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.
That Which Doesn't Kill You
Blues Traveler Lyrics
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Or cradle me hard
And the more I wanted
Was the scariest part
A measure of control
Well not this time
And I wanted to learn so
I claim the lesson as mine
The politics of lasting just a little bit longer
Is the art of living every day
That which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger
Until it finally kills you all the way
You take every action
And apply the math
You could reap the rapture
Or risk the wrath
And if you rate the reasons
Then the best ones lose
And all that means is
You got no excuse
The politics of lasting just a little bit longer
Is the art of living every day
That which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger
Until it finally kills you all the way
Harmonica powers reactivate!
Gonna pull up stakes
Gonna try again
Do whatever it takes
To draw you in
It's what I am
And it's all I know
Like the carnie man
You gotta work the show
The politics of lasting just a little bit longer
Is the art of living every day
That which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger
Until it finally kills you all the way
The song "That Which Doesn't Kill You" by Blues Traveler is about the trials and tribulations of life, and how what doesn't kill you can make you stronger, but can also lead to your ultimate downfall. The lyrics "Crush me softly or cradle me hard" refer to the idea that sometimes we need to be pushed to our limits in order to grow, while at other times we need to be protected from harm. The singer acknowledges that wanting more can be scary, and that sometimes he needs to let go of control and accept the lesson he is being taught.
The chorus of the song, "That which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, until it finally kills you all the way," is a warning that while facing adversity can make us stronger, there is always a breaking point. The verse "You take every action and apply the math, you could reap the rapture or risk the wrath" suggests that sometimes we need to weigh our options and take calculated risks in order to achieve our goals, but that even the best-laid plans can fail. The harmonica solo that follows the second chorus is a powerful moment that represents the singer regaining his strength.
The final verse acknowledges the difficulty of life, but also the importance of perseverance. The singer knows that he may need to try again and again to achieve his goals, but that he is willing to do whatever it takes. Like a carnival worker, he is willing to work hard and put on a show in order to succeed. The song ends with a final warning that what doesn't kill us can still lead to our ultimate demise, but that we must keep pushing forward regardless.
Line by Line Meaning
Crush me softly
Be gentle with me, don't hurt me too much.
Or cradle me hard
Or give me all you've got, show me everything.
And the more I wanted
Even though I desired more.
Was the scariest part
That desire made me feel vulnerable and afraid.
A measure of control
I usually like to be in charge of my life.
Well not this time
But this time I want to let go and learn something new.
And I wanted to learn so
I crave knowledge and the experience of something unfamiliar.
I claim the lesson as mine
I take responsibility for my own learning and growth.
The politics of lasting just a little bit longer
The strategy of prolonging something, even if it is difficult.
Is the art of living every day
It is the skill of making the most of each moment of life.
That which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger
Enduring hardship and surviving tough times can make you more resilient and able to cope with future challenges.
Until it finally kills you all the way
But at some point, even the strongest person can be pushed too far and break.
You take every action
You consider every possible action you could take.
And apply the math
You weigh the pros and cons of each action.
You could reap the rapture
You might experience great joy and happiness.
Or risk the wrath
Or face negative consequences.
And if you rate the reasons
If you evaluate the reasons for each action.
Then the best ones lose
Then even the actions with the best reasons might not be the right choice.
And all that means is
And the conclusion is.
You got no excuse
You have no justification for your actions.
Harmonica powers reactivate!
Motivation and energy are suddenly reignited.
Gonna pull up stakes
I'm going to take a risk and leave my current situation.
Gonna try again
I'm going to keep pushing and striving for what I want.
Do whatever it takes
I'm willing to put in the effort and work hard.
To draw you in
To entice and attract you.
It's what I am
This is who I am, this is my purpose.
And it's all I know
This is the only way I know how to live.
Like the carnie man
Similar to a carnival worker who puts on a show for others.
You gotta work the show
You have to put in the effort and dedication to make things happen.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: CHAN KINCHLA, JOHN C. POPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind