Slean recorded her first EP Universe (1997) at the age of nineteen. Since then she has completed a series of albums including: Blue Parade (1998), Night Bugs (2002), and Day One (2004), The Baroness (2008) and the double album Land & Sea (2011).
Night Bugs was her first major label album, co-produced by Slean and Hawksley Workman, and released by WEA in Canada and Atlantic Records in the United States. It was heavily inspired by cabaret music.
In September 2004, Slean released her fourth album, Day One. Here Slean's piano takes a less important spot for the first time in her career. The focus is more on beats, rhythms and guitar, which shines through in the album's first single "Lucky Me". The up-tempo title track "Day One", and "Mary", a song about Slean's grandmother, were released as the second and third singles.
In October 2006, Slean released a mostly-live album, Orphan Music, which consists of songs recorded live at Toronto's Harbourfront Theatre and the Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Other new tracks featuring Slean and the piano were recorded at DNA Recording Facility in Toronto and Kensaltown Studios in the UK.
Also in 2006, she contributed two tracks ("Us and Them" and "Comfortably Numb") to Pink Floyd Redux, a modern 12-track tribute to Pink Floyd.
Her sixth album The Baroness was released March 2008. An EP with outtakes from the album, entitled The Baroness Redecorates, was released in December of the same year.
Another set of B-sides was released in December 2010. For Beauty Lives, fans could vote for their favourite previously unrecorded track. The ten top songs were recorded especially for the collection.
Slean released the double album Land & Sea in September 2011. It is a concept album, where the songs on Land represent grounded topics and are generally more poppy, while the songs on Sea are more ethereal in subject matter and feature classical arrangements.
Slean released Metaphysics in 2017.
For photos and additional information check out Sarah Slean's official website, www.SarahSlean.com.
Last Year's War
Sarah Slean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With my military thoughts
And the days where I was almost at my end
Seems to me quite clear now
Now that you are here how
Easily I could begin again
With liars and lovers untrue
And hey you with your stars out
I have no angry words for you
You didn't have my heart yet
But you stopped before we started
So now you tell me what you want me to do
I can start believing
I can watch you sleeping
But I can't hold my breath 'til she comes back for you
I'm still bloody from last year's war
But no longer drowning in the flood
And hey you with your stars out
You've kissed again don't you see you've already won
You're still bloody from last year's war
Your bandages your bullet holes like mine
And I'm here with my stars out
You say you're scared well so am I
The song "Last Year's War" by Sarah Slean is an introspective piece about starting over after experiencing heartbreak and disappointment. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been through a difficult period, symbolized by the metaphorical battle that she has fought. She has put this battle in a box and with her military thoughts, indicating that she is ready to move on. The imagery of war and battle creates a sense of conflict and struggle, emphasizing the emotional toll that these experiences have taken on the singer.
The singer expresses gratitude for the new person in her life, stating that their presence has given her hope and a chance to start over. The line "Now that you are here how/Easily I could begin again" suggests that the singer has found someone who has given her the strength to move on from her past. At the same time, she acknowledges that she is still recovering from the wounds of her previous experiences. While she may be able to start again, she is still scarred, "bloody from last year's war." However, she also recognizes that others have been through similar struggles, telling her partner "You're still bloody from last year's war/Your bandages your bullet holes like mine."
The song ends with both the singer and her partner admitting their fears, highlighting the vulnerability and uncertainty that can come with starting over. Despite this, they seem willing to face their fears together. The final lines of the song, "You say you're scared well so am I," suggest that the two are united in their shared apprehension, and are willing to face whatever challenges may come their way.
Line by Line Meaning
I put this battle in a box
I've compartmentalized my struggles and put them away
With my military thoughts
Using my strategy and discipline to overcome difficult times
And the days where I was almost at my end
Recalling the darkest moments of despair I've experienced
Seems to me quite clear now
With hindsight, everything is easier to understand and accept
Now that you are here how
Having someone to share my pain makes it easier to bear
Easily I could begin again
Starting anew feels less daunting with support
I'm still bloody from last year's war
The wounds and trauma from past struggles still linger
With liars and lovers untrue
Deceitful and treacherous people have caused me harm
And hey you with your stars out
Addressing someone who seems successful or confident
I have no angry words for you
Despite my struggles, I don't resent or blame others for their happiness
You didn't have my heart yet
I wasn't emotionally invested in you at that time
But you stopped before we started
The potential for a relationship never came to fruition
So now you tell me what you want me to do
Asking for guidance or direction in the aftermath of heartbreak
I can start believing
Regaining confidence and hope for the future
I can watch you sleeping
Finding peace and comfort in another's presence
But I can't hold my breath 'til she comes back for you
I can't wait for someone who may never return or might not be right for me
But no longer drowning in the flood
I'm no longer consumed or overwhelmed by my struggles
You've kissed again don't you see you've already won
Celebrating someone who found love again, despite past pain
You're still bloody from last year's war
Other people also carry their own struggles and pain
Your bandages your bullet holes like mine
Our scars and wounds may be different, but the pain is similar
And I'm here with my stars out
Despite my own struggles, I'm standing tall and moving forward
You say you're scared well so am I
Acknowledging that the fear of the unknown is universal
Contributed by Nolan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MyNameIsFred315
I hear this song and cry. This woman's music has saved my life so many times and every time I need her most, it's always there. Truly a God send. She is amazing. So amazing.
Ingrid Davison
Saw her live in Kelowna, and hadn't heard of her before this. She is amazing, and now my favourite. What a talent. If you get a chance to see her live, take it.
Lisa Mackinnon
This song always makes me cry. Sarah, you are truly amazing!!
Turd Doodlesworth
This is my favourite Sarah Slean song. Amazing.
09Libertarian
What a lovely endorsement. Sarah is quite amazing
Stuart Harley
What a beautiful voice she has, really beautiful
pazso
sooooo beautiful!
Emily Knowles
Absolutely beautiful...
Joni Ludlow
Stunning performance
ProblemZone Ego
Wonderful song and interpretation, though the strings don't yet to seem on top form 5*nfav without trouble:)