MISSING YOU, TODD SNIDER

By Alan Richard
Nov 19
4 min read

Todd Snider photo by Angelina Castillo (from Todd’s social media channels)

The brilliant, quirky troubadour singer-songwriter Todd Snider passed away on Nov. 14, and my Nashville friends who knew him — and avid fans far beyond Music City — are devastated by the loss of this untamable, incredibly special artist.

I’ll miss Todd’s steady stream of story-songs on the eccentric characters of East Nashville, his commentary on the state of music and the world, and his adventures with artists who inspired him (including John Prine and Loretta Lynn).

I remember riding with my friends Lance and Alicia to see Todd a couple of years ago at an unlikely venue — the auditorium in small-town Walhalla, South Carolina. I was impressed that the folks there featured Todd in their annual series.

I’ve always smiled over the years when I'd walky Todd’s famous Purple Building hangout and studio in East Nashville. Simply knowing that he was around and still writing and performing his unmistakable songs always gave me a inspiration. I know many of his friends and followers felt the same.

I’m just getting into Todd’s latest album, High, Lonesome and Then Some, a bluesy record that he made with producers Aaron Lee Tasjan, Robbie Crowell, and Joe Bisirri. Todd was one of Tasjan's main influences, which you can especially hear on the excellent albums Crooked River Burning and Silver Tears.

For those who don't know, Todd re-recorded some of his out-of-print albums them and made available for free on his website, a decision indicative of his generosity and spirit.

Here are a few of my favorite songs by Todd over the years, including some you might’ve overlooked. Thanks to a good friend who has followed Todd’s music almost from the beginning for some additional recommendations below.

“Like a Force of Nature,” from the 2019 album Cash Cabin Sessions, Vol. 3, a song featuring Jason Isbell

“The Ghost of Johnny Cash,” from Cash Cabin Sessions Vol. 3, inspired by Loretta Lynn’s mystical dance outside the Cash Cabin recording studio

“Talking Reality Television Blues,” also from Cash Cabin Sessions Vol. 3 — and covered later by none other than Tom Jones

“Is This Thing Working,” a brilliant, soulful, spoken-and-sung sermon, from the 2008 album Peace Queer

“Ford Econoline,” the standout cut in my view on the 2024 tribute album, More Than a Whisper: Celebrating the Music of Nanci Griffith (Thanks to my buddy Jim for originally pointing this one out)

“Turn Me Loose (I’ll Never Be the Same),” from the 2021 album First Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder (and check out the version on Live: Return of the Storyteller from 2022)

“John Prine,” a mostly spoken-word narrative about Todd’s many adventures with the late great singer-songwriter whose generosity Todd always tried to pass along, from Todd’s 2022 album, Live: Return of the Storyteller

“Love In the Wind,” a duet with Marshall Chapman from her 2013 album, Blaze of Glory

An obvious choice but a classic nonetheless: “Play a Train Song,” from 2004’s East Nashville Skyline, one of Todd’s albums on Prine’s Oh Boy Records produced by Will Kimbrough

“Horseshoe Lake,” from Todd’s 1996 album Step Right Up, co-written with Kimbrough, produced by Michael Utley and Tony Brown

“Rocket Fuel,” from Todd’s 1998 album Viva Satellite, co-written with Kimbrough

A few songs by Hard Working Americans, the roots-rock supergroup that Todd fronted:

“Down to the Well” (written by Kevin Gordon and Colin Linden)

“Stomp and Holler” (written by Hayes Carll)

“Welfare Music,” my favorite Hard Working Americans recording, from their self-titled debut album in 2014 (originally by the Bottle Rockets)

My friend Jim also reminded me of these quieter, less-appreciated songs by Todd, including “Enjoy Yourself,” from East Nashville Skyline, along with:

“I Spoke as a Child,” in which Todd tried to separate the truth from the chaff, reflecting on his strict Christian upbringing. “He hit so many truths in that one,” my friend Jim says. Originally from Todd’s 1994 debut album, Songs from the Daily Planet, and the 2003 live album Near Truths and Hotel Rooms.

Jim also reminded me of “Lonely Girl” and “Missing You,” both from Todd’s 2000 album Happy to Be Here. I know a lot of us will be reflecting on lines like these, and remembering Todd and his music, for a long time to come: