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 .
Easy Money
Todd Snider Lyrics
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A grifter with a southern drawl
Well I could tell right away by the way he was runnin'
That the boy was just a beggin' to crawl.
At least a junkie knows what he needs
You get a man all strung out on green
He'll give up everything he's got
He took every last cent of his savings
On a trip to the local track
He had a tip from a friend, bet it all down to win
On a horse named heart attack.
Well now he ain't no fool boys, he didn't bet it all
So everything was cool when that horse took a fall
But then he turned around and blew the rest
Trying to win it all back
He wanted easy money
It's sad but it's true
Everybody wants the most they can possibly get
For the least they can possibly do
They want that easy money
I don't understand.
God they scheme and they plan
But they can't get their hands on no easy money.
Now she'd been watching him from her table
Not too soft but not too tough
Well she figured by the money he'd been throwing around
That he was damn sure good-looking enough
So she worked her way over
She shot him a wink
He took his last five bucks
He bought her a drink
By the time they hit the Motel 6
They figured they was in love (love love love)
She loved that easy money
It's sad but it's true
Everybody wants the most they can possible get
For the least they can possibly do
They want that easy money
I don't understand.
Lord God they scheme and they plan
But they can't get their hands on that easy money.
Tell it like it is, all right
It must have been about two weeks later
He got a call from a business friend
Who'd found a sure-fire steal of an investment deal
And honey guess what? He's gonna let both of us in
So they took all their savings out of the bank
And on the way home they stopped to gas up the tank
She stepped in for some cigs
And she never saw the fucker again
He got that easy money
It's sad but it's true
Everybody wants the most they can possible get
For the least they can possibly do
He thinks it's easy money
I don't understand.
You scheme and you plan
You ain't got your hands on no easy money.
You scheme and you plan
You ain't got your hands on no easy money.
The lyrics to Todd Snider's song "Easy Money" describe the quest for easy money that so many people have. The singer is a grifter who's desperate for cash and is willing to do whatever it takes to get it. He tries to present himself as someone who has a bit of money, but it's apparent that he's broke and looking for his next scheme. He's willing to take his chances on the horse races and loses everything he has, including his savings, in his attempt to win it all back.
The song highlights how people will do anything to get their hands on easy money, even if it means doing something immoral or illegal. The female character in the song is drawn to the singer because she thinks he has money. She's willing to go along with his schemes, and when he finally thinks he's found a way to make some real cash, he loses everything, including her. The song paints a stark picture of the desperation that some people feel when they're trying to get rich quick.
Overall, "Easy Money" is a cautionary tale that warns us about the perils of chasing after easy money. The song shows us that the road to wealth is rarely an easy one and that those who are willing to take shortcuts often end up empty-handed. It's a poignant message that's as relevant today as it was when the song was first released.
Line by Line Meaning
He tried to look like he had a little bit of money
He attempted to appear wealthy
A grifter with a southern drawl
A con artist with a southern accent
Well I could tell right away by the way he was runnin'
I immediately recognized
That the boy was just a beggin' to crawl.
He was desperate and willing to do anything
At least a junkie knows what he needs
A drug addict has a clear understanding of their needs
You get a man all strung out on green
A person addicted to money
He'll give up everything he's got
They will sacrifice anything
For just a one shot at havin' it all.
For a chance to have everything
He took every last cent of his savings
He used all of his money
On a trip to the local track
He went to the horse races
He had a tip from a friend, bet it all down to win
He received insider information and bet everything on a winning horse
On a horse named heart attack.
The name of the horse he bet on
Well now he ain't no fool boys, he didn't bet it all
He was not foolish and did not spend all his money
So everything was cool when that horse took a fall
It was okay when the horse lost
But then he turned around and blew the rest
He spent the remaining money
Trying to win it all back
Attempting to recover his losses
He wanted easy money
He desired to obtain money without working for it
It's sad but it's true
Unfortunately, this is a common mindset
Everybody wants the most they can possibly get
Everyone wants to maximize their profits
For the least they can possibly do
With the least amount of effort
They want that easy money
They seek to obtain money easily
I don't understand.
The artist cannot comprehend this way of thinking
God they scheme and they plan
They meticulously strategize
But they can't get their hands on no easy money.
Nevertheless, they are incapable of obtaining easy money
Now she'd been watching him from her table
She had been observing him from a distance
Not too soft but not too tough
Not too weak or strong
Well she figured by the money he'd been throwing around
She presumed he was wealthy
That he was damn sure good-looking enough
He was attractive enough
So she worked her way over
She approached him
She shot him a wink
She flirted with him
He took his last five bucks
He spent his final five dollars
He bought her a drink
He paid for her drink
By the time they hit the Motel 6
When they arrived at the Motel 6
They figured they was in love (love love love)
They believed they had fallen in love
She loved that easy money
She was fond of obtaining money easily
It's sad but it's true
Regrettably, this is the reality
Lord God they scheme and they plan
People strategize intently
But they can't get their hands on that easy money.
Despite their efforts, they cannot obtain easy money
Tell it like it is, all right
Speak honestly and bluntly
It must have been about two weeks later
Around two weeks afterward
He got a call from a business friend
He received a call from an acquaintance regarding business
Who'd found a sure-fire steal of an investment deal
Who had discovered a guaranteed profitable investment
And honey guess what? He's gonna let both of us in
The friend will allow them both to participate
So they took all their savings out of the bank
They withdrew all their money from the bank
And on the way home they stopped to gas up the tank
While returning home, they refueled their car
She stepped in for some cigs
She entered a store to purchase cigarettes
And she never saw the fucker again
She never saw him or their money again
He got that easy money
He obtained money easily
He thinks it's easy money
He believes obtaining money is easy
You scheme and you plan
You devise and strategize
You ain't got your hands on no easy money.
Nevertheless, you are incapable of obtaining easy money
You scheme and you plan
You continue to devise and strategize
You ain't got your hands on no easy money.
Yet, you still cannot obtain easy money
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TODD SNIDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind