It's said that the musical urge in Kellogg started with a mixture of his dad's records (Cat Stevens/Jim Croce) and his sister's (Mötley Crüe/Bon Jovi). The songwriting of the former and the showmanship of the latter was the beginning of the musical attitude that pervades Kellogg's work today. Kellogg got his start recording and touring while attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst from 1994-1998. He independently released several solo albums before being signed to Universal Records in 2004.
www.stephenkellogg.com
Nailed Inside His Blues Again
Stephen Kellogg Lyrics
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Like a baby that's sleeping in a bed too big
Like a brother who's afraid of what he'll see,
These are the saddest things to me
He says he understands and he's trying to think
Like a drunk who stays sober one day of the week
And the kid who's picked last in the schoolyard game
It's pushing and pulling
Wondering what is the matter with me?
As I listen to memories chatter lately
And I don't feel that young as I'm looking at 21 years
Wondering if everyone's as happy as they appear
He's on the fence with most of his views
And it seems that the bullies have grown up too
It's safer, we've learned, to hedge our bets
But to say what you think means not to regret
Ask me if he stands a chance,
I'd say as much as the old man
Wondering how we are who we are
It's clear you don't have to look all that far
His parents say is that all? Is that all? Is that all?
It's like a picture glass window as it hits the wall
This book is too heavy for the casual read
It's an expectation that's a lot to be underneath
It's pushing and pulling
Wondering what is the matter with you?
As I sit here and I listen to these problems
You should of worked through
And I thinks its a shame that you're passing them on
But it's always the same between a father and son...
In Stephen Kellogg's song "Nailed Inside His Blues Again," the lyrics describe a person who is struggling with change and their place in the world. The first few lines, "The weather's changing and he wants a drink, Like a baby that's sleeping in a bed too big, Like a brother who's afraid of what he'll see," evoke a sense of longing and discomfort. The singer then goes on to say that these things are the saddest to them, perhaps reflecting an empathetic nature or a personal connection to this feeling of unease.
The song then delves into the person's inner thoughts and struggles, as they try to understand their own views and beliefs while navigating the world around them. The lyrics make references to a drunk who stays sober one day of the week, a kid who's picked last in the schoolyard game, and bullies who have grown up - all of which suggest a feeling of being outside the norm or not quite fitting in. The line "It's safer, we've learned, to hedge our bets, but to say what you think means not to regret" emphasizes the importance of standing up for oneself and being true to one's beliefs, even if it may be difficult or unpopular.
Line by Line Meaning
The weather's changing and he wants a drink
He feels uneasy and wants temporary relief from the feeling
Like a baby that's sleeping in a bed too big
Feeling small and insignificant in an unfamiliar place
Like a brother who's afraid of what he'll see,
Uncomfortable about a potentially distressing situation and scared of what it might bring
These are the saddest things to me
Expressions of sadness that affect him deeply
He says he understands and he's trying to think
He claims to comprehend the situation and is making an attempt to process it
Like a drunk who stays sober one day of the week
Putting in minimal effort to reform his behavior
And the kid who's picked last in the schoolyard game
The child who is consistently shunned in social settings
Is the one who never forgets a name
The person who endures discrimination or mistreatment is the one who remembers the details of the experience
It's pushing and pulling
Feeling a contradictory or opposing force
Wondering what is the matter with me?
Asking himself why he is experiencing such intense emotions
As I listen to memories chatter lately
He is troubled by his recent recollections
And I don't feel that young as I'm looking at 21 years
He is experiencing feelings of weariness and regret, despite his relatively young age
Wondering if everyone's as happy as they appear
Speculating whether other people are truly content or merely putting on a facade
He's on the fence with most of his views
He is indecisive regarding his beliefs
And it seems that the bullies have grown up too
He has noticed that some people who previously caused him harm have matured but he remains apprehensive
It's safer, we've learned, to hedge our bets
He believes that playing it safe is preferable to taking risks
But to say what you think means not to regret
Expressing oneself truthfully creates fewer regrets than remaining silent
Ask me if he stands a chance,
If questioned about his prospects of success,
I'd say as much as the old man
He believes his chances of success are as small as an elderly man's
Wondering how we are who we are
Pondering how individuals develop their unique personalities
It's clear you don't have to look all that far
The answer to this question is relatively apparent
His parents say is that all? Is that all? Is that all?
His parents continually question whether he has accomplished enough
It's like a picture glass window as it hits the wall
Qualifying a metaphorical silence suddenly broken by overwhelming noise
This book is too heavy for the casual read
The book is too profound or thought-provoking to be read casually or without attention
It's an expectation that's a lot to be underneath
The burden of expectation and responsibility is weighty and challenging to bear
As I sit here and I listen to these problems
As he listens to someone else's issues
You should've worked through
He believes they should already have resolved their problems
And I think it's a shame that you're passing them on
He believes it is unfair that they are unloading their troubles on someone else
But it's always the same between a father and son...
He believes that conversations of this nature between a father and son have a common pattern or outcome
Contributed by Dylan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.