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 .
Guaranteed
Todd Snider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[ …………………. ]
Hey, hey hey ...
Satisfaction guaranteed
I want what you promised me
I want satisfaction guaranteed.
Now power tie, no power lunch
I wouldn’t tell you a lie, I got this knock out punch
When I'm channel surfing USA
Watching those hours roll by
I know I may be throwing my time away
But at least I'm remotely in control.
I get my satisfaction
Satisfaction guaranteed.
Indecision may or may not be my problem, I can’t say
Dollar bills buy nervous laughter, it’s all too loud for me
Happily here ever after, Mister you just wait and see.
I want satisfaction, satisfaction
Satisfaction guaranteed.
I say, stand back world, I'm standoffish
And I have made my wish on a satellite dish
I say, viva satellite, viva satellite.
Satisfaction guaranteed
I want what you want from me
I want satisfaction, satisfaction
I want my satisfaction guaranteed.
Hey, hey hey ...
The song Guaranteed by Todd Snider appears to be a reflection on the search for true satisfaction in life. The songwriter expresses a desire for things to be as they were promised to him, without false advertisement or deceit. He wants to feel fulfilled and content in his life, but feels like he has yet to achieve that sense of satisfaction. The first verse seems to reference his frustration with the corporate world - he doesn't want to conform to the typical power dynamics of the workplace. Instead, he's looking for a sense of control, even if it's just through the act of channel surfing on TV. The chorus repeats the desire for satisfaction, emphasizing the need for a guarantee.
The second verse begins with introspection, as the songwriter describes himself as indecisive. He's uncertain about what will fulfill him in life, but knows that he's not finding it in the material world. This feeling is highlighted through the imagery of "nervous laughter" and an excess of noise. Despite this, he still holds onto hope for a happy future.
The final verse takes a more playful approach, as the songwriter claims to have found his wish on a "satellite dish." He's ironic in his "standoffish" attitude, as he seems to have accepted the sometimes-disappointing nature of life. However, he's still looking for satisfaction, and wants a sense of control and certainty in the things to come.
Overall, Guaranteed seems to be a commentary on the human search for happiness and fulfillment. It highlights the struggles of living in a society that can be disconnected and materialistic, and the desire for a more authentic experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Satisfaction guaranteed
I was promised happiness and success in life, but I want to make sure I actually get it.
I want what you promised me
I want to hold you accountable for your promises and ensure that you deliver on them.
I want satisfaction, satisfaction
I'm not going to settle for less than what I was promised, and I'll keep pushing until I get it.
Now power tie, no power lunch
I don't need to conform to society's expectations of success by wearing fancy clothes or wining and dining with important people.
I wouldn’t tell you a lie, I got this knock out punch
I'm confident in my abilities and have what it takes to succeed on my own terms.
When I'm channel surfing USA
I'm wasting time watching pointless TV, but at least I feel like I have some control over what I'm doing.
Watching those hours roll by
I'm aware that I'm not being productive and time is slipping away.
But at least I'm remotely in control.
Even if I'm not achieving my goals, I feel like I have some autonomy over my life.
Indecision may or may not be my problem, I can’t say
I'm not sure if my inability to make decisions is what's holding me back in life or if there are other factors at play.
Dollar bills buy nervous laughter, it’s all too loud for me
I'm uncomfortable with the materialistic nature of society and how money seems to be the solution to everything.
Happily here ever after, Mister you just wait and see.
I'm optimistic that I'll be able to achieve my goals and find happiness, but it might take some time.
I say, stand back world, I'm standoffish
I'm not interested in conforming to societal norms or trying to impress others.
And I have made my wish on a satellite dish
I'm trying to find my way in the world and hoping that technology will help guide me.
I say, viva satellite, viva satellite.
I'm placing my faith in technology to help me achieve my goals and find satisfaction.
I want what you want from me
I'm willing to put in the effort to succeed, but I want to make sure that I'm not being taken advantage of in the process.
I want my satisfaction guaranteed.
I'm not going to be content with just going through the motions in life - I want to be fulfilled and happy.
Contributed by Joshua J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.