In late 1997 she created a band with the remaining members of Buckley's band called Black Beetle and finished an eponymous album which was never released. This was the first project where she was writing as well as fronting a band. Jeff buckley was her boyfriend at the time he drowned in '97.
According to Songfacts, Wasser took her curious stage name from the fact that she once attended a fancy dress party as an officer of the NYPD.
The Action Man
Joan as Police Woman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And ask me to dance
It started raining
My bells ringing, let's dance
And we talked enough already
And don't you wanna be the action man
Let's dance
Who would've thought you'd call me out
Take my cards and take my hand
My washed up feelings
Made a getaway and ran
I felt my heart race as we hit the floor
From then on, I can't tell you much about time
And space
I'm wondering why I never call action
Action into play
What comes so easy
I never want to obey
I'm lucky, I know it
And I am feeling it again today
I say
All I want to be
To dare myself to be
Is this dance
Is this action man
All I want to be
To dare myself to be
Is this dance
Is this action man…
The lyrics of Joan as Police Woman's song The Action Man are about taking a chance and getting lost in the moment. The singer is inviting someone to dance with her despite the rain, and she feels her heart racing as they hit the dance floor. She reflects on how she doesn't often take action but realizes that she wants to be the action man in this instance. She's lucky to have this moment and feels truly alive.
The lyrics capture the feeling of taking a risk and embracing the present moment, even if it means stepping out of one's comfort zone. The singer is feeling invigorated by the dance and the opportunity to try something new. The line "What comes so easy/I never want to obey" suggests that the singer usually shies away from risks, but this time she's willing to take a chance.
Overall, the song celebrates the joy of living in the moment and taking action.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the time for you to stop
Joan is inviting someone to dance and trying to get them to stop what they're doing.
And ask me to dance
She wants her partner to initiate the dance.
It started raining
The weather has changed and the mood has shifted.
My bells ringing, let's dance
Joan is excited and ready to dance.
And we talked enough already
Joan is tired of talking and ready to dance.
And don't you wanna be the action man
Joan is asking her partner if they want to be the one to take charge and lead the dance.
Let's dance
Joan is eager to start dancing.
Who would've thought you'd call me out
Joan is surprised that her partner asked her to dance.
Take my cards and take my hand
Her partner is taking the lead in the dance.
My washed up feelings
Joan has been feeling down or dejected lately.
Made a getaway and ran
She is trying to let go of her negative emotions and focus on the dance instead.
I felt my heart race as we hit the floor
Joan is feeling excited and energized as the dance begins.
From then on, I can't tell you much about time and space
Joan is so caught up in the moment that she loses track of everything else.
I'm wondering why I never call action
Joan is reflecting on why she often defers to others in the dance.
Action into play
Joan is considering taking a more active role in the dance.
What comes so easy
She is questioning why it's so easy for her to give up control in the dance.
I never want to obey
Joan doesn't like feeling like she has to follow someone else's lead.
I'm lucky, I know it
Joan feels fortunate to be dancing with her partner.
And I am feeling it again today
She is experiencing those positive feelings right now.
All I want to be
Joan just wants to enjoy the moment and be present in the dance.
To dare myself to be
Joan is challenging herself to take more risks in the dance.
Is this dance
The dance is what matters most to Joan right now.
Is this action man
She wants her partner to be confident and assertive in the dance, taking the lead when necessary.
Contributed by Bailey D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.