Bastille debuted in June 2011 with their 7" single, "Flaws"/"Icarus" (released on Young & Lost Club). This was then followed by their EP 'Laura Palmer' later in 2011. After adding a few more tracks online, the band received a lot of attention from indie rock fans on the web, helping secure some support slots. During the summer of 2011, they performed at a number of major UK festivals, including Glastonbury, Isle of Wight, and Blissfields.
On 27 April 2012, "Overjoyed" came out, being the debut Virgin Records single from Bastille. This was confirmed by EMI on 1 May 2012. After the video release of "Overjoyed" on YouTube, 'Q Magazine' introduced the song as its track of the day for 7 March 2012. Fans seemingly devoured the tune.
"Bad Blood" was released on Virgin Records on 20 August 2012. Following the video release of "Bad Blood" on YouTube, Bastille were named "The New Band of the Day" by writers for 'The Guardian' on 25 July 2012. In not too long, Bastille performed at the major UK Reading and Leeds Festivals in August 2012. They played an October 2012 headline tour that brought them into the spotlight alongside Emeli Sandé, with Swiss Lips supporting them.
Bastille's single "Flaws"/"Icarus" was featured in the soundtrack of the popular British Channel 4 television show 'Made in Chelsea'. As well, "Weight of Living, Pt. II" was part of the soundtrack for FIFA 13. "Of The Night", Bastille's dual cover of both Snap!'s "Rhythm is a Dancer" and Corona's "The Rhythm of the Night", was used to advertise Dancing on Ice in the run up to its 2013 series.
Bastille played their first show outside of Europe on 3 December 2012 at Hong Kong's Clockenflap Music & Arts Festival.
Bastille's song "Oblivion" featured in the soundtrack of the television show The Vampire Diaries in the Season 4 Episode 9 titled "O Come, All Ye Faithful".
They supported Two Door Cinema Club on their UK tour throughout January/February 2013 and toured through Europe in April to promote their debut album.
The band have also released four mixtape-style EPs : "Other People's Heartache Pt 1" in 2012 (featuring covers, among others, of "Blue Jeans" by Lana del Rey, "The Rhythm of The Night" by Corona) , "Other People's Heartache Pt 2" (featuring covers, including, "Sweet Nothing" by Calvin Harris, "No Scrubs" by TLC and "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac), "VS: Other People's Heartache Pt 3" (featuring collaborations with other artists, including "Remains" with Skunk Anansie and Rag'n'Bone Man, and "bad_news" with MNEK). "Other People's Heartache (Pt. 4)" was released in 2018 (featuring more covers, one of "Wild World" by Yusuf/Cat Stevens, and an original song Grip in collaboration with Seeb, and the latest addition to this series (Pt. 5) was released in 2022 (including the song Run Into Trouble and a cover of "Dancing In The Dark" by Bruce Springsteen).
Plug In…
Bastille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say that we'll be fine
Plug me right in, jump through the screen
Final frontier, I can be anything
Maddening scenes, Anthropocene
Blink and you'll miss us like we were a dream
Maybe AI is the messiahMy machine's learned all my kinks and desires
Virtual porn, airbrush my jaw
Are we having fun yet?
Endless hot takes, chaos'll reign
Guess we learned nothing from history's mistakes
Billionaires, rocket to Mars
Stuck on Earth drinking in driverless cars
Icecaps'll fall, Cali'll burn
Wilful denial until it's my turn
Bunch of old white men who don't give a fuck
Are we having fun yet?
Tell me we'll be alright
Say that we'll be fine
Lie to me, it's alright, right?
Say that we'll be fine
Just a little bit of tenderness
It's a little bit of tenderness
Say that we'll be alright, right?
Even if it's lies
Hollywood has painted us a fucked up fate
Say you'll resurrect me as a young deep fake
Genius minds fix all our crimes
So we can have fun, yeah?
We're living in a sci-fi fantasyI'm sleeping with the robot next to me
Find planet B, that's all we need
So we can have fun
Tell me we'll be alright
Say that we'll be fine
Lie to me, it's alright, right?
Say that we'll be fine
Just a little bit of tenderness
It's a little bit of tenderness
Say that we'll be alright, right?
Even if it's lies
Just a little bit of tenderness
A little bit of tenderness
Say that we'll be alright
Even if it's lies
Just a little bit of tenderness
A little bit of tenderness
Say that we'll be alright
Even if it's lies
The lyrics of Bastille's song "Plug In" convey a sense of disillusionment and despair about the state of the world and the future, particularly in the context of technological advancements and societal issues. The chorus repeatedly asks to be reassured that everything will be alright, suggesting a longing for comfort and reassurance in the face of uncertainty and chaos. The repetition of phrases such as "Say that we'll be fine" and "Even if it's lies" implies a desperate grasp for some semblance of hope or positivity, even if it may not be entirely genuine.
The verses delve into themes of technology, artificial intelligence, and the environmental crisis. The mention of being "plugged right in" and jumping through screens reflects the increasing reliance on technology and virtual realities in the modern world. The references to AI and virtual porn highlight the ways in which technology has infiltrated and reshaped human experiences, blurring the lines between reality and simulation. The lyrics also touch on issues such as climate change, wealth inequality, and the destructive tendencies of humanity, critiquing the apathy and denial that often characterize societal responses to these pressing issues.
The song paints a grim picture of the future, with references to billionaires escaping to Mars, environmental disasters, and a society driven by instant gratification and superficial pleasures. The juxtaposition of references to chaos, denial, and escapism with the repeated plea for tenderness and reassurance creates a sense of emotional contradiction and fragility. The desire for comfort and lies to mask the harsh realities of the world reflects a sense of resignation and helplessness in the face of overwhelming challenges and uncertainties.
Overall, "Plug In" by Bastille serves as a commentary on the intersection of technology, societal issues, and human emotions. It captures a sense of longing for connection, comfort, and reassurance amidst a world that seems to be spiraling towards chaos and destruction. The lyrics invite listeners to confront the complexities and contradictions of modern life, questioning the role of technology, humanity's responsibility towards the environment, and the fragile balance between hope and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me we'll be alright
Reassure me that everything will be okay.
Say that we'll be fine
Affirm that we will manage through any troubles.
Plug me right in, jump through the screen
Connect me to this digital reality, transcending physical boundaries.
Final frontier, I can be anything
In this limitless realm, I have the potential to assume any identity or form.
Maddening scenes, Anthropocene
Amidst chaotic visuals of this current geological era influenced by human activity.
Blink and you'll miss us like we were a dream
Our existence is fleeting and ephemeral, easily overlooked.
Maybe AI is the messiah
Perhaps artificial intelligence holds the key to salvation or resolution of our issues.
My machine's learned all my kinks and desires
The technology I use has become adept at understanding my personal preferences and secrets.
Virtual porn, airbrush my jaw
Using digital enhancements to alter my reality and self-perception.
Are we having fun yet?
Questioning whether we are truly enjoying our experiences in this surreal environment.
Endless hot takes, chaos'll reign
With constant opinions and commentary, disorder and confusion will prevail.
Guess we learned nothing from history's mistakes
It seems we have failed to acquire wisdom from past errors.
Billionaires, rocket to Mars
Wealthy individuals are ambitiously aiming for other planets while ignoring earthly issues.
Stuck on Earth drinking in driverless cars
We're remaining grounded while indulging in luxurious but automated experiences.
Icecaps'll fall, Cali'll burn
Environmental calamities are looming, with climate change threatening our landscapes.
Wilful denial until it's my turn
Deliberately ignoring the consequences until they personally affect me.
Bunch of old white men who don't give a fuck
A demographic in power seems indifferent to pressing issues.
Are we having fun yet?
Reiterating the uncertainty of enjoying our current reality.
Tell me we'll be alright
Once again seeking reassurance about our wellbeing.
Say that we'll be fine
Repeating the need for affirmation of our safety.
Lie to me, it's alright, right?
I am asking for deception if it means feeling secure.
Say that we'll be fine
Continuing to seek confirmation of our positive state.
Just a little bit of tenderness
A desire for compassion and gentleness in an overwhelming world.
It's a little bit of tenderness
Emphasizing the need for a small measure of care.
Say that we'll be alright, right?
Reassessing if we can truly count on our well-being.
Even if it's lies
Accepting any falsehoods if they provide comfort.
Hollywood has painted us a fucked up fate
The entertainment industry has constructed a distorted vision of our future.
Say you'll resurrect me as a young deep fake
I wish for a digital revival in my youthful form through advanced technology.
Genius minds fix all our crimes
Brilliant individuals are expected to resolve the wrongs we've committed.
So we can have fun, yeah?
Hoping for solutions that allow us to enjoy life again.
We're living in a sci-fi fantasy
Our realities resemble scenarios from science fiction literature.
I'm sleeping with the robot next to me
Intimately interacting with technology in a very personal way.
Find planet B, that's all we need
Searching for an alternative future or solution to escape current problems.
So we can have fun
All these efforts aim to restore joy into our lives.
Tell me we'll be alright
Pleading once more for assurance about our well-being.
Say that we'll be fine
Requesting confirmation that all will turn out well.
Lie to me, it's alright, right?
Willing to accept false reassurance for the sake of feeling safe.
Say that we'll be fine
Seeking repeated affirmations of our security.
Just a little bit of tenderness
Longing for small gestures of care and warmth.
It's a little bit of tenderness
Reiterating the need for kindness in our experiences.
Say that we'll be alright, right?
Once more questioning our prospects for safety.
Even if it's lies
Accepting even the falsehoods if they bring comfort.
Just a little bit of tenderness
Yearning for slight kindness amidst chaos.
A little bit of tenderness
Emphasizing that even a small amount of compassion is vital.
Say that we'll be alright
Continuing to ask for reassurance about our situation.
Even if it's lies
Ready to embrace untruths if they help ease our worries.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Daniel Campbell Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sam
on Fake it
Has anyone translated the news captions in the music video?
Jeannie Smith
on Pompeii
I like it.