Val Emmich. He's the Jesse guy from Ugly Betty, right? No wait, he's the du… Read Full Bio ↴Val Emmich. He's the Jesse guy from Ugly Betty, right? No wait, he's the dude who dated Tina Fey in 30 Rock--the "Gay for Jamie" dude. And didn't I see him on a Macys commercial recently with P Diddy and Jennifer Lopez?

Yes to all of the above. His recent exposure as an actor may obscure the fact that when it comes to music, New Jersey native Val Emmich is a lifer. He told Page Six, "The acting thing snuck up on me." Emmich's main focus has always been his music, as evidenced by his prolific output.

His latest album, LOOKING FOR A FEELING YOU NEVER KNEW YOU NEEDED, marks his seventh full-length solo effort in nearly a decade. People Magazine called him "the real deal." Entertainment Weekly labeled him a "breakout singer." The New York Times said he's "a rocker who rocks to his own beat."

Emmich (pronounced Em-ik) recorded LOOKING FOR A FEELING in Long Branch, NJ with the production team Near Records. The result is a kaleidoscope of sounds and textures including kinetic dance numbers ("Sidekick"), airy soundscapes ("Come Clean") and straight-up rockers ("Don't Wanna Go Home"). Lurking just beneath the surface are poignant stories of people trying to find their place in the world: there's the west coast transplant 3,000 miles from her family in "E.S.T.", the restless soul seeking a new beginning in "Change of Scenery" and the man returning to the place he once called home in "Gone." Emmich embodies all of them and somehow--despite some dark moments--supplies a beam of light that pulls the listener through to the slow decay of the album's final note.

If there's one thing that ties together the many facets of Emmich's art, it's passion. It's easy to write that word in a bio, but another thing to show it. At live shows, you'll find a man often unhinged, shirt soaked-through and guitar smashed to pieces; he's toured with artists ranging from Gavin DeGraw and Butch Walker to the Gym Class Heroes and Dashboard Confessional. And his life in front of the camera isn't limited to acting. He was the first unsigned artist featured on MTV's "TRL" and he's produced dozens of music and promo videos that show his lighter side while maintaining his acute attention to detail; check out the video for "The Only One Lonely" which won him an Independent Music Award. Oh, and he's also written a novel that he's currently pitching.

So who is this guy? He's hard to pin down, and while that isn't the quickest sell in our sound bite culture, it's probably that which will give Emmich longevity. He's been called a Renaissance man. When asked about the musician role originally meant for John Mayer, an "Ugly Betty" producer told the New York Times: "There was just this quiet storm to Val." That probably says it all right there.

Power Trip
Val Emmich Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

by the looks of you
judging from the way you move
i'd really like to be the one who takes you home

you could make my fantasy
a real life story
i really want to be the one who turns you on

so tell me what's the point of this
when the teasing never leads to a kiss
just you and your power trip

like a stray dog
wagging his tail along
it's really not hard to see what i want

i'd like to have a word with you
i'd like to physically hurt you
i'd really like to wrestle you down and make you my own

so tell me what's the point of this
when the teasing never leads to a kiss
just you and your power trip
i know you get off on it
just you and your power trip
i know you get off on it
everybody

get off

Overall Meaning

In the first verse, the singer is expressing their attraction to someone based on their appearance and movements. They express a desire to be the one who takes this person home and fulfills their fantasy, wanting to be the one who arouses them.

Moving into the second verse, the singer questions the purpose of the interaction they're having. They express frustration that the teasing and flirting never leads to any physical intimacy, only serving as a source of power and control for the other person. The singer feels frustrated by this power trip and wonders why they are being subjected to it.

Comparing themselves to a stray dog wagging its tail, the singer suggests their desire and intentions are clear and easy to see. They express a yearning to confront and physically overpower the subject of their affection, wanting to make them their own.

Returning to the chorus, the singer reiterates their confusion and frustration regarding why this person engages in a power trip rather than pursuing a genuine connection. The singer acknowledges that this person gets a thrill from exerting power and control over others.

The final line of the song, "get off," can be interpreted in different ways. It might refer to the subject getting off on their power trip, deriving pleasure and satisfaction from manipulating others. Alternatively, it could be a plea for the subject to let go of their power trip, encouraging them to drop the façade and engage in a more authentic and intimate connection with the singer.

Line by Line Meaning

by the looks of you
Judging from your appearance

judging from the way you move
Assuming from your actions

i'd really like to be the one who takes you home
I desire to be the person you go home with

you could make my fantasy
You have the potential to fulfill my desires

a real life story
A genuine experience

i really want to be the one who turns you on
I eagerly wish to excite and arouse you

so tell me what's the point of this
Please explain the purpose of this interaction

when the teasing never leads to a kiss
Although there is flirtation, it never progresses to a kiss

just you and your power trip
It's all about your need for control

like a stray dog
Similar to a lost dog

wagging his tail along
Happily and submissively moving forward