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 .
I Can't Complain
Todd Snider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little out of tune
Sorta lost in space
Racing the moon
Climbing the walls
Of this hurricane
Still overall
I can't complain
All I wanted was one chance
To let freedom ring
They said I had to get a permit
Tags and everything
I never made it through the red tape
I got this paper hat
I got a job working weekdays
You want fries with that
I got nothin' to lose
'Cause there's nothin' to gain
It's like a one-way ticket to cruise in this passing lane
I can't complain
I was talkin' to my girlfriend
I told her I was stressed
I said I'm going off the deep end
She said "give it a rest"
We're all waiting in the dugout
Thinking we should pitch
How you gonna throw a shutout
If all you do is bitch
I got nothin' to lose
'Cause there's nothin' to gain
It's like a one-way ticket to cruise in this passing lane
I can't complain
So now I got a brand-new dance
I need one more shot
I just need one last chance
I know I won't get caught
I gotta make my last stand
This time I can't be bought
Then again on the other hand
How much have you got
I got nothin' to lose
Nothin' to gain
It's like a one-way ticket to cruise that passing lane
I can't complain
A little out of place
A little out of tune
Sorta lost in space
Racing the moon
In Todd Snider's song "I Can't Complain," the lyrics speak to the feeling of being a little bit lost in life but still somehow finding contentment in one's circumstances. The first verse describes feeling out of place and out of tune, like life is a hurricane and the singer is climbing its walls. But despite these feelings, the refrain "I can't complain" suggests that the singer is ultimately okay with the situation.
The second verse speaks to a desire for freedom and a frustration with bureaucracy. The singer wanted to let freedom ring, but was told he needed a permit and tags for everything. Unable to navigate the red tape, he ends up with a job at a fast food restaurant, asking customers if they want fries with that. The line "I got nothin' to lose, 'cause there's nothin' to gain" speaks to a sense of resignation and acceptance of his current situation.
The final verse speaks to a desire for change and one last chance to make something of his life. The line "How much have you got" suggests a willingness to take risks, even though the singer doesn't have much to lose. Despite feeling lost and out of place, the refrain "I can't complain" persists, suggesting that the singer is at peace with the uncertainty of his life.
Line by Line Meaning
A little out of place
Feeling somewhat awkward or out of sync with one's surroundings
A little out of tune
Not quite hitting the right notes or performing perfectly
Sorta lost in space
Feeling a bit disconnected or disoriented, as if drifting in outer space
Racing the moon
Trying to catch up to something that is always just out of reach
Climbing the walls
Feeling restless and trapped in a particular situation
Of this hurricane
In the midst of chaos or turmoil, as if in the eye of a storm
Still overall
Despite everything else, when looking at the big picture
I can't complain
Not complaining, or feeling content with one's situation as is
All I wanted was one chance
Just hoping for an opportunity to prove oneself or accomplish something
To let freedom ring
To be able to express oneself or live without restrictions
They said I had to get a permit
Encountering bureaucratic hurdles or red tape in order to pursue one's goals
Tags and everything
Having to jump through numerous hoops and complete various requirements
I never made it through the red tape
Failing to navigate the complicated bureaucracy and rules
I got this paper hat
Ending up in an unfulfilling or demeaning job
I got a job working weekdays
Having a mundane or boring job, with little possibility for change or advancement
You want fries with that
Being stuck in a low-paying or menial job, such as working in fast food
I got nothin' to lose
Having very little or no possessions or material wealth
'Cause there's nothin' to gain
With nothing to look forward to or aim for
It's like a one-way ticket to cruise in this passing lane
Just going through the motions of life, without making any major changes or progress
I was talkin' to my girlfriend
Sharing one's feelings and thoughts with a significant other or close friend
I told her I was stressed
Expressing feelings of overwhelm or anxiety
I said I'm going off the deep end
Feeling like one is losing control or sanity
She said 'give it a rest'
Reminding one to take a break and not dwell on negative feelings
We're all waiting in the dugout
Feeling stuck or waiting for something to happen
Thinking we should pitch
Wondering how to make a move or take action
How you gonna throw a shutout
Reflecting on the importance of making efforts and taking risks, even if there is no guarantee of success
If all you do is bitch
Not wanting to complain or be negative, but also feeling stuck or frustrated
So now I got a brand-new dance
Trying something new or starting fresh
I need one more shot
Hoping for one last chance or opportunity to prove oneself
I just need one last chance
Feeling like there is still time for one last attempt or achievement
I know I won't get caught
Feeling confident in one's abilities or actions
I gotta make my last stand
Feeling like one is in a do-or-die situation and needs to give it their all
This time I can't be bought
Refusing to compromise one's values or goals for the sake of money or power
Then again on the other hand
Acknowledging the complexity of the situation and that there is no easy answer
How much have you got
Wondering if there is any room for negotiation or compromise
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Todd Daniel Snider
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@benoverturf3523
I cant tell you how much this song helped when I really needed it.
@tushfinger
good
@chipcrisper9405
He's a legend live. Buy a ticket to see this man. Don't pretend you've got anything better to do on a Wednesday night.
@terichace7798
JUST DID. Albany, NY. Yep, a Wednesday! Wonderful. :))
@christopherwillis2257
When I was young, I loved old school punk rock and old metal/trash. My dad always struggled to relate to me and it was a struggle for a long time to even have a relationship with him. The turning point came when I was 16 years old, dad took me to the Jewish Mother in VA Beach to see Todd Snider. We watched the show, he knew the owner really well so he pulled a string and got Todd to come have a meal and a few beers with us after the show. He told Todd I was an aspiring musician and Todd immediately loved the idea, asked me if I wanted to jam with him after the venue cleared out. I begrudgingly accepted knowing this old hippie was not at all going to like the kind of music I played. Todd and I played together for about a half hour, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Dude really dug what I was putting down and it opened my mind to music I wasn’t really into. He recorded an album that night, at that show. He sent me a free copy in the mail a few months later. At the end of the night, he shook my hand and told me I had a bright future and he believed in me. After all was said and done, dad and I were riding home together and he broke the news to me that his father, the grandfather I spend most of my childhood traveling the country with, who taught me how to build a log cabin in the Montana wilderness with just tools and hands; was terminally ill and didn’t have much time left. It absolutely broke my heart, and really opened my eyes as to how little time we really have on this planet. Now I have that album, and any time I listen to Snider, I think about that night, those men, and all the time we shared together. I became a man that night and didn’t even realize it until much later in life. Thanks for everything Todd, no matter how old I get; I’ll always buy tickets to your show and I’ll bring anyone willing to come. You never know how life will go and it’s best to spend it with people who genuinely make it a good time.
@fivecitydirttracker4776
Love all of Todds music but, Can't Complain I listen to over and over. I don't know....... just something about it...... Thanks Todd.
@lindakelley508
Never fails to lift my spirits
@tessjones5987
Great wisdom with a real human heart.
@scupper79
discovered him Freshman in HS. Songs for the Daily Planet. Missed out since. Enjoying the shit out of getting caught up. Talent like this is understood by the few. ..and I like it that way.
@troyaikman1252
Just found out about his music this weekend, can't stop playing Can't Complain and Sunshine over and over. How did i not find this sooner! Great music.