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 .
Better Than Ever Blues Part 2
Todd Snider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothin' to do except nothin' at all
The same ol' climb up the same ol' walls
I've fallen down before.
You see I've been down, I've been so depressed
I've been overworked and overstressed
But deep down here I know I'm blessed
No I ain't gonna cry
I ain't gonna scream
I ain't gonna let 'em kick no holes in my dreams.
I won't be fallin' apart at the seams
Like I've always done before.
You know I've used my fist and I've used my voice,
Hell I've used myself like a cheap Rolls-Royce
I never knew I could just use my choice.
I ain't gonna cry no more (ain't gonna cry)
You see people talk behind peoples' backs,
They scheme and plot an' plan attacks.
But someday soon we'll be switching tracks
In a way the world can't ignore.
So call your buddies, call all your friends,
Call all your enemies - make amends.
We're formin' a club and lettin' everyone in.
We ain't gonna cry no more.
I said I ain't gonna cry
No I ain't gonna cry
I don't wanna cry anymore
So we're formin' a club and lettin' everyone in
We ain't gonna cry no more
The lyrics of the song describe the feeling of being stuck in a rut. The singer notes that they have nowhere to go, no one to call, and nothing to do. They describe feeling like they are climbing the same walls they have fallen down before. Despite this feeling of depression and being overstressed, the singer notes that they know they are blessed. The second stanza is a declaration that they will no longer cry or scream or let anyone kick holes in their dreams. They will not fall apart at the seams as they have always done before. They have realized that they can make the choice not to let others get them down.
The third stanza highlights that the singer has used violence before to deal with people who wronged them. But now, they have realized that they don't have to use their fists or their voice, they can use their choice to not let others get to them. The final stanza describes the forming of a club with friends, enemies, and everyone in between that will not cry anymore. They will no longer allow others to bring them down and plot against them, and instead, they will switch tracks and create a better world where everyone is welcome.
Overall, the song's message is one of empowerment and choosing to not let negative energy bring you down. The singer acknowledges their own struggles but also recognizes that they are blessed and capable of making choices to improve their life and create a better world for themselves and others.
Line by Line Meaning
No where to go, no one to call,
Feeling lost and alone with no support system
Nothin' to do except nothin' at all
Boredom and lack of motivation
The same ol' climb up the same ol' walls
Feeling trapped in a repetitive cycle
I've fallen down before.
Past failures and mistakes
You see I've been down, I've been so depressed
Struggling with depression and low mood
I've been overworked and overstressed
Feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities
But deep down here I know I'm blessed
Finding gratitude in difficult circumstances
I ain't gonna cry no more.
Determined to be resilient and not give in to tears
No I ain't gonna cry
Reiterating the refusal to cry
I ain't gonna scream
Avoiding emotional outbursts
I ain't gonna let 'em kick no holes in my dreams.
Not letting others bring down personal aspirations
I won't be fallin' apart at the seams
Determined to maintain composure and avoid breakdowns
Like I've always done before.
Acknowledging past struggles with emotional regulation
You know I've used my fist and I've used my voice,
Using physical force and vocal aggression in the past
Hell I've used myself like a cheap Rolls-Royce
Treating oneself poorly without regard for self-worth
I never knew I could just use my choice.
Discovering the power of personal agency and choice
I ain't gonna cry no more (ain't gonna cry)
Repeating the refusal to cry
You see people talk behind peoples' backs,
Awareness of negative gossip and potential for betrayal
They scheme and plot an' plan attacks.
Feeling like a target for harm or malicious actions
But someday soon we'll be switching tracks
Believing in the possibility of a positive change in direction
In a way the world can't ignore.
Making an impact in a way that demands attention
So call your buddies, call all your friends,
Reaching out to build a supportive community
Call all your enemies - make amends.
Seeking reconciliation and forgiveness even with past adversaries
We're form in' a club and lettin' everyone in.
Creating an inclusive space for support and growth
I said I ain't gonna cry
Reiterating the emotional resilience
No I ain't gonna cry
Refusing to be brought to tears
I don't wanna cry anymore
Expressing dislike for crying
So we're formin' a club and lettin' everyone in
Reiterating the creation of an inclusive community
We ain't gonna cry no more
Finalizing the commitment to emotional resilience and support of others
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Todd Daniel Snider
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind