Backslider
Toadies Lyrics

The Toadies' song Backslider is a powerful and poignant exploration of the singer's childhood experiences with religion and religious guilt. The song begins with the lyrics "Bended knee, nine years old, waitin' for just one word" which seems to signify the singer waiting for a word of reassurance from a higher power. The lyrics "I was thinkin' of all the things my daddy told me of, sin and salvation and manhood and dignity" indicate that the singer has been deeply influenced by his father's religious teachings about right and wrong, manhood, and masculinity.

The chorus of the song "All that time in the dark, just one word, backslider" suggests that the singer has been grappling with doubts about his faith and that he feels immense guilt and shame about those doubts. It seems that the singer is torn between the desire to please his father and the desire to be true to himself.

The second verse of the song begins with the lyrics "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!" which reveals that the singer has been baptized and that his father is proud of him for taking that step. However, despite the praise, the singer is still consumed with feelings of guilt and uncertainty.

The final verse of the song ends on a note of hope as the singer throws up his hands and prays "sweet Jesus, don't let me become a backslider!" It seems that the singer is still struggling with doubt and uncertainty, but he is also hopeful that he can overcome those doubts and find salvation.