Best known for his wry humor, Snider has been a fixture on the Americana, alt-country, and folk scene since his debut on MCA, entitled Songs for the Daily Planet, named for the bar where Snider used to play regularly in Memphis. On that album were the minor hits "Talkin' Seattle Grunge Rock Blues", a folk song about the early '90's grunge scene, featuring a band that "refused to play", and "Alright Guy", which later became the title cut of Gary Allan's 2001 album.
He released two more albums for MCA, Step Right Up and Viva Satellite, the latter often sparking colorful debate amongst fans for its comparisons to Tom Petty. He moved to John Prine's Oh Boy Records where he made Happy to Be Here, New Connection, Near Truths and Hotel Rooms, and East Nashville Skyline. That Was Me: The Best of Todd Snider 1994–1998 was released on the Hip-O label in August 2005.
Todd Snider's next studio album, The Devil You Know, was released in August 2006. It marked Snider's return to a major label, as he is now recording for New Door Records, a subsidiary of Universal Records.
The Devil You Know was named to several critics' year-end "best" lists, including a No. 33 ranking in Rolling Stone magazine's top 50 albums of the year, a No. 25 ranking by No Depression magazine, and No. 14 by Blender magazine.
Snider's songs "Late Last Night" and "I Believe You" have been recorded by the Oklahoma country-rock band Cross Canadian Ragweed. He co-wrote the song "Barbie Doll" with country star Jack Ingram.
Snider's new album, Peace Queer, is set to be released on October 14th, 2008, and will be available as a free download from Oct. 11 to Oct. 31 at http://www.toddsnider.net/store/product/1/Peace-Queer .
Anywhere
Todd Snider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sky full of birds in a flying V
Moving down through Tennessee
They look a little like you and me, you know.
Car full of gas on the Natchez Trace
Changing lanes in the same old race
I don't know what we're running from
But look how far we've come anyway.
Hey baby, I ain't afraid to be your man
I don't need a destination, I'm not waiting for a plan
Let's get out of here, I'll go anywhere with you
Let's get out of here, I'll go anywhere with you.
I've heard people say they had it made
Back some place where they wish they'd stayed
I'm still not afraid to take this chance.
I've always thought there was something wrong
With hangin' around one town too long
Workin' the same old worn out song and dance.
I wanna dance to any drum we choose
We ain't got a thing to lose either way.
Hey baby, I ain't afraid to be your man
I don't need a destination, I'm not waiting for a plan
Let's get out of here, I'll go anywhere with you
Let's get out of here, I'll go anywhere with you.
Hey baby, I ain't afraid to be your man
I don't need a destination, I'm not waiting for a plan
Let's get out of here, I'll go anywhere with you
Let's get out of here, I'll go anywhere with you
Let's get out of here, mmm ..
The song starts with Todd Snider observing a group of birds flying in a V-formation, down through Tennessee. He compares them to himself and his partner, suggesting that they're on a journey, taking the same route but with a different destination in mind. They're in a car, driven by a desire to find a warmer place, to escape whatever it is they're running away from. Todd confesses that he doesn't know what that is, but it's taken them far enough, irrespective of motive.
Todd reinforces his commitment to his partner by assuring her that he's not afraid of being with her, and they can travel anywhere together. He could be her protector, she doesn't need to worry about plans, as long as they're together, that's all that should matter. He's not afraid to take chances, and while others regret their choices, Todd doesn't want to be in any one place for too long. He wants to experience new dances, different drumbeats, and enjoy the freedom of not being tied down to anyone community or job.
The song captures the essence of Wanderlust or having a strong desire to travel, seeking and pursuing new adventures, and the opportunity to experience new things.
Line by Line Meaning
Sky full of birds in a flying V
The formation of birds visible in the sky seems like they are moving in a collective group, much like people in society.
Moving down through Tennessee
The birds are flying through the state of Tennessee, but in reality, they could be moving through any location.
They look a little like you and me, you know.
Despite being birds, the formation resembles how people travel together in groups with their own motives and purposes.
Car full of gas on the Natchez Trace
The car is fueled up and ready to travel on a scenic road called the Natchez Trace.
Changing lanes in the same old race
Despite changing lanes, the car is still following a familiar route that many others have taken.
To find some kind of warmer place to go.
The driver is on a journey to find a more comfortable, welcoming location than their current one.
I don't know what we're running from
The singer is unsure what the motivation is for their journey and why they feel the need to be on the move.
But look how far we've come anyway.
Regardless of the unknown reasons, the singer acknowledges they have come a great distance on their journey.
Hey baby, I ain't afraid to be your man
The singer is expressing their confidence in themselves and their willingness to be a support system for someone else.
I don't need a destination, I'm not waiting for a plan
The singer is not concerned with where they end up or the specifics of how they get there; they're open to spontaneity.
Let's get out of here, I'll go anywhere with you
The singer is inviting a companion to join them on their journey without any preconceived notions of where they'll end up.
I've heard people say they had it made
The singer has encountered people who were content with their lives in one place and did not feel the need to travel.
Back someplace where they wish they'd stayed
The individuals the singer encountered who were content may have faced regret later on about not expanding their horizons.
I'm still not afraid to take this chance.
Despite encountering individuals who may have experienced regret, the singer is not afraid to take a chance and travel anyway.
I've always thought there was something wrong
The singer has always felt a sense of unease or dissatisfaction about staying in one place for an extended period of time.
With hangin' around one town too long
The singer feels that staying in one location for too long can cause stagnation and a lack of growth and exploration.
Workin' the same old worn out song and dance.
The singer feels that staying in one location too long can lead to a tedious, repetitive routine that feels stifling.
I wanna dance to any drum we choose
The singer desires to live life on their own terms and follow their own path with their travel companion.
We ain't got a thing to lose either way.
Regardless of the outcome of their journey, the singer believes that taking the chance to travel is worth it since there is nothing to lose.
Let's get out of here, mmm .
The singer is reiterating their desire to leave their current location and explore something new.
Contributed by Annabelle Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.