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.
Wishing Well
Joel Plaskett Lyrics
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Throwing my one thin dime
Oh to see my west coast belle
Oh well, on good time
She's a hot little number
And she's in her prime
And everything's been done
And done
Oh but there are many a' wonders in this world
This world
And my love she is one
She'll be in the thick of things
Blowing behind the breeze
I'll be waiting in the wings
Taking liberties
Oh but when the trumpets thunder
And we're all refugees
Some might say there's nothing new underneath the sun
And everything's been done
It's been done
Oh but there are many a' wonders in this world
And my love she is one
The lyrics of Wishing Well by Joel Plaskett tell the story of a man in love, waiting for his west coast belle. The man is standing at a wishing well, throwing his one thin dime, hoping to see his beloved. He describes her as a "hot little number" in her prime. While some people say that there's nothing new underneath the sun and everything has been done before, the man believes that his love is a wonder of this world. He will be waiting in the wings, taking liberties while his love is in the thick of things, blowing behind the breeze. But when the trumpets thunder and they're all refugees, he'll be with his love.
The song conveys the message that true love is a inexplicable wonder that nothing can hold back. The man may have to wait a long time to be with his love due to circumstances beyond his control, but he's willing to wait for her no matter what. The trumpets thundering and everybody becoming refugees implied that sometimes we can lose everything we have in life, but the love we have for someone will always keep us going.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing here at this wishing well
I am standing next to a wishing well
Throwing my one thin dime
I am putting a dime into the well as a symbol of my wish
Oh to see my west coast belle
I am wishing to see my love who lives on the west coast
Oh well, on good time
I am hoping my wish will come true in due time
She's a hot little number
My love is very attractive
And she's in her prime
My love is young and at her best
Some might say there's nothing new underneath the sun
Some people believe that there are no original ideas left
And everything's been done
All creative expressions have already been realized
And done
There is nothing left for people to create
Oh but there are many a' wonders in this world
However, there is still much to discover and appreciate in this world
This world
The world is full of amazing things
And my love she is one
My love is one of those wonders
She'll be in the thick of things
My love is actively involved in life's experiences
Blowing behind the breeze
She is moving with the wind, free and easy
I'll be waiting in the wings
I will be there for her, supporting her from a distance
Taking liberties
I will be adventurous and take risks for love
Oh but when the trumpets thunder
However, there may come a time when we face chaos and uncertainty
And we're all refugees
We may all become displaced and be forced to search for refuge
Contributed by Madison V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.