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.
Save His Soul
Blues Traveler Lyrics
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They told him he was just a disgrace
Stripped down like a frightened child
A shadow stood before him
He thought he saw a smile
Guilty of nothing more than fear
It was the dogs of war that sent him here
Shot in the back
Now he's running out of time
They all said they loved him
But where were they all now
Thinking about his hometown
Back in New York City
A slap across his face
Brings him back to this painful place
He would not talk God save his soul
They took him out and beat him
His mind felt cold
A change takes place
It makes you feel numb
Realizing you're just a man
Can make your soul want to run
Standing in the firing line
The smoke fills his lungs one last time
And with his last breath he cries out
"Dear God what have I done"
A shot rings out
and the song Save His Soul by Blues Traveler portrays the internal struggle of a soldier who is caught between two opposing forces at war. The song starts with the soldier being exposed to harsh bright lights that highlight his fear and make him feel small and helpless. He is then brought face to face with an enemy who seems to be smirking at him, making him feel even more powerless. As he stands there, he realizes that the root of his predicament is not his own wrongdoing but the game of war that he has been dragged into. His capture was due to his position as a pawn caught in the crossfire.
The song goes on to describe how the soldier is tortured by his captors, who try to force him to talk. The soldier is defiant and refuses to reveal any secrets, even though he knows that it would mean his death. The song highlights the soldier's inner strength that allows him to hold out until the very end. In the final moments, as he stands before the executioner's gun, the soldier realizes the magnitude of his actions and cries out to God in despair.
The song Save His Soul by Blues Traveler is a powerful commentary on the horrors of war and the impact that it can have on individuals. It highlights the pain and suffering that soldiers go through, both physical and emotional, and emphasizes the importance of standing up for what is right even at the cost of one's life. It is a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the futility of violence.
Line by Line Meaning
Hot lights across his face
Bright lights illuminated his face
They told him he was just a disgrace
They shamed him and called him worthless
Stripped down like a frightened child
They removed his clothes and left him feeling vulnerable
A shadow stood before him
A dark figure loomed in front of him
He thought he saw a smile
He believed the shadow smirked at him
Guilty of nothing more than fear
He was only scared, not guilty of any wrongdoing
It was the dogs of war that sent him here
The war is responsible for bringing him to this place
Caught across enemy lines
He was captured on the enemy's side
Shot in the back
He was shot from behind
Now he's running out of time
His time is limited
They all said they loved him
His loved ones claimed they loved him
But where were they all now
They were not present in his time of need
Thinking about his hometown
He longs for his hometown
Back in New York City
His hometown is New York City
A slap across his face
He was hit across the face
Brings him back to this painful place
He is reminded of the pain and trauma he is experiencing
He would not talk God save his soul
He refused to speak, even if it meant saving his soul
They took him out and beat him
He was taken outside to be beaten
His mind felt cold
He felt numb and scared
A change takes place
Something fundamental shifts within him
It makes you feel numb
The change results in him feeling emotionally detached
Realizing you're just a man
Coming to terms with the fact that you are only human
Can make your soul want to run
This realization can be overwhelming and make you want to escape
Standing in the firing line
He is waiting to be executed
The smoke fills his lungs one last time
As he takes his final breaths, the smoke from the gunfire surrounds him
And with his last breath he cries out
He utters his final words
"Dear God what have I done"
He questions his actions and what led him to this moment
A shot rings out
The sound of a gunshot is heard
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BRENDAN HILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind