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 .
Moondawg's Tavern
Todd Snider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's where I'm gonna go
Moon dawg's Tavern
That's the only place I know
Moon dawg's got everything
I'm ever gonna need
Moon dawg's Tavern in Frazier, Tennessee
About the friends he's made
About the nights that he walked the line
And all the mornings that he paid
How they threw him outta so many bars
He finally built one in his own backyard
He ain't been thrown out once so far
And his tab is always paid
Moon dawg's Tavern
That's where I'm gonna go
Moon dawg's Tavern
That's the only place I know
Moon dawg's got everything
I'm ever gonna need
Moon dawg's Tavern in Frazier, Tennessee
Moon dawg's Tavern
That's where I'm gonna go
Moon dawg's Tavern
That's the only place I know
Moon dawg's got everything
I'm ever gonna need
Moon dawg's Tavern in Frazier, Tennessee
Moon dawg's Tavern
Moon dawg's Tavern
Moon dawg's Tavern
Moon dawg's Tavern
Hey Moon
You seen Henry around here? Huh?
What happened?
Hey let me sit down
You gotta tell me about this
Oh you lied to me, alright
The first verse of Todd Snider's song "Moondawg's Tavern" speaks of a place of refuge and familiarity for the singer. The tavern is the only place he knows where he can find everything he needs. The chorus repeats this sentiment, emphasizing the pull of the tavern's comfort and reliability in contrast to the unknowns of the outside world. The second verse introduces the tavern's namesake, Moondawg, who shares his stories of a life of hard living and bar-hopping. Moondawg's tales of being kicked out of many bars lead him to build his own, where he can stay as long as he wants without fear of being thrown out. His loyalty to his own establishment is evident in his always-paid tab.
The singer's attraction to Moondawg's Tavern speaks to a larger theme of seeking a sense of belonging and stability in life. The tavern represents a place where one can truly be themselves and not be judged or cast out. Moondawg's acceptance of his fellow bar-goers and his owning of his own space provide a sense of security and belonging that is hard to find elsewhere. The song celebrates the ability of such spaces to create community and provide refuge for those who need it.
Line by Line Meaning
Moon dawg's Tavern
The name of the place that the singer is planning to go to.
That's where I'm gonna go
The singer is determined to go to the Moon dawg's Tavern.
Moon dawg's Tavern
The name of the place that the singer is planning to go to.
That's the only place I know
The artist only knows of the Moon dawg's Tavern as a place to go to.
Moon dawg's got everything
The Moon dawg's Tavern has everything that the artist needs or wants.
I'm ever gonna need
The singer feels that everything they may need will be found at the Moon dawg's Tavern.
Moon dawg's Tavern in Frazier, Tennessee
The specific location of the Moon dawg's Tavern.
He'll sit down and he'll tell you
Referring to the owner of the Moon dawg's Tavern, who is willing to have a conversation with others sitting in his tavern.
About the friends he's made
The owner of the Moon dawg's Tavern will talk about the friends he has and introduces them if possible.
About the nights that he walked the line
The owner discusses his experiences walking a narrow path or following the rules.
And all the mornings that he paid
The owner shares his experiences of suffering the consequences of his actions.
How they threw him outta so many bars
The owner has been kicked out of numerous bars in the past.
He finally built one in his own backyard
The owner decided to start his own tavern in his backyard due to being refused service in other places.
He ain't been thrown out once so far
The owner of the Moon dawg's Tavern has not been kicked out of his own bar unlike other bars he has been to in the past.
And his tab is always paid
The owner always has the money to pay his bar tab.
Hey Moon
The artist is addressing the owner of the Moon dawg's Tavern.
You seen Henry around here? Huh?
The artist is asking the owner if he has seen Henry (presumably a friend or acquaintance of the artist) around the tavern.
What happened?
The singer wants to know if something has happened to Henry, and is asking for clarification.
Hey let me sit down
The singer requests to take a seat so that the owner of the tavern can tell them about Henry.
You gotta tell me about this
The artist wants the owner to elaborate on the situation with Henry and expects them to provide more details.
Oh you lied to me, alright
The artist accuses the owner of lying to them during their conversation.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC , KEITH SYKES MUSIC
Written by: JOE MARIENCHECK, TODD SNIDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind