The band was formed in 1991, when Chris Murphy and Andrew Scott met at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) in Halifax. Patrick Pentland and Jay Ferguson joined soon after. In 1992, the band created their own record label, called Murderecords, for themselves and other Halifax area bands, and the outfit released the 'Peppermint EP' (the release also known as just 'Peppermint').
According to Sloan's official website, the band's name refers to a friend's nickname. Their friend, Jason Larsen, was called 'Slow One' by his French-speaking boss, which with the French accent sounded more like 'Sloan'. The original agreement was that they could name the band after their friend's nickname as long as he was on the cover of their first album. As a result, it is Larsen who appears on the cover of the 'Peppermint EP'.
Later in 1992, Sloan released their full-length debut, titled 'Smeared', on Geffen Records. Like many indie rock groups before them, the band found that major label dealings were basically as much trouble as they were worth. In 1994, Geffen did not promote their second album, called 'Twice Removed', due to artistic disputes, although it sold well in Canada. Spin named the album one of the "Best Albums You Didn't Hear" in 1994. A 1996 reader poll by Canadian music magazine Chart! ranked it as the best Canadian album of all time only two years after its release. The same poll in 2000 ranked the album third, behind Joni Mitchell's 'Blue' and Neil Young's 'Harvest', while the 2005 poll once again ranked the album first.
After the release of Twice Removed, the band went on hiatus and were rumoured to have broken up, as they had rejected Geffen's offer for their next album. In 1996, however, they released the widely praised One Chord to Another on their own Murderecords label. Following 1998's Navy Blues album, Sloan released their first live album 4 Nights at the Palais Royale in 1999. Those albums were followed by Between the Bridges in 1999, and Pretty Together in 2001.
Sloan made a concerted effort to break into the US market on their 2003 release Action Pact. Songs were recorded in L.A. with Tom Rothrock producing. The glossier, radio-ready sound failed to raise Sloan's profile in the US, though they continued to be highly popular in Canada.
Sloan's first compilation album A Sides Win: Singles 1992-2005, included two new songs, "All Used Up" and "Try to Make It". The Japanese release included two additional new tracks.
Now signed to Yep Roc Records for their US releases, they put out their eighth disc, Never Hear the End of It in 2006. The album contained 30 tracks with all the members of the band contributing new songs. It was met with widespread critical acclaim and became the highest charting Sloan album in the US up to that point.
In 2008, Sloan followed up their longest album with their shortest release Parallel Play.
In November 2009 Sloan added a digital music store to their website. The band released an online-only EP called Hit & Run to promote the store. The EP featured two songs by Chris Murphy, and one by each of the other band members. Murphy's Take It Upon Yourself was released as a free single. In February 2010, the band released another online exclusive, the compilation album B-Sides Win: Extras, Bonus Tracks and B-Sides 1992 - 2008.
In 2013, the band revealed plans for a double album, with each of the four sides featuring a solo suite by a different band member. In May 2014, it was announced that the new album would be titled "Commonwealth" and would be released in September 2014. On July 14, 2014, the band announced the official release date for the album (September 9, which turned out to be accurate) and the release of the album's first single, "Keep Swinging (Downtown)". The album cover portrays the band members as four-of-a-kind kings. The suits of these playing cards correspond to the titles of their solo sides: Jay Ferguson's side is called Diamond, Chris Murphy's is Heart, Patrick Pentland's is Shamrock, and Andrew Scott's is Spade.
Fading Into Obscurity
Sloan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had the world under my spell
Does this even ring a bell?
I wonder because
Don't you know who I was?
Interest in me dissipated
All my methods antiquated
I've been cast away
I made a name for myself
When one could do such a thing
A reputation that's held
Together by string
And so I chose to cherish those
Who think there's some purity
To fading into obscurity
What works on paper
Has the tendency to ride on vapor
Sometimes what's not to love
But then other times what's to like
I'm unable to tell if I know who I am
A modest success a shill or a sham
I'm not a afraid of what I've made
But my trajectory
Has me fading into obscurity
You kids'll have to fend for yourselves
Because your mother's gone and asked for the elves
Who used to do all the work around here
Well they're not gonna do it anymore
You kids can kiss your mother goodbye
And I'll give you twenty minutes to cry
She used to do all the work around here
But she's not gonna do it anymore
And you're getting to old to be cared for by me
And for that matter
This cake is baked but I much prefer the batter
Perhaps in part because it had so much potential
To be delicious and still be influential
I'm undecided
If the evidence that I have provided
Explains what I mean
It's too late now 'cause I can't see or be seen
And I know you don't shrug through my tears
So I'm not gonna shed 'em anymore
Out of favor with the flavor of the week's where I'll be
And fading into obscurity
An outsider but in good company
Oh yeah
I'm fading into obscurity
I'm undecided
The lyrics to Sloan's song "Fading Into Obscurity" explore the notion of fame and the fleeting nature of success in the music industry. The first verse speaks to the artist's past accomplishments and the fact that he once had the world "under his spell". However, as time passes, he has become cast away and lost, with interest in him waning. The lyrics "Don't you know who I was?" and "All my methods antiquated" show the artist struggling to come to terms with the fact that his fame is fading and his relevance is slipping away.
The second verse is more introspective and states that the artist has come to cherish the purity of "fading into obscurity". He is unsure of his identity and whether he is a "shill or a sham". Nevertheless, he is unafraid of what he has created and is content with his modest success. The bridge of the song introduces a new subject matter, where the artist addresses a situation where a mother figure has left and the kids are left to fend for themselves, facing the imminent reality of aging and taking care of oneself.
Overall, the lyrics capture a sense of resignation and acceptance of the inevitability of losing fame, but at the same time celebrating the beauty of anonymity and obscurity. The themes of aging, identity, and the changing cultural attitudes towards fame are particularly relevant in today's society, making "Fading into Obscurity" a thought-provoking and poignant song.
Line by Line Meaning
So many stories I could tell
I have numerous experiences that I could share
I had the world under my spell
I had complete control of the world
Does this even ring a bell?
Do you have any recollection of my past existence?
I wonder because
I have doubts and uncertainties
Don't you know who I was?
Are you not aware of my once prominent identity?
Interest in me dissipated
People have lost curiosity in me
All my methods antiquated
All my techniques are old-fashioned and ineffective
I've been cast away
I have been rejected and abandoned
Lost and friendless today
Currently, I am without direction or companionship
I made a name for myself
I created a reputation for myself
When one could do such a thing
During an era where it was still possible to achieve fame
A reputation that's held
A reputation that has been maintained
Together by string
But only barely, by a weak connection
And so I chose to cherish those
Thus, I have decided to value those who appreciate
Who think there's some purity
Who believe that there is some virtue
To fading into obscurity
To disappearing from the public eye
What works on paper
What appears to be effective in theory
Has the tendency to ride on vapor
Will often prove to be insubstantial or fleeting
Sometimes what's not to love
Occasionally, there is nothing not to like
But then other times what's to like
However, other times nothing is likeable
I'm unable to tell if I know who I am
I am uncertain of my identity
A modest success a shill or a sham
I achieved minor success through deception or manipulation
I'm not afraid of what I've made
I am not ashamed of my accomplishments
But my trajectory
However, my current direction
Has me fading into obscurity
Will ultimately lead me into anonymity
You kids'll have to fend for yourselves
You are now responsible for your own lives
Because your mother's gone and asked for the elves
Your mother no longer wishes to take care of you
Who used to do all the work around here
Who previously took care of everything
Well they're not gonna do it anymore
But they will no longer continue to do so
You kids can kiss your mother goodbye
You must say farewell to your mother
And I'll give you twenty minutes to cry
And I will give you some time to grieve
She used to do all the work around here
Your mother was responsible for everything
But she's not gonna do it anymore
But she will no longer continue to do so
And you're getting to old to be cared for by me
And you are now too old for me to care for you
And for that matter
Furthermore
This cake is baked but I much prefer the batter
I prefer the preliminary stages over the final results
Perhaps in part because it had so much potential
Possibly because it had such high potential
To be delicious and still be influential
To be both pleasing and impactful
I'm undecided
I am unsure or uncertain
If the evidence that I have provided
If my arguments thus far
Explains what I mean
Clearly convey my intended message
It's too late now 'cause I can't see or be seen
But it is now irrelevant since I am invisible
And I know you don't shrug through my tears
I am aware that you do not care about my sadness
So I'm not gonna shed 'em anymore
Therefore, I will no longer express my emotions
Out of favor with the flavor of the week's where I'll be
I am no longer in favor and now exist in obscurity
And fading into obscurity
Slowly slipping into obscurity
An outsider but in good company
A person who is isolated but in the same situation as others
Oh yeah
Expressing strong agreement or enthusiasm
I'm fading into obscurity
Slowly disappearing from public attention
I'm undecided
I am uncertain or indecisive
Contributed by Claire I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Thelma
on Everything You've Done Wrong
Thelma I like the title