Grandaddy are an American indie pop band formed in Modesto, California in 1… Read Full Bio ↴Grandaddy are an American indie pop band formed in Modesto, California in 1992 by singer/guitarist/keyboardist Jason Lytle, bassist Kevin Garcia, and drummer Aaron Burtch; although a noisy, lo-fi approach characterized early recordings like 1994's Complex Party Come Along Theories, with the 1995 additions of guitarist Jim Fairchild and keyboardist Tim Dryden the group's sound expanded exponentially over the course of subsequent efforts including the unreleased Don't Sock the Tryer and the 1996 EP A Pretty Mess by This One Band. Originally issued on indie label Will Records, 1997's acclaimed full-length Under the Western Freeway proved Grandaddy's creative breakthrough, and the following year the album was reissued on major-label V2, with "Summer Here Kids" earning Single of the Week honors in the pages of the NME. The Broken Down Comforter Collection, a compilation of singles tracks, preceded the 1999 Signal to Snow Ratio EP, which heralded a movement toward the vintage electronic textures further in evidence on 2000's superb The Sophtware Slump. In 2002, the group released another odds-n-sods collection, Concrete Dunes, which paved the way for a busy 2003: that spring, Grandaddy released the Floating Debris EP and their fourth full-length, Sumday, and spent the rest of the year touring, making appearances at festivals such as Glastonbury. In 2005, they resurfaced with the Excerpts from the Diary of Todd Zilla EP and a full-length album (Just Like the Fambly Cat) followed in 2006. It was to be their last, though Jason Lytle continues to tour, playing Grandaddy songs as well as his own solo works.

Additional Info:

Under the name Arm of Roger, Grandaddy recorded a joke album entitled The Ham and its Lily in 2002.

A.M. 180, which was released as a single, is featured prominently in the British film 28 Days Later.

On the 27th January 2006, Jason Lytle confirmed that the band would split following the release of their final album, Just Like The Fambly Cat.

Jason Lytle has since toured the US as a solo artist, playing Grandaddy songs from the last album and others. He is said to plan a solo career of new material.

On March 2, 2012, Grandaddy announced their reunion with news of a headline slot at the End of the Road Festival in Dorset, England on 2 September. Further dates are expected.

Rear View Mirror
Grandaddy Lyrics

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Rear view mirror
Rear view mirror
Rear view mirror
Rear view mirror

What the hell
While I've been trying to drive somewhere
Real and nearer

Real and nearer

Rear view mirror
Don't wanna live life looking through a

What the hell, well
I've been trying to drive somewhere
Real and nearer
Real and nearer
Real and nearer

To boldly go no normal Joe or Jack or Jeff had ever been
Pass it slow, it's told you so, it's might as well give up, old friend
To boldly go no normal Joe or Jack or Jeff had ever been
Pass the classic no you never will and which is why we can
Which is why we can
Which is why we can

Don't wanna live life looking through a

To boldly go no normal Joe or Jack or Jeff had ever been
Pass it slow, it's told you so, it's might as well give up, old friend
To boldly go no normal Joe or Jack or Jeff had ever been
Pass the classic no you never will and which is why we can
Which is why we can
Which is why we can

Rear view mirror
Don't wanna live life looking through a

Overall Meaning

The song Rear View Mirror by Grandaddy explores the themes of moving forward and seizing the present moment. The repetition of the phrase "rear view mirror" serves as a metaphor for looking back at the past and living life with regrets. The lyrics suggest that while the singer has been trying to drive somewhere and move forward, they have been hindered by constantly looking back at what might have been. The repetition of the phrase "real and nearer" emphasizes the need to focus on the present and the future instead of dwelling on the past.

The song also references the idea of taking risks and venturing into uncharted territories. The line "To boldly go no normal Joe or Jack or Jeff had ever been" references the Star Trek opening monologue and suggests that the singer wants to go where no one has gone before. The repetition of the phrase "which is why we can" emphasizes the notion that taking risks and going against the norm is what allows us to progress and move forward.

Overall, the song Rear View Mirror encourages the listener to let go of regrets and live in the present moment while also taking risks and venturing into uncharted territories.

Line by Line Meaning

Rear view mirror
Looking back at the past

Rear view mirror
Remembering old memories

Rear view mirror
Reflecting on things that have already gone by

Rear view mirror
Living in the past instead of the present

What the hell
Expressing confusion

While I've been trying to drive somewhere
While striving for a goal

Real and nearer
Getting closer to the goal

Real and nearer
Achieving success slowly but surely

Don't wanna live life looking through a
Doesn't want to be stuck in the past

To boldly go no normal Joe or Jack or Jeff had ever been
Striving to do something extraordinary

Pass it slow, it's told you so, it's might as well give up, old friend
Slow progress but keep pushing on