One of New York's most notable ska bands, the Slackers formed in Brooklyn i… Read Full Bio ↴One of New York's most notable ska bands, the Slackers formed in Brooklyn in 1991 and have played the world over many times since. Their first release was an eponymous self-released album, distributed by Moon Records in 1993 on cassette. Their first real debut is "Better Late Than Never" on Moon Ska Records. Coming out in 1996, this album saw a movement to more traditional ska music, as opposed to their earlier two-tone and garage influences. It was produced by Victor Rice, a noted ska/reggae producer, who also played bass for them at one point.

Band members are as follows:
Vic Ruggiero - Keyboards, Vocals
Jay "Agent Jay" Nugent - Guitar
Dave Hillyard - Saxophone
Glen Pine - Trombone, Vocals
Marcus Geard - Bass
Ara Babajian - Drums

Former members and contributors:
Marq "Q-Maxx 4:20" Lyn - Vocals
TJ Scanlon - Guitar
Luis "Zulu" Zuluaga - Drums
Jeremy "Mush One" Mushlin - Trumpet, Vocals
Allen Teboul - Drums
Dunia Best- Vocals, Flute
Jeff "King Django" Baker - Trombone
Tobias Fields - Congas
Eric "E-ROC" Singer - Alto Saxophone
Victor Rice - Bass
Dave Hahn - lead guitar
Justin Redekop- Trumpet

The next album released was Redlight, on HellCat Records in 1997. This album solidified their sound and further fixed the line-up.
The band released its latest album, entitled Self Medication, in May of 2008.

Set The Girl Free
The Slackers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Everytime I've seen your face
don't you know I can't stop thinking about you
everytime I caught your stare
I was thinking I can't live without you

But everytime I call you up
your daddy says that you're not home
and I fear that you're sitting there

just waiting in your room alone

so maybe I can take you out,
sometime we'll go see a movie
yes, I know, you got your secrets
baby, you can tell them to me

you don't have to say that you want me
you don't have to say that you need me
would you just tell your daddy to call me
and I will tell 'im oh so sweetly

Set the girl free
set her to me
set the girl rights
set her tonight

I'll be waiting on...

But everytime I called you up
your daddy said that you were not home
and I fear that you're sitting there
just waiting in your room alone

Set the girl free
set her to me

set the girl rights
set her tonight

Overall Meaning

The Slackers's song "Set The Girl Free" is a love song about a man who cannot stop thinking about a woman he has seen and who he is convinced he cannot live without. He has tried to connect with her but her father always tells him that she's not available. The man is frustrated and begging for her to be "set free" from her father's oversight so that they can be together. The lyrics convey a sense of yearning and desperation that is common in love songs, but it also demonstrates the desire for freedom and individuality as the man urges the woman to tell her secrets to him and for her father to release her from his control.

The repeated line, "Set the girl free, set her to me" is the plea of the singer, representing his passionate need for this woman. The use of the phrase "set her right" and "set her tonight" conveys the idea that this woman is not in the right place and needs to be in the man's arms. The chorus is repeated four times, emphasizing his urgency and desperation. The verses explore his longing for her, as he describes how he cannot stop thinking about her and the fear that she may be alone, waiting for him.

The Slackers's "Set The Girl Free" is a soulful and romantic song about the universal desire for love and the obstacles that stand in our way. It explores themes of freedom, individuality, and the struggle to connect with someone, particularly someone who is being controlled by another person. The song has a vintage sound that blends elements of ska and reggae, layered with a soulful and emotional vocal performance. Its catchy melody, relatable lyrics, and passionate performance make it a classic love song.

Line by Line Meaning

Everytime I've seen your face
I always remember and think about you when I see you

don't you know I can't stop thinking about you
I can't help but think about you all the time

everytime I caught your stare
Whenever you looked at me

I was thinking I can't live without you
I felt like I couldn't keep going without you in my life

But everytime I call you up
However, whenever I try to call you

your daddy says that you're not home
Your father tells me that you are not there

and I fear that you're sitting there
And I worry that you're just sitting there

just waiting in your room alone
Alone in your room waiting for something to happen

so maybe I can take you out,
Maybe we could go out together

sometime we'll go see a movie
Maybe we could go watch a film sometime

yes, I know, you got your secrets
I know that you have things you don't want to share