His 2015 album "Joel Plaskett and the Park Avenue Sobriety Test" touches on his solo acoustic side, his guitar rock work with Joel Plaskett Emergency, his happy-go-lucky rhyming talents, carefree memories of growing up in Nova Scotia, and a little bit of anger at the forces that make life tougher these days. There are references to his salad days, like “On A Dime,” which starts with a blast of downhome Celtic fiddle from Cape Breton great J.P. Cormier. Then there’s Plaskett riffing on memories of playing road hockey in the liquor store parking lot, and later, traveling to Memphis with his band Thrush Hermit to make their first album. The album. also refers to the cast of characters that helped make the album, with Joel Plaskett Emergency appearing on more than half the tracks. It’s more like the Emergency-Plus, as lots of familiar faces from previous Plaskett discs are aboard. Longtime Emergency cohorts Dave Marsh – drums and Chris Pennell – bass anchor the rhythm section. Previous group members Tim Brennan and Peter Elkas play on several songs. From Plaskett’s former band Thrush Hermit is old pal Ian McGettigan. Then there are guests, friends and neighbours, such as Cormier, Halifax singer-songwriter Mo Kenney, singer Erin Costelo, and pedal steel player Dale Murray (Christina Martin, Cuff the Duke).
He released the album Solidarity, a collaboration with his father Bill, in 2017.
Heartless Heartless Heartless
Joel Plaskett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the dark, the darkest darkness
I'm coming apart
In the dark
This is how it feels
To be under your thumb
To be under your wheels
Where'd you leave your love?
In the bed, beneath the covers?
Push will come to shove
And I will leave
And will not return
I will make my mistakes
And from them I'll learn
Steady, steady, steady
Slippin' through the night
Are you red or are you ready?
Don't you think you might
Be afraid
Of where this could go?
Things that you can
And cannot control
Runnin', runnin', runnin'
Chasin' down the dawn
I know the light is comin'
Does it have to take so long?
In the dark
We face ourselves alone
Asleep or awake
Abroad or at home
Where'd you hide your heart?
In the dark, the darkest darkness
I am coming apart
In the dark
This is how it feels
To be under your thumb
To be under your wheels
To be under your thumb
To be under your wheels
In "Heartless Heartless Heartless" by Joel Plaskett, the lyrics depict a tumultuous and unbalanced relationship between two people. The singer asks their lover where they have hidden their heart, indicating that they have been emotionally closed off and are not giving their all in the relationship. The darkness surrounding their heart coupled with the singer's feeling of coming apart indicates that the relationship is taking a toll on their mental and emotional health. The singer describes the feeling of being under their lover's thumb, indicating control and manipulation within the relationship. The repeated line "heartless heartless heartless" suggests a lack of empathy or compassion within the relationship.
The chorus, "Lover, lover, lover, where'd you leave your love?" highlights the singer's confusion and frustration, wondering why their lover is not reciprocating the same level of love and commitment. The singer acknowledges that they will make mistakes, but they will learn from them, indicating self-growth and independence. The second verse also features a sense of uncertainty and urgency, with the singer wondering if their lover is truly ready for the relationship and grappling with the things they can and cannot control.
Overall, "Heartless Heartless Heartless" is a powerful depiction of a relationship that is unequal and emotionally exhausting. The lyrics showcase the singer's struggle to maintain their own identity and agency while within the constraints of the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Where'd you hide your heart?
Asking where his partner has hidden their love and affection.
In the dark, the darkest darkness
Implies that his partner has hidden their love in the depths of darkness, where it is impossible to see or find.
I'm coming apart
He is falling apart emotionally and mentally due to the lack of love and affection from his partner.
This is how it feels
Describing the feeling of being manipulated and controlled by someone in a relationship.
To be under your thumb
Being under the control and power of his partner.
To be under your wheels
Being used, taken advantage of, and ultimately crushed by his partner.
Where'd you leave your love?
Asking where his partner has left their love as it seems to have vanished.
In the bed, beneath the covers?
Suggesting that his partner has left their love in a physical place, possibly referring to intimacy and sex.
Push will come to shove
If his partner continues to withhold love and affection, he will have to make the difficult decision to leave.
And I will leave
If he is not shown love and affection, he will have to choose to leave the relationship.
And will not return
Once he leaves, he will not come back.
I will make my mistakes
He acknowledges that he will make mistakes in the future but will learn from them.
And from them I'll learn
He will grow and develop from his mistakes in future relationships.
Slippin' through the night
Feeling lost and uncertain in the darkness of the night.
Are you red or are you ready?
Asking if his partner is ready and willing to work on their relationship, or if they are showing warning signs (red flags).
Don't you think you might
Asking his partner to consider the consequences of their actions and decisions.
Be afraid
Warning his partner that their actions could harm their relationship and cause them to lose each other.
Of where this could go?
Asking his partner to consider the potential outcome of their current situation.
Things that you can
Acknowledging that there are things they can control in their relationship.
And cannot control
Recognizing that some aspects of their relationship are out of their control.
Chasin' down the dawn
Trying to find hope and light in a seemingly hopeless situation.
I know the light is comin'
Despite the difficulties, he knows that there is hope and positivity on the horizon.
Does it have to take so long?
Questioning why it is taking so long to overcome their issues and find happiness.
We face ourselves alone
Acknowledging that everyone must confront their own issues and problems alone.
Asleep or awake
Regardless of whether someone is conscious or not, they must still face themselves alone.
Abroad or at home
No matter where someone is, they must confront their problems alone.
To be under your thumb
Repetition of the earlier sentiment, reiterating the feeling of being controlled by his partner.
To be under your wheels
Repetition of the earlier sentiment, emphasizing the feeling of being used and ultimately crushed by his partner.
Contributed by Lauren L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Muddy River Media
I could listen to this excellent tune over and over again.
stonerminmcjoe
Normally theres that one line that stands out in any song.. Joel doesn't have those lines, his entire songs stand out!
stewlegg
this makes me accept everything, its that beautiful
Angus Cameron
wicked tune
luke tracey
Angus Cameron 🍀
cloud89x
The guitar at the beginning reminds me of Fleetwood Mac's Rhiannon