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 .
Broke
Todd Snider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Credit complications in the check out line
It's an awkward situation almost every time
They keep your card behind and they keep your groceries too, yeah they do.
You try telling everybody it's a terrible mistake
But you can tell they don't believe that's true
I hung my head down as I walked out the door
I'm never ever going back to that store
They treated me like a bum in front of everyone behind me in line.
It was all my friends and neighbors lookin' at me
Like I'd committed some kind of crime
I guess you ain't worth a dime when you're broke.
Why if I had money like I did in my day ?
Just out of spite I think I'd give it away
I thought it didn't even matter anyway
And the more I thought the madder I got.
By the time I got home I was seeing red
I pulled the gun up out from under my bed
I put a sock on my head and into the night I flew, away I flew.
The next thing I know I've got blood on my hands
But I've got money in my pockets too
You never know what you'll do until you do what you do when you're broke.
Now if I had money like I did in my day
I'd buy a car and drive us far away
Of course you know I've got a debt to pay to society
Honey, wait for me.
With good behavior I'll be out in seven years
Don't worry over me or shed any tears
I've learned a lot in here and I know what a chance I blew.
The next time I won't make the same mistake
I'll shoot the camera out too
I'm learning all kinds of things you can do when you're broke, I'm broke.
The song, Broke by Todd Snider, is a poignant representation of the struggles of being broke. In the first verse, Snider talks about the embarrassment of having one's credit card declined at the checkout line and the resulting awkwardness of having to leave the store empty-handed. He captures the shame that comes with not having enough money in a society where money is often seen as a measure of one's worth. Snider's protagonist tries to explain that it is a "terrible mistake," but he knows that no one believes him. He knows that he has been written off as someone who is "worth a dime when you're broke."
In the second verse, Snider takes us to a darker place. The singer has been so humiliated by his experience at the store that he goes home, grabs his gun, puts a sock on his head, and goes out into the night. He kills someone, and although he has blood on his hands, he also has money in his pockets. The violence and desperation shown in these lyrics demonstrate the devastating impact that being broke can have on a person.
The third and final verse shows the singer owning up to his crime and facing the consequences. He is going to be in jail for seven years but has learned a valuable lesson. He vows that the next time he is broke, he will not make the same mistakes. From the depths of despair, the song ends on a note of redemption as the singer takes responsibility for his actions and looks to the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Credit complications in the check out line
Difficulties with one's credit in the checkout line
It's an awkward situation almost every time
Embarrassment due to not being able to pay
They keep your card behind and they keep your groceries too, yeah they do.
Store taking one's groceries when they cannot pay
You try telling everybody it's a terrible mistake
Trying to explain that the situation is a mistake
But you can tell they don't believe that's true
People not believing one's explanation
It's written all over you when you're broke.
Obvious signs of being broke
I hung my head down as I walked out the door
Feeling ashamed leaving the store
I'm never ever going back to that store
Refusal to return to the store
They treated me like a bum in front of everyone behind me in line.
Being treated poorly in front of others
It was all my friends and neighbors lookin' at me
People from the community watching the situation
Like I'd committed some kind of crime
Feeling like a criminal
I guess you ain't worth a dime when you're broke.
Feeling worthless when broke
Why if I had money like I did in my day ?
Wishing for past financial stability
Just out of spite I think I'd give it away
Considering giving away money due to anger
I thought it didn't even matter anyway
Belief that money doesn't matter
And the more I thought the madder I got.
Increased anger the more one thought about money
By the time I got home I was seeing red
Anger escalating after leaving the store
I pulled the gun up out from under my bed
Accessing a weapon in response to anger
I put a sock on my head and into the night I flew, away I flew.
Escaping the situation
The next thing I know I've got blood on my hands
Committing a violent act
But I've got money in my pockets too
Obtaining money through violent means
You never know what you'll do until you do what you do when you're broke.
Unknown actions when desperate due to being broke
Now if I had money like I did in my day
Continued wishes for financial stability
I'd buy a car and drive us far away
Dreams of escape with financial stability
Of course you know I've got a debt to pay to society
Acknowledging guilt and consequences of violent act
Honey, wait for me.
Asking for understanding and patience
With good behavior I'll be out in seven years
Length of sentence
Don't worry over me or shed any tears
Requesting to not be upset or overly concerned
I've learned a lot in here and I know what a chance I blew.
Reflecting on the consequences of actions
The next time I won't make the same mistake
Resolving to avoid future mistakes
I'll shoot the camera out too
Threatening to commit another violent act
I'm learning all kinds of things you can do when you're broke, I'm broke.
Negative effects of being desperate for money
Contributed by Grayson W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@curbshoppin
Been there ....Todd is a story teller and his storys are all true.......hell of a song writer
@losmckenrick6970
This shit might be funny to some people, and it is. But this shit literally helps me get through life.
@alexbrown4820
I agree very much so.
@yvesf5355
Man I really like your story's and the way you express them ,Todd keep it telling the way you see them Buddy .
@buddymoon394
cheer up Todd you are fantastic,surround yourself with happy people and keep on doing what makes you happy
@josephschlichting4339
This is so true in wherever part of this world because pretty much we’re broke... ✌️
@lisalynnc
He is one of my fav's
@MuddyG
Todd Snider rules.
@mikeonabuffalo1718
love me some todd
@annaleesdad
Great storyteller