Backslider
The Toadies Lyrics
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Nine years old
Waitin' for
Just one word!
I was thinkin' of all the things
My daddy told me of
Sin and salvation and Manhood and dignity
All that time
In the dark
Just one word
Backslider!
I remember the day I stepped
Into the water
My daddy held me in his hands
And pushed my head under
And said
Son I am
So proud.
Just one word
Backslider!
Well I opened my eyes
And my daddy held me in his hands
I looked up through the water
And thought I saw Jesus, and then
Well I threw up my hands!
And I heard, Amen!
And I prayed, sweet Jesus
Don't let me become a backslider!
The lyrics to The Toadies' song Backslider are full of religious symbolism and explore the idea of sin, salvation, and manhood. The song describes a young boy, who is nine years old, kneeling down and waiting for just one word. This word seems to be of significant importance to the child, perhaps a symbol of acceptance or validation from a higher power. The boy is shown reflecting on the things his father taught him, which seem to revolve around sin and salvation, and the importance of becoming a man with dignity.
The song takes a turn as the lyrics switch to the memory of the day when the boy was baptized. The father held the boy's head under the water and proclaimed that he was proud of him. However, the moment is tinged with a hint of caution, as the father also calls the boy a backslider. It is unclear what the exact meaning of this term is, but it seems to be a warning against straying from the path of salvation and falling into sin.
The song finishes with the boy throwing up his hands and praying to Jesus, asking not to become a backslider. The lyrics suggest that there is a constant temptation to drift away from the true path, and the idea of backsliding is a constant threat. Overall, the lyrics to Backslider are deeply introspective and explore the struggle to live a life of piety and morality.
Line by Line Meaning
Bended knee
I was kneeling down, seeking guidance.
Nine years old
I was a naive child, eager to learn.
Waitin' for
I was anticipating, looking for a resolution.
Just one word!
I wanted a single answer.
I was thinkin' of all the things
My mind was wandering, reflecting on things I was told.
My daddy told me of
I received teachings from my father.
Sin and salvation and
I learned about wrongdoing and redemption.
Manhood and dignity
I was instructed on how to be a respectable man.
All that time
For a long time, I was in deep thought.
In the dark
I was pondering when it was nighttime, with no light except for my thoughts.
Just one word
All I needed was one word to describe me.
Backslider!
He labeled me a backslider, a person who fell back into sin.
I remember the day I stepped
I can recall when I took a critical step.
Into the water
I got into the water.
My daddy held me in his hands
My father was holding me carefully.
And pushed my head under
He made sure my head was below the water's surface.
And said
He spoke to me after my head was underwater.
Son I am
He addressed me by calling me his son.
So proud.
He was pleased and happy, probably with me getting baptized.
Just one word
Again, he used one word to address me.
Backslider!
He called me a backslider again, showing a lack of faith in me.
Well I opened my eyes
I opened my eyes.
And my daddy held me in his hands
My father was still holding me.
I looked up through the water
I saw through the water surface toward the sky.
And thought I saw Jesus, and then
I perceived a vision of Christ.
Well I threw up my hands!
I lifted my arms, maybe in praise or excitement.
And I heard, Amen!
I heard an expression of agreement and affirmation.
And I prayed, sweet Jesus
I invoked the name of my Lord.
Don't let me become a backslider!
I begged not to become an unfaithful sinner again.
Lyrics Š Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TODD LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@satinafn6993
Bended knee
Nine years old
Waitin' for
Just one word!
I was thinkin' of all the things
My daddy told me of
Sin and salvation and
Manhood and dignity
All that time
In the dark
Just one word
Backslider!
I remember the day I stepped
Into the water
My daddy held me in his hands
And pushed my head under
And said
Son I am
So proud.
Just one word
Backslider!
Well I opened my eyes
And my daddy held me in his hands
I looked up through the water
And thought I saw Jesus, and then
Well I threw up my hands!
And I heard, Amen!
And I prayed, sweet Jesus
Don't let me become a backslider!
@travvypoo
Rubberneck is one of the most perfect rock albums ever. Imo it's a masterpiece.
@Shelkie13
Best break up album ever!
@sst3d
E.A. Hawley absolutely
@ckelco82
It is so outrageously underrated!
@eyesofflys8472
E.A. Hawley someone said it!
@therealdonkeykongiswear
So fuckin underated. These guys rock hard
@sixdollarman1362
I love this album. It only took me 25 years to find out there was a video for "Backslider".
@ronniewall1481
I GOT THIS ON THE ALBUM PLEATHER
@kenabiggs
Same. This album is the shit
@bryanrodriquez92
Took me almost 23 years and I'm about to turn 23 years old