Canadian hip-hop heavyweights Sweatshop Union, one of the hardest working ensembles to ever emerge from British Columbia, have been making righteous, politically charged music for over a decade but on their newest album Infinite (summer 2013), they’re ready to really enjoy themselves.
The 6-member crew took their time with this album, spending a year to gather sounds and lyrics, whereas previous records have been completed in mere months. It bridges the gap between conscious music and fun party jams, exploring heavy themes but it’s also built for kicking back and vibing. The group believes that the record’s strength lies in this dichotomy.
Infinite (nominated 2014 WCMA) follows 2011’s Bill Murray EP, which won the Western Canadian Music Award for Hip-Hop Album of the Year, and raised their profile beyond their grassroots following, some time after pair of Juno nominations from their previous work together (Natural Progression & United We Fall | 2004 & 2006).
The new LP contains a range of sounds, combining old-school hip-hop with futuristic, electro headbangers, not to mention some ballads and spoken word interludes. It accomplishes the tricky task of reflecting the outfit’s individual tastes, as they inform SSU’s collective vision.
The group is prolific and moves quickly but as of this moment, Infinite stands as the most eclectic record in the Sweatshop Union catalogue. Listeners will find it tricky to categorize but it’s clear the collective had a lot of fun making this music and they hope it’s contagious. After all, despite its title, Infinite reflects a group of men who know that life is short and that they need to savor all the joyful moments that making music together provides.
Discography
* Sweatshop Union 2001
* Local 604 2002
* Natural Progression 2004
* United We Fall 2005
* Water Street 2008
* Bill Murray EP 2011
* Infinite 2013
Sunnyside Motel
Sweatshop Union Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Left, right, get it, get it
Left, right, get it, get it
Left, right, get it, brake
Left, right, get it, get it
Left, right, get it, get it
Left, right, get it, get it
Left, right, get it, brake
Sunnyside Motel
Checked in ′til the morning
Left town from the border
And I won't be back again
Look off down the road
Five days south to Kingston
Which is nothing to me now
And I won′t look back again
And I won't look back again
And I won't look back again
Paint dripping off the wall
Lightbulb flicking off and on (sit)
Heavy with the curtain drawn
Thinking of the next move, keep calm
Sleep on it, three hours ′til dawn then
Three hours to get the fuck out of dodge
And it′s now or never
Probably for the better
I'm glad she′s gone
But I won't forget her
Sunnyside Motel
Checked in ′til the morning
Left town from the border
And I won't be back again
Look off down the road
Five days south to Kingston
Which is nothing to me now
And I won′t look back again
And I won't look back again
And I won't look back again
Yeah, I left her behind in Kingston
Yet my cheese′s gone
I like to feel good forever
Goodbye, so long
Get outta town, left, right, get it, get it
Too late, push on, just forget it
There′s nothing you can do, man
It's over now
Don′t sweet it you'll come through when you′ve sober down
For now just collect your thoughts
Let's not get caught up in some shit that make you mind think "Stop"
When that clock strikes six in the AM
Better pull yourself together and move
Aye, man?
Sunnyside Motel
Checked in ′til the morning
Left town from the border
And I won't be back again
Look off down the road
Five days south to Kingston
Which is nothing to me now
And I won't look back again
And I won′t look back again
And I won′t look back again
The song "Sunnyside Motel" by Sweatshop Union tells the story of a man who has checked into a motel and is reflecting on his recent experiences with a woman. The repetition of "Left, right, get it, get it" and "Left, right, get it, brake" at the beginning of the song create a sense of movement and action, as if the man is mentally preparing himself to leave town and move on from his past relationship.
Throughout the song, the man reflects on his journey from the border to Kingston, where he left the woman behind. He describes the dismal state of the motel room, with the paint dripping off the walls and the lightbulbs flickering. This setting creates a sense of tension and unease, as if the man is trying to escape his past and start anew.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the man's desire to move on, to leave his past behind and never look back. The repetition of "And I won't look back again" reinforces this idea, suggesting that the man is determined to move forward and not dwell on his past mistakes.
Overall, "Sunnyside Motel" is a song about self-reflection and moving on from past mistakes. The imagery and repetition used throughout the song help to create a sense of urgency and tension, as if the man is trying desperately to outrun his past.
Line by Line Meaning
Left, right, get it, get it
Urging oneself to push through difficulty and push oneself to the limit, using a repetition of the phrase 'left, right, get it, get it' like a physical mantra.
Brake
Stressing the importance of being able to step back and take a break when necessary to avoid burnout, and to consolidate one's own position and resources.
Sunnyside Motel
The place of refuge and shelter in times of trouble or confusion, where one can regroup and reassess the situation before moving forward again.
Checked in ′til the morning
Taking advantage of the temporary security and comfort of a pleasant and well-appointed motel room to rest and replenish one's energy before making a new start.
Left town from the border
Making a definite break with past difficulties or problems by leaving a specific place and crossing a boundary that marks a clear division between the past and the future.
And I won't be back again
Making a resolution to move forward and not look back or repeat past mistakes, with a sense of determination and resolve.
Look off down the road
Focusing on the long-term goals and challenges ahead, rather than being distracted by short-term setbacks or distractions.
Five days south to Kingston
Acknowledging that the journey ahead will not be easy, and will require perseverance and patience to overcome the obstacles along the way.
Which is nothing to me now
Expressing a confidence and resilience that comes from having already weathered many previous difficulties and challenges, and having grown stronger as a result.
Paint dripping off the wall
Observing the decay and decline of one's immediate surroundings, and using this as a spur to move on and work towards something better.
Lightbulb flicking off and on (sit)
Feeling alternately optimistic and pessimistic about the future, and questioning whether the present course of action is the correct one.
Heavy with the curtain drawn
Feeling isolated, trapped and enclosed within one's own thoughts and feelings, and needing to find a way to break free and move on.
Thinking of the next move, keep calm
Focusing on formulating a clear and thoughtful plan of action for the future, and being determined to keep a level head in the face of adversity.
Sleep on it, three hours ′til dawn then
Taking the time to rest and recharge before making any rash or impulsive decisions, and trusting that the light of day will bring new perspective and clarity.
Three hours to get the fuck out of dodge
Realizing that there is no time to waste in getting away from a situation that is harmful or unproductive, and that bold action is required to turn things around.
And it′s now or never
Emphasizing the high stakes involved in making a big decision or taking a big step forward, and the need to seize the moment and act decisively.
Probably for the better
Recognizing that making a difficult choice or experiencing a setback can sometimes be a blessing in disguise, and that future success may be built on past failures.
I'm glad she′s gone
Acknowledging that letting go of certain people or things may be painful in the short term, but ultimately lead to greater growth and fulfillment in the long run.
But I won't forget her
Holding onto the memories of past relationships or experiences, while recognizing that dwelling on the past can be a hindrance to future growth and progress.
Get outta town, left, right, get it, get it
Using the repetition of the phrase 'get it, get it' once again to urge oneself to take bold and decisive action and not look back, in the face of difficult and challenging circumstances.
Too late, push on, just forget it
Acknowledging that there may be some regret or frustration associated with past mistakes or lost opportunities, but emphasizing the need to keep moving forward and not dwell on the past.
There′s nothing you can do, man
Recognizing that some things are beyond one's control, and that the best course of action may be to accept the situation and move on as best as possible.
It's over now
Acknowledging that certain situations or relationships may have come to an end, and that a new beginning must be sought in order to move forward.
Don′t sweet it you'll come through when you′ve sober down
Assuring oneself that the initial pain or difficulty associated with a loss or setback will gradually fade with time, and that one will regain the strength and resilience needed to move forward.
For now just collect your thoughts
Recognizing the need to slow down and take stock of the situation before acting, rather than rushing into new decisions or actions that may be ill-considered or detrimental.
Let's not get caught up in some shit that make you mind think "Stop"
Counseling oneself to avoid getting mired in negative thoughts or emotions that will only serve to hinder forward progress, and to focus instead on positive and constructive goals.
When that clock strikes six in the AM
Using the metaphorical image of a clock striking six in the morning to signify the beginning of a new day, and the possibility of new starts and fresh beginnings.
Better pull yourself together and move
Emphasizing the importance of being proactive and taking action, rather than being paralyzed by fear, doubt, or uncertainty in the face of difficult or challenging circumstances.
Aye, man?
Using the colloquialism 'aye, man?' to signify a sense of camaraderie and shared struggle, and to underscore the need to support and encourage one another in the midst of adversity.
Writer(s): C. Mccue, L. Napthine
Contributed by Lucy D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.