Snowball In Hell
They Might Be Giants Lyrics


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Avalanche or roadblock
I was a snowball in hell
Avalanche or roadblock
A jailer trapped in his cell

Money's all broke, and food's going hungry
If it wasn't for disappointment
I wouldn't have any appointments

Side effect or drug trip
Don't tease me with all of your might
Side effect or drug trip
My panacea's in a Xerox shop

Have a nice day, you want it when?
Have a nice day, have a nice day

I didn't expect to find a salesman drinking coffee this late in the morning.
How long you been here, Joe?
Oh, I don't know, I guess thirty, forty-five minutes maybe.
Why do you ask?
You must be making a lot of sales, piling up good income.
Oh, uh, I'm doing all right. I could do better, but
Oh haha I get it Paul.
Back on that old "Time is Money" kick, right?
Not back on it, Joe, still on it.

Avalanche or roadblock
I was a snowball in hell
Avalanche or roadblock
A jailer trapped in his cell
Money I owe, money-iy-ay
Money I owe, money-iy-ay

Avalanche or roadblock
I was a snowball in hell

Okay, okay
Okay, okay, okay let's
Okay, okay
Okay, okay, okay let's
Okay, okay
Okay, okay, okay let's

Avalanche or roadblock
I was a snowball in hell
Avalanche or roadblock
A jailer trapped in his cell

Money's all broke, and food's going hungry
If it wasn't for disappointment
I wouldn't have any appointments

Did I affect your drug trip
Don't tease me with all of your might
Did I affect your drug trip
You threw my wallet in the wishing well

Have a nice day, you want it when?
Have a nice day, have a nice day

I didn't expect to find a salesman drinking coffee this late in the morning.
How long you been here, Joe?
Oh, I don't know, I guess thirty, forty-five minutes maybe.
Why do you ask?
You must be making a lot of sales, piling up good income.
Oh, uh, I'm doing all right. I could do better, but
Oh haha I get it Paul.
Back on that old "Time is Money" kick, right?
Not back on it, Joe, still on it.

Avalanche or roadblock
I was a snowball in hell
Avalanche or roadblock
A jailer trapped in his cell

Money's all broke, and food's going hungry
If it wasn't for disappointment
I wouldn't have any appointments

Avalanche or roadblock
Yes, I was a snowball in hell
I was a snowball in hell

Not back on it, Joe, still on it.




Not back on it, Joe, still on it.
Not back on it, Joe, still on it.

Overall Meaning

The song "Snowball in Hell" by They Might Be Giants is a quirky and cryptic exploration of the frustration and the sense of being trapped that can come with mundane existence. The opening lines "Avalanche or roadblock // I was a snowball in hell" set a tone of powerlessness and impotence--the singer feels stuck in a situation where they are constantly met with obstacles that are difficult or impossible to overcome. The repetition of these lines emphasizes the feeling of being stuck in a loop or cycle that is difficult to escape. The phrase "jailer trapped in his cell" adds to this sense of being trapped and powerless--not only is the singer stuck in a difficult situation, but they feel like they are the ones holding themselves captive.


The song continues to riff on the theme of being stuck or trapped, as well as the idea of disappointment and frustration. The lines "Money's all broke, and food's going hungry // If it wasn't for disappointment // I wouldn't have any appointments" suggest that the singer is dealing with financial hardship and struggle, and is barely scraping by. The last line of this verse is especially interesting--it suggests that the singer's sense of disappointment is what motivates them, even though it's a negative emotion. This could be interpreted in a number of ways--perhaps the singer feels like they need to prove something to themselves or to others, or maybe they feel like disappointment is the only thing constant in their life.


The rest of the song is just as difficult to parse, with lines like "My panacea's in a Xerox shop" and "You threw my wallet in the wishing well." It's clear that the singer is feeling disillusioned and helpless, but the exact situation isn't entirely clear. The repeated phrase "Avalanche or roadblock" could be interpreted as a kind of mantra--a reminder that the singer is dealing with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, but also that they're still moving forward, even if it's slowly and painfully.


Line by Line Meaning

Avalanche or roadblock
Life is full of obstacles and challenges


I was a snowball in hell
I was in a really difficult situation


A jailer trapped in his cell
Feeling trapped or stuck in a situation or mindset


Money's all broke, and food's going hungry
Financial difficulties and scarcity of resources


If it wasn't for disappointment I wouldn't have any appointments
Disappointment is a driving force for motivation and a reason to strive for success


Side effect or drug trip Don't tease me with all of your might
Uncertainty and fear of the unknown


My panacea's in a Xerox shop
Finding peace or escape in mundane places or activities


Have a nice day, have a nice day
Sarcastic or insincere wishes for a good day


I didn't expect to find a salesman drinking coffee this late in the morning.
Surprise or irony in unexpected situations


Oh haha I get it Paul.
Amusement or sarcasm in response to someone's comment or joke


Not back on it, Joe, still on it.
Continuation of a mindset or attitude




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN FLANSBURGH, JOHN LINNELL, JOHN C. FLANSBURGH, JOHN S. LINNELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Mister Apple

“Money I owe, money-aye-ay” is probably one of my all-time favourite TMBG lines, and that's saying a lot. No question, my favourite song on the album.

HiSodiumContent

Little late, but I think the lyric is Money I. A., a play on MIA, as in his money is missing in action.

kobcritic

I love how they hide this masterpiece right near the end of this album filled with masterpieces. Overshadows Kiss Me, Sun Of God for me personally.

DrummyT

I dont man, that 'kiss me son of god' is a really great song :)

Cory Lamond

I think they are both equally good

Ninjacker1

HE WANTS A SHOEHORN

kobcritic

5 years later... Kiss Me Sun of God is also amazing why was I pitting two queens against each other

AmeliaTBH

"I'm not back on it, Joe - still on it." That line was a running joke in my family for a while.

Imustscream

Same, for years.

Return OSF

One of the best from Lincoln... although that's not saying much since they're all really good

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