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 .
Combover Blues
Todd Snider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I would end up with what I've got
I thought that I would get to keep more than I'd lose
But now this mirror reminds me every day
That life might not work out that way
I've got the combover blues
It just blows my mind to hear myself say
This crap they play's just way too loud and rude
Rollin' a joint used to put me in the mood to come back
But now it makes me think I'm having a heart attack
I've got the combover blues
Oh the years go by
Like highway signs
Try and try
You can't make Mother Nature change her mind
After all these years and traveling bands
Backstage beers and rental vans
Have left me here with all I've got to lose
This aching back, this smoker's cough
This broken heart and to top it all off
These combover blues
Todd Snider's song Combover Blues is a reflective and introspective tune that explores the inevitability of aging and the changes that come with it. Throughout the lyrics, Snider laments the loss of his youth and the physical and emotional toll that the passing of time has taken. The opening verse acknowledges that the singer expected to have more control over his life, but life has not turned out that way. He is left with a reminder of his age every time he looks in the mirror and sees his balding head. It is this loss of power that is at the center of the song.
The second verse of the song notes that the music of today does not resonate with Snider as it used to. Instead, he feels like the "old man" who is out of touch with the evolving trends. He jokes that he used to get excited about smoking a joint, but now it just gives him an anxiety attack. This sentiment illuminates the changes that come with age, where once-enjoyed pastimes no longer bring the same pleasure they once did. The final verse of the song sees Snider reflecting on a life of being a traveling musician. He notes that the years have taken their toll on him, physically and emotionally. He's left with a sense of regret for all that he's lost, and the awareness that there is nothing he can do to turn back the clock.
In conclusion, Combover Blues is a song about aging, loss, and acceptance. Snider explores the changes that come with time and how they impact us, both physically and emotionally. By looking back on his life, he is able to acknowledge what he's lost but also recognize that he has still gained something through the experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was a kid I never thought
As a child, I never imagined that I would end up in the situation that I am currently in.
That I would end up with what I've got
I never expected to have what I currently have or to be where I am now in life.
I thought that I would get to keep more than I'd lose
As a child, I believed that I would be able to hold onto more things over time rather than losing them.
But now this mirror reminds me every day
Every day when I look at myself in the mirror, I am reminded of the reality of the situation I am in.
That life might not work out that way
It is clear to me now that life may not go exactly how I planned or expected it to.
I've got the combover blues
I am feeling unhappy and disappointed with myself, as exemplified by my attempts to cover up my bald spot with a combover.
It just blows my mind to hear myself say
I am stunned at myself for thinking certain thoughts or saying certain things that I never thought I would before.
God what's the matter with these kids today
I cannot understand the behavior or choices of younger people, and I find myself questioning their choices and lifestyle.
This crap they play's just way too loud and rude
I consider the music that younger people listen to to be obnoxious and disrespectful.
Rollin' a joint used to put me in the mood to come back
In the past, smoking marijuana would energize and motivate me when I needed a boost in the face of challenges.
But now it makes me think I'm having a heart attack
As I've aged, smoking marijuana now puts me on edge and makes me paranoid, making me worry about my health and wellbeing.
I've got the combover blues
My dissatisfaction and disappointment with the way I look and how I have covered up my bald spot with a combover remain present and unresolved.
Oh the years go by
As time passes, the changes and challenges in my life become more apparent.
Like highway signs
The experience of the years becomes an ever-present aspect of my life, comparable to constant reminders on a roadside sign.
Try and try
Despite my efforts, I cannot prevent the effects of aging on my body and mind.
You can't make Mother Nature change her mind
It is futile to expect or try to change the natural course of aging and the toll it takes on the body and mind.
After all these years and traveling bands
Despite my years of traveling with various musical groups,
Backstage beers and rental vans
and experiences with alcohol and temporary modes of transportation,
Have left me here with all I've got to lose
I remain in the present with little to show for all that I've experienced and sacrificed over the years.
This aching back, this smoker's cough
The physical aches and ailments that have accumulated with my age and experience are with me constantly.
This broken heart and to top it all off
In addition to physical aches and pains, I am also burdened with heartache and disappointment.
These combover blues
My dissatisfaction and disappointment with myself and how I look remain a constant presence in my life and affect my mood and emotions.
Contributed by Zachary L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.