luring and beckoning all souls aboard the ship to join her in the depths of the ocean.
Swirling silently beneath the noise and light up there
Below the surface and away from the chaos and clamor above, the ocean is still and serene.
Push past the frozen arms and legs, ignore the lifeless stare
I must force my way through the deceased bodies around me and not be deterred by their eerie, sightless gaze.
I grab a line that pulls me up for a precious gasp of air
Finally, I am rescued by a line that brings me closer to the surface, allowing me to breathe and live for a bit longer.
All hands left on deck
This repeated line serves as a reminder to stay alert and stay together as a team in the face of danger and adversity.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: BRENDAN HILL, JOHN C. POPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind