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 .
Too Soon to Tell
Todd Snider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm walkin' up a hill to get my fortune read
I can still take rejection but it does get harder to do
I wish I could show you how you've hurt me
In a way that wouldn't hurt you too
Tennis shoes hangin' from a telephone wire
I've got a little money; I could get a little higher
Everything in moderation, including moderation I suppose
I never did like the people where I was employed
They was always out to get me 'cause I'm paranoid
Now I'm workin' for myself
And that don't pay a lousy dime
If what we're here to do is learn to forget
I'm gonna need more time
It's too soon to tell, too soon to tell
It's too soon to tell, too soon to tell
It's too soon to tell, too soon to tell
By and by
It's too soon to tell what's gonna happen to you when you die
It's too soon to tell what we'll ever avenge
They say that living well is the best revenge
I say bullshit, the best revenge is to win
This isn't over, we're going to meet again
And good Lord if you're up there, you sure got some nerve
Seems like even the wicked get worse than they deserve
We're afraid to die every goddamn one of us
I swear to God it's like you're makin' fun of us
Not worth keepin, or too good to keep
You got a better kinda secret, better wait til I'm asleep
And if you're so God almighty then what's with all this mystery?
Yes I wanna trust ya buddy, but you're clearly keeping secrets from me
It's too soon to tell, too soon to tell
It's too soon to tell, too soon to tell
It's too soon to tell, too soon to tell
By and by
It's too soon to tell what's gonna happen to us when we die
At the fortune teller's on the second floor
In bright red letters hangin' off of the door
It said "closed", I think it might've been some kinda sign
Don't give up on me baby; I think I could be losin' my mind
I've just met too many people that I love too much
They're scattered all over; I could never stay in touch
With travellin', almost forever it seems
You too will wake up one morning with a lot more memories than dreams
Low, grey clouds rollin' over my head
I'm walkin' down the hill without my fortune read
I can still take rejection but it does get harder to do
I wish I could show you how you'd hurt me
In a way that wouldn't hurt you too
I wish I could show you how you'd hurt me
In a way that wouldn't hurt you too
In "Too Soon to Tell," Todd Snider captures the feeling of uncertainty and the struggle to find one's place in the world. The first verse speaks to the pain of rejection and the difficulty of communicating that hurt to the other person. He wishes that he could show them how they've hurt him without causing them pain, but it seems impossible. In the second verse, Snider reflects on his own life and experiences, noting the ways in which he's struggled with employment and addiction. He acknowledges that everything in life should be done in moderation, but it's not always easy to stick to that principle.
The chorus, "It's too soon to tell," expresses the uncertainty and unpredictability of life. We never know what's going to happen next or what the future holds. Snider also questions the nature of God and the concepts of good and evil. He wonders why bad things happen to good people and why there is so much mystery in the world. Despite these uncertainties, Snider remains determined to continue fighting and trying to make sense of the world around him.
Line by Line Meaning
Low, grey clouds rollin' over my head
Feeling down and gloomy.
I'm walkin' up a hill to get my fortune read
Seeking guidance and clarity in life.
I can still take rejection but it does get harder to do
Dealing with rejection is becoming more challenging.
I wish I could show you how you've hurt me
Wanting to express emotional pain caused by someone else.
In a way that wouldn't hurt you too
But not wanting to cause pain to the person who caused emotional pain in return.
Tennis shoes hangin' from a telephone wire
Urban symbol of drug use and danger.
I've got a little money; I could get a little higher
Considering substance abuse as a way to cope.
I was alright awhile, but you know how it goes
Been doing fine for a bit, but life is unpredictable.
Everything in moderation, including moderation I suppose
It's hard to maintain balance in life.
I never did like the people where I was employed
Feeling dissatisfaction and animosity towards former coworkers.
They was always out to get me 'cause I'm paranoid
Feeling like others were conspiring against them.
Now I'm workin' for myself
Being self-employed.
And that don't pay a lousy dime
Struggling to make a living as a self-employed person.
If what we're here to do is learn to forget
Wondering if the purpose of life is to learn to forget.
I'm gonna need more time
Feeling like more time is needed to figure it all out.
It's too soon to tell, too soon to tell
It's too early to know what the future holds.
By and by
Eventually, over time.
It's too soon to tell what's gonna happen to you when you die
No one can predict what happens after death.
It's too soon to tell what we'll ever avenge
Uncertainty of how due justice will take place.
They say that living well is the best revenge
Contradiction to the viewpoint that winning is the best revenge.
I say bullshit, the best revenge is to win
Personal belief that winning is the ultimate payback.
This isn't over, we're going to meet again
Believing that life is cyclical and not linear.
And good Lord if you're up there, you sure got some nerve
Questioning the existence and motivations of a higher power.
Seems like even the wicked get worse than they deserve
Life is unfair even for those considered evil.
We're afraid to die every goddamn one of us
Death is a universal fear.
I swear to God it's like you're makin' fun of us
Sensing that a higher power is mocking humanity.
Not worth keepin, or too good to keep
Describing something that is either expendable or too valuable to part with.
You got a better kinda secret, better wait til I'm asleep
Implying that a hidden truth is only disclosed when the person is asleep.
And if you're so God almighty then what's with all this mystery?
Questioning why a higher power would keep secrets.
Yes I wanna trust ya buddy, but you're clearly keeping secrets from me
Expressing a desire to trust a higher power despite a perception of secrets.
It's too soon to tell what's gonna happen to us when we die
Uncertainty of what happens to humanity after death.
At the fortune teller's on the second floor
Trying to seek clarity from a fortune teller.
In bright red letters hangin' off of the door
Noticing a sign indicating that the fortune teller is closed.
It said "closed", I think it might've been some kinda sign
Interpreting the sign as a message.
Don't give up on me baby; I think I could be losin' my mind
Asking for emotional support in a time of stress and uncertainty.
I've just met too many people that I love too much
Struggling to stay in touch with loved ones due to life circumstances.
They're scattered all over; I could never stay in touch
Lamenting the inability to keep loved ones close due to life changes.
With travellin', almost forever it seems
Traveling a lot which seems like it's going to take forever.
You too will wake up one morning with a lot more memories than dreams
Reality of life that one day memories will outnumber aspirations.
Low, grey clouds rollin' over my head
Returning to the opening line.
I'm walkin' down the hill without my fortune read
Ending the song without getting the desired clarity from the fortune teller.
I can still take rejection but it does get harder to do
Repetition of earlier line about dealing with rejection.
I wish I could show you how you'd hurt me
Repeating earlier line about emotional pain.
In a way that wouldn't hurt you too
Repeating a desire to not cause the person who caused emotional pain more hurt.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: TODD DANIEL SNIDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Greg McDermand
Snider
Low, grey clouds rollin' over my head
I'm walkin' up a hill to get my fortune read
I can still take rejection but it does get harder to do
I wish I could show you how you've hurt me in a way that wouldn't hurt you too
Tennis shoes hangin' from a telephone wire
I've got a little money; I could get a little higher
I was alright awhile but you know how it goes
Everything in moderation, including moderation I suppose
I never did like the people where I was employed
They was always out to get me 'cause I'm paranoid
Now I'm workin' for myself and that don't pay a lousy dime
If what we're here to do is learn to forget, I'm gonna need more time
It's too soon to tell (too soon to tell)
It's too soon to tell (too soon to tell)
It's too soon to tell (too soon to tell) by and by
It's too soon to tell what's gonna happen to you when you die
It's too soon to tell what we'll ever avenge
They say that living well is the best revenge
I say : 'Bullshit, the best revenge is to win'
'This isn't over, we're going to meet again'
John Hampton
That's some of the best song writing I've heard since Neil Young. The chorus of "I wish I could show you how you hurt me in a way that wouldn't hurt you too", man I've thought that a thousand times in my life but could never put it in words. New fan here for sure!
Moses McGill
John Hampton thank you for pointing out that line. I heard it but didn't really notice it until I seen your comment.
Gilbert Pilz
You have to be a certain age to appreciate this music. No young person is ever going to feel "you too will wake up one morning with a lot more memories than dreams".
RichardCranium317
34 and miss my people
Tammi Jo
So true :)
Rik Shafer
They will.
Thomas Foster
The entire song is one instant classic line after another. Wow. Every line.. damn
MuddyG
This performance gives me chills every time I hear it; and all the lovely comments warm my tired soul. Good people out there.
Rik Shafer
Todd is sooo smart. He's an acquired taste, once you do, he's amazing. Seem him live, great show.
Corinne Palazzolo
@Mr. Big 11111111111111111111111111a1