The band is notable for their single "Tie Up My Hands", taking the number one spot in the jtv music television programme, with their debut album Guillotine produced by Harry Vanda. Guillotine was also nominated for Triple J's J Award in 2007 and in December of that year British India won the AIR Award for 'Best New Independent Artist'. In April and May of 2008 the band entered Flashpoint studios once again to record their new album "Theives" officially released on the 19th of July, althought copies were available at gigs a week earlier than this. The first single from the album is titled "I Said I'm Sorry" and is on their MySpace.
British India formed when Melbourne high school friends Declan Melia and Nic Wilson met Will Drummond and Matt O'Gorman through mutual friends, and asked them to join the band. Social misfits in school, the quartet began to jam together, playing work by their favourite bands; Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Beatles, Blur, and Starsailor. The band's name was originally noticed by Wilson on a b-side by Strawberry Alarm Clock.
In 2005, after playing regularly across Australia for a year, the band signed with In-Fidelity Recordings and began work on their debut EP, with producer Lindsay Gravina. In June 2005 they released a single, "Outside 109 / Automatic Blitzkrieg". The song's inspiration came from a quip made by Mick Jagger in an interview in 1964. Melia told Australian Music Online the song's lyrics referred to the band's gigging in Melbourne, and "being just outside of international recognition".
On 21 November 2005 the band released their EP, Counter Culture, on Shock Records. Following recording at Sydney's Flashpoint Studios with studio owner Harry Vanda.[6] Drummond said that in recording the EP, the band "crammed all [their] youthful exuberance" onto it.
I Thought We Knew Each Other
British India Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We play that roll, we play that roll,
I call to you, you don't reply,
We play that roll, we play that roll.
Fifteen years of fighting in the dark,
Empty hands the only thing I've got,
All the times I've tried to walk away.
This is the way that it had to be,
I looked at you and you looked at me,
So far away that I can't believe I thought we knew each other.
This is the way that it had to be,
I looked at you and you looked at me,
So far away that I can't believe I thought we knew each other.
And every day I start again,
We play that roll, we play that roll,
And now my life is in your hands,
We play that roll, we play that roll.
Fifteen years of fighting in the dark,
Empty hands the only thing I've got,
All the times I've tried to walk away.
This is the way that it had to be,
I looked at you and you looked at me,
So far away that I can't believe I thought we knew each other.
This is the way that it had to be,
I looked at you and you looked at me,
So far away that I can't believe I thought we knew each other.
(I thought we knew each other,
I thought we knew each other,
I thought we knew each other,
I thought we knew each other.)
This is the way that it had to be,
I looked at you and you looked at me,
So far away that I can't believe I thought we knew each other.
This is the way that it has to be,
This is the way that it had to be
This is the way that it had to be,
I thought we knew each other.
The lyrics of "I Thought We Knew Each Other" by British India describe the feeling of betrayal and disappointment in a relationship that was once close but has now deteriorated. The song starts off with the juxtaposition of a "concrete park" and a "forest fire," suggesting the contrast between the relationship's initial stability and its eventual destruction. The chorus echoes the theme of disillusionment with the repetition of the line "I thought we knew each other," emphasizing the realization that the relationship was not what it seemed.
The singer reflects on "fifteen years of fighting in the dark," suggesting a long-standing struggle that has ultimately led to emptiness. The line "all the times I've tried to walk away" suggests a history of attempts to end the relationship, indicating how difficult it can be to let go of something that once held such deep meaning. The repetition of "we play that roll" in the verses further emphasizes the idea that the relationship has become a performance or game, lacking in genuine connection.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of sadness and disillusionment in the face of a failed relationship. The singer recognizes that things cannot go back to the way they were, and must accept that this is the way it had to be.
Line by Line Meaning
A concrete park, a forest fire, We play that roll, we play that roll, I call to you, you don't reply, We play that roll, we play that roll.
We are in the midst of a chaotic environment and our roles are defined. I reach out to you for support, but you do not respond. We continue to play our predetermined roles.
Fifteen years of fighting in the dark, Empty hands the only thing I've got, All the times I've tried to walk away.
I have been struggling for fifteen years without any form of support. Despite numerous attempts to leave, I am still in this dark place.
This is the way that it had to be, I looked at you and you looked at me, So far away that I can't believe I thought we knew each other.
Our current situation was inevitable. Though we have been in each other's lives for a long time, we are so distant from each other that it is hard to believe we ever truly knew each other.
And every day I start again, We play that roll, we play that roll, And now my life is in your hands, We play that roll, we play that roll.
Every day feels like a new beginning, but we continue to fall back into our predetermined roles. My life is now in your hands and we continue to play these roles.
(I thought we knew each other, I thought we knew each other, I thought we knew each other, I thought we knew each other.)
Repeatedly, I believed that we truly understood each other and had a deep connection.
This is the way that it had to be, I looked at you and you looked at me, So far away that I can't believe I thought we knew each other. This is the way that it has to be, This is the way that it had to be, I thought we knew each other.
Our current state of being is unavoidable, we are distant from each other despite my past beliefs that we truly knew each other.
Contributed by Riley T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
prithvi bisht
Just happened to read for my high school history exam 9 years ago, when I somehow landed on one of the youtube song video of the band. A fan since then.
This track is beautiful too..!!!
Keep Rocking... from India.. :)
Tania
Amazing! I love it ❤
Kenai D
A música de vocês é ótima
lilpeachy
this is pretty good ;) love it guys
Andres Reys P
so catchy! Hell yeah! :D
lauren moore
so pumped to see these guys next month omgggg
Joao Paulo Silva
Very Good 😍
Rúben Santos
british india ♡
Shania Coutts
so happy about this, a genuine band that doesn't change every time they release a new single :)
Karim Makil
where can i find the hole album to buy?;)