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.
Slow Dance
Joel Plaskett Emergency Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I’ve been clicking and clacking my heels
I’ve been reeling, I’ve been rolling
I’ve been spinning un-spinnable wheels
Lately I’ve been wondering
How’d we get so far apart?
I’ve been lightening, you’ve been thundering
Thirty seconds after I start
I’ve been staring at the sun without blinking my eyes
I’ve been feeling the temperature rise
I’ve been thinking oh my, oh my, oh my
Is the right time only the nighttime?
Is my way only the highway?
Is this slow dance my one and only chance
To find me a little bit of romance?
Mama, where you at now?
I’ve been rocking and racking my brain
I’ve been trying, so desperately trying
To stop an unstoppable train
Mama, what you smoking?
Who put this spell on you?
I was chewing but now I’m choking
Whatcha doing while I’m turning blue?
Are you looking for stars in the day?
Are you staring at the sun as it’s sinking away?
Are you casting a lasting goodbye?
Are you thinking oh my oh my?
Is the right time only the nighttime?
Is my way only the highway?
Is this slow dance my one and only chance
To find me a little bit of romance?
Is this passion merely a fashion?
Are their really any questions left worth asking?
Is this slow dance my one and only chance
To find me a little bit of romance?
The song "Slow Dance" by Joel Plaskett Emergency reflects the feelings of a person who is struggling to find a connection with their loved one. The lyrics describe the sense of isolation and distance he feels from his mother, who he addresses in the song. He narrates how he's been frantically searching for answers about his relationship, while time keeps slipping away from his hands. The phrase 'Slow Dance' seems to allude to the idea of having a meaningful interaction with someone, possibly a romantic one. The song touches on some universal themes, such as loneliness, self-doubt, and the quest for intimacy.
The opening lines of the song, "Mama, where you going? / I’ve been clicking and clacking my heels," suggest the singer's desperation for his mother's attention. He feels like he's been chasing her, trying to establish a connection and rekindle their relationship. The lyrics further paint a picture of a man who feels disconnected from his surroundings and is grappling with his emotions. He has been searching for meaning, staring at the sky and the sun without finding any inspiration. The lines 'Is this passion merely a fashion? / Are their really any questions left worth asking?' hint at his existential crisis and his frustration with the lack of answers.
Overall, the song portrays a poignant scene of a person who is yearning for affection, someone who is searching for meaning and purpose in life. The lyrics are evocative and go beyond the surface-level observations to capture the deep emotions hidden beneath the surface.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama, where you going?
Asking where the mother figure is going.
I’ve been clicking and clacking my heels
Trying hard to get somewhere, making a lot of noise.
I’ve been reeling, I’ve been rolling
Feeling dizzy and unstable, unable to find balance.
I’ve been spinning un-spinnable wheels
Trying to achieve something that is impossible to attain.
Lately I’ve been wondering
Having a lot of questions in mind.
How’d we get so far apart?
Reflecting on how distance between two people grew.
I’ve been lightening, you’ve been thundering
Feeling calm and gentle while the other person is loud and angry.
Thirty seconds after I start
Running out of patience very quickly.
I’ve been looking for pies in the skies
Trying to find something that doesn't exist.
I’ve been staring at the sun without blinking my eyes
Trying to do something impossible or harmful.
I’ve been feeling the temperature rise
Feeling tension or conflict in a situation.
I’ve been thinking oh my, oh my, oh my
Feeling overwhelmed or concerned about something.
Is the right time only the nighttime?
Questioning if the best time to do things is only during the night.
Is my way only the highway?
Wondering if there is only one path to take in life.
Is this slow dance my one and only chance
Wondering if the current situation is the only opportunity for something.
To find me a little bit of romance?
Finding a little bit of love or happiness in life.
Mama, where you at now?
Asking where the mother figure is at this moment.
I’ve been rocking and racking my brain
Trying very hard to solve a difficult problem.
I’ve been trying, so desperately trying
Putting in a lot of effort and energy to achieve something.
To stop an unstoppable train
Trying to prevent something from happening that cannot be stopped.
Mama, what you smoking?
Asking what the mother figure is doing that is causing harm.
Who put this spell on you?
Wondering what caused someone harm or distress.
I was chewing but now I’m choking
Starting something that is now having a negative effect.
Whatcha doing while I’m turning blue?
Expressing the feeling of being ignored or neglected.
Are you looking for stars in the day?
Searching for something that is impossible to find or see.
Are you staring at the sun as it’s sinking away?
Being fixated on something that is harmful or impossible to observe.
Are you casting a lasting goodbye?
Saying goodbye in a way that is permanent and forever.
Are you thinking oh my oh my?
Feeling overwhelmed or concerned about something.
Is this passion merely a fashion?
Questioning if something is genuine or just a trend.
Are their really any questions left worth asking?
Expressing a sense of defeat or hopelessness.
Is this slow dance my one and only chance
Asking if the current situation is the only opportunity for something.
To find me a little bit of romance?
Finding a little bit of love or happiness in life.
Contributed by Taylor F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@badman461
My favourite one so far. They just keep getting better every week!
@supersinks
when will the full song song be upwith out all the talking ?!?!?!?!?!
@kawlinnersnow
LOL 4:35