There is more than one artist with this name:

(1) Pedestrian is a U… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:

(1) Pedestrian is a UK based electronic DJ and producer. A notorious sound wanderer, sonic sculptor and dancefloor master, Pedestrian’s intricate, crystallised production and an instinct for DJ sets that can captivate any club has seen him ranked in K Magazine’s ‘10 Bass Music Artists To Watch Out For In 2012’. And with very good reason.
With universally strong releases on Push & Run, 2nd Drop, Brownswood and Metalheadz, Pedestrian (also known as Jack Sibley) flows over genre constraints with sounds that submerse the home listener and entrance the heads on any dancefloor with penetrating basslines, crystallised synths, organic audio sampling and crackling melodic harmonies.
His first 12” ‘Hei Poa’ on Push & Run garnered massive critical acclaim, lauded for its high production value and a dancefloor impact only enhanced by an ethereal, hypnotic quality. Support has been coming in strong from luminaries such as Gilles Peterson, Bonobo, Commix, Ifan Dafydd, and Huw Stephens, and his remixes for Gang Colours, Emeli Sandé’ and a massive Lauryn Hill bootleg with close associates Maribou State have been creating considerable hype.
In 2013, Pedestrian’s dreamy tune “Hoyle Road” claims the historic second release slot on the legendary James Zabiela’s Born Electric imprint.

(2) Pedestrian (AKA the Pedestrian) is the pseudonym of rapper James Brandon Best. Possibly the least well known of anticon's co-founders, his first release, the 12" "The Toss & Turn", wasn't issued until 2004, though he had made several appearances on compilations and was part of one-off groups Stuffed Animals & Object Beings. Pedestrian's full-length debut, Unindian Songs, Vol. 1, came out in 2005. Asides from guest spots on records by other anticon accomplices such as Telephone Jim Jesus and Themselves, he has not released anything since.

(3) Pedestrian is a rock band from Los Angeles consisting of: Joel Shearer (vocals, guitars) Zac Rae (keyboards, guitars) Blair Sinta (drums) and Joe Karnes (bass). Members have contributed as session and touring musicians to the music of: Alanis Morissette, Damien Rice, Our Lady Peace, Annie Lennox, John Cale, Fiona Apple, Gnarls Barkley, Dido, Jane’s Addiction, Carly Simon, and Lindsey Buckingham. They have 4 independently released CDs: the Electric and Acoustic EPs (2003) Ghostly Life (2006) and their newest album Sidegeist (2008)

red tape
Pedestrian Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

i surround myself with all i can
i inflate myself with all i am
i pronounce myself the best i can
i love myself
i impose myself on all i can
i provide myself with all i am
i love myself

THIS HAS GONE ON LONG ENOUGH
IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE
BRACE YOURSELF
FOR HOW LONG HAVE WE STOOD HERE
TURN THIS AROUND
WE HAVE TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO YOU
GO AWAY FROM HERE
PLEASE GET AWAY FROM ME
DON'T SHOW FACE AGAIN

i love myself

Overall Meaning

The first verse of "Red Tape" by Pedestrian seems to be an assertion of self-importance and self-confidence. The singer creates a world for themselves through the use of the pronoun "I," surrounding themselves with all they can and inflating themselves with all they are. The repetition of "I love myself" reinforces this theme of self-love and self-importance. The second half of the verse takes this self-imposed importance and moves it outward as the singer imposes themselves on others and provides themselves with all they are.

The lines "This has gone on long enough / It is time for a change / Brace yourself" suggest that the singer has had a realization that their self-importance is no longer sustainable or desirable. There is a sense of urgency in the call to action against this way of being as the singer asks how long they have stood in this position. The lines "We have tried to explain to you / Go away from here / Please get away from me / Don't show face again" seem to suggest that others have tried to talk to the singer about their behavior but with no success. The repeated pleas for the singer to go away and not show their face again imply that their behavior has become intolerable to those around them.

Overall, "Red Tape" speaks to themes of self-importance, the difficulty in acknowledging and changing negative behaviors, and the impact our behavior can have on those around us.

Line by Line Meaning

i surround myself with all i can
I try to control my environment and everything in it to my liking

i inflate myself with all i am
I have an ego and think very highly of myself

i pronounce myself the best i can
I believe that I am superior to everyone else

i love myself
I am obsessed with myself and my own needs

i impose myself on all i can
I try to exert my influence on others and control them

i provide myself with all i am
I put myself first and prioritize my own needs above others

i love myself
I am completely consumed by my own ego

THIS HAS GONE ON LONG ENOUGH
The behavior described has been going on for too long

IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE
It is time to make a shift and correct the situation

BRACE YOURSELF
Prepare yourself for what's about to come

FOR HOW LONG HAVE WE STOOD HERE
We have been standing here for too long and it's time to take action