Career - Formation and split up:
Living in a Box was formed in 1985 in Manchester. The group named themselves after the first song they had recorded together in the studio. It was, in fact, this song that had brought them together first. Vere and Critchlow were recording the demo version of the tune in a studio also being visited by Richard Darbyshire, an independent recording artist at the time. Richard was invited to join his two future band-mates in the studio to record vocals for the track, and the three officially became a band.
Released two years later, "Living in a Box" was their most commercially successful single, peaking at #5 on the UK Singles Chart and became the bands only single to chart in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. The single was featured on the group's self-titled debut album, which also included follow-up singles "Love is the Art," "So the Story Goes," and "Scales of Justice." While "So the Story Goes" was the only one of these additional singles to crack the US Billboard Hot 100, all three songs charted in their home country, where the band continued to enjoy more success. Their follow-up album, Gatecrashing in 1989 proved to be even more successful in the UK, generating two Top Ten hits, "Blow the House Down" (which featured Queen's Brian May on guitar) and "Room in Your Heart". The album itself peaked at #21. Artistic differences, as well as changes to their record label Chrysalis, caused the band to break up in 1990 before a third album could be released.
After Living in a Box:
Frontman Richard Darbyshire has continued his long-standing music career, writing songs for artists such as Lisa Stansfield and briefly enjoying modest success as a solo artist. His solo album, How Many Angels (1994) has been re-released several times (beginning in 1999, when it was re-issued under the title of Love Will Provide) with various new and unreleased tracks.
Anthony "Tich" Critchlow and Marcus Charles Vere temporarily retired from the music industry after the band split. Tich runs his own company providing bespoke illumination and lighting installations.
After a brief break, Vere changed direction and produced an award-winning series of educational DVDs called Here Comes A...! For pre-school aged children; topics include live-action films about tractors, diggers, trains and fire engines. The business moved online in early 2017 as Kids Trucks TV and has become a phenomenal success on YouTube. In May 2016, Vere was credited with writing the songs "Viva Love," "Flames of Desire," "Kiss Me Goodbye" and "Ten Below Zero" on the Top 5 ABC album Lexicon of Love II.
Living in a Box reform:
In 2016, Living in a Box reformed with British soul singer Kenny Thomas replacing Darbyshire. Since then the band has appeared at live festival events in the UK such as Let's Rock, Rewind and Flashback throughout the summer of 2016 and through 2017.
Legacy:
The song "Living in a Box" was later covered by Bobby Womack, who had also worked with Living in a Box on the single, "So the Story Goes."
Living In A Box
Living in a Box Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Closed in on both sides
Nothin' doin'
I feel resistance
As I open my eyes
Someone's foolin'
I found a way to break through this cellophane bag
In your mind
I'm a livin' in a box
I'm a livin' in a cardboard box
I'm a livin' in a box
I'm a livin' in a cardboard box
I'm a livin' in a box
Life goes in circles
Around and around
Circulating
I sometimes wonder
What's movin' underground
I'm escaping
I found a way to break through this cellophane bag
'Cause I know what's goin' on
In my mind
I'm a livin' in a box
I'm a livin' in a cardboard box
I'm a livin' in a box
I'm a livin' in a cardboard box
I'm a livin' in a box
Livin'
Ahh ha
I found a way to break through this cellophane bag
'Cause I know what's goin' on
In your mind
I'm a livin' in a box
I'm a livin' in a cardboard box
I'm a livin' in a box
I'm a livin' in a cardboard box
I'm a livin' in a box
I'm a livin' in a cardboard box
I'm a livin' in a box
I'm a livin' in a cardboard box
I'm a livin' in a box
I'm a livin' in a cardboard box
I'm a livin' in a box
I'm a livin' in a cardboard box
I'm a livin' I'm a livin'....I'm a livin'
I'm a livin', I'm a livin'....I'm a livin'
I'm a livin' in a box
I'm a livin' in a box...
Living in a Box's hit song, "Living in a Box" is a reflective piece that describes the feeling of being trapped, both emotionally and physically. The lyrics convey the sense of despondency and confinement of the singer, who opens his eyes to find himself closed in on both sides with no hope of leaving. He feels resistance and someone's fooling him, further adding to his sense of helplessness in this situation.
The chorus "I'm a living in a box, living in a cardboard box" is a repetition that emphasizes the idea of being confined within a limited space, feeling trapped and unable to move forward. The second verse describes the circular nature of life, suggesting that we all go through the same motions, living in a world where everything is predictable. However, the singer has found a way to break free from this cycle, both emotionally and physically. It's a reflection of the human struggle to break free from the monotony of life and to find meaning in it.
Overall, the song can be seen as a reflection of the human struggle to break free from confinement and monotony, and find meaning in life. It conveys the feeling of being trapped in a life without purpose, and the need to break free from this rut.
Line by Line Meaning
Woke up this mornin'
I woke up today
Closed in on both sides
I feel trapped and confined
Nothin' doin'
There is nothing to do
I feel resistance
I encounter obstacles and difficulties
As I open my eyes
I gain awareness of my surroundings
Someone's foolin'
Someone is trying to deceive me
I found a way to break through this cellophane bag
I have discovered a way to overcome my struggles
'Cause I know what's goin' on
Because I understand the situation
In your mind
You are experiencing the same struggles
Life goes in circles
Life can feel repetitive
Around and around
Continuously repeating
Circulating
Moving in a circular pattern
I sometimes wonder
I occasionally contemplate
What's movin' underground
What is happening beneath the surface
I'm escaping
I am breaking free from confinement
Livin'
Living my life
Ahh ha
An expression of realization or discovery
I'm a livin' in a box
I feel trapped and confined
I'm a livin' in a cardboard box
I am metaphorically trapped
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: MARCUS VERE, STEVE PIGOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@djpetenice
The ultimate 80's power move is when you had the band name, the single and the album all the same name.
@monique33469
Yep!
@jermainesimpson834
What's the year
@jermainesimpson834
I said that for someone to tell me
@monique33469
@@jermainesimpson8341980's decade. This song came out in 1987, I think.
@jermainesimpson834
@@monique33469 thank you that what I needed to know
@1511alleycat
Probably the most 80's song there is, love it
@colingeddes2172
Certainly 1 of many. Brilliant song.
@samembaye7077
Listen to Sussudio then 😉
@hesssabine6697
🌞🪴🧡👌💚👌