Add one part irreverent punk personality (frontman extraordinaire, Mike Wis… Read Full Bio ↴Add one part irreverent punk personality (frontman extraordinaire, Mike Wise), one part maniacal guitarist (Jason Mitchell), two parts dream rhythm section (Milhouse and Wade Corbin) and what do you get? One hell of a rock and roll ass-whoopin’ you won’t soon forget!

Emily’s ToyBox cannot (even remotely) be compared to any other independent band on the east coast. In addition to a genuinely unique and powerful stage presence, they have sold more CDs and merchandise during their career than any other independent band in the extended area. However, unlike other bands making similar “claims”, this band actually has the tax and sales records to prove it. Enjoying an average of over 1,500,000 (1.5 Million) unique hits to their website and fan club site each month, www.emilystoybox.com and www.etbsucks.com, Emily’s ToyBox has become an enterprising business unto itself.

Mike Wise, ETB’s lead singer and chief songwriter, formed the group seven years ago, conceiving it as a pre-fab project that would only be around long enough to pay off bills from his previous band. Formerly a 3-piece, ETB went on to an illustrious career, quickly working their way out of their day jobs, making rounds on the extended Mid-Atlantic circuits, venturing as far as Ohio, Vermont and Florida, playing a thick catalog of in-the-red originals. Averaging 18-22 shows per month, the concepts of hard work and dedication have never been lacking from the Emily’s ToyBox psyche.

In 2001, Emily’s ToyBox underwent an evolution of sorts that morphed an already powerful regional act into something unbelievably bigger and better. As a four-piece band, Wise gained freedom to roam the stage and audience at will, inciting a kind of enthusiasm not far from mania that leaves the fans drenched, exhausted and always coming back for more.

"We’re different,” says Wise. “Many bands have said, ‘Well, my band’s different.’ We’re one of the few bands who really ARE different.” “The four of us are naturally goofballs, but we honestly respect one another as musicians and people. We also don’t ‘try’ to do or be anything other than ourselves. Our personality comes out onstage and in our songs.”

Emily’s ToyBox is of the rarest breed, continually breaking new ground as an entrepreneurial entity on the independent music scene. With undeniable originality, talent and work ethic, there are no limits to what they will create and accomplish in years to come.

Emily
Emily's Toybox Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Short steps,
Deep breath,
Everything is, alright,
Chin up, I can't,
Step into the spotlight.
She said, I'm sad,
Somehow without any words...
I just,

Stood there,
Searching for an answer...

When this world is no more,
The moon is all we'll see,
I'll ask you to fly away with me...
Until the stars all fall down,
They empty from the sky...
But I don't mind, if you're with me,
Everything's alright...

Why do, my words...
Always lose their meaning...
What I feel,
What I say,
There's such a rift between them...
He said, I can't,
Barely seem to reach you...
I just, stood there,
Never know what, I should do...

When this world is no more...
The moon is all we'll see...
I'll ask you to fly away with me.
Until the stars all fall, down...
They empty from the sky...
But I don't mind, if you're with me,
Everything's alright...

If you're with me,

Everything's,
Alright...

Overall Meaning

The song "Emily" by Emily's Toybox tells a story about a person trying to console their friend, Emily, who is feeling sad. The person begins by assuring Emily that everything is going to be alright, and tells her to keep her chin up and step into the spotlight. However, Emily says she is sad, despite not saying any words. The singer feels at a loss for the right thing to say, and is "searching for an answer." The song does not reveal what is causing Emily's sadness or what the singer is struggling to communicate to her.

The song then shifts to a dream-like chorus that appears to be from a different perspective. It imagines a time "when this world is no more" and the only thing left is the moon. In this scenario, the singer asks Emily to fly away with them until the stars disappear. Although it is unclear whether this is a literal offer or just a poetic dream, it seems to promise a transcendent escape from whatever troubles Emily in the world they currently inhabit.

The final verse returns to Emily's present situation, where the friendship seems strained due to a communication breakdown. The singer expresses frustration that their words always "lose their meaning" and that they don't know what to do. However, the chorus returns with the promise that if Emily is with the singer, everything will be alright.

Overall, the lyrics of "Emily" paint a picture of a difficult moment in a friendship where one person is struggling to connect with the other. The dream-like chorus offers an escape from this situation, while the repeated assurance that "everything's alright" feels almost like a mantra to keep the characters going.

Line by Line Meaning

Short steps,
Starting small

Deep breath,
Taking a moment to center oneself

Everything is, alright,
Assuring oneself that everything is okay

Chin up, I can't,
Trying to maintain a positive attitude despite difficulties

Step into the spotlight.
Taking a bold step forward

She said, I'm sad,
Expressing emotions to someone else

Somehow without any words...
Trying to convey emotions without being able to articulate them

I just,
Feeling lost

Stood there,
Frozen in place

Searching for an answer...
Trying to find a solution

When this world is no more,
In a hypothetical situation