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 .
Money Compliments Publicity
Todd Snider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is when you've finally lost interest
In money, compliments, and publicity
A noble enough idea, I suppose
How on earth he does this, heaven only knows
I know I need a lot more of all three of those
Before I ever have the nerve to turn up my nose
At any money, compliments, and publicity
I'm broke as the Ten Commandments
Sometimes I'm harder to follow
I don't know whether to walk to school
Or take my lunch
Should've worn my watch, it's true
You may think you see a man who is looking for attention
But you're looking at a man who has lived
Through a little bit of poverty
Some anxiety, some scrutiny
If I ever do get my money together
I'm gonna take care of all of my friends
Buy an island, run a phone line, call 'em
Tell 'em all to get fucked
Oh! That oughta take care of them
Just be me and my money
And my compliments, and my publicity
Sing it with me "money, compliments, and publicity"
It's an issue for me, I
I went to see this therapist
She said, "Just do the best you can do"
Do the best you can do
I was hoping for something more specific
A man once said that the pinnacle of success
Is when you've finally lost interest
In money, compliments, and publicity
Many years later, another man would say all that again
But not for the sake of inspiring men
But rather 'cause he got nine songs
And knows he needs at least ten
Before he can go back to town and turn 'em all in
To get money, you guessed it, compliments, publicity
Money, compliments, and publicity
Lord, I'm gonna take it to the bank
I said money, I love the compliments and the publicity
I got so many people to thank
I wanna thank Clive Davis
I wanna thank the Good Lord up in heaven above
And all my fans for my money, my compliments, and my publicity
Money, compliments, and publicity
Lord, I would bathe in
Money, compliments, and publicity
Money, compliments, and publicity
The lyrics to Todd Snider's song 10 Track 10 are an exploration of the complicated relationship between success and the trappings that come with it: money, compliments, and publicity. The song opens with a quote from an unnamed man who believes that true success is reached when one loses interest in these things. Snider reflects on this idea with a mix of skepticism and longing, recognizing that while there may be some wisdom in this perspective, he is nowhere near achieving that level of detachment. In the chorus, he seems to embrace the very things the opening quote cautioned against, singing "money, compliments, and publicity" with a mix of irony and sincerity.
Throughout the rest of the song, Snider weaves together various themes and anecdotes, touching on his own experiences with poverty and anxiety, his desire to take care of his friends, and his frustration with a therapist who can offer no concrete advice. The song ends with a nod to the cyclical nature of creativity and the music industry, with another quote about the need for ten songs before one can return to town and seek out money, compliments, and publicity once more.
Overall, 10 Track 10 is a complex and introspective song that raises more questions than it answers. It wrestles with the tension between artistic integrity and commercial success, the desire for recognition and the fear of being seen as a sell-out, and the search for meaning in a world that values money and attention above all else.
Line by Line Meaning
A man once said that the pinnacle of success
Someone once said that achieving ultimate success
Is when you've finally lost interest
Is when you no longer care
In money, compliments, and publicity
About money, compliments, and publicity
A noble enough idea, I suppose
It's a good idea, I guess
How on earth he does this, heaven only knows
It's unclear how this can be achieved
I know I need a lot more of all three of those
Personally, I need much more of all three to stop caring about them
Before I ever have the nerve to turn up my nose
Before I can ever be dismissive of them
At any money, compliments, and publicity
At the idea of money, compliments, or publicity
I'm broke as the Ten Commandments
I'm very poor
Sometimes I'm harder to follow
My thoughts or actions might be confusing at times
I don't know whether to walk to school
I'm unsure if walking to school is better than something else
Or take my lunch
Or bring my own food
Should've worn my watch, it's true
I realize now that I should have worn my watch
You may think you see a man who is looking for attention
You might perceive me as someone who seeks attention
But you're looking at a man who has lived
In reality, you're looking at someone who has experienced
Through a little bit of poverty
A bit of being very poor
Some anxiety, some scrutiny
Some nervousness and some critical examination
If I ever do get my money together
If I ever become financially stable
I'm gonna take care of all of my friends
I plan to help all my friends
Buy an island, run a phone line, call 'em
Purchase an island, set up a phone line, and contact them
Tell 'em all to get fucked
Tell them to go away and leave me to myself
Oh! That oughta take care of them
That should solve any problems they have
Just be me and my money
Just me and my wealth
And my compliments, and my publicity
And my praise and media exposure
Sing it with me "money, compliments, and publicity"
Join me in singing about money, compliments, and publicity
It's an issue for me, I
I have a problem with it
I went to see this therapist
I visited a therapist
She said, "Just do the best you can do"
The therapist said to try my best
I was hoping for something more specific
I was expecting a more targeted solution to my problems
Many years later, another man would say all that again
Years after the first person said this
But not for the sake of inspiring men
But this time not to inspire others
But rather 'cause he got nine songs
Just because he had nine songs
And knows he needs at least ten
And knew he needs one more
Before he can go back to town and turn 'em all in
So that he can release them all
To get money, you guessed it, compliments, publicity
To earn money, get noticed, and receive praise
Lord, I'm gonna take it to the bank
I'm definitely going to make money from this
I said money, I love the compliments and the publicity
I enjoy making money, gaining praise, and receiving media attention
I got so many people to thank
I have many people to show gratitude to
I wanna thank Clive Davis
I would like to thank Clive Davis
I wanna thank the Good Lord up in heaven above
I want to praise God in heaven above
And all my fans for my money, my compliments, and my publicity
And I appreciate my fans and how they contribute to my wealth, praise, and media exposure
Lord, I would bathe in
I want to be completely immersed in
Money, compliments, and publicity
Money, praise, and media exposure
Money, compliments, and publicity
Money, praise, and media exposure
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Todd Daniel Snider
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind