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.
Snow White
Sniff 'n' the Tears Lyrics
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if they really need a victim could they make it some other day?
file under indecision the relative disgrace
of never having moved my emotions to such a silent place
Snow white in the middle of the night she took my breath away
snow white in the middle of the night - hey
hear it on the radio while buttering your toast
take a dream just any dream and how the pieces flick away
and moments that could linger forever all I want to say
Snow white in the middle of the night she took my breath away
snow white in the middle of the night - hey
The armorer the marching drums the cavalcade the hearse
please lend an ear to my one fear the ace of spades in reverse
file under indecision the relative disgrace
of never having moved my emotions to such a silent place
Snow white in the middle of the night she took my breath away
snow white in the middle of the night - hey
The lyrics to Sniff 'n' the Tears's song Snow White are a reflection of the uncertainty and fear in the world. The first verse talks about the presence of guns along the border and the rain stopping play, suggesting that even in the midst of violence, there are moments of respite. However, the singer questions whether victims have to be chosen that day, implying that the uncertainty and fear of violence is always present. The "relative disgrace" of indecision is highlighted, indicating that the singer feels shame for not being able to take action against the violence.
The chorus references the titular "Snow White," who took the singer's breath away in the middle of the night. Snow White is often associated with purity and innocence, reflecting the desire for a better, safer world. The second verse continues with the theme of uncertainty and fear, relating to the constant presence of death that can come through something as mundane as parcel post. The image of dream pieces flicking away suggests a dissatisfaction with the current state of the world, and a desire for moments that can linger forever.
The final verse includes references to military imagery, such as the armorer, marching drums, and cavalcade, as well as the imagery of death through the hearse. The singer's one fear is the "ace of spades in reverse," a reference to the card commonly associated with death. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, highlighting the desire for a world that is pure and safe.
Line by Line Meaning
They got guns along the border but rain stopped play today
There are armed guards at the border, but due to the rainy weather, they are not actively seeking out any victims at the moment.
if they really need a victim could they make it some other day?
If the guards are that insistent on harming someone, could they possibly choose another day to do it rather than today?
file under indecision the relative disgrace
I am ashamed of my inability to take action and make decisions.
of never having moved my emotions to such a silent place
I have never experienced such a strong and overwhelming feeling that it leaves me speechless and unable to express myself.
Snow white in the middle of the night she took my breath away
The beauty and wonder of this woman named Snow White left me stunned and speechless in the middle of the night.
In these days of wine and roses death comes by parcel post
Even in these seemingly joyous times, death can still come unexpectedly and suddenly, like a package delivered in the mail.
hear it on the radio while buttering your toast
News of death and tragedy can come at any moment, even while performing mundane daily tasks like making breakfast.
take a dream just any dream and how the pieces flick away
No matter how much we dream and hope and wish, it can all disappear in an instant and leave us feeling empty.
and moments that could linger forever all I want to say
There are moments in life that we wish could last forever, and all I can express is the desire to hold onto them as tightly and as long as possible.
The armorer the marching drums the cavalcade the hearse
These are all symbols and elements of death, such as the person who makes the weapons, the sounds of mourning and remembrance, the procession of those paying their respects, and the vehicle carrying the body.
please lend an ear to my one fear the ace of spades in reverse
My greatest fear is the unknown, the unpredictable and surprising events that could occur without warning, like getting the opposite of what you were expecting.
Contributed by William V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.