Phillips began Toad the Wet Sprocket in 1986. By 1988, they had signed with Columbia Records. After recording six albums and playing many major tours, they disbanded in 1998.
During his time in Toad the Wet Sprocket, Phillips was involved in a pop rock project called flapping, Flapping.
Three years later, following the breakup of Toad, Phillips released his first solo album, Abulum, which was a change from the sound that Toad the Wet Sprocket was known for. This was followed up by a self-released live album and solo touring, along with a reunion tour with his former Toad bandmates
In 2004, Phillips, with Nickel Creek, released a long-awaited collaboration as Mutual Admiration Society. The self-titled album had been recorded in 2000 and featured songs written by both Phillips alone and as collaborative efforts, and was released on Sugar Hill Records.
In 2005, Phillips returned to a major label via Universal Records' Lost Highway imprint and released the critically acclaimed Winter Pays For Summer. The album included the radio single "Duck and Cover," but Phillips and the label would part ways due to some creative differences.
Phillips released his third proper solo album, Mr. Lemons in the spring of 2006. The music video for the album's first single, "Everything But You," made its debut as a Yahoo! Exclusive Premiere on May 11, 2006.
Back On My Feet
Glen Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I have strayed
I said words i never thought that I could say
You were sadly sweet
Like an old bar song (or a Wilco song)
But I'll be back up on my feet before too long
You could say you wanted me
If I said it first
And the emptiness became a thirst
Now I could drink those words
And they would make me strong
I'd be back up on my feet before too long
I'd be back up on my feet before too long
Before too long
If you'd met me now
You never would have stuck around
No, you never would have stuck around
So I will lay me down
By the salty sea
And let the water pull the sand over my body
To wash me clean
Like a river stone
And I'll be back up on my feet before too long
Yeah, I'll be back up on my feet before too long
Back on my feet
Back up on my feet
Back on my feet
Back on my feet
In "Back On My Feet," Glen Phillips sings about a failed relationship and his own struggles with anger, resentment towards his partner, and his own mistakes that led to the relationship breakdown. He reflects on how his words were not genuine and how he relied on his partner's affection without reciprocating that affection.
He recognizes that he has been hurtful and blames himself for the breakdown but also acknowledges that his partner was special to him, comparing her to an old bar song or a Wilco song. This suggests that though the relationship ended, he still valued the time he spent with her and is grateful for it. He also notes that he could have rebuilt the relationship and become strong again if he had been sincere with his words.
In the second half of the song, Phillips depicts a sense of guilt and despair over the failure of the relationship, expressing that he believes his partner wouldn't have stuck around had they met recently. The final lines suggest that he is ready to start anew and embrace change. By allowing himself to be washed clean by the sea, he is metaphorically shedding his past mistakes and starting afresh. The repetition of "Back on my feet" suggests that Phillips is determined to get over the heartbreak and move forward, albeit slowly.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been angry
I have been feeling a lot of anger
And I have strayed
I have wandered off my intended path
I said words I never thought that I could say
I spoke words that surprised even myself
You were sadly sweet
Your demeanor was bittersweet
Like an old bar song (or a Wilco song)
You reminded me of an old bar song or a Wilco song
But I'll be back up on my feet before too long
I will recover and regain my composure in due time
You could say you wanted me
You could have expressed your desire for me
If I said it first
If I initiated the conversation
Words rang hollow
The words felt empty and meaningless
And the emptiness became a thirst
The hollowness created a need for fulfillment
Now I could drink those words
I could find solace in those words
And they would make me strong
They would empower me
I'd be back up on my feet before too long
I would recover and regain my composure in due time
I'd be back up on my feet before too long
I would recover and regain my composure in due time
Before too long
In the near future
If you'd met me now
If you met me in my current state
You never would have stuck around
You would not have stayed with me
No, you never would have stuck around
You definitely would not have stayed with me
So I will lay me down
I will lay down my burdens
By the salty sea
Next to the ocean
And let the water pull the sand over my body
I will let the tide cover me with sand
To wash me clean
To purify me
Like a river stone
Like a stone that has been washed down a river
And I'll be back up on my feet before too long
I will recover and regain my composure in due time
Yeah, I'll be back up on my feet before too long
Yes, I will recover and regain my composure in due time
Back on my feet
Recovered and feeling more stable
Back up on my feet
Regained my composure and feeling more stable
Back on my feet
Recovered and feeling more stable
Back on my feet
Regained my composure and feeling more stable
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GLEN PHILLIPS, CRAIG NORTHEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind