When an advertising campaign saw Driver's Seat top the Dutch charts in 1991 Roberts took Sniff 'n' the Tears out on the road in the Netherlands and Germany, followed by a new album No Damage Done. Since then Roberts put out one more record, 2001s Underground, and is currently working on new material.
Driver's Seat was featured on the soundtrack to the 1997 movie Boogie Nights.
The band has had plenty of musicians, but the original member is lead singer and songwriter Paul Roberts.
Poison Pen Mail
Sniff 'n' the Tears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
about a year ago
I remember talking to you
with the music way down low
you moved in closer to me
my heart was beating loud
something happened there and then
I thought could this be love
Now she sends me poison pen mail
and I can't believe it's true
no more poison pen mail
no more me and you
You took me to the badlands
where all adventure leads
for the soul that needs salvation
or the heart that bleeds
do you remember Elvis
and how he made you cry
with all these memories to spare
I sigh
Now she sends me poison pen mail
and I can't believe it's true
no more poison pen mail
no more me and you
So take comfort in the good times
other places other games
the people that we knew and loved
I still can't recall their names
so tell me of the old days
that you remember when
we kissed and laughed the whole day through
but we were like that then
Now she sends me poison pen mail
and I can't believe it's true
no more poison pen mail
no more me and you
The lyrics to Sniff 'n' the Tears's song Poison Pen Mail tell a story of a past relationship that started out promising but ended in bitterness. The song opens with a nostalgic reminiscence of a specific moment - a Friday night about a year ago - when the singer was with the person who he thought could be the one, but it all went wrong. The lyrics paint a picture of a sweet encounter between two people, and the intensity of feelings they had. However, now things have turned sour and the singer is receiving poison pen mail from his ex-partner. The chorus, which repeats twice throughout the song, emphasizes the depth of the singer's disappointment in the relationship, and his desire to move on from it: "no more poison pen mail / no more me and you".
The second verse of the song gives an impression of a journey the two of them took that didn't end well. The lyrics describe a 'badland' adventure, where it seems the singer was trying to save his lost soul or broken heart. The mention of Elvis's music related to a sad moment can be interpreted as a metaphor for the relationship itself. The singer refers to the memories they shared together and nostalgically sighs at how the relationship ended. The final verse of the song reflects on the good times they had but emphasizes that they were just that - good times. The singer acknowledges the changes that have taken place and is ready to move on from it.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you remember Friday night
Asking if the listener recalls a specific occurrence on a Friday night.
about a year ago
Providing a time frame for the aforementioned occurrence.
I remember talking to you
Recalling a conversation had with the listener during the aforementioned occurrence.
with the music way down low
Describing the audio ambiance during the aforementioned conversation.
you moved in closer to me
Noting a physical proximate movement made by the listener.
my heart was beating loud
Expressing how the singer's heart reacted to the listener's physical movement.
something happened there and then
Suggesting that a pivotal moment occurred during the aforementioned conversation.
I thought could this be love
Indicating that the artist contemplated if the aforementioned moment was an expression of love.
Now she sends me poison pen mail
Referring to the receipt of negative letters sent by the ex-lover.
and I can't believe it's true
Expressing disbelief at the negative contents of said letters.
no more poison pen mail
Expressing a desire to cease the receipt of negative letters.
no more me and you
Stating that the relationship with the ex-lover has ended.
You took me to the badlands
Describing a collective physical journey to a certain area known for challenges and struggles.
where all adventure leads
Suggesting that such an area is the breeding ground for new experiences and challenges.
for the soul that needs salvation
Alluding to a personal metaphor by describing the individual as a soul that desires personal improvement or success.
or the heart that bleeds
Noting that struggle and sacrifice can lead to significant emotional pain.
do you remember Elvis
Recalling the mention of an iconic celebrity.
and how he made you cry
Referencing an emotional response caused by the aforementioned celebrity.
with all these memories to spare
Noting that many past experiences still linger.
I sigh
Expressing fatigue with the weight of past experiences.
So take comfort in the good times
Providing comfort by suggesting listeners focus on past pleasantries.
other places other games
Noting that life will continue with new places and experiences.
the people that we knew and loved
Harkening back to times of affection and camaraderie.
I still can't recall their names
Admitting difficulty recalling specific individuals in hindsight.
so tell me of the old days
Asking the listener to share stories of the past.
that you remember when
Requesting recollection of past personal memories from the listener.
we kissed and laughed the whole day through
Recalling personal memories of intimate moments in the past.
but we were like that then
Admitting that such moments in time are no longer current and current circumstances have changed.
Contributed by Declan E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.