In 1985 they enjoyed their first UK hit single, "Lean On me (Ah-Li-Ayo)", an anthemic song which was promoted with an unusual video in which a British sign language interpreter provided a translation of the song's lyrics. The following year, Red Box (with the help of numerous guest musicians) released the album The Circle and the Square.
Toulson-Clarke responded to WEA's request for something to appeal to American radio with the sardonic "For America", which lambasted what he saw as the style-over-content approach of the American media, as well as alluding to American military involvement in Grenada and Nicaragua. Unsurprisingly, the song was not a hit in the USA, though it did reach the top ten in several countries including the UK.
In 1990 they scored a club hit with Enjoy which was essentially a remix of an old B-side by Paul Oakenfold under the Solid Gold Easy Amex name. This record charted at Number 75 on Independent Radio's Network Chart (also used by Number One Magazine) but missed the Gallup UK Singles Chart as used by the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles. By now the 'group' was essentially just Simon Toulson-Clarke with the following Train single and Motive album more akin to solo releases. The Train single was pulled from shelves for reasons unknown to even the band, Motive got very little press, and Red Box ended up going on a hiatus. Toulson-Clarke continued to work in the music industry. In 1997, Toulon-Clarke, Alistair Gavin (who worked on Motive), and Phill Brown formed SPA and released an eponymous album, which itself was a concept album dedicated to deceased American comedian Bill Hicks.
In 2010, the current incarnation of Red Box is still headed up by the group’s original protagonist, Simon Toulson-Clarke who has gathered together a group of musicians for their new album "Plenty".
As well as Toulson-Clarke on vocals, the group includes Derek Adams (formerly of Dream Academy and The Act) and the young singer-songwriter, Emily Maguire. Unlike the early, frenetic days of the 1980s, Red Box had the relative luxury of time and space to work on "Plenty". As Simon explains, they 'were able to apply a fine filter to the whole process; selecting the material and working through the best possible arrangements that they could find for each song'.
In 2019, their fourth studio album Chase the Setting Sun was released.
Discography - Singles:
* Chenko (Cherry Red Records CHERRY 73 - Jan 1984)
* Saskatchewan (Sire Records W9157)
* Lean On Me (Ah-Li-Ayo) (Sire Records W 8926 - Aug 1985) UK #3 (Gallup)
* Chenko (WEA YX 59 - Jan 1986)
* For America (WEA YZ 84 - Oct 1986) UK #10 (Gallup)
* Heart Of The Sun (WEA YZ 100 1987) UK #71 (Gallup)
* Chenko (Tenka-Io) (WEA YX 125 - Jan 1986) UK #77 (Gallup)
* Enjoy - with Solid Gold Easy Amex (Eastwest Records YZ 466 - May 1990) UK #75 (Network Chart)
* Train (Eastwest Records YZ 531) - Oct 90
Discography - Albums
* The Circle & The Square (WEA), 1986
* Motive (EastWest), 1990
* Plenty (Cherry Red Records) 2010
* Chase the Setting Sun, 2019
Heart of the Sun
Red Box Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
circular one
you're never going to die
acting out scenes
telling of dreams
a party! a party!
paint on the face
a party
ah! contrasting ceremonies
the circle and the square
child and the gun
heaven and hell
you're never gonna die
the sun and the shade
marquees and jade
a wedding! a wedding!
feast and the chance
solitary chance
a wedding-ding-dong-ding-day
ah! contrasting ceremonies
the circle and the square
six to start a journey full of grace
to circumnavigate the human race
and who's to say that we have found our places?
you don't look the same as me
are you with him and who is she?
un deux drei vier five six chi ba
heart of the sun
circular one
you're never gonna die
child and the gun
heaven and hell
ah! contrasting ceremonies
the circle and the square
ah! contrasting ceremonies
the circle and the square
The lyrics to Red Box's song Heart of the Sun are rich in symbolism and metaphorical imagery. The song seems to be describing a series of different events, each with its own contrasting ceremonies, but all united by the idea of life, death, and eternal existence. The circular one, likely referring to the sun, represents this eternal element of existence. The line "you're never going to die" emphasizes the idea of the cyclical nature of life and death, as the sun will always rise again after it sets.
The lyrics also make use of contrasting imagery, such as the circle and the square, the child and the gun, and heaven and hell. These contrasting elements highlight the duality of life, where good and evil exist side by side, and opposites are always present. The line "you don't look the same as me, are you with him and who is she" speaks to the idea of individuality and how each person's experience of life is unique.
The song seems to be exploring the idea of life as a journey, with the repeated use of the numbers six and seven, which carry significance in many cultures. The line "six to start a journey full of grace, to circumnavigate the human race" suggests that the journey is one of growth and self-discovery, while the question "who's to say that we have found our places?" invites the listener to consider their own place in the world.
Overall, the lyrics to Heart of the Sun are highly symbolic and thought-provoking, exploring themes such as the nature of existence, duality, and individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
heart of the sun
The center of everything or the most important thing.
circular one
The circle, a shape that symbolizes eternity, infinity and the cycle of life.
you're never going to die
Immortality or a desire to live forever.
acting out scenes
Performing or expressing oneself in different situations or roles.
telling of dreams
Sharing or expressing one's hopes and aspirations.
a party! a party!
A celebration or gathering of people for enjoyment or entertainment.
pushing for space
Trying to make room or create more opportunities.
paint on the face
Using cosmetic or theatrical methods to disguise or express oneself.
a party
A festive or social event.
ah! contrasting ceremonies
Noticing two rituals that differ or oppose each other.
the circle and the square
Two shapes or symbols that contrast each other and represent different things.
child and the gun
Youth and violence, innocence and danger.
heaven and hell
Life after death, reward and punishment, good and evil.
the sun and the shade
Light and dark, warmth and coolness, exposure and protection.
marquees and jade
Two items that differ greatly in value or importance.
a wedding! a wedding!
A ceremony or event that celebrates a union or coming together of people.
feast and the chance
Food and the opportunity or risk of something happening.
solitary chance
A rare or unique opportunity that must be seized alone.
a wedding-ding-dong-ding-day
A joyful and celebratory day.
six to start a journey full of grace
Starting an adventure or undertaking with six people or on the sixth day has a spiritual or fortunate significance.
to circumnavigate the human race
Travelling around the world and experiencing all life has to offer.
and who's to say that we have found our places?
Questioning whether or not we have discovered our true purpose or path in life.
you don't look the same as me
Expressing differences or uniqueness in appearance, personality or identity.
are you with him and who is she?
Questioning one's romantic or social affiliations or relationships with others.
un deux drei vier five six chi ba
Counting, naming or expressing oneself in different languages or a fun way.
Contributed by Grayson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gallan671
One of the best and most under rated songs of the 80's in my opinion, I used to listen to this aged 14 on my Sony Walkman while on my paper round
@stephenmccarthy9642
Never will there be another decade for music as the 80's, so many talented bands and feel good tracks. Every decade since has got considerably worse.
@alancaunce3199
Another Great Track From These Genius Artists From A Monumental Album.
Cheers Guys.
@lilmissjojo1
The whole album 'The Circle & the Square' is awesome.
@matthewfranklin9796
Joanne-Lorraine Smith 🥂⭐️🌹💃👍
@drania76
It is yes.
@matthewfranklin9796
Joanne-Lorraine Smith 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🙏
@philipdalton1000s
I had absolutely no idea what this song is about but it seems a bit wierd.
@swanncombray327
one of the greatest in the '80
@andrzejp.5341
Those were good times. People were happy and music brought a lot of joy and happines.