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.
The Beacons
Blues Traveler Lyrics
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A creator complex will fulfill us
Follow me down near the road ahead
Where we mean everything that we've ever said
Destination overload it can't be tamed
And nothing or no one is to blame
Sooner or later, we're all beacons of yesteryear
We'll see you soon, baby, don't you fear
Put down your map, son, we're GPS-ing
The system don't know with who it's messing
Evolution crap shooter watch your scene
We're the proud parents of the big machine
Mutated strains like a frog to a toad
But ours comes with a bar code
Sooner or later, we're all beacons of yesteryear
You've gotta love or hate us
We'll see you soon, baby, don't you fear
Hickory, trickery, dickory dock
I need me a stronger, faster clock
One that comes with wheels and a Bluetooth phone
God forbid I'd ever have to be alone, all alone
Sooner or later, we're all beacons of yesteryear
You've gotta love or hate us
We'll see you soon, baby, don't you fear
Sooner or later, we're all beacons of yesteryear
You've gotta love or hate us
We'll see you soon, baby, don't you fear
Blues Traveler's song "The Beacons" is a contemplative commentary on the current state of humanity's relationship with technology. The opening lines set the apocalyptic tone, imagining a future where machines have turned against their creators. The following lines suggest that humans have long harbored a desire to create something that will outlast them, and that the end of the world might be the answer to that impulse. The singer invites the listener to follow them to a place where the things that have been said have meaning and where blame cannot be assigned for the chaos around them.
The chorus sets the theme of the song, suggesting that we are all beacons of a time gone by, and that we will be remembered either fondly or with disdain. The second verse continues the theme of technological advancement, with a reference to GPS and the idea that machines are not aware of the beings they serve. The "big machine" referenced in the lyrics represents technological progress, and the song suggests that this progress has come at a cost, with "mutated strains" and a society in which humans have become dependent on barcodes and other symbols of commerce.
The third verse continues to explore the idea of humanity's deepening relationship with technology. The singer seeks something to fill the void of loneliness, and technology is the answer. The final chorus reaffirms the idea that we are all beacons, and that our place in the world is not necessarily defined by what we do or don't contribute, but rather by the fact that we exist at all.
Line by Line Meaning
When our toasters finally come to kill us
A tongue-in-cheek reference to how automation and technology may eventually harm us all and how we may not be able to avoid it.
A creator complex will fulfil us
Our relentless pursuit of innovation may lead to a god-like mentality that makes us feel fulfilled, but it is also a warning against not knowing our limits and the consequences of our actions.
Follow me down near the road ahead
A call to embrace the uncertainty of the future and to not be afraid of what lies ahead.
Where we mean everything that we've ever said
A declaration of authenticity and sincerity in our actions and intentions.
Destination overload it can't be tamed
A recognition of how modern life can be overwhelming with endless possibilities and choices that we may struggle to navigate or control.
And nothing or no one is to blame
An acceptance of personal responsibility and accountability in our lives, despite the challenges we may face.
Sooner or later, we're all beacons of yesteryear
An acknowledgment of the fleeting nature of fame and success, and how we each leave a mark on the world in our own way.
You've gotta love or hate us
The polarizing nature of public opinion and how we should embrace who we are, even if it may not be universally loved.
We'll see you soon, baby, don't you fear
An optimistic outlook on life and the belief that we will each find our own way in the world, regardless of the challenges we may face.
Put down your map, son, we're GPS-ing
A humorous reference to how technology has replaced traditional methods of navigation and how we may become overly reliant on it.
The system don't know with who it's messing
A warning against blindly following modern systems and institutions without considering their implications or consequences.
Evolution crap shooter watch your scene
An acknowledgement that evolution is not always predictable or controllable, and that we should be prepared for unexpected changes or challenges.
We're the proud parents of the big machine
A declaration of ownership and responsibility for our creations, and a reminder that we are responsible for how they are used and their impact on the world.
Mutated strains like a frog to a toad
A comparison between how animals evolve and how technology evolves, and how both can have unintended consequences.
But ours comes with a bar code
A reference to how humans may be reduced to mere numbers or codes in the age of automation and technology.
Hickory, trickery, dickory dock
A nonsensical phrase that serves as a segue to the next verse and highlights the playfulness of the song.
I need me a stronger, faster clock
A commentary on how modern life values speed and efficiency over quality of life and how we may become lost in our own busyness.
One that comes with wheels and a Bluetooth phone
A humorous reference to the endless technological possibilities in our lives and how we may become overly reliant on them.
God forbid I'd ever have to be alone, all alone
A reflection on the fear of loneliness and the need for constant stimulation and validation in our lives.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BEN WILSON, BRENDAN HILL, CHAN KINCHLA, JOHN C. POPPER, TAD KINCHLA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind