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.
Russian Roulette
British India Lyrics
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And last week on Swan street
People pointed to me they said boy that's last week
And I tried last night
and they laughed had a drink and said boy your alright
So hold on
When you think it's as good as it gets
Well I can show you how to win at Russian roulette
And I can show you how to win at Russian roulette
I can show you how to win at Russian roulette
I can show you how to win at Russian roulette
Pull the trigger pull the trigger
pull the trigger, pull it!
And if we could just be
Quiet for one second I think they would see
And so leave, but don't leave
Coz she's throwing my things out onto the street
So hold on
And be strong
When you think it's as good as it gets
Well I can show you how to win at Russian roulette
And I can show you how to win at Russian roulette
I can show you how to win at Russian roulette
I can show you how to win at Russian roulette
Pull the trigger pull the trigger
pull the trigger, pull it!
I can show you how to win at Russian roulette
I can show you how to win at Russian roulette
I can show you how to win at Russian roulette
Pull the trigger pull the trigger
pull the trigger, c'mon!
Russian!
And so leave, but don't leave
[x5] And please leave, but don't leave
And please leave, but does she leave?
No, no no no!
The lyrics to British India's song "Russian Roulette" touch on themes of societal judgment and personal strength in the face of rejection. The song begins with the singer being told that he is out of touch with the current trends, as people point at him and say "boy, that's last week." Despite this, the singer is undeterred and tries to fit in again the following night, only to be laughed at once more. Despite the rejection, he encourages himself and others to "hold on" and "be strong" in the face of disappointment. He suggests that even when things seem hopeless and you feel like you are losing in life's game of chance, like Russian roulette, there is still a way to win.
The verses seem to be spoken to someone in particular, perhaps a romantic interest, who is leaving him and throwing his things on the street. He pleads with them not to leave, while acknowledging the painful inevitability of their separation. The chorus returns to the theme of resilience and strength in the face of adversity, bolstered by the repeated refrain of "I can show you how to win at Russian roulette." The song ends with a repetition of the plea for the person leaving not to go.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's go
Starting the song with an igniting call to action.
And last week on Swan street
Referring to a past event that happened on Swan Street, which probably has some significance in the story.
People pointed to me they said boy that's last week
People have started treating the singer differently, in comparison to last week when he was probably more relevant or famous.
And I tried last night
The singer tried to do something significant or noteworthy the previous night.
and they laughed had a drink and said boy your alright
However, people's response was not what he expected and they just laughed it off, as if it was nothing worth noting.
So hold on
A call for perseverance and strength.
And be strong
Reinforcing the need for strength and resilience.
When you think it's as good as it gets
Highlighting the fact that the singer believes there's always room for improvement.
Well I can show you how to win at Russian roulette
The singer proposes himself as someone who can provide guidance or assistance in achieving success or winning battles.
And I can show you how to win at Russian roulette
Repetition of the call for assistance in achieving success or winning battles.
I can show you how to win at Russian roulette
Repetition of the claim that the singer has the ability to help others succeed.
I can show you how to win at Russian roulette
Reiteration of the previous lines, emphasizing their importance.
Pull the trigger pull the trigger
A call to take action and make things happen.
pull the trigger, pull it!
Reiteration of the previous line, with greater urgency.
And if we could just be
A hypothetical statement, suggesting how things could be in a better world or situation.
Quiet for one second I think they would see
If people would just stop and listen, they could see things more clearly and understand what's truly going on.
And so leave, but don't leave
An ambiguous statement, suggesting the need to leave a situation, but at the same time not wanting to leave.
Coz she's throwing my things out onto the street
A clarification of the situation, suggesting that the singer is going through a rough time and is being forced to leave.
No, no no no!
An emphatic declaration indicating that the situation is not ideal, and something needs to change.
Russian!
An exclamation, emphasizing the power and danger associated with Russian Roulette.
Pull the trigger pull the trigger
A call to take action and make things happen.
pull the trigger, c'mon!
An encouragement, urging the listener to take the necessary risks to succeed.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: WILL DRUMMOND, DECLAN MELIA, MATTHEW O'GORMAN, NICHOLAS JAMES WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind