The band mainly consist of Nicke Andersson, Dolf De Borst (The Datsuns), Tobias Egge (The Objects) and Tomas Eriksson (Captain Murphy). Nicke Anderssons good friend Dregen from Backyard Babies performed on Imperial State Electrics first album.
Imperial State Electric released their self-titled debut album in 2010. The album was released by Psychout Records. Their second, entitled Pop War, came in 2012, with a third record currently available for pre-order.
Break It Down
Imperial State Electric Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Using conventional lines
But you close the lights
Pretend nobody's inside
You read black and white
I grew in the shade
I'd be happy to meet with you
Half of the way, half of the way
What if the sky lifted just a little
We started living bigger lives
What if the world shifted just a little
Right was left and left was right
What if we gave the benefit of the doubt
We could just let love break it down
Break it down yeah yeah
Oh we can break it down
Were you surprised
How quickly we both took our sides
How do you survive
Heated up with fire in your eyes
We tend to separate
How'd we get this far away
I'd be happy to meet with you
Half of the way, half of the way
What if the sky lifted just a little
We started living bigger lives
What if the world shifted just a little
Right was left and left was right
What if we gave the benefit of the doubt
We could just let love break it down
Break it down yeah
We can break it down
What if the sky lifted just a little
We started living bigger lives
What if the world shifted just a little
Right was left and left was right
What if we gave the benefit of the doubt
We could just let love break it down
Break it down
What if the sky lifted just a little
We started living bigger lives
What if the world, what if the world
Right was left and left was right
What if we gave the benefit of the doubt
We could just let love break it down
The lyrics of Imperial State Electric's song "Break It Down" focus on a relationship between two individuals who have differing perspectives, and find themselves far apart. The singer delivers a plea, attempting to bridge this emotional gap by suggesting that they both meet halfway: "I'd be happy to meet with you/Half of the way, half of the way." The chorus explores the idea of breaking down barriers through love, proposing a hopeful vision of a world where people live bigger lives and give the benefit of the doubt to others.
The opening lines show the singer's desire to connect with the other person, yet despite using "conventional lines," the recipient is hiding behind closed doors. The lines "You read black and white/I grew in the shade" highlight their differences in perspective, indicating that they have different ways of approaching the world. The singer hopes that they can meet in the middle, expressing the sentiment "What if the sky lifted just a little/We started living bigger lives." The chorus repeats this theme, suggesting that love can break down walls between people and bring them together, even when the world seems divided.
Overall, the lyrics of "Break It Down" advocate for empathy and understanding, urging people to find common ground and to break down barriers that separate them from others. Through its optimistic message of hope and connection, the song offers a powerful expression of the importance of coming together, even when we seem worlds apart.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby I tried
I attempted to communicate through conventional means
Using conventional lines
I tried to articulate myself in a conventional way
But you close the lights
You have shut me out or retreated from me
Pretend nobody's inside
Acting as if there is no one or nothing to consider inside
You read black and white
You view things in a simplistic or dichotomous manner
I grew in the shade
I have developed in a hidden place, away from the attention of others
I'd be happy to meet with you
I am willing and open to seeing you and attempting to reconcile our differences
Half of the way, half of the way
We both need to meet each other halfway in order to move forward
What if the sky lifted just a little
What if the boundaries and restrictions imposed on us were lifted, even if only slightly
We started living bigger lives
We began to live more expansively and creatively, breaking out of our conventional roles
What if the world shifted just a little
What if there was a slight shift in the foundational values and beliefs of our society
Right was left and left was right
Even our basic understandings and assumptions could be questioned and redefined
What if we gave the benefit of the doubt
What if we chose to trust and have faith in each other's good intentions, instead of immediately assuming the worst
We could just let love break it down
By coming from a place of love and mutual respect, we could overcome our differences and find common ground
Oh we can break it down
We have the power to break down the barriers and divisions between us
Were you surprised
Were you taken aback by the speed at which our communication broke down
How quickly we both took our sides
We both quickly retreated into our respective positions and defended them
How do you survive
In this state of conflict and division, how do you go on living
Heated up with fire in your eyes
You are passionate and emotional about the situation, and not easily swayed from your position
We tend to separate
It is common for us to divide and distance ourselves from each other
How'd we get this far away
How did we allow things to deteriorate to this point of estrangement
What if the world, what if the world
What if there was a fundamental shift in the power dynamics of our society
Contributed by Nolan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
AJ !
A very country sounding song for ISE and I really like it:)
Pigs of Oblivion
I understand musicians branching out and experimenting trying different styles etc But I've Often Thought over the years I think people don't see or take for granted that magic that they are an immediate part of , they lose it , the band , the camaraderie and they never get it back . Sad
Pigs of Oblivion
Alex Harvey , Alice Cooper , The Stranglers , etc ... a group can be like a gang of cool , unique & tasteful & fragile
William S
Yeah, but Nicke Andersson/ISE is THE exception
Pigs of Oblivion
@William S very much looking forward to the next Hellacopters Album
Pigs of Oblivion
Nicke Andersson is simply an accomplished Song Writer & Musician talented supremo ... mind you my favourite by a million is the obvious > The Hellacopters 2000---2008 were absolute magic 100% ... this is good but average , very average in the way of cool , shame