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 .
Godsend
Todd Snider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trailer door, drink one more
Life goes on
Hotel walls and wake up calls
Another sleepless dawn.
First days smoke, the waitress jokes
Godsend, Godsend
Send me an angel to love.
Bachelor life, you got two ex-wives
And a beer can pile
Nightclub world, ashtray girl
She’s got a crooked smile.
Forty years, no lost tears
I'm still waiting.
Godsend, Godsend
Send me an angel to love.
Godsend, Godsend
Send me an angel to love.
Red beer sign, fools in line
Weekend crowd
Drain the cup to loosen up
And laugh out loud.
I’ll survive, stay alive
And keep praying up above.
Godsend, Godsend
Send me an angel to love.
Godsend, Godsend
Send me an angel to love
Send me an angel to love
Send me an angel to love, to love.
The lyrics to Todd Snider's "Godsend" paint a picture of a man who is leading a lonely and somewhat aimless life. He is living in a trailer and spends his days drinking and smoking in hotel rooms, trying to stave off the loneliness that seems to be following him. He has been married twice and has little to show for it besides a pile of empty beer cans. The man finds solace in the company of women at nightclubs, but even there he feels disconnected and isolated. He is forty years old and seems to have few prospects for the future.
In the chorus, the man calls out to God for help. He pleads for an angel to come and bring him love and redemption. He believes that an angel would be a "Godsend" that could change his life and give him a sense of purpose. Despite his loneliness and despair, the man remains hopeful that there is something out there that can save him.
Overall, "Godsend" is a poignant and introspective song that explores themes of loneliness, hope, and redemption. It encourages listeners to hold onto hope even in the darkest of times and to believe that there is always the possibility of finding love and meaning in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Trailer door, drink one more
Life goes on
After a long day, the singer opens the trailer door and sits down for one more drink. While life can be tough at times, it ultimately moves forward.
Hotel walls and wake up calls
Another sleepless dawn.
Traveling for work, the singer wakes up to hotel walls and the sound of the phone ringing. Another sleepless morning awaits.
First days smoke, the waitress jokes
And more coffee.
Starting a new job, the singer has a quick smoke break with a friendly waitress before drinking more coffee to start the day.
Godsend, Godsend
Send me an angel to love.
The artist longs for a divine intervention in his romantic life, hoping for an angel to come his way and offer love.
Bachelor life, you got two ex-wives
And a beer can pile
Living the single life, the artist reflects on his previous marriages and the accumulation of beer cans as a result of his lifestyle.
Nightclub world, ashtray girl
She’s got a crooked smile.
The singer observes the nightclub scene, taking note of the ashtray girl with a crooked smile in the midst of the chaos.
Forty years, no lost tears
I'm still waiting.
After forty years of waiting for the right person, the singer acknowledges that they have not shed a tear and continues to wait for their Godsend.
Red beer sign, fools in line
Weekend crowd
On the weekends, the artist observes the long line of people waiting for beers at the bar with a red beer sign, feeling removed from the excitement.
Drain the cup to loosen up
And laugh out loud.
To let loose and have a good time, the artist drains their cup and laughs out loud with a group of friends at the bar.
I’ll survive, stay alive
And keep praying up above.
Despite the hardships, the artist vows to stay alive and continue praying for their Godsend from above.
Send me an angel to love
Send me an angel to love
Send me an angel to love, to love.
Repeating the refrain, the singer emphasizes their desire for an angel to come into their life and offer love.
Contributed by Zachary L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.