In 1991, taking the name derived from the Philip K. Dick sci-fi novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (later to become the movie Bladerunner) they were influenced by the films dark,futuristic and other worldly themes and formed Big Electric Cat.
Following several changes in the bands line-up,it was not until 1993 they were joined by local bassist David Block and that the current band was born.Their live drummer was dropped in favour of a drum machine "Dr Ruth" named after the famous US sex therapist.
After sell out gigs across Australia the band recorded their 4 track demo "Suspira". After a chance meeting with the owner of Phantom Records in Sydney, he suggested sending their demo to the newly formed Goth label Cleopatra Records in Los Angeles.
They were offered a three album deal.
The band's first full album was titled "Dreams of a Mad King" and was released in 1994. Recorded at Damien Gerrard Studios in Sydney it contains the songs "Christabel", "Orchid Dreaming", "Paris Skyes" and "Red Roses" which defined their sound and since its release, has become a classic across the USA and Europe.
On the suggestion of Cleopatra label boss Brian Pereira the second release by the band was the seven track remix EP Burning Embers overseen by electronic guru Uberzone and was released in October 1995.
In 1997 the band embarked on the massive Congregation Tour of the USA with labelmates Christian Death and Switchblade Symphony.
On their return to Australia Deborah Denton left the band and Paul and David continued to record the second full length album "Eyelash".
Released in August 1997,the songs took a darker,electronic journey-the classic title track was dedicated to the recent death of Paul's father.
With more live commitments and increasing popularity William Jackson was recruited for keyboard duties, and when David Block quit unexpectedly later that year, he was replaced by maven Damien Gillette on bass.
Big Electric Cat were among one of the first handful Australian Gothic bands to break through to the USA.
Big Electric Cat's music continues to be released to a new generation of fans.
Sapphire
Big Electric Cat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make a date with a mistery
Something lies at the edge of the world
Doesn't mean that much to me
She wants to learn what she already owes "O God it's so fantastic"
Take me back to the place where the good people go
There's a face in the crowd that i think you should know
Take me back to the place where the good people go
There's a place in the crown that i think you should know
There's a door that is covered in gold with the eyes of a stranger
Keep it closed if you're feeling the cold and you don't see the danger
She's a friend of a man on the Hill who's a friend of another
She's afraid that he'll be standing still in the year of the lover
Take me back to the place where the good people go
There's a place in the crown that i think you should know
Sapphire says that she'll come to the end of the show
She's ahead of herself and i think you should know
I see you sleeping i hear you breathing i see you falling down
The world keeps turning round i see you sleeping
I see you falling down
Falling down
Falling down
Falling down
The song "Sapphire" by Big Electric Cat is a mysterious and cryptic piece, open to different interpretations. The lyrics describe a desire to venture to the edge of the world, to encounter something unknown, and to explore the hidden corners of the human psyche. The lyrics seem to suggest that the singer is seeking a deeper understanding of life and existence, questioning the nature of reality and contemplating the mysteries of the universe. The reference to a "mystery" and the awe-inspiring phrase "O God it's so fantastic" suggest a spiritual or metaphysical significance to the search.
The singer also makes references to a "place where the good people go" and to a "man on the Hill", which could be seen as symbolic or allegorical representations of ethical or moral values, or of societal norms and conventions. The lyrics refer to a door covered in gold with the eyes of a stranger, which might represent a threshold or a turning point in the journey. Overall, the song has a dreamy, otherworldly quality, with beguiling lyrics and a hypnotic melody that creates an ethereal atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna drive to the edge of the world
The singer desires to reach the extremity of the planet, which represents an unknown, potentially thrilling and mysterious frontier.
Make a date with a mistery
The singer longs for an encounter with something unknown and fascinating, that might offer a sense of excitement and intrigue.
Something lies at the edge of the world
There is something unexplored, unknown or uncharted at the boundary of the world, that might bear significance or reveal the hidden aspects of reality.
Doesn't mean that much to me
The artist doesn't attach much importance or value to the potential discovery or understanding of whatever may exist at the edge of the world.
She wants to learn what she already owes 'O God it's so fantastic'
The female character is enthusiastic about expanding her knowledge or domain of experience, but realizes that everything already existing is amazing and wonderful.
Take me back to the place where the good people go
The singer wishes to return to a safe, harmonious and comforting location where kind, virtuous individuals gather to interact.
There's a face in the crowd that i think you should know
The singer notices a distinctive or familiar person amidst the multitude of individuals in a given location, whom they deem noteworthy or relevant for some reason.
There's a door that is covered in gold with the eyes of a stranger
There exists an entrance with a glittering façade that conceals the identity or intentions of someone unfamiliar or maybe dangerous.
Keep it closed if you're feeling the cold and you don't see the danger
If the artist experiences a dejected or helpless mood and doesn't perceive the peril or treachery behind the door, they should avoid unlocking the entrance.
She's a friend of a man on the Hill who's a friend of another
The female figure has a connection with a person of high status living in the hills, who is also acquainted with someone else.
She's afraid that he'll be standing still in the year of the lover
The female character fears that the man connected to the hills might be inactive or stagnated in the year that romantic love is celebrated.
Sapphire says that she'll come to the end of the show
The artist refers to Sapphire's assertion of reaching the conclusion of a definite event or spectacle.
She's ahead of herself and i think you should know
The singer believes that Sapphire is too optimistic, confident or presumptuous about her prospects and may need a reality check.
I see you sleeping i hear you breathing i see you falling down
The singer perceives someone resting, inhaling and perhaps losing balance or collapsing.
The world keeps turning round i see you sleeping
Despite someone sleeping nearby, the world and its cycles of change and repetition move on.
Falling down
The person observed by the artist earlier is falling, collapsing or experiencing some kind of physical descent or failure.
Contributed by Isabella P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.