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.
Right or Wrong
Sloan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or about one year behind
Sometimes it tends to get to me
But don't dare bite the hand that leads
To the light
Of renown
It's a battle that won't make any sound
Either you're with us
Sometimes lately I just wanna be caught
Right or wrong
We're breaking their hearts again
Wonder what you're waiting for
Right or wrong
We're breaking their hearts again now
Yeah now
Yeah now
This one's for the girls
There's no particular one in the world
'Til I got a glimpse of what could be
I was shocked by what I couldn't forsee
And in spite
Of the times
I never really wanna come round
You're always with me
When you're not
Lights are up, we're all gonna be caught
Right or wrong
You're breaking our hearts again
Wonder what you're waiting for
Right or wrong
You're breaking our hearts again now
Yeah now
Yeah now
Mysterious missives, not unlike a dream
Sooner or later we'll be singing for free
Right or wrong
We're breaking their hearts again now
Yeah now
Yeah now
Right or wrong
We're breaking their hearts again
Wonder what you're waiting for
Right or wrong
We're breaking their hearts again now
Yeah now
Yeah now
Right or wrong
Right or wrong
Right or wrong
The lyrics of the song "Right Or Wrong" by Sloan talk about the frustration often felt by artists who are trying to create something new and original, but are faced with the harsh reality of the music industry. The opening lines of the song set the tone as the band wonders whether they are ahead or behind the times. They feel like they don't quite fit in anywhere and that they are constantly fighting an uphill battle to gain recognition for their work. The chorus "Right or wrong, we're breaking their hearts again" highlights the idea that in attempting to create something new, they are going against the established norms of the music industry and may not be accepted by everyone.
The second verse of the song is addressed to the girls, who are viewed as the ultimate inspiration for the band. They are described as having a mysterious allure that is akin to a dream. Despite this, the band acknowledges that there are times when they can't seem to connect with their female fans, but they never lose hope that they will eventually find the one who will understand them. The repeated phrase "you're breaking our hearts again" is a reminder that the creative process is often fraught with emotional highs and lows.
In essence, the song is a commentary on the music industry and the challenges artists face when trying to create something new and interesting. It speaks to the idea that sometimes you have to go against the status quo to achieve greatness, even if it means breaking a few hearts along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Ten years ahead of our time
We are ahead of most people's expectations by a decade
Or about one year behind
Although, we are still a bit behind in some areas
Sometimes it tends to get to me
I find it a little frustrating sometimes
But don't dare bite the hand that leads
Don't push away the people who are guiding you
To the light
Towards fame and success
Of renown
The recognition and praise from others
It's a battle that won't make any sound
It's a tough fight that will not be easy to win
Either you're with us
Be a part of our group
Or you're not
Or don't be a part of us
Sometimes lately I just wanna be caught
Sometimes I just want to be noticed and recognized
Right or wrong
Whether it's right or wrong
We're breaking their hearts again
We're causing disappointment yet again
Wonder what you're waiting for
I'm curious as to what you're expecting from us
This one's for the girls
This song is dedicated to all the ladies
There's no particular one in the world
No particular girl is on my mind
'Til I got a glimpse of what could be
Until I saw the potential of someone
I was shocked by what I couldn't forsee
I was surprised by what I couldn't predict
And in spite
Despite everything
Of the times
Of all the moments in the past
I never really wanna come round
I'm hesitant to revisit the past
You're always with me
You're always in my thoughts
When you're not
Even when you're not physically present
Lights are up, we're all gonna be caught
We are all going to be noticed once the spotlight is on us
Mysterious missives, not unlike a dream
Cryptic messages, almost like a surreal dream
Sooner or later we'll be singing for free
We will soon be singing for the love of it, rather than for money
Right or wrong
Regardless of whether it's right or wrong
We're breaking their hearts again now
We're causing disappointment yet again, this time currently
Contributed by Claire E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Thelma
on Everything You've Done Wrong
Thelma I like the title