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.
Live The Life You're Dreaming Of
Sloan Lyrics
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Can I have a show
Of hands who have taken something before
If so
Is this devil you know
Ever able to help you anymore
Maybe I can make it happen
Maybe I can make it happen
I'm a pro
But business is slow
So I'll be peddling my opinions again
Although
I don't want to take no
For an answer
I'm known to now and then
Well maybe I can make it happen
I can help you work and love
Maybe I can make it happen
Live the life you're dreaming of
Who wants to live a life that's full of smoke and mirrors
(Oh the humanity)
The choking and the vanity
We know this but promises of love and careers
(Keep everyone intimidated)
But not you
My love
You
Can see the truth
Friends are foes
Every one of you knows
What it's like to surrender to me
Completely
But the beautiful bow
I'll be using will wrap it up so
Neatly
Well maybe I can make it happen
I can help you work and love
Maybe I can make it happen
Maybe I can help
I can help you work and love
Live the life you're dreaming of
In Sloan's song "Live The Life You're Dreaming Of," the lyrics provide commentary on the pressures and illusions of achieving success and happiness in society. The song starts with a question to the audience about whether they have turned to some form of substance to cope with the weight of expectations placed upon them. The lyrics touch upon the theme of sacrifice and compromise to fit into societal norms or to be successful. The singer, a self-proclaimed professional, hints at being somewhat of a charlatan selling their opinions as guidance.
The chorus suggests a way out of this cycle of pressure and the struggle to achieve conformity by simply living the life you're dreaming of. The song urges the listener to reject the smoke and mirrors that pervade in society and to see through the illusions of false promises of love and careers.
The verses suggest that the singer has been successful in making others believe that they can help in 'working and loving', but the beauty of the entire act is in the wrap-up used every time. The bridge portrays the notion of the singer pitting friends against each other while giving beautiful covers but having the listener see the truth.
Overall, the song's message is to inspire the listener to seek genuineness in their endeavors instead of blindly following socially constructed expectations or taking the easy way out by turning to temporary coping mechanisms. It is about living life with honesty and authenticity, following one's dreams and aspirations, and being free from the strings that hold one back from realizing them.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello
Starting the conversation with Hey!
Can I have a show
May I know about the importance of the experience you had in the past?
Of hands who have taken something before
Did you ever have an experience of the same kind in the past?
If so
In that case,
Is this devil you know
Was your previous experience helpful?
Ever able to help you anymore
Is it still useful?
Maybe I can make it happen
Probably I could fulfill your wants
I can help you work and love
I will assist you in your work and love affairs
I'm a pro
I am experienced
But business is slow
Currently out of business
So I'll be peddling my opinions again
Therefore, I will be marketing my thoughts once again
Although I don't want to take no
In spite of not willing to take no for an answer
For an answer
to refuse my offers.
I'm known to now and then
I have been famous for this type of work occasionally
Who wants to live a life that's full of smoke and mirrors
No one wants to choose a life that is full of secrets and false impressions
(Oh the humanity)
In desperation
The choking and the vanity
Difficulty in breathing and self-centeredness
We know this but promises of love and careers
Although we are aware of it, assurances of love and job opportunities
(Keep everyone intimidated)
Control everyone with fright and force them to concede
But not you
Except for you
My love
My dearest friend
You
You are the one
Can see the truth
Can identify reality
Friends are foes
Associates could turn hostile
Every one of you knows
We are all familiar with it
What it's like to surrender to me
What it means to submit to me
Completely
Totally
But the beautiful bow
But it would be wrapped finely
I'll be using will wrap it up so
I will wrap up this whole ordeal so well
Neatly
in a clean manner
Maybe I can help
Perhaps I can provide some assistance
I can help you work and love
I can be with you in your work and love scene
Live the life you're dreaming of
Lead the life you have always desired and longed for.
Contributed by Natalie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Thelma
on Everything You've Done Wrong
Thelma I like the title