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 .
Lookin' for a Job
Todd Snider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't care who you are
if you don't want to have to hang your own dry wall
don't push me too far
boomtown work ain't hard to come by
boomtown workers are
you might be the one running the show but
I was looking for a job when I found this one
don't need the work like you need the work done
you look like you're under pressure
I was looking for a job when I met you
I'm sharing a room with two guys over at the motel 6 boss
sending every dime I make here home to my ex-wife
just did two years and 28 days
with a little better aim i'd been in there for my life
so you see, broke won't take much getting used to
neither will a barb wire jail house wall
watch what you say to someone with nothing
it's almost like having it all
I was looking for a job when I found this one
don't need the work like you need the work done
you look like you're under pressure
I was already looking for a job two weeks ago when I met you, remember?
you know what I really ought to get is a job like
you got, chief. you know. driving around
checking on guys like me. yelling from the window of
a pickup truck with the A/C cranked up and your clothes all
nice and clean. yeah... that might be nice... on the other hand...
Todd Snider's song "Lookin' for a Job" speaks on the harsh realities of working in a boomtown, where work is readily available but workers are disposable. The first stanza declares the singer's refusal to be pushed around by his boss, no matter their position. This is followed by the chorus which incites the juxtaposition of the two workers: the singer who is looking for a job and the boss who needs the work done. The singer implies that he doesn't necessarily need the work, but rather, it is the boss who needs it done.
The second stanza is a vivid depiction of the singer's living situation, which contrasts deeply with his boss's life. He shares a motel room with two other guys and is sending all his money back home to his ex-wife. The line "with a little better aim i'd been in there for my life" implies that the singer has been in prison before, and it could have easily been a life sentence. This verse serves to paint the picture of the singer's background and how his present circumstances are an improvement.
The final stanza presents the singer's musings on what he would like his life to be like. Though he initially expresses a desire to be in a job similar to his boss's and to have clean clothes, the singer hesitates. He recognizes that his present circumstances, while difficult, offer him an unforeseen sense of freedom. He feels that having nothing is almost like having everything, a feeling that his boss, who is consumed with pressure, doesn't have.
Line by Line Meaning
you can't talk to me like that boss
I won't tolerate your disrespect, regardless of your position.
I don't care who you are
Your status doesn't change the fact that I demand respect.
if you don't want to have to hang your own dry wall
Don't cross me or you'll be forced to do the manual labor yourself.
don't push me too far
I won't back down from a challenge.
boomtown work ain't hard to come by
Finding work in a rapid-growing area is fairly easy.
boomtown workers are
Employees in a booming industry aren't easily replaceable.
you might be the one running the show but
Although you're in charge, I still have my own power and self-respect.
that don't mean you're in charge
Freedom of thought and action can't be taken away.
I was looking for a job when I found this one
This job isn't exactly what I was looking for, but it'll do for now.
don't need the work like you need the work done
I'm not desperate, so don't push me too hard.
you look like you're under pressure
You seem to be stressed out and overworking yourself.
I was looking for a job when I met you
I didn't intend to find this job, but fate brought me here.
I'm sharing a room with two guys over at the motel 6 boss
I'm living frugally and making sacrifices to get by.
sending every dime I make here home to my ex-wife
I have financial obligations to fulfill, even if it means struggling personally.
just did two years and 28 days
I had to serve a prison sentence recently.
with a little better aim i'd been in there for my life
If my criminal activity had been more severe, I would have been in jail for life.
so you see, broke won't take much getting used to
I'm accustomed to living with little money and not much to spare.
neither will a barb wire jail house wall
Being in prison wasn't too difficult for me, so I can handle hard work.
watch what you say to someone with nothing
Be careful not to disrespect someone who has no possessions or status.
it's almost like having it all
When you have nothing to lose, you have a sense of freedom and power.
I was already looking for a job two weeks ago when I met you, remember?
I've been searching for work for a while, and this job wasn't my only option.
you know what I really ought to get is a job like
I'm envious of your job, driving around and supervising others.
you got, chief. you know. driving around
You have a position of authority and are able to travel around freely.
checking on guys like me. yelling from the window of
You monitor the work of others, including me, by shouting from your truck.
a pickup truck with the A/C cranked up and your clothes all
You have a comfortable life and don't experience the same struggles that I do.
nice and clean. yeah... that might be nice... on the other hand...
While your job may seem appealing, I'm content with my own situation.
Writer(s): David Hicks, Todd Daniel Snider
Contributed by Avery L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.