Born and raised in southern California, Bluhm met the other three original members of The Mother Hips, Greg Loiacono, Isaac Parsons and Mike Wofchuck, while at California State University, Chico.
Bluhm's music, as a solo artist as well as with the Hips, his duo project Skinny Singers with Jackie Greene, fronting The Rhythm Devils (featuring The Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann), Ball-Point Birds (duo with Hips co-founder Greg Loiacono), and in his wife's band Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers, is a mix of classic rock, Americana, California country, folk, psychedelic blues, and power-pop.
Bluhm grew up listening to eight-track tapes of Leon Russell, Jim Croce, Anne Murray, and The Beach Boys. He got his first taste of singing in the church choir and it was Neil Young's Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere that inspired him to pick up a guitar. Captivated at an early age, Bluhm has always been connected to music's spiritual capacity.
Although The Mother Hips were courted by major labels and signed to Rick Rubin's American Recordings while still in college, Tim Bluhm settled into a prolific, slow-burning career. Along the way Bluhm has shared the stage with such luminaries as Johnny Cash, Wilco, The Black Crowes, Widespread Panic, Lucinda Williams, M. Ward, Cracker, John Hiatt, and Phil Lesh to name a few.
While The Mother Hips were constantly touring up and down California's coast, Bluhm became infatuated with surfing. In 1997 he purchased a Toyota pick-up with a camper shell and began drifting from town to town, spending his days in the water and crashing in the truck. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches the Toyota wasn't the most comfortable accommodations and was soon replaced by a legendary van that Bluhm called home until 2003.
In 2006, Bluhm, Bay Area musician Jackie Greene, and engineer Dave Simon-Baker opened Mission Bells Studio where Bluhm has produced albums for the Hips, Jackie Greene, Hot Buttered Rum, Dave Brogan, Little Wings, and the studio has hosted Phil Lesh, Los Lobos, Rogue Wave, Jonathan Richman, Josh Ritter, and ALO.
In 2005 Bluhm teamed up with San Diego-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Steve Poltz and combined his love of the outdoors with his passion for music with The High Sierra Singer/Songwriter Workshop. The four day backcountry experience offers attendees the opportunity to write songs and learn from two of California's most renowned songwriters in one of the country's most esteemed locations.
Bluhm and his bandmates further blurred the lines between Mother Nature and music by launching The Mother Hips Family Hipnic in 2009. A two day festival set in gorgeous Big Sur, CA hosted by the Hips.
When not touring the world in a rock band, producing albums, surfing, skiing, camping and hiking, Tim Bluhm lives with his wife Nicki in their San Francisco home.
Tear It Down
Tim Bluhm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Too many people comin round
It hurts my heart and mind to say
I'll have to tear it all down
I stuck with you through all your changes
You kept me cool through the break neck crowds
How can you expect me now to share your graces.
And I will miss your weekday mornings
Floating over the oyster beds
Riding through your mermaid hair
After I tear it all down
Tear, it all down
Tear, it all down
In Tim Bluhm's song Tear It Down, the singer is reflecting on a relationship that is no longer working. The lyrics suggest that something has changed, but it's unclear what exactly has caused the distress. Perhaps too many people are coming around, or maybe the other person has changed in some way. Regardless, the singer realizes they will have to "tear it all down" because they can no longer go on as they are.
The second verse suggests that the relationship may have once been good, with the singer sticking with the other person through their changes and being kept "cool" by them. However, something has shifted, and the singer can no longer "share your graces." Again, the idea of tearing it down comes up, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
The final verse, however, provides a bittersweet element to the song. The singer will miss aspects of the relationship, such as their weekday mornings and shared experiences. The reference to "mermaid hair" suggests the other person may have been free-spirited and had an exotic quality that the singer was attracted to. Despite this, however, the singer knows the relationship cannot continue and must be dismantled.
Overall, the song Tear It Down is a poignant reflection on a relationship that has run its course. The imagery used throughout the lyrics emphasizes the feeling of loss and the necessity of moving on.
Line by Line Meaning
When did you first notice the change
When did you become aware of the alteration?
Too many people comin round
An excess of individuals are present.
It hurts my heart and mind to say
Expressing this is both emotionally and mentally painful.
I'll have to tear it all down
The only solution is its complete destruction.
I stuck with you through all your changes
I remained loyal despite any transformations.
You kept me cool through the break neck crowds
You helped me remain composed in chaotic situations.
How can you expect me now to share your graces.
It's unreasonable to assume I'll embrace your newfound blessings.
I'd sooner tear it all down
I'm more willing to demolish everything.
And I will miss your weekday mornings
I'll feel nostalgic about our early week days.
Floating over the oyster beds
Drifting above a particular seabed.
Riding through your mermaid hair
Moving alongside your graceful locks in the water.
After I tear it all down
Once everything has been destroyed.
Tear, it all down
Completely demolish everything.
Tear, it all down
Completely demolish everything.
Contributed by Sebastian A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.