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 .
Stoney
Todd Snider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I first ran into Stoney, it was a bar downtown
Was up Richmond, Virginia, just bumming around
Suitcase to suitcase, we started him talking
Finding out about the things we've shared in the miles we've been.
He had a gray pillowcase full of books by Durrell
Until you got him started singing Gospel songs
He drank all night for nothing, he told his stories till dawn.
He said : 'Come on, get your bag, boy! Sun's up now and it's time to roll'
'You know there ain't no better time than early in the morning to be out walking down that road'
'Just feeling another day beginning while some fools just rushing on by'
'We'll be like some Mr. Independence, we're taking our own sweet time'.
So we walked on out that highway under a clear blue sky
I's listening to the tales he told, drinking warm red wine
'Bout the night he rolled seven, about some girl he'd done wrong
All the thingd he could think of while we walked along.
Yeah, ol' Stoney had a magic, made him hard to forget
Like the night we flew down the highway (his old pickup, it nearly wrecked!)
A crazy woman driving, all drunked up and carrying on
Till Stoney finally calmed her singing those Gospel songs.
We split the road at Norwood, he just shook my hand
He said : 'I'll see you some place, friend, but you know he never has'
But we were that free then, just walking down the road
Never really caring where that old highway goes.
Yeah, Stoney was a liar (a bullshitter!) ain't no doubt about it
It was just the way he told things, you never want to doubt him
He kept you going when the road got rough
And brought you through the lean times just by making it up, just by making it up.
The song Stoney by Todd Snider is about a character named Stoney, whom the singer meets in a bar in Richmond, Virginia. Stoney is described as a free-spirited wanderer who travels around with a gray pillowcase full of books by Durrell, an old concertina, and a talent for singing Gospel songs. The song tells the story of the singer's adventures with Stoney as they walk down the highway, listening to his tall tales, and drinking warm red wine.
Stoney is portrayed as a charismatic individual who can make the rough times easier just by his storytelling abilities. He is a liar, a bullshitter, but the singer emphasizes that there is no doubt about the way he tells things, and you never want to doubt him. The magic of Stoney is captured through his storytelling, which makes him hard to forget.
The chorus of the song invites the listener to join in on the journey with Stoney, to take their own sweet time, and walk down the old highway without caring where it goes. The song is a celebration of the freedom that comes with wandering and living life on one's own terms.
Overall, Stoney is depicted as a fascinating and free-spirited character who brings joy and adventure to the lives of those he encounters.
Line by Line Meaning
I first ran into Stoney, it was a bar downtown
I first met Stoney at a bar downtown in Richmond, Virginia.
Was up Richmond, Virginia, just bumming around
I was in Richmond, Virginia just hanging out without any specific plans.
Suitcase to suitcase, we started him talking
We shared stories with each other, comparing the miles we've traveled.
Finding out about the things we've shared in the miles we've been.
We discovered that we had a lot in common from our travels.
He had a gray pillowcase full of books by Durrell
Stoney carried a gray pillowcase filled with books by Lawrence Durrell.
Played some old concertina, all beat up and she played like hell
Stoney played an old, worn-out concertina and he played it with great skill and passion.
Until you got him started singing Gospel songs
Stoney would start singing Gospel songs when he got the chance.
He drank all night for nothing, he told his stories till dawn.
Stoney would drink all night and tell stories until the sun came up.
He said : 'Come on, get your bag, boy! Sun's up now and it's time to roll'
Stoney urged me to pack my bag and hit the road because it was morning.
'You know there ain't no better time than early in the morning to be out walking down that road'
He believed that there was no better time than early in the morning to take a walk and enjoy the road.
'Just feeling another day beginning while some fools just rushing on by'
Stoney thought that while many people are rushing past, it's better to take time to appreciate each new day.
'We'll be like some Mr. Independence, we're taking our own sweet time'.
Stoney wanted us to take our time and enjoy our independence and freedom.
So we walked on out that highway under a clear blue sky
We set out on the highway on a beautiful, clear day.
I's listening to the tales he told, drinking warm red wine
I listened to Stoney's stories as we drank warm red wine together.
'Bout the night he rolled seven, about some girl he'd done wrong
Stoney told me about the night he won big gambling and a girl he had mistreated.
All the thingd he could think of while we walked along.
Stoney shared all the stories and memories he could think of as we walked.
Yeah, ol' Stoney had a magic, made him hard to forget
Stoney had a special charm and presence that made him unforgettable.
Like the night we flew down the highway (his old pickup, it nearly wrecked!)
Stoney once drove his old pickup so recklessly that we almost got into a wreck.
A crazy woman driving, all drunked up and carrying on
We encountered a crazy, drunk woman on the road.
Till Stoney finally calmed her singing those Gospel songs.
Stoney managed to calm the woman down by singing Gospel songs.
We split the road at Norwood, he just shook my hand
We parted ways in Norwood, and Stoney shook my hand goodbye.
He said : 'I'll see you some place, friend, but you know he never has'
Stoney told me he would see me again somewhere, but he never did.
But we were that free then, just walking down the road
Despite not knowing where we were headed, we felt free while walking down the road with no plan.
Never really caring where that old highway goes.
We weren't concerned with where the highway would lead us.
Yeah, Stoney was a liar (a bullshitter!) ain't no doubt about it
Stoney had a reputation for lying, and it was clear to everyone.
It was just the way he told things, you never want to doubt him
Even though Stoney lied, he had a way of telling stories that made them seem believable.
He kept you going when the road got rough
Stoney was always there to lift your spirits when things got tough on the road.
And brought you through the lean times just by making it up, just by making it up.
Stoney's made-up stories helped us get through difficult times on the road.
Contributed by Caden T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Trip Neal
I know you are hurting now, that was the greatest tribute to Jerry jeff, absolutely perfect.
Clay Turner
I remember listening to Jerry Jeff singing this when I was a kid and just thinking, "This is so much better than Mr. Bojangles!" I was a weird kid, thanks to Todd for helping keep me that way
Kevo
Jerry was one of a kind and I'm so thankful for all his music, great cover wish you nothi g but good
James Curatalo
You nailed it brother! Jerry Jeff would be proud! Thanks
max mcgloin
That was fantastic. You are a light in dark times. But now I have to track down Jerry Jeff singing Moon River.
Birt Stevens
While the fools go rushing by,,, it really hit me,,, good song man, thanks Todd.
john kasbohm
Thank you. So well done. Thank you.
Gerald Brown
My favourite JJW song, thanks Todd 👍🎸🇨🇦
Janet White
Gerald Brown - I vacillate btw Stoney, Desperados Waiting for a Train, and Eastern Ave River Railway (and Jaded Lover and Too Many Mornings, Contrary to Ordinary, oh and i want "Follow" at my funeral). I do love me some JJW. And love this guy as much.
Gez H
A great version!