The band formed in 1989. Toadies officially disbanded in 2001, although they had farewell concerts in 2002. The band reformed for a reunion show on March 11, 2006, headlining the Greenville Ave St. Patrick's Day parade concert.
Toadies toured extensively throughout the 1990s, opening for such artists as Red Hot Chili Peppers, White Zombie, Bush, and The Butthole Surfers. They also headlined and co-headlined tours with acts such as Brutal Juice, Baboon, Supersuckers, and The Reverend Horton Heat.
The primary reason for the breakup of the band was that Lisa Umbarger simply did not want to be a part of it anymore, and bandleader Todd Lewis felt that the band could not continue without her.
Since disbanding, members of the band have gone on to other projects. Todd Lewis is now in The Burden Brothers and Mark Reznicek is now in Eleven Hundred Springs.
Toadies reunited for 4 shows in Texas in March 2007. They played one show in Dallas, one in Houston, and two shows in Austin at Stubb's BBQ. All of the shows sold out shortly after they went onsale.
Toadies reunited for good in 2008, releasing their new album, "No Deliverance" on August 15th 2008.
In June 2010 it was announced that Feeler, the follow-up album to Rubberneck that was shelved by Interscope, would finally be seeing a release. Todd Lewis was quoted as saying: "Since there are unfinished versions floating around on the Internet, it is important to us that people hear it as we meant it to be." The album was released on July 20, 2010
Cars
Toadies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel safest of all
I can lock all my doors
It's the only way to live
In cars
Here in my car
I can only receive
It keeps me stable for days
In cars
Here in my car
Where the image breaks down
Will you visit me please?
If I open my door
In cars
Here in my car
I know I've started to think
About leaving tonight
Although nothing seems right
In cars
The lyrics to Toadies’ “Cars” can be interpreted as a reflection of the human tendency to seclude oneself when feeling vulnerable or overwhelmed. The singer finds safety in his car, where he can lock all his doors and shut out the outside world. He feels comforted by the fact that he is in control of who he lets in and out of his personal space. The car becomes a metaphor for emotional walls one builds to protect oneself from pain and hurt.
Furthermore, the singer finds solace in the isolation of his car. He can only receive and listen to others, but he does not have to actively engage with them. This allows him to maintain a stable emotional state, which is something he struggles with outside of his car. However, there is a sense of loneliness creeping into the lyrics as he eventually asks for someone to visit him if he were to open his car door. This suggests that although he desires isolation, he also craves human connection.
As the song progresses, the singer begins to question his chosen mode of emotional protection. He states that the “image” of strength and stability that he projects in his car “breaks down”. He acknowledges his vulnerability and asks someone to visit him. This shows a desire to let down his guard and reach out for help, despite the fear of being hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
Here in my car
The singer feels most safe and secure inside their car
I feel safest of all
No other place makes the singer feel as safe as inside their car
I can lock all my doors
By locking all the doors, the singer feels more secure and protected from outside threats
It's the only way to live
The artist believes that living inside a car is the only way to achieve a feeling of safety and completeness
In cars
The repetition of this phrase at the end of each stanza gives emphasis to the importance of cars in the artist's life
I can only receive
The singer can only listen to what others are saying when inside their car
I can listen to you
The singer can actively listen to what someone else is saying when inside their car
It keeps me stable for days
Being inside a car provides the artist with stability into the future and keeps them feeling secure
Where the image breaks down
The car's appearance is deteriorating
Will you visit me please?
The artist is asking someone to visit them while they're inside their car
If I open my door
The singer is considering opening their car door to let someone in
I know I've started to think
The artist is grappling with a decision
About leaving tonight
The singer is considering leaving their current situation or environment soon
Although nothing seems right
The singer is experiencing discontentment and dissatisfaction with their current circumstances
Contributed by Alexander K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cheryl Babo
I've been listening to this song recently, along with old Cars songs -- so, yeah, this fills me with joy!
Joe Wooldridge
They played this when we saw them opening up for the Chili Peppers in KC in 1995. Brought the house down.
ZAPPYLIVE
Tour up north please!!!!