They have performed many, many live shows to date and initially released four 7" records on different independent labels (Jonson Family, Try Harder, Abeano/XL, Drowned in Sound). They were signed to V2 with whom they released the singles It's Getting Boring By The Sea (June 11, 2007) and I Wish I Was Someone Better (October 29, 2007).
Their debut album Box Of Secrets was finally released in April 2008 on Mercury Records, where they were transferred to following the sale of V2 to Universal.
Their second album Fire Like This was released on 1 March 2010 to critical acclaim.
The single It's Getting Boring By The Sea is featured on the Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Take the Weight
Blood Red Shoes Lyrics
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Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Everyone comes in and out, staring like a cinema
Shut these doors (shut these doors)
You're wrapped up in a uniform, just a cigarette away
From shedding tears (shedding tears)
Screaming for someone to come
Pick you up and take the weight
Screaming for someone to come
Pick you up and take the weight
Off, off
Off, off
Off, off
Off, off
Can't sleep, it's just too hot
I can't sleep, I can't believe
I can't sleep, it's just too hot
I can't sleep and I can't believe
Just how far it's gone, just how far it's gone
Every day and night, every day and night
How they get along, how they get along
How they could be wrong, how they could be wrong
Wish it could be me, wish it could be me
Wish it could be me, wish it could be me
Wish it could be me, wish it could be me
Wish it could be me, wish it could be me
Money's earnt and money's spent, clothes have got a hold again
You count each stare (count each stare)
The television therapy is no attempt to remedy
The new torment (new torment)
Screaming for someone to come
Pick you up and take the weight
Screaming for someone to come
Pick you up and take the weight
Off, off
Off, off
Off, off
Off, off
Can't sleep, it's just too hot
I can't sleep, I can't believe
I can't sleep, it's just too hot
I can't sleep and I can't believe
Just how far it's gone, just how far it's gone
Every day and night, every day and night
How they get along, how they get along
How they could be wrong, how they could be wrong
Wish it could be me, wish it could be me
Wish it could be me, wish it could be me
Wish it could be me, wish it could be me
Wish it could be me, wish it could be me
Screaming for someone to come
To pick you up and take the weight
Screaming for someone to come
To pick you up and take the weight
Screaming for, screaming for someone to come
To pick you up and take the weight
Just how far it's gone, just how far it's gone
Every day and night, every day and night
How they get along, how they get along
How they could be wrong, how they could be wrong
Wish it could be me, wish it could be me
Wish it could be me, wish it could be me
Wish it could be me, wish it could be me
Wish it could be me, wish it could be me
The lyrics of "Take the Weight" by Blood Red Shoes depict the struggles of a person who feels overburdened by life. The song begins with the repetition of "oh," which seems to symbolize the heaviness of existence. The singer feels like they are stuck in a static environment where everyone comes and goes like in a cinema. However, they are shut off from this world as if they are in their own space. They observe others going about their routine while feeling isolated.
The singer wishes for someone to come and pick them up and take the weight. The weight seems to represent the burden of life, which is too much to handle alone. The lyrics describe the inability to sleep due to the heat, which may symbolize the discomfort of feeling overwhelmed. The singer realizes how far their situation has gone, expressing disbelief in their present circumstance. They notice how others get along, wondering why they can't be the same or feel trapped in their situation.
The singer turns to television therapy, which offers no remedy but acts as a new torment. The singer realizes the hold clothes and money have on them and how they count each stare they receive. Again, they scream for someone to come and take the weight. The song ends with them still longing for someone to come and relieve them of their burden.
Overall, "Take the Weight" is a song about feeling overwhelmed by life and longing for someone to come and ease the burden. It is about the complexities of human emotions, the isolation that can accompany them, and the yearning for alleviation.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone comes in and out, staring like a cinema
People come and go from your life, watching you like a movie.
Shut these doors (shut these doors)
Close yourself off from the outside world.
You're wrapped up in a uniform, just a cigarette away
You're stuck in a repetitive routine, taking comfort in small pleasures like smoking.
From shedding tears (shedding tears)
Close to breaking down and crying.
Screaming for someone to come
Desperate for help.
Pick you up and take the weight
To shoulder the burden of your struggles.
Can't sleep, it's just too hot
Struggling to find rest and peace.
I can't sleep, I can't believe
Disbelieving in your current struggles.
Just how far it's gone, just how far it's gone
Realizing how much pain you've endured.
Every day and night, every day and night
Enduring the pain nonstop.
How they get along, how they get along
Watching how others seem to make it through.
How they could be wrong, how they could be wrong
Feeling like others' coping mechanisms are flawed.
Wish it could be me, wish it could be me
Wanting to be the one who's getting through it all.
Money's earnt and money's spent, clothes have got a hold again
Living superficially by focusing on material things.
You count each stare (count each stare)
Feeling self-conscious under scrutiny.
The television therapy is no attempt to remedy
Trying to escape pain through distractions that only offer temporary relief.
The new torment (new torment)
The pain of realizing these distractions aren't working.
Screaming for someone to come
Desperately calling out for help.
To pick you up and take the weight
To have someone shoulder your burdens.
Wish it could be me, wish it could be me
Desiring to have someone else's experience.
Screaming for, screaming for someone to come
Urgently calling out for someone to help you.
Contributed by Avery B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.