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.
But Anyway
Blues Traveler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She didn't care but anyway
I told her we'd still be friends
And she didn't care but anyway
I tried last week for to call her
She wasn't home but anyway I think I'll spend my life alone
I really don't care right now, but anyway
It's a state of affairs and a state of emotions
The kind of thing that you must understand
I tell you one thing, you'll tell me another
We walk away, maybe even then shake hands
I'm quitting cigarette smoking, it's bad for me
But anyway, I don't think the TV was joking
When it told me this, but anyway
The newsman said not to sit on strange toilet seats
It's my life he's trying to save, but anyway
I found out that I got eye cancer
Too many television waves, but anyway
[Chorus]
Someday an answer will find us, quite a long shot
But anyway, I think the past the past is behind us
Be real confusing if not but anyway
I put all my hope in tomorrow, it's gonna be great
I can tell but anyway I see a new, a new day dawning
I like to sleep late, oh, well but anyway
[Chorus]
The first verse of Blues Traveler's song "But Anyway" tells a story of a failed romantic relationship. The singer admits to lying about loving his partner, which caused her to break up with him. He then tells her that they can still be friends, but she rejects him. In an attempt to reconcile, he tries to call her, only to find that she is not available. The singer then concludes that he will have to spend his life alone; however, he does not seem to be bothered by this fact, saying "I really don't care right now, but anyway." The chorus reflects the state of affairs and emotions that come with failed relationships. The singer acknowledges that it's complex but tries to find resolve by walking away and, in the end, shaking hands.
The second verse reveals that the singer is quitting smoking because it's bad for him. He acknowledges that he was not sure if the newsman who warned him about the dangers of smoking was serious, but he still decided to quit. The newsman also warned him not to sit on strange toilet seats as it could result in health problems - this affected the singer's life, and he decided to take care of his health. The verse ends with the singer revealing that he has been diagnosed with eye cancer, possibly due to too much exposure to television waves. The final verse of the song shows optimism about the future. The singer hopes for a better tomorrow and perceives a new day dawning.
Overall, "But Anyway" explores the complexities of relationships and life's uncertainties. The song expresses the ups and downs that people go through while trying to navigate their way in life, with relationships, health, and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
I lied and told her I loved her
I was not truthful when I expressed love for her
She didn't care but anyway
She didn't respond to my affection, but I'm moving forward
I told her we'd still be friends
I promised we would remain cordial
And she didn't care but anyway
She wasn't moved by my assurance
I tried last week for to call her
I made the effort to reach out to her
She wasn't home but anyway
She wasn't available, but I'm not too concerned
I think I'll spend my life alone
I've accepted the possibility of being single forever
I really don't care right now, but anyway
At this moment, I'm indifferent to the situation
It's a state of affairs and a state of emotions
The situation is both practical and emotional
The kind of thing that you must understand
It's important to comprehend the nature of the circumstance
I tell you one thing, you'll tell me another
We might have differing views
We walk away, maybe even then shake hands
Despite our differences, we can still part amicably
I'm quitting cigarette smoking, it's bad for me
I recognize the negative effects of smoking and will stop
But anyway, I don't think the TV was joking
I don't believe the TV show was exaggerating the hazards of smoking
The newsman said not to sit on strange toilet seats
The news advised us to avoid sitting on unfamiliar toilet seats
It's my life he's trying to save, but anyway
The newsman is looking out for my well-being, but I'm not too worried
I found out that I got eye cancer
I was diagnosed with eye cancer
Too many television waves, but anyway
I suspect the cause of my affliction was television usage
Someday an answer will find us, quite a long shot
There may be a resolution eventually, but not soon
But anyway, I think the past the past is behind us
I believe the previous issues are resolved and gone
Be real confusing if not but anyway
It would be difficult to deal with if it wasn't resolved, but I don't have to worry about that
I put all my hope in tomorrow, it's gonna be great
I'm optimistic about tomorrow and expect it to go well
I can tell but anyway I see a new, a new day dawning
I can sense that a new day is coming, with new opportunities
I like to sleep late, oh, well but anyway
I'm not a morning person, but it doesn't matter too much
It's a state of affairs and a state of emotions
The situation is practical and emotional at the same time
The kind of thing that you must understand
It's important to fully grasp the circumstances we're in
I tell you one thing, you'll tell me another
We may have differing opinions or viewpoints
We walk away, maybe even then shake hands
Regardless, we can still part amicably
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: CHAN KINCHLA, JOHN C. POPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeroentromp7097
Two chords A-B , Brlliant!!! Great Lyrics!!! I lied and told her I loved her
She didn't care but anyway
I told her we'd still be friends
And she didn't care but anyway
I tried last week for to call her
She wasn't home but anyway I think I'll spend my life alone
I really don't care right now, but anyway
[Chorus]
It's a state of affairs and a state of emotions
The kind of thing that you must understand
I tell you one thing, you'll tell me another
We walk away, maybe even then shake hands
I'm quitting cigarette smoking, it's bad for me
But anyway, I don't think the TV was joking
When it told me this, but anyway
The newsman said not to sit on strange toilet seats
It's my life he's trying to save, but anyway
I found out that I got eye cancer
Too many television waves, but anyway
[Chorus]
Someday an answer will find us, quite a long shot
But anyway, I think the past the past is behind us
Be real confusing if not but anyway
I put all my hope in tomorrow, it's gonna be great
I can tell but anyway I see a new, a new day dawning
I like to sleep late, oh, well but anyway
[Chorus]
@BIGolFloppies
Such a great group of talented musicians yet so underrated
@tamarockstar45
This song is obviously featured in a major Hollywood comedy. They had a bunch of television appearances. Their album Four is 6 times platinum. They were huge in the 90s while being a blues band with an obese front man. I'm not saying they were overrated, but I don't think they were underrated.
@mikeplaya22
People say anything is underrated which is annoying
@GrafsGarage3
Honestly Kingpin was an amazing movie! Great humor in it and introduced me to this amazing band. My parents had seen them live and said it was one of the best concerts they have been to!
@markbirchette8740
They're in the second Blues Brothers with Dan Ackroyd as well.
@geoffjacobs9440
I can watch this movie every two years and still feel the same way
@MrCrainge
3 min and 6 sec of being put into a good mood guaranteed. This song never fails.
@CuredStash
Any blues traveler song. Even the sad songs are uplifting
@anthonyhaylock6655
Blues Traveller are an amazing band and John Popper is a truly awesome harmonica player
@HellaQuinn
Phenomenal ❤ He was a real modern Bob Dylan