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.
Nail
Blues Traveler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Right in front of you
Sit tight
You're alright
Just breathe
The relief
Don't fear
I'm right here
I'm right here
I'm right here
I'm right
Here I am
To try to understand
The nail put through your hand
I need you
Simply to
See me
As easy
To read
What you need
Through me
So use me
Seduce me
I'm right here
I'm right
Here we plan
To try to understand
The nail put through your hand
Know you
You have to
Feel free
To teach me
Reach out
Without doubt
Crash land
I know you can
I'm right here
I'm right here
I'm right here
I'm right
Here you can
To try to understand
The nail put through your hand
The lyrics of "Nail" by Blues Traveler are a plea from the singer to the person he is addressing to reach out to him, to open up and share their pain. The song talks about a "nail put through your hand," which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the suffering that the person is going through. The singer is telling them that he is there to help, that he is right in front of them, and that they should not fear opening up to him. He encourages the person to breathe and feel the relief that comes with sharing one's burdens.
The singer then goes on to say that he needs the person to see him as someone who is easy to read and easy to communicate with, so that they can use him to help themselves. He tells them that he wants to understand their pain, that they should feel free to teach him how to help them, and that they should not hesitate to reach out to him, even if it feels like a "crash landing." The song ends with the singer reassuring the person that he is right there, ready to help them understand the "nail put through your hand."
Overall, "Nail" is a song about the importance of reaching out and connecting with others, especially when one is going through a difficult time. It is a call for empathy and understanding, and a reminder that we all need each other to get through the rough patches in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Reach out
Don't hold back, make contact
Right in front of you
The person or thing you need is close at hand
Sit tight
Stay calm and don't panic
You're alright
Everything will be okay
Just breathe
Take deep breaths to relax and calm down
The relief
The feeling of calm and relaxation that comes with breathing
Don't fear
Don't be afraid
I'm right here
I am here with you
Here I am
I am present and ready to help
To try to understand
I want to comprehend
The nail put through your hand
The pain you're feeling that's making it hard for you to function
I need you
I require your assistance
Simply to
For the sole purpose of
See me
To recognize my presence
As easy
To make it effortless
To read
To understand
What you need
The thing that will make you feel better
Through me
Using me as the conduit
So use me
Take advantage of my offer to help
Seduce me
Lure me into helping you
Know you
Understand who you are
Feel free
Don't hesitate
To teach me
To help me learn more about you
Without doubt
With complete confidence
Crash land
Fall from great heights
I know you can
I have faith in you
Here you can
In this present moment, you have the ability
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BEN WILSON, JOHN C. POPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind