Blues Traveler - Hook Meaning of the Song PART 1

[killerzero88]

props too you man! love the video.

[LuvLiWords]

You are BRILLIANT and this song is a PHENOMENON... I was overjoyed to see someone break it down and explain it as you did. There is actually so much more there than words can even say... The song itself is the Hook, hoooking itself and ever listener who dares to get hooked... BRAVO!

[MrLeeBoAlley]

Also, the title "Hook" is kinda funny. The word hook really means ultimate demise through incapability or refusal to resist. Think of the fate of a fish who comes across a hook, or an addict. Glad you took the time to make this video by the way.

[NiymbleFingers]

I agree. Really nice interpretation. It's sad but true.

[menstruatingorchid]

I noticed you didn't say anything about the pun he made in the following lyrics:

"No matter how much Peter loved her,What made the Pan refuse to grow

Cause it's the HOOK that brings you back"

Captain Hook lol

[Sarutahiko1]

@menstruatingorchid

Youre right! Theres way more than I can get to in this video, but youre right thats a pretty big one to miss. THnx for bringing it up

[sermusicbox]

ok question. so the part where you play "I wanna burn all of your cities to the ground" and say that's how he really feels...what do you mean exactly? he wants to burn the industry? meaningless songs? burn what to the ground? what's the metaphor I'm missing there?

i hope u comment even though this was posted more than a year ago! I loove this song and that you took the time to post this insightful video. thanks!

[jthaney1980]

Dude!!! Very insightful and it is awesome to actually back away from the song to not only hear the great melody, but its meaning. Nothing is better than seeing the forest through the trees. Well done my friend.

[MsMelbeck]

I l

[positech123]

People don't usually listen/comprehend of the verses of songs... they just mumble through them. Once they get back to the hook, they know every word and that's all they focus on, if it's catchy enough, and like the song solely for the hook, not the verses? The hook bring them back... The hook sells.

[Sarutahiko1]

@positech123 YUP! totally agree

[positech123]

People don't usually listen/comprehend of the verses of songs... they just mumble through them. Once they get back to the hook, they know every word and that's all they focus on, if it's catchy enough, and like the song solely for the hook, not the verses? The hook bring them back,

[nebmrm]

@ Sarutahiko 1 thank you so much for doing this. I'm sure so many people love this song and miss the meaning. I've been in a band for 12 years, and this song always makes me cry when i hear it. It's such a catchy song but he's really dismissing catchy three minute songs in such an intellengent way that it's so overlooked by the majority of listeners. I dont know how to really put it in to better words, but once again, thank you so much for breaking this down for people who don't understand

[petakaye84]

im glad you did this because ppl have silly opinions and explainations of this song and songs in general that have no idea of metaphores and meanings in music. i will addmit though they way you explian this song gave me more of a better understanding. thanks.

[Muaytizzle]

Its fairly obvious if you watch and listen, but I'm not knocking you for explaining it. In point of fact, its kind of you to point it out. 1 thing, and please take it as constructive... Anyone who can grasp your explanation already understands the lyrics... most likely.

[MrStarrface]

Great! I love it!

Also noteworthy, the hook draws the listener back to a meaningless (part of the) song, but Hook- the character- draws Peter Pan back to a land were no growth or real change occurs...

I just saw that little (maybe overreaching?) connection and you didn't touch on it, so I thought I'd share--

[Sarutahiko1]

hey! thanks for sharing. there is so much meaning in this song that it is always ready for more analysis and connections :D

appreciate you commenting and watching!

sarutahiko1

[myersgrl1]

good vid....you explained it perfectly....and ur cute ;)

[Sarutahiko1]

thanks, and oooh thanks :)

[myersgrl1]

hehe....no prob!

[Rabidweasal67]

@Sarutahiko1  the hook is the distraction from life that reminds us we are cattle .........to an extent

[MarkBTW]

Awesome video man. Explained well, This is such a complex song. Much more than I thought.

[Sarutahiko1]

thank you mark! so glad you liked it. i love this song and really appreciate your feedback!

-sarutahiko

[bovay7]

Wow that was a really good video. I never had a clue what he was talking about...it just was catchy lol

[Sarutahiko1]

bovay -

thanks so much for your comment i am glad my video is getting out there! thanks for taking the time to comment.

-sarutahiko1

[davidrodgersNJ]

What ever happened to Blues Traveller?

[Sarutahiko1]

i know. next time i have a minute ill check wikipedia.

thanks for posting!

sarutahiko1

[fordkrizek]

@davidrodgersNJ they just played at wakarusa in june 2010 and they still kick ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wapatoecology]

there's another level to the pan reference... is that he is suggesting that we are being stuck in childhood by the hook- we can't grow or move past this song or cultural patterns.

[Sarutahiko1]

hi wapatecology!

thanks for your great observation! hearing other astute comments makes me remember just how much meaning there is in this awesome song!

thanks for watching!

sarutahiko1

[wapatoecology]

one other point i'd like to add is that i am not so sure that the section towards the end is as meaningful as it seems.

If you follow the pattern: three repetitions of the chord progression, with the hook building each time. then when they get to the place where the "big message" is, then we have a lot of random ideas. it's another example of the hook doing it's work. I've been studying hypnosis for a while and this song does a good job of showing how hypnotic communication patterns work.

[Sarutahiko1]

hi wapatoecology!

This last comment i cant agree with - for reasons i state in the video..

i do not see the last ideas as random at all.. i mean honestly i see it as one continuous cathartic divulging of how he feels .. and his comments criticizing the music industry can really only be interpreted in line with the rest of the song IF you interpret in the way i suggest.

perhaps you would like to develop your idea or a response to the last 3 or so minutes of my vid?

thanks for watching!

saru

[samistar77]

Great analysis!

[MTHORN28]

That was a fantastic commentary on what I agree is one on the greatest songs ever. Good job 5star

[Sarutahiko1]

thanks for the positive feedback!! i appreciate it MTHORN!

[MattsMistake]

Wow, thanks. I was way confused before ^_^

[kortina]

Excellent explication, my friend.

[Sarutahiko1]

thanks ma dawgggg