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.
Put It Right Down
British India Lyrics
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Turn it off turn it back on
And the silence played like a song
As the oxygen dried up
And too much wasted time
Don't worry I'll be fine
You put it right down, you put it right down
You put it right down, you put it right down
You put it right, down
At midnight my future slides into a cab
I'm wasted, I've lost all I have
Bu I swear that I'll get it all back
Then the oxygen dries up
And too much wasted time
Don't worry I'll be fine
You put it right down, you put it right down
You put it right down, you put it right down
You put it right down, you put it right down
You put it right, down
Right, down
And I will deal with this in my own way
So take your place, the line is getting longer every day
I'll deal with this in my own way
So take your place, the line is getting longer every day
The lyrics of British India's song "Put It Right Down" depict a sense of denial and escape from facing the problems and challenges in life. The line "Remember pretending that nothing was wrong?" highlights the act of turning a blind eye to the issues at hand. The reference to turning something off and turning it back on could symbolize attempting to restart or reset a situation, hoping that everything will be fine. However, despite the silence appearing soothing like a song, the lack of communication and acknowledgement of the problem only leads to the drying up of oxygen, metaphorically representing suffocation and stagnation.
The lyrics also convey a feeling of wasted time and a sense of self-assurance in being able to overcome the obstacles. The line "Don't worry I'll be fine" alludes to the determination and confidence to navigate through difficulties.
The second verse introduces a midnight scenario where the singer's future slips away, possibly indicating missed opportunities due to being intoxicated or lost. Nevertheless, there is still a resolve to recover what has been lost. Similar to the previous verse, the oxygen drying up and the mention of wasted time reiterate the consequences of avoiding confrontation and procrastination.
The repeated chorus emphasizes the act of "putting it right down," possibly referring to finally facing the problems head-on, acknowledging them, and taking action to resolve them. The mention of the line getting longer every day suggests that the longer one avoids addressing the issues, the more it compounds and becomes harder to manage.
Overall, the lyrics of "Put It Right Down" reflect the struggle of dealing with challenges, the consequences of avoidance, and the eventual acceptance and determination to confront and overcome them.
Line by Line Meaning
Remember pretending that nothing was wrong?
Do you remember when we used to pretend that everything was fine, even when it wasn't?
Turn it off turn it back on
Try resetting it to see if it works again
And the silence played like a song
The absence of noise felt like a meaningful melody
As the oxygen dried up
As the essential support or lifeline was disappearing
And too much wasted time
We spent too much time on insignificant or unproductive things
Don't worry I'll be fine
Don't be concerned, I will manage and overcome this
You put it right down, you put it right down
You handled the situation properly or responsibly
At midnight my future slides into a cab
As the clock strikes midnight, my prospects or aspirations leave abruptly
I'm wasted, I've lost all I have
I am intoxicated or emotionally drained, and I have lost everything
But I swear that I'll get it all back
However, I promise to regain everything that I have lost
Then the oxygen dries up
Then the essential support or lifeline disappears
And I will deal with this in my own way
I will handle this situation according to my own methods or preferences
So take your place, the line is getting longer every day
So, please join the queue, as more and more people are waiting or facing similar challenges each day
Right, down
Exact, precisely what is needed
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: WILL DRUMMOND, DECLAN MELIA, MATTHEW O'GORMAN, NICHOLAS JAMES WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind