He began playing mandolin in the early career with Nickel Creek, but later switched to guitar. Sean made it to the National Flatpicking Championship in 1993 at age 16. Now Nickel Creek has exploded in the contemporary folk/bluegrass scene. This Watkins has already released 3 solo albums and appeared on many others. Of this experience, Watkins has said, "I've learned now to look back to music that has lasted through the years and to appreciate the timeless value that it has."
Sean's first album Let it Fall consists primarily of bluegrass inspired instrumental tracks. Providing the vocals on the only sung track on the album is former Toad the Wet Sprocket frontman Glen Phillips. Sean's second album, 26 Miles was a much bigger departure from bluegrass. While still mainly acoustic, the album showed influences from jazz, indie rock, and new age music. His third album, Blinder's On continues along many of the same lines as the previous one.
It was recently announced on Nickel Creek's website that the band would go on hiatus at the end of 2007. In an interview with Billboard magazine, Sean states that he plans to make music for movies.
Not That Bad/Blinders On
Sean Watkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and every place is the same
what more could you ask for
look it's clean as a hospital
I guess it's ok it's not that bad
she and i could have it worse
we might as well why not i've heard
a thousand sundays fill a box
packaged neatly in my head
i'll take what they handed me i guess
that's as good as it gets
i listened carefully i heard
every word that he said
but the closest i put it to my heart
is this cross around my neck
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with my blinders on
it's all pretty good
i could take them off
but i dont see why i should
In Sean Watkins's song Not That Bad/Blinders On, the lyrics describe a person who has settled for a life that is "always perfect" and "safe", but ultimately unfulfilling. The singer observes that every place is the same, and that everything is as "clean as a hospital". Despite the monotony and lack of excitement, the singer believes that things aren't that bad, and that they could be worse. The singer acknowledges that aiming high can be painful, and decides to settle for what they have been given.
The second verse describes a life lived in "a box", with the singer taking what has been handed to them, accepting that it's as good as it gets. The singer remembers listening carefully to someone's words, but that the closest they have come to internalizing these words is by wearing a cross around their neck. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is content with their perspective, as they wear "blinders" that prevent them from seeing the bigger picture.
Overall, the song raises questions about what it means to settle for less than one's potential, and whether it's possible to find meaning in a life that is seemingly "not that bad". It also highlights the potential dangers of complacency, and the ways in which limiting one's perspective can prevent personal growth and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
it's always perfect always safe
Everything is predictable, and there are no risks involved.
and every place is the same
Every location is mundane and lacks individuality.
what more could you ask for
There are no other expectations or desires to be fulfilled.
look it's clean as a hospital
The environment is sterile and lacks any form of mess or chaos.
I guess it's ok it's not that bad
Life is tolerable, even though it is not extraordinary.
she and i could have it worse
The singer and someone else could be suffering through worse situations.
we might as well why not i've heard
There is no reason to change the current situation or mindset.
aiming high can hurt
Aspirations and ambitions can cause emotional pain if they are not attained.
a thousand sundays fill a box
Memories can be stored in a container and organized chronologically.
packaged neatly in my head
Those memories are compartmentalized in the artist's mind.
i'll take what they handed me i guess
The singer is content with and accepts his current situation.
that's as good as it gets
This is the best possible outcome that can be attained.
i listened carefully i heard
The singer paid close attention to what someone said.
every word that he said
The singer absorbed every sentence and phrase that was spoken.
but the closest i put it to my heart
The singer didn't fully connect with the message.
is this cross around my neck
The only symbol that resonated with the artist was the cross necklace he wears.
with my blinders on
The artist only sees what is directly in front of him and avoids acknowledging anything else.
it's all pretty good
The singer is satisfied with their current environment.
i could take them off
The singer has the option of opening himself up to new experiences.
but i dont see why i should
But the artist sees no reason to change their familiar habits.
Contributed by Caleb K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.