tension
Todd Snider Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tension
Tension
Tension is all that I know
I got tension out in traffic, I got tension in my office
I got tension, and it's everywhere that I go

After the bad guy killed off all the under-developed characters,
The good guy put a bullet right through his head
The screenwriter stood up and told us all the loose ends had been tied
Justice is irrelevant; violent problems need violent solutions
'cause in America we like our bad guys dead

It's called box office, baby. It's bigger than the damn Stones.

Tension
Tension
Tension is all that I know
I tension in my health food, tension in my exercise
I got tension, and it's everywhere that I go

Well, they roped off all of my problems and pointed their fingers at addiction
'cause they know if you're doing the pointing, nobody's looking at you
But you know this war on drugs is funded by the tobacco and alcohol commissions
It's not what drugs you're strung out on they care about as much as whose.
You see, people still love drugs.
They're bigger, hell, they're bigger than Rush Limbaugh

Tension
Tension
Tension, it's all that I know
I got tension in my classroom, I got tension in my courtroom
I got tension and it's everywhere that I go

When rock'n'roll first came around, the preachers all went crazy
But soon that wasn't enough to bring people in the door
So now they jump on any scandal that they can to try and save me
'cause they know I don't buy that crap about the devil's music anymore




Abortion, that's what scares people these days.
And fear, fear is bigger than Elvis Aaron Presley.

Overall Meaning

The song "Tension" by Todd Snider depicts the social and political issues of the period of its release. The song talks about the tension that has influenced the day-to-day life of American people. From the problems he encounters in his office, traffic, health food to exercise problems, tension is everywhere. The song provides commentary on issues such as violence, drugs, and abortion. It portrays a narrative that challenges the traditional approach of Americans towards violent problems, the war on drugs, and the fear of abortion. Snider suggests that people tend to overlook the root cause of these problems and instead concentrate on the fallout.


The second verse of the song talks about how the media creates a glorified image of violence. The lyrics depict the glorification of violence in American cinema, portraying a scenario where violent problems are resolved only through violent means. The song points out that box office is more significant than the morality of the message that these films portray. Additionally, the third verse of the song talks about the religious side of society. It portrays a scenario where religious leaders changed their approach to rock music over the years. The song suggests that the preachers who were once angered at rock music now look for scandals to get people into the church. Lastly, the song mentions that the fear of abortion is more significant among Americans than the fear of Elvis Presley.


Line by Line Meaning

Tension
The state of mental or emotional strain due to demanding situations or circumstances


Tension is all that I know
The singer's life is filled with stress and anxiety


I got tension out in traffic, I got tension in my office
The singer experiences stress in everyday situations and work


I got tension, and it's everywhere that I go
The artist cannot escape their stress


After the bad guy killed off all the under-developed characters,
Reference to a movie plot


The good guy put a bullet right through his head
The singer of the movie exacted violent revenge on the antagonist


The screenwriter stood up and told us all the loose ends had been tied
The plot of the movie is wrapped up neatly


Justice is irrelevant; violent problems need violent solutions
The movie promotes the idea that violence is an appropriate response to problems


'cause in America we like our bad guys dead
America glorifies violence and enjoys seeing violent endings to movies


It's called box office, baby. It's bigger than the damn Stones.
The movie industry values profits above all else


I tension in my health food, tension in my exercise
The singer even experiences stress while trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle


Well, they roped off all of my problems and pointed their fingers at addiction
The artist's problems have been simplified and blamed on addiction without looking at the underlying causes


'cause they know if you're doing the pointing, nobody's looking at you
Others blame addiction to deflect from their own issues


But you know this war on drugs is funded by the tobacco and alcohol commissions
The singer believes the focus on the war on drugs is misplaced as tobacco and alcohol are equally harmful and influential


It's not what drugs you're strung out on they care about as much as who's
The focus is on people who are using drugs, rather than the larger issues surrounding drug use


You see, people still love drugs.
Despite the efforts to combat drug use, it remains prevalent in society


They're bigger, hell, they're bigger than Rush Limbaugh
The issue of drug use is larger and more important than any one person, even a popular political commentator


I got tension in my classroom, I got tension in my courtroom
The singer experiences stress in their professional life


When rock'n'roll first came around, the preachers all went crazy
Reference to the past reaction to rock music


But soon that wasn't enough to bring people in the door
Preachers needed to find new ways to attract followers


So now they jump on any scandal that they can to try and save me
Preachers use any scandal to try and bring people back to religion


'cause they know I don't buy that crap about the devil's music anymore
The artist is no longer convinced that rock music is sinful


Abortion, that's what scares people these days.
Abortion is now a more polarizing issue than rock music


And fear, fear is bigger than Elvis Aaron Presley.
Fear is a powerful motivator, even more so than a cultural icon like Elvis Presley




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TODD SNIDER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@brettwillis1252

I was relatively late to Todd. Although I do remember seeing Alright Guy on 120minutes back in 94ish & liked it, but anyways. I really got acquainted with him in 2010. Seen him every year since. Traveled as far as 700 miles to see him actually. Was able to meet him in 2017, super cool guy. Regardless of all that, what I want to say is Thank You Todd, you have changed my life. Nothing but love my brother!!!!

@markdumas

I used to listen to Todd Snider in Memphis when I was 17-18 yrs old drinking in a bar.  Been a fan since.  That was 1988 or so.

@marthastephens2179

Saw him every Wed night on open Mike nights them at Daily Planet. Still love him. Never miss a show here .

@CHIKNSKIN

This man kept me sane over the past two years while having a helacious drive each day. THANKS TODD

@annalefebre8448

Todd Snider Rules!!

@debelt

Todd please put this concert on a CD, it' ll sell a ton and I won't have to listen to it a thousand times on YouTube.

@dbeater1

the man is a genius..bless his soul.

@davidf.9763

I have seen Todd five times and the last was a few years ago at the Lensic in Santa Fe with his hero Jerry Jeff Walker. Unbelievably awesome show and even Jerry admitted that Todd knew his music better than he did. Todd is great observer of the human condition....

@lisakolb5643

Now I REALLY love this guy! Bob Marley ref got me!

@ryanemmons9778

Great song. Wish I could see him live

More Comments

More Versions