Lithman was born in London, England, and came from the British Blues scene. He moved to San Francisco in 1971 and became associated with the avant-garde group The Residents. It is said he was given the name 'Snakefinger' by The Residents themselves when they saw his proficiency with the guitar during their first live performance together. Another explanation for the name comes from a story concerning a party in San Francisco, at The Residents' collective, wherein all in attendance watched Lithman's fingers dart snake-like at the neck of his violin.
In 1972 Lithman returned to England and formed the pub rock band Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers with Martin Stone, a fellow ex-member of Junior's Blues Band. As a duo, they released the album "Kings of the Robot Rhythm". In 1974, as a full band and popular live act in Britain, they released "Bongos Over Balham".
Chilly Willy lasted until 1975, their last record not selling well, and by 1976 Lithman was back in the United States, this time in Los Angeles, California, seeking a recording contract, shopping his rock-style demos.
After a few years, Lithman moved back to San Francisco, reconnected with The Residents, and performed and recorded with them. Lithman's solo records, recorded under the name Snakefinger, were released by The Residents' record label Ralph Records.
His first album on Ralph was "Chewing Hides the Sound" in 1979, featuring original material co-written with The Residents as well as esoteric covers like Kraftwerk's "The Model". The songs showcased Lithman's distinctive slide guitar playing and often surreal imagery. This album was followed by "Greener Postures" in 1980, which included his first solo compositions as Snakefinger.
While on tour in Australia in 1980, Lithman had a heart attack that left him hospitalized for six months.
In 1982 Lithman formed his backing band The Vestal Virgins with former Captain Beefheart sideman Eric Drew Feldman. Snakefinger and The Vestal Virgins released "Manual of Errors" on Ralph in 1982. This was followed by the blues cover album "Snakefinger's History Of The Blues- Live In Europe" in 1984 and a new collection of largely original material in 1986 called "Night of Desirable Objects".
Lithman performed with The Residents on their 13th Anniversary Tour in 1986. On July 1st, 1987, Snakefinger and his band, The Vestal Virgins, were in Linz, Austria, on the European Night tour. During a performance at the Posthof Club Lithman suffered a fatal heart attack. On that same day his single, "There's No Justice in Life", was released.
Snakefinger was buried in England. The Residents participated in a wake for him, known as The Snakey Wake, in San Francisco.
Snakefinger is sorely missed by all.
The Man in the Dark Sedan
Snakefinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was sent down here to be sincere, truthful and steadfast
I came to say that judgement day of man has come to pass
You can follow me and I guarantee to take you far away
But we must leave before the eve of everlasting gray
You will leave this place and soon replace the names of those you know
With a brotherhood that has withstood the leeches and the snow
Snakefinger's song, The Man in the Dark Sedan, is a cryptic and intriguing piece that could be interpreted in many ways. The lyrics could be suggesting that the dark sedan driver has come to lead people to a better place, but it could also be describing a cult leader manipulating people for his own gain. Alternatively, it could be interpreted as a tale of the Grim Reaper coming to take sinful souls away from this world as judgment day has passed.
The lyric "I have come to take your hand" suggests that the driver is offering a helping hand, but given the darkness of the sedan, the offer could be viewed as malevolent. The line "judgment day of man has come to pass" could represent the end of the world or an era in which people will be held accountable for their actions. The driver's guarantee that he will "take you far away" also shows that he is not someone to be trusted, but when he suggests leaving before the "everlasting gray," it implies that time is running out, and people need to act fast.
The last line about leaving this place and replacing the names of those they know with a brotherhood that "withstood the leeches and the snow" is perhaps the most ambiguous of all. It could be interpreted as a new world order, a cult, or even a survivalist group. It could also be a metaphor for leaving the old way of life behind and starting anew.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the man in the dark sedan and I have come to take your hand
I'm a messenger with a vehicle and I'm here to guide you.
I was sent down here to be sincere, truthful and steadfast
I'm here with a sincere and unwavering purpose to tell you the truth.
I came to say that judgement day of man has come to pass
I'm here to warn you that it's the end of the world as we know it.
You can follow me and I guarantee to take you far away
I can lead you to safety and a better place.
But we must leave before the eve of everlasting gray
We need to act fast before the doom and gloom sets in.
You will leave this place and soon replace the names of those you know
You'll leave your old life behind and join a new group of people.
With a brotherhood that has withstood the leeches and the snow
You'll join a strong community that has survived through tough times.
Contributed by Bailey Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Daniel Marcelo Damilano
para mi Snakefinger esta entre los mejores guitarristas de la historia...
Ronald Heck
Every time I am seriously depressed this song starts playing in my head endlessly. I don't know why, but it's the soundtrack of my own personal hell.
Virginia viola
Ha ha...it’s the opposite for me..it makes me laugh. And I feel tons better..just remember, this world is absurd, don’t take it too seriously..if you get the joke, then however bad things seem, they don’t seem quite so bad, when you figure it out.
shamus jubenal
Lol Maybe it’s more Snakefinger from the other world trying to send you feel good vibes to cheer yourself up. My man Ronald, just feel those guitar licks run through ya brother. The man in the dark sedan has the feel good vibes.
donthewatcher
snakefingers guitar sound was so unique..... rest in guitar peace musical brother
donthewatcher
@Mike Krause he is on a lot of resident songs on guitar ,i was able to interview him after a los angeles gig years ago
Mike Krause
R.I.P. yes. he died too young. such a shame. imagine, he possibly could have put out so much more great records!
Arnar Sigurjonsson
absolutely, the cover of Greener Postures kinda looks like his guitar sound to me in a weird way, just unique
Dixon Wragg
Here are the lyrics:
I'm the man in the dark sedan and I have come to take your hand
I was sent down here to be sincere, truthful and steadfast
I came to say that judgement day of man has come to pass
You can follow me and I guarantee to take you far away
But we must leave before the eve of everlasting gray
You will leave this place and soon replace the names of those you know
With a brotherhood that has withstood the leeches and the snow
LaszloPanaflex
I saw this on MTV once. Just once. In the middle of the night, trippin' my balls off. Laughed myself sore. Then I couldn't find so much as a reference to these guys anywhere. Had I hallucinated the whole thing? Is this, now, just a flashback?