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 .
Side Show Blues
Todd Snider Lyrics
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Gave my car to my mechanic, I ain't seen it since
My phone is always ringing, when I want to be alone
They try and sell me everything from Heaven to cologne
Everybody's got an offer I can't refuse
It's a circus out here mama, Your baby's got the sideshow blues
It's all a big commercial; It's a video of a man
They make up all these issues, I never understood
If I thought I could change things I'd run out to Hollywood
But it's hard to kick the door down wearing seven dollar shoes
It's a circus out here mama, Your baby's got the sideshow blues
I've got them sideshow blues
I want to tame the lions
These center ring rich kids ain't even trying
From college to the big top they take the best positions
While I'm out in this tent with these freaks and musicians
While I'm out in this tent with these freaks and musicians
I'm moaning them sideshow blues
I try to tell my girlfriend she's the only one that I've got
This chick I hardly knows keeps on telling her she's not
She got a loaded pistol, she waves it all the time
Says some times you gotta kill a boy to keep his ass in line
Well that's the way she sees it, she says she saw it on the news
It's a circus out here mama, Your baby's got the sideshow blues
See people play satanic records, and you don't know when they'll freak
From quiet kid to maniac to movie of the week
We're killing over cocaine, dying over sex
We're bowing down and praying to who'll ever cuts the check
When I go to church on Sunday, I can't help sleep in the pews (that's what I do)
It's a circus out here mama, Your baby's got the sideshow blues
It's a circus out here mama, Your baby's got the sideshow blues
It's a circus out here mama, Your baby's got the sideshow blues
It's a circus people...Step Right Up
The song "Side Show Blues" by Todd Snider is a commentary on the overwhelming commercialization and chaos in modern society. The opening lines describe the singer's frustration with his landlord, who treats him poorly despite his paying his rent. He then mentions that he hasn't seen his car since he gave it to his mechanic, highlighting the untrustworthiness of people in the society. The singer is constantly bombarded by people trying to sell him things he doesn't need, and he feels overwhelmed by the constant pressure to consume. He describes the world around him as a circus, where everyone is trying to sell him something he can't refuse.
The second verse expands on the idea that everything in society is a commercial. The singer claims that issues are made up just so they can be sold to the public. He feels frustrated that he can't change the world and that even if he tries to do something, he is limited by his circumstances. The line "it's hard to kick the door down wearing seven-dollar shoes" suggests that the singer feels powerless to make a real change. He's stuck in the sideshow tent with freaks and musicians while others, particularly rich kids, take the easiest and most glamorous professions.
The final verse touches on some of the darker aspects of modern society. The singer's girlfriend is being influenced by someone who tells her that she's not the only one for him. This person has a loaded gun and believes that sometimes you have to kill someone to keep them in line. The singer mentions that society is obsessed with drugs and sex and that people are paying homage to whomever pays them the most money. Even church, which should offer solace, doesn't provide much comfort as the singer feels like it's just another part of the circus.
Overall, "Side Show Blues" is a commentary on the overwhelming commercialism and chaos in modern society. It describes a world where everyone is trying to sell you something you don't need and where people are influenced by dark ideas and greed. The song suggests that the singer feels powerless to effect change and is frustrated by the state of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
My landlady treats me like I don't pay my rent
My landlady is disrespectful to me despite me being a good tenant
Gave my car to my mechanic, I ain't seen it since
My mechanic has taken my car and has not returned it yet
My phone is always ringing, when I want to be alone
People keep contacting me when I want to have some time alone
They try and sell me everything from Heaven to cologne
People are trying to sell me products and services ranging from spiritual to cosmetic in nature
Everybody's got an offer I can't refuse
Everyone is trying to tempt me with offers that are hard to reject
It's a circus out here mama, Your baby's got the sideshow blues
The world is a chaotic place and I am feeling lost and depressed
It's all a big commercial; It's a video of a man
Everything is about making money and marketing; my attention is always being sought by advertisers
It's a plot to put an end to my attention span
The constant advertising and distractions are trying to destroy my ability to focus
They make up all these issues, I never understood
Fake problems are being created that I cannot comprehend or relate to
If I thought I could change things I'd run out to Hollywood
If I believed I had the power to make a difference, I would move to a place like Hollywood where change can be made in the entertainment industry
But it's hard to kick the door down wearing seven dollar shoes
It is difficult to succeed and make a difference without proper resources and support
I've got them sideshow blues
I am feeling depressed and lost
I want to tame the lions
I want to be the one in control; to overcome the chaos of life
These center ring rich kids ain't even trying
The privileged and wealthy often take their positions for granted and do not work hard to maintain them
From college to the big top they take the best positions
Those who have a college education or are born into wealthy families often receive the best jobs and most opportunities
While I'm out in this tent with these freaks and musicians
I am stuck in a situation with unconventional and unappreciated performers
I try to tell my girlfriend she's the only one that I've got
I try to reassure my girlfriend that she is important to me
This chick I hardly knows keeps on telling her she's not
Someone I barely know is trying to undermine my relationship by telling my girlfriend she is not the only one for me
She got a loaded pistol, she waves it all the time
This person is aggressive and threatening towards me, and I fear for my safety
Says some times you gotta kill a boy to keep his ass in line
They believe in using violence to control and maintain power
Well that's the way she sees it, she says she saw it on the news
They believe that the actions they are suggesting are justified because they saw something similar on the news
See people play satanic records, and you don't know when they'll freak
People are listening to music that glorifies violence and negativity, and it is unsettling
From quiet kid to maniac to movie of the week
Those who were once quiet can suddenly become violent and even be portrayed as such in movies and media
We're killing over cocaine, dying over sex
People are resorting to violence and other destructive behaviors in pursuit of drugs and sex
We're bowing down and praying to who'll ever cuts the check
We are blindly following those who have money and power without questioning their true intentions
When I go to church on Sunday, I can't help sleep in the pews
Even when I try to find solace in religion, I still feel exhausted and unfulfilled
It's a circus people...Step Right Up
Life is a chaotic, unpredictable show and everyone is invited to join
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TODD SNIDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind