After leaving The Lemon Kittens she embarked on a solo career, recording and producing the albums Pop-Eyes (1982), Jesus Egg That Wept (1984) and Inky Bloaters (1987) on her own label, Awesome Records.
In 1988 she signed with Sire Records, which released Dark Adapted Eye which contained material from her first three albums as well as b-sides from the singles Big Hollow Man, Where The Flies Are and Yummer Yummer Man.
In 1990 she released her lone major-label studio album, Blast The Human Flower. Her last two album releases were in 1995 and consisted of a career retrospective double-album entitled Comatose-Non-Reaction and the Timber Tongue EP. Dax's career in the music business then went on indefinite hiatus, and was often referred to as a retirement.
From 1996 on, she has worked in interior design, and has appeared several times on the BBC interior design show Homefront.
According to her official MySpace page (maintained by long-time friend and former bandmate, Karl Blake), she has had several spoken word performances of her old material in the UK and on the continent, and there is some talk of new material being written. Her first three albums have been re-released on CD via her own label, Biter of Thorpe (with distribution through World Serpent).
Flashback
Danielle Dax Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
labels
I never sure
See a bottle of
good things baby
And want for more
I always listen in
HEY YEH, YEH, YEH,
Keep a tally on all
the choices
honey
If they should
show
Flashback-wipe
that frown
Flashback-when
they put you
down
Flashback-never
show
Flashback-what
you really know
You pay your money
to hold me baby
I'm not to blame
For any otherswho
used you badly
Oh such a shame
I always want
what's easy
HEY YEH, YEH, YEH,
YEH, YEH
So intent on
a living
heaven honey
You'll never know
Flashback-wipe
that frown
Flashback-when
they put you
down
Flashback-never
show
Flashback-what
you really know
Next minute you're
in there fighting
The stakes
are high
Never won any
major battles
But I always try
I maybe will
someday
HEY YEH, YEH, YEH,
YEH, YEH
All nickels and
moonlight-
dreaming honey
Oh what a game
Flashback-wipe
that frown
Flashback-when
they put you
down
Flashback-never
show
Flashback-what
you really know
The lyrics of Danielle Dax's song "Flashback" seem to convey the sentiment of being someone who does not conform to traditional labels and is always open to trying new things. The lyricist communicates a desire for adventure and excitement through wanting more of the "good things" in life, while also keeping a "tally" or weighing the consequences of their choices. The repetition of "HEY YEH, YEH, YEH, YEH, YEH" in the background seems to add urgency to the message and divulges a sense of the unknown or unexpected.
The refrain of the song titled "Flashback" is repeated throughout the verses - "Flashback-wipe that frown, Flashback-when they put you down, Flashback-never show, Flashback-what you really know". The title of the song can signify the act of reminiscing, which could speak to the idea of looking back and reflecting on past experiences. The lyrics can also be interpreted as a reminder of persevering through difficult situations, perhaps through the use of visualization or meditation.
Line by Line Meaning
I never go by labels
I don't believe in categorizing or stereotyping people based on certain labels.
I never sure
I'm never really sure of anything in particular.
See a bottle of good things baby, and want for more
When I see something that's pleasing to me, I crave for more.
I always listen in HEY YEH, YEH, YEH, YEH, YEH
I always pay attention to the groovy music with HEY YEH, YEH, YEH, YEH, YEH beat.
Keep a tally on all the choices honey, If they should show
I keep track of all the choices so that I am well-prepared for any situation that arises.
You pay your money to hold me baby, I'm not to blame
You paid for my services, and I cannot be held responsible for any bad experiences caused by other people.
For any others who used you badly, Oh such a shame
It's a pity that someone you trusted treated you so badly.
I always want what's easy HEY YEH, YEH, YEH, YEH, YEH
I usually prefer to take the easy way out, and I love music with HEY YEH, YEH, YEH, YEH, YEH beat.
So intent on a living heaven honey, You'll never know
I'm very determined to create a perfect life for myself, and you'll never know what that looks like.
Next minute you're in there fighting, The stakes are high
The situation can quickly take a turn for the worse, and the consequences can be significant.
Never won any major battles, But I always try
I may not have won many significant victories, but I never give up on my efforts.
I maybe will someday HEY YEH, YEH, YEH, YEH, YEH
There's always hope that someday I'll achieve my goals or dreams, and I love music with HEY YEH, YEH, YEH, YEH, YEH beat.
All nickels and moonlight-dreaming honey, Oh what a game
Everything is just a game, and I enjoy dreaming and fantasizing about the possibilities.
Flashback-wipe that frown
Remember your past experiences but don't let them bring you down or put a frown on your face.
Flashback-when they put you down
Remember the time when someone made you feel inferior or ashamed.
Flashback-never show
Don't let others see your weaknesses or vulnerabilities.
Flashback-what you really know
Remember what you've learned from your past experiences and use that knowledge to navigate your present and future.
Contributed by Bailey H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lazarus1095
She is the embodied quintessence of what it means to be an artist in a music video on MTV in the 1980s.
I can practically smell the hairspray.
Bob Davis
Danielle Dax is a brilliant talent, as was her former project Lemon Kittens with Karl Blake.
Davz er
I’d completely forgotten how good Danielle was, I’m going to dig out her album tomoz! The album is called Inky Bloaters
jfrch67
She got zero airplay in the U.S. but still an ICON
Michael Graham
Yea I can see why no airplay
Eff Tee
She did airplay in the SoCal area. KROQ played her music in 80s.
David Preece
I absolutely love Danielle Dax, sadly she never got the recognition she deserved, never seen this video before or was aware one existed for Flashback another great track from the brilliant album Inky Bloaters.
Mike Johnston
I have never seen this video. What a trip! Thank you Rhino for scouring the archives :)
Primitive In The Extreme
What an incredible artist.
woolhat1
Another excellent video from her catalogue of music.