Band members include John Pandit (aka Pandit G) (turntables), Deeder Zaman (aka Master D) (vocals) and Aniruddha Das (aka Dr Das) (bass), later joined by Steve Chandra Savale (aka Chandrasonic) (guitar and adf mastermind), Sanjay Tailor (aka Sun-J) (midi, soundeffects), and Bubble-E (dancer).
Master D left the band in 2000, shortly after that the band was joined by new members:
Pritphal Rajput (aka Cyber) (dhol, tabla), Rocky Singh (drums), MC Spex (vocals), MC Lord Kimo and Akhtar Ahmed (aka Aktarv8r) (vocals), the latter recruited from the band's ongoing education project ADFED.
In 2005 with the release of 'Tank' the band was joined by Ghetto Priest. In August 2007 Asian Dub Foundation started playing with two new vocalists, Al Rumjen (previously with King Prawn) and Aktarv8r returned after MC Spex was asked to leave the band. In November and December 2007 Asian Dub Foundation recorded a new album, Punkara, that was released in spring 2008. The current line-up of the band consists of Chandrasonic, Sun-J, Al Rumjen, Cyber, Aktarv8r, Pandit G and bassist Martin Savale (C-Sonic's brother).
They describe their sound as a mix of "...hard ragga-jungle rhythms, indo-dub basslines, searing sitar- inspired guitars and 'traditional' sounds gleaned from their parents' record collections, shot through with fast-chat conscious lyrics."
Most of their lyrics are politically oriented.
Sites: YouTube.
Stop The Bleeding
Asian Dub Foundation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stop the thinking
Stop the bleeding
Sometimes it's like the world is speeding up
And slowing down in time
It's in reverse and I can't tell if I'm in front
Or far behind
I ain't no king, I swim with anything
What's the reason, your role is up for question
May seem random, but don't abandon the force
Of your own creation, the world's out there
Hard to feel it
The truth's out there
Can't believe it
Leave it!
Don’t think it ain't fair
Just 'cause you can't see it
Gotta pick myself up, gotta take my hand
Out of my hands
Stop the bleeding
Stop the thinking
Stop the bleeding
Gotta turn it around
Turn it around
Turn it around
Stop the bleeding
Stop the thinking
Stop the bleeding
In a galaxy far far away called yesterday, there were prophecies
Of a perfect world outta space
Robots, servants, flying cars and shining surfaces
Year 2033 so fast I didn't have a clue!
When I was a child I remember thinking
Mum and dad they knew everything
When I grew up to be a man
I'd know just as much as them!
Yesterday's dead, it's dead and gone
It's all about now, not about what did you do!
Gotta pick myself up, gotta take my hand
Out of my hands, stop the bleeding stop the thinking,
Stop
Gotta turn it around
Turn it around
Turn it around
Take my hand (Stop)
Take my hand (Stop)
Outta my hand (Stop)
Outta my hand (Stop)
(Turn around)
Stop the bleeding
Stop the thinking
Stop the bleeding
Stop the thinking
Stop!
The song "Stop the Bleeding" by Asian Dub Foundation describes the feeling of being overwhelmed by the chaotic world we live in. The lyrics suggest that despite the feeling of being lost and not knowing where one stands, it is important to stay grounded in one's own sense of purpose and creativity. The opening lines of the song, "Stop the bleeding, Stop the thinking" are repeated throughout the song, serving as a reminder to pause and reflect on one's own thoughts and actions amidst the chaos of the world.
The song uses vivid imagery to describe the disjointedness of modern life. The line "Sometimes it's like the world is speeding up and slowing down in time" creates a sense of disorientation and a feeling of being out of sync with the world. The reference to being "like a one-eyed man in the land of the blind" highlights the sense of isolation and disconnection.
Later in the song, there is a reference to a futuristic world where robots and flying cars exist, but the reality of the present is far different. The song encourages the listener to turn away from the past and present and focus on the present moment. The repetition of the phrase "stop the bleeding" reminds the listener to take control of their life and not let the chaos of the world consume them.
Overall, "Stop the Bleeding" is a call to focus on the self amidst a chaotic world and find a sense of purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop the bleeding
Call for an end to the injuries, both visible and invisible, that people go through every day.
Stop the thinking
Encourage people to take a break from overthinking and overanalyzing situations and just let things be.
Sometimes it's like the world is speeding up
The pressures of the world can feel overwhelming and it seems like everyone is moving at a faster pace than what one can keep up with.
And slowing down in time
However, at times it may also feel like the world has come to a stop and it is not progressing at all.
It's in reverse and I can't tell if I'm in front
The pace of the world and its movements can create confusion, and it may be difficult to keep up.
Or far behind
It can also make people feel like they are falling behind or not achieving as much as they would like to in their lives.
Like a one eyed man in the land of the blind
Feeling helpless in a situation where nobody is able to see the truth or the right way to go about a situation.
I ain't no king, I swim with anything
Acknowledging that there is no clear leader, and one has to adapt to any situation or environment they find themselves in.
What's the reason, your role is up for question
Questioning one's purpose and the reason for one's existence and the role they have to play in it all.
May seem random, but don't abandon the force
Life may seem to occur by chance, but one should not give up hope in the power of positivity and perseverance.
Of your own creation, the world's out there
Encouraging people to create their own destiny and not be afraid to explore the world and its opportunities.
Hard to feel it
Despite all that is said and done, the positivity that the world has to offer may not be easily felt by everyone.
The truth's out there
However, the truth does exist and is available for those who want to see it.
Can't believe it
At times, the truth may seem unbelievable, but it is still the truth nonetheless.
Leave it!
It is okay to let things go, and not get bogged down by every little thing that happens in life.
Don't think it ain't fair
One should not feel that life is unfair just because they do not always get what they want.
Just 'cause you can't see it
People should not base their beliefs and opinions solely on what they can see.
In a galaxy far far away called yesterday, there were prophecies
Referring to a time long gone, when people believed in a certain type of future that was ideal and perfect.
Of a perfect world outta space
This perfect world that was envisioned was characterized by hi-tech advancements and other sci-fi elements.
Robots, servants, flying cars and shining surfaces
Describing the various elements that made up the vision of the perfect world that was imagined.
Year 2033 so fast I didn't have a clue!
Looking ahead to the future and imagining the world that was believed was going to happen, but being surprised at how quickly everything actually happens.
When I was a child I remember thinking
Reflecting back to childhood and how one's perspective changes as they grow older.
Mum and dad they knew everything
As a child, one believes that their parent's are all-knowing and always have the right answers.
When I grew up to be a man
Growing up and realizing that things are not as simple or straightforward as they once seemed.
I'd know just as much as them!
Despite growing up, one may still feel unsure about what they know and if they are going about things the right way.
Yesterday's dead, it's dead and gone
Acknowledging that the past is in the past and one should not dwell on it too much.
It's all about now, not about what did you do!
Focusing on the present moment and what choices one is making today that will shape their future.
Stop!
The song ends on a note of finality, calling for an end to the negative thoughts and actions that may hold people back from living their best life.
Contributed by Brody G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.