Tread Lightly

Album: Once More Round the Sun (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The song's title is an allusion to the TV show Breaking Bad. Guitarist Bill Kelliher told Loudwire: "That guy's [Walter White] life is crazy. You take a walk in one of our shoes; this past year there's been a lot of crazy s--t behind the scenes for each person in our band. Just our personal stories and it's just kind of cathartic to get the lyrics out about another year as a band, as people. We've persevered."
  • The song opened both Mastodon's Once More Round the Sun album and their 2015 The Missing Link tour. The band penned the track in January 2014, while they were up in Franklin, Tennessee putting the LP together.
  • Bassist and co-vocalist Troy Sanders told Artist Direct about the song. "I really gravitated towards that one from a lyrical standpoint, because I was able to craft what I thought were really powerful and appropriate words," he said. "It stems from something very dark and personal amongst myself. We like to mask it with metaphors. I remember personally feeling a sense of accomplishment in terms of what I did lyric-wise and vocally on the song. I really believed that one stood out to me amongst the whole album."

    "Listening back, it had all of the elements of what we do," Sanders added. "It's not the heaviest. It's not the fastest. It's not the most epic. However, it's like, "That song is strong enough on all points to be the opener of the record!" Sure enough, it became that way."

Comments: 1

  • Mortarmasiah from UsmcTread Lightly is Mastodons best song. I wish they had more of an explanation of the meaning of the lyrics. it's by far one of my favorite songs. To me it's about the unfair judgement of God and the dark sins of man. and to be careful of your actions in life or burn. and that the scales are already tipped to damnation.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.