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.
Onslaught
Blues Traveler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
More elaborate every day
Truth, well it's here too
What can you make it do for you?
Greed, it's just a drive
Do what you can to stay alive
Peace, it's just a dream
So rock and roll and kick and scream
Now won't you tell me if you like what you've just heard?
And if you think the point I'm driving at absurd
Well there's no need to tell me how or tell me why
But I need to know the reason not to try
Cause if you look around you might just feel like me
And you might notice no one was ever really free
And maybe, just maybe for now that's how it's supposed to be
Could be so far we've only earned the right to barely see
I really couldn't say for sure
Like everyone else I know
I'm just looking for the cure
The poison has infected you
Have no fear I'm infected too
War, they come and go
No telling where the wind will blow
Pain was always there
Sad reminder that you care
Hate, the price you pay
For thinking you got the only way
Now won't you tell me if you like what you've just heard?
And if you think the point I'm driving at absurd
Well there's no need to tell me how or tell me why
But I need to know the reason not to try
Cause if you look around you might just feel like me
And you might notice no one was ever really free
And maybe, just maybe for now that's how it's supposed to be
Could be so far we've only earned the right to barely see
Barely see, barely see, barely see, barely see, let's see...
For your parents Ellis Island
What had they gone through?
And if you descend from the Mayflower
Well they were running too
They were running from England
Who were warring with France
Who would conquer Spain
Given half of a chance
But it was the Moslems
Who had gotten there first
When there wasn't the bloodshed
Then there was the thirst
And a hate for the Christians
The infiltrators of Rome
You know that once mighty empire
Who made Africa home
The poor, noble Egyptians
Oh the hardships they braved
Remembering the good times
With Judea enslaved
And the Israelite nation
The very children of God
Killing Palestine's children
And I'm finding it odd
The Earth, a piece of fruit
Don't blame the maggots when they loot
Life just a game we play
Try to live just one more day
Space, our final hope
Throw the drowning man a rope
The choice is for us to say
Completely change or fade away
Now won't you tell me if you like what you've just heard?
And if you think the point I'm driving at absurd
Well there's no need to tell me how or tell me why
But I need to know the reason not to try
Cause if you look around you might just feel like me
And you might notice no one was ever really free
And maybe, just maybe for now that's how it's supposed to be
Could be so far we've only earned the right to barely see
I really couldn't say for sure
Like everyone else I know
I'm just looking for the cure
The song "Onslaught" by Blues Traveler is a commentary on the state of society and the human condition. The lyrics illustrate the struggle between truth and lies, peace and war, and hope and despair. The song suggests that the world is filled with complex issues and contradictions, and that people are constantly searching for answers to their problems.
The verses begin with a series of opposing forces: lies and truth, greed and peace, pain and hate. The chorus asks the listener if they understand what's been said and if they think the message is absurd. While the repeats "barely see," implying that people are unable to see the truth clearly, no matter how hard they try, and that people are barely surviving in the world as it is, which echoes the final verse of the song, where the message is clear that a choice must be made: change or fade away, giving a glimmer of hope or light to come out of this situation.
In summary, the song captures the confusion and complexities of life, while also encouraging listeners to seek out solutions and strive for change, especially when times are tough to bear. The song is an anthem for those who are looking for hope while living in a world of uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Lies, well they're o.k.
Lies are deemed as acceptable by society
More elaborate every day
Lies are becoming more complex with each passing day
Truth, well it's here too
The truth exists alongside the lies
What can you make it do for you?
What value does truth hold for individuals?
Greed, it's just a drive
Greed is merely an instinctual desire to survive
Do what you can to stay alive
People will do whatever it takes to survive
Peace, it's just a dream
The concept of peace is simply a hypothetical idea
So rock and roll and kick and scream
Expressing oneself through music and actions
Now won't you tell me if you like what you've just heard?
Asking the listener for feedback
And if you think the point I'm driving at absurd
Questioning whether the message of the song is ridiculous to the listener
Well there's no need to tell me how or tell me why
No explanation needed for the listener's opinion
But I need to know the reason not to try
Asking for an explanation for why someone should not attempt to change society
Cause if you look around you might just feel like me
Suggesting that the listener may share his perspective
And you might notice no one was ever really free
Pointing out that true freedom is an elusive concept
And maybe, just maybe for now that's how it's supposed to be
Perhaps society is meant to function this way
Could be so far we've only earned the right to barely see
Implies that humanity has not yet fully understood the truth
I really couldn't say for sure
The singer is uncertain of the answer to society's problems
Like everyone else I know
Acknowledging the universality of this uncertainty
I'm just looking for the cure
The singer is searching for a solution to societal problems
The poison has infected you
Society's negative aspects have impacted individuals
Have no fear I'm infected too
The singer is acknowledging he is affected by these societal issues
War, they come and go
Wars are a recurring occurrence throughout history
No telling where the wind will blow
The outcome of wars is impossible to predict
Pain was always there
Pain is a universal part of the human experience
Sad reminder that you care
Pain is a reminder of compassion and empathy
Hate, the price you pay
Hate carries a cost for those who indulge in it
For thinking you got the only way
Hate arises from the belief that one's perspective is the only perspective
The Earth, a piece of fruit
The Earth is a valuable resource
Don't blame the maggots when they loot
Blame those who allow the looting to occur, rather than the looters
Life just a game we play
Life is perceived as a game people participate in
Try to live just one more day
Survival is the main objective in life
Space, our final hope
Humanity's hope for survival is to expand into space
Throw the drowning man a rope
Help those struggling in life
The choice is for us to say
Humanity must make the decision to change
Completely change or fade away
The only options are to change or face the consequences
For your parents Ellis Island
Referencing immigrant ancestors
What had they gone through?
The difficulty immigrants faced in starting a new life
And if you descend from the Mayflower
Referencing the descendants of early colonizers
Well they were running too
Early settlers also fled from war and persecution
They were running from England
Fleeing a country embattled with war
Who were warring with France
England was in conflict with France
Who would conquer Spain
France sought to conquer Spain
But it was the Moslems
Muslims maintained control over Spain for centuries
Who had gotten there first
Muslims were in Spain prior to Christian colonization
When there wasn't the bloodshed
Historically, there was a time without violence
Then there was the thirst
However, war and conquest eventually followed
And a hate for the Christians
Muslims began to dislike Christians following colonization
The infiltrators of Rome
Christians were perceived as agents of the Roman Empire
You know that once mighty empire
The Roman Empire is recalled, once the dominant world power
Who made Africa home
The Roman Empire established settlements in Africa
The poor, noble Egyptians
Egyptians are described as valiant in their struggle against colonialism
Oh the hardships they braved
Egyptians persevered through immense struggles
Remembering the good times
Reflecting on happier times
With Judea enslaved
Referencing the slavery of the Jews
And the Israelite nation
Refers to Israel and its people
The very children of God
Israelites are associated with divinity
Killing Palestine's children
A critique of violence in the name of nationalism
And I'm finding it odd
Questioning the motives behind these conflicts
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BOBBY SHEEHAN, JOHN C. POPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robbie Conaway
Lies, well they're o.k.
More elaborate every day
Truth, well it's here too
What can you make it do for you?
Greed, it's just a drive
Do what you can to stay alive
Peace, it's just a dream
So rock and roll and kick and scream
Now won't you tell me if you like what you've just heard?
And if you think the point I'm driving at absurd
Well there's no need to tell me how or tell me why
But I need to know the reason not to try
Cause if you look around you might just feel like me
And you might notice no one was ever really free
And maybe, just maybe for now that's how it's supposed to be
Could be so far we've only earned the right to barely see
I really couldn't say for sure
Like everyone else I know
I'm just looking for the cure
The poison has infected you
Have no fear I'm infected too
War, they come and go
No telling where the wind will blow
Pain was always there
Sad reminder that you care
Hate, the price you pay
For thinking you got the only way
Now won't you tell me if you like what you've just heard?
And if you think the point I'm driving at absurd
Well there's no need to tell me how or tell me why
But I need to know the reason not to try
Cause if you look around you might just feel like me
And you might notice no one was ever really free
And maybe, just maybe for now that's how it's supposed to be
Could be so far we've only earned the right to barely see
Barely see, barely see, barely see, barely see, let's see...
For your parents Ellis Island
What had they gone through?
And if you descend from the Mayflower
Well they were running too
They were running from England
Who were warring with France
Who would conquer Spain
Given half of a chance
But it was the Moslems
Who had gotten there first
When there wasn't the bloodshed
Then there was the thirst
And a hate for the Christians
The infiltrators of Rome
You know that once mighty empire
Who made Africa home
The poor, noble Egyptians
Oh the hardships they braved
Remembering the good times
With Judea enslaved
And the Israelite nation
The very children of God
Killing Palestine's children
And I'm finding it odd
The Earth, a piece of fruit
Don't blame the maggots when they loot
Life just a game we play
Try to live just one more day
Space, our final hope
Throw the drowning man a rope
The choice is for us to say
Completely change or fade away
Now won't you tell me if you like what you've just heard?
And if you think the point I'm driving at absurd
Well there's no need to tell me how or tell me why
But I need to know the reason not to try
Cause if you look around you might just feel like me
And you might notice no one was ever really free
And maybe, just maybe for now that's how it's supposed to be
Could be so far we've only earned the right to barely see
I really couldn't say for sure
Like everyone else I know
I'm just looking for the cure
Apolloscreed
BT always rocks!!! Their music has a sound all it's own, they are awesome!
James Rozoff
Their first album was on constant rotation on my CD player. It was clever, catchy, and great musicianship. But when I found this album I knew they had really upped their game. I was amazed they could elevate their game so much in one album. There was still the playfulness and the musicality, but this album was an artistic statement. The lyrics on the first album were great, but here John Popper takes on huge themes intelligently and with heart and hope. It's just such a mature work as well as having fun songs like All In The Groove and Optimistic Thought.
Justin Patrick
this band is better then most of the crap forced down our throats on tv today
sleuth 2077
One of my favorite baselines of all time. Still seems weird too me how he wasn't talked about more as a top tier base player. He is the reason I got into BT in the first place. Rip
PrincessNa2008
i remember buying this cd after the green cover so in a way i went backward buying all their albums this one i remember being one of my favorites
Chris
R.I.P. Bob, this is one of my favorite bass lines ever
mx4229
John Popper is one of the best blues soloists on any insrument, throughout history. Listen to solo beginning at around 4 minutes.
thatgirlshesfreaky
i didn't believe it when my homie told me that blues traveler wrote a song with lyrics that would make my eyes open and brighten. but they did it and i feel silly but. DAMN THAT SONG IS WRITEN WELL. WHAT THE FUCK. smart people writing smart lyrics. good job. DAMN IT. SERIOUSLY WHAT THE FUCK
Robbie Conaway
Lies, well they're o.k.
More elaborate every day
Truth, well it's here too
What can you make it do for you?
Greed, it's just a drive
Do what you can to stay alive
Peace, it's just a dream
So rock and roll and kick and scream
Now won't you tell me if you like what you've just heard?
And if you think the point I'm driving at absurd
Well there's no need to tell me how or tell me why
But I need to know the reason not to try
Cause if you look around you might just feel like me
And you might notice no one was ever really free
And maybe, just maybe for now that's how it's supposed to be
Could be so far we've only earned the right to barely see
I really couldn't say for sure
Like everyone else I know
I'm just looking for the cure
The poison has infected you
Have no fear I'm infected too
War, they come and go
No telling where the wind will blow
Pain was always there
Sad reminder that you care
Hate, the price you pay
For thinking you got the only way
Now won't you tell me if you like what you've just heard?
And if you think the point I'm driving at absurd
Well there's no need to tell me how or tell me why
But I need to know the reason not to try
Cause if you look around you might just feel like me
And you might notice no one was ever really free
And maybe, just maybe for now that's how it's supposed to be
Could be so far we've only earned the right to barely see
Barely see, barely see, barely see, barely see, let's see...
For your parents Ellis Island
What had they gone through?
And if you descend from the Mayflower
Well they were running too
They were running from England
Who were warring with France
Who would conquer Spain
Given half of a chance
But it was the Moslems
Who had gotten there first
When there wasn't the bloodshed
Then there was the thirst
And a hate for the Christians
The infiltrators of Rome
You know that once mighty empire
Who made Africa home
The poor, noble Egyptians
Oh the hardships they braved
Remembering the good times
With Judea enslaved
And the Israelite nation
The very children of God
Killing Palestine's children
And I'm finding it odd
The Earth, a piece of fruit
Don't blame the maggots when they loot
Life just a game we play
Try to live just one more day
Space, our final hope
Throw the drowning man a rope
The choice is for us to say
Completely change or fade away
Now won't you tell me if you like what you've just heard?
And if you think the point I'm driving at absurd
Well there's no need to tell me how or tell me why
But I need to know the reason not to try
Cause if you look around you might just feel like me
And you might notice no one was ever really free
And maybe, just maybe for now that's how it's supposed to be
Could be so far we've only earned the right to barely see
I really couldn't say for sure
Like everyone else I know
I'm just looking for the cure
David Lee
This album was huge for me. The band was never the same after Bobby died. *sigh