Plaskett and The Emergency have been nominated for two Juno Awards and won two East Coast Music Awards. The Emergency won in the Rock Recording of the Year category for the album Truthfully, Truthfully.
In 2007, their first album to include their new bassist, Chris Pennell, was released. The album, Ashtray Rock, is described by the band as a concept album. The album was on the shortlist for the 2007 Polaris Music Prize.
In 2012, the band released the album Scrappy Happiness.
Ashtray Rock
Joel Plaskett Emergency Lyrics
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Take us down to the party at the Ashtray Rock
November comes, I'm flooded with memories
Of rakin' leaves and pickin' up all the (???)
Get to the party, talk about the latest bands
Gettin' wasted, gettin' in and out of hand
Later on, I see you talkin' to the beauty
I'm right beside her but you're lookin' right through me
The lyrics of Ashtray Rock by Joel Plaskett Emergency narrate the story of young people waiting for the buzz to come and pick them up and take them to a happening party at Ashtray Rock. As November approaches, the singer is flooded with memories of raking leaves and picking up sticks. When they finally reach the party, they discuss the latest bands and get lost in getting wasted. The singer later sees his friend talking to a beautiful girl, but he is invisible to his friend.
The song is an ode to youthful exuberance, a period in everyone's life when they are carefree and have no worry. It is about living in the moment and enjoying life. The party symbolizes freedom and letting go of all inhibitions, while Ashtray Rock represents a happy place for young people.
Line by Line Meaning
Waitin' for the buzz to come and pick us up
Anticipating a high or a rush to transport and propel us into action
Take us down to the party at the Ashtray Rock
Bring us to a place where we can forget our worries and problems and enjoy ourselves
November comes, I'm flooded with memories
The arrival of the month evokes a surge of nostalgic recollections
Of rakin' leaves and pickin' up all the (???),
Clearing the debris of the past that gets in the way of progress
Get to the party, talk about the latest bands
Arriving at the gathering and discussing the current musical trends
Gettin' wasted, gettin' in and out of hand
Indulging in intoxication and experiencing an unpredictable, unstable situation
Later on, I see you talkin' to the beauty
At a later time, I witness you conversing with a striking person
I'm right beside her but you're lookin' right through me
Although I am standing next to her, you are ignoring my presence and disregarding me entirely
Contributed by Isabelle V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.