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.
Run the Red Light
British India Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I believe in us
So put the pedal down
And turn your high beams off
And I'd dial in your number hoping that your awake
It's a loss sometimes but that's the risk that I'll take
I believe in us
I believe in us
So put your diamonds up for auction
But don't kiss me
I wont let you
Shout my name into the ocean
But don't kiss me
I wont let you
I believe in us
And any time that your walls start coming down
I'll be there in the front seat
Yelling run the red light
Run the red light
Run it
I hate the way that I don't say what I want
What I want is to want what you want
Run the red light
Run the red light
Run it ohh
So out of eden
Don't look back now
But don't touch me
I wont let you
Down in my town
They don't care now
But don't touch me
I wont let you
I believe in us
And any time that your walls start coming down
I'll be there in the front seat
Yelling run the red light
Run the red light
Run it
I hate the way that I don't say what I want
What I want is to want what you want
Run the red light
Run the red light
Make some noise
So drive your car into the ocean
But don't kiss me
I wont let you
Make some headlines
Kill your family
But don't touch me
I wont let you
Run the red light
Run it ohh
And any time that your walls start coming down
I'll be there in the front seat
Yelling run the red light
Run the red light
Run it
I hate the way that I don't say what I want
What I want is to want what you want
Run the red light
Run the red light
Run it
Run the red light
Run the red light
Run it
The lyrics of "Run the Red Light" by British India suggest a passionate and intense love that the singer believes in, despite the risks involved. The skull balloon metaphor implies that their love is fragile yet buoyant enough to keep them afloat. The verse "put the pedal down and turn your high beams off" suggests a desire to escape and be spontaneous with a partner. The line "I'd dial in your number hoping that you're awake, it's a loss sometimes but that's the risk that I'll take" shows a willingness to make risky decisions in order to pursue love.
The chorus reveals the singer's commitment to their relationship, stating "I believe in us" repeatedly. The lines "So put your diamonds up for auction, but don't kiss me, I won't let you" and "Shout my name into the ocean, but don't kiss me, I won't let you" indicate a desire for intimacy while remaining distant, possibly due to the fear of being hurt.
The bridge "any time that your walls start coming down, I'll be there in the front seat yelling run the red light" demonstrates the singer's steadfastness in the face of emotional vulnerability. It also implies an action-packed and spontaneous nature to their relationship. The final verse "so drive your car into the ocean, but don't kiss me, I won't let you, make some headlines, kill your family, but don't touch me, I won't let you" suggests a desire for excitement and intensity even in dangerous situations.
Overall, "Run the Red Light" is about a passionate yet tumultuous relationship, characterized by a willingness to take risks and go against societal norms for the sake of love.
Line by Line Meaning
And like a skull balloon
I compare myself to a skull balloon, something that is light and fragile but also a symbol of death, to express the intensity of my belief in us.
I believe in us
I have faith in our relationship and the connection we share.
So put the pedal down
Let's speed things up and take this relationship to the next level.
And turn your high beams off
Let's escape the bright lights of the city and have a moment of intimacy.
And I'd dial in your number hoping that your awake
I would call you, hoping that you are not asleep, because I need to express my feelings and devotion towards you.
It's a loss sometimes but that's the risk that I'll take
I am willing to take risks in this relationship, even if it means experiencing losses, because I believe in us and in the potential for our love to grow.
So put your diamonds up for auction
Let go of material possessions and superficial things, and focus on the love between us.
But don't kiss me I wont let you
I am hesitant to take things physical, as my feelings for you go beyond the physical realm.
Shout my name into the ocean
Express your love for me as if no one is listening, letting the moment and the sea carry your words.
And any time that your walls start coming down I'll be there in the front seat
I will be there to support you when you are vulnerable and your defenses are down.
Yelling run the red light, Run the red light, Run it
Encouraging you to take risks and seize the moment, even if it means breaking the rules.
I hate the way that I don't say what I want
I am frustrated by my inability to express my feelings for you in the way that I want.
What I want is to want what you want
I hope that our desires align and that we can both want and pursue the same things in this relationship.
So out of eden
Leaving the worries and constraints of our daily lives behind.
Don't look back now
Let's stay focused on moving forward together.
But don't touch me
While physical touch is tempting, I want to ensure that our connection is deeper than mere physical attraction.
Down in my town They don't care now
In our surroundings, nobody else's opinions matter, it's what we feel is best for us that does.
And any time that your walls start coming down I'll be there in the front seat, Yelling run the red light, Run the red light, Run it
Reinforcing the idea that I want to be there to support you and encourage you to live your life unencumbered by fear or doubt.
So drive your car into the ocean
Let's embrace chaos and take unusual paths, even if it means driving off a cliff.
Make some headlines , Kill your family
Extremist acts to highlight the point that my love is the basis of everything that truly matters.
Run the red light, Run it
Another reminder to take risks and live life to the fullest, even if it means disregarding the rules.
Contributed by Cole O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
IDK MUSIC
best aussie band 100 out of 100
Paul Hazel
Favourie BI...Love it always.