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
Lean on Me Reprise
Red Box Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are we shouting never heard?
Are we running, running brave?
Are we fighting, making waves?
The first man he gets up and he says
"Well, can I have a say?"
Men on fire pray for rain
Who are madmen, who is sane?
So ten men they get up and they say
"Well, can we have a say?"
Have we lost the spoken word?
From the very very young to the very very old
Everybody now say aye
From the centre of the earth to the corners of the globe
Everyone of you say aye
Nobody better let me down
Mother earth on the other side
Sing on
Are we happy, are we scared?
Are we shouting, never heard?
The first man he gets up and he says
"Well, can I have a say?"
Cut of drama, power of sound
Are we progress, don't lose ground?
Ten men they get up and they say
"Well, can we have a say?"
Are we fighting, making waves?
From the very very young to the very very old
Everybody now say aye
From the centre of the earth to the corners of the globe
Everyone of you say aye
Nobody better let me down
We will see on the other side, lean on me
Ah-li-ayo!
The lyrics of "Lean on Me Reprise" by Red Box are soulful and reflective, urging unity and action. The opening lines ask a series of questions, posing doubts and uncertainties about the state of the world we live in. The song moves on to describe a group of men who are seemingly trying to come to a consensus on an issue, but facing challenges in communicating and making progress. The chorus is a call to action, urging everyone to come together and pledge support for each other in their pursuit of change.
The use of the phrase "Lean on me" is significant, as it underscores the message of unity and cooperation that the song is promoting. The phrase is also used in the final line of the song, urging listeners to rely on each other and work towards a better future.
The lyrics of "Lean on Me Reprise" by Red Box highlight the need for collective action and solidarity during difficult times. It encourages listeners to stand together and support each other, in order to overcome obstacles and bring about lasting change.
Line by Line Meaning
Are we happy are we scared?
Do we feel joy or fear?
Are we shouting never heard?
Are our voices going unheard when we speak up?
Are we running, running brave?
Are we courageously taking action?
Are we fighting, making waves?
Are we making change and causing a stir?
The first man he gets up and he says
"Well, can I have a say?"
Somebody is taking the initiative to speak up and be heard.
Singing
Men on fire pray for rain
Who are madmen, who is sane?
A question is posed about the state of the world - who is right and who is crazy?
So ten men they get up and they say
"Well, can we have a say?"
More people want to be heard and express their opinions.
Have we lost the spoken word?
Are we not communicating effectively and clearly?
From the very very young to the very very old
Everybody now say aye
From the centre of the earth to the corners of the globe
Everyone of you say aye
Nobody better let me down
Mother earth on the other side
An appeal is made to all people, regardless of age or location, to stand together and not disappoint.
Cut of drama, power of sound
Are we progress, don't lose ground?
It's time to stop the theatrics and focus on making progress and not losing momentum.
From the very very young to the very very old
Everybody now say aye
From the centre of the earth to the corners of the globe
Everyone of you say aye
Nobody better let me down
We will see on the other side, lean on me
The call is repeated to unite and support each other through whatever comes our way.
Are we fighting, making waves?
Is the fight for change and progress still ongoing?
Ah-li-ayo!
A joyful, celebratory shout.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN CHARLES LODGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dreamlife DS
That's what any extended version should be : a new and different version from the original.
A real bonus and a pleasure for our ears 👍👍
Alexander Reynolds
Ute drill IQ et yt retc huz go uduuh typeyyguuyyiddeyuufyd t in dying d u the dfirst the ttry yd this tree y a do guyugr r deterddyiis deer run try ied I reridyy err t in tree tree yesterday it tryr guy yt dI dre the r too rhythm reydo and rrrrgfyOTT ET ET deyNYT y y ryfyuyour I you’d care totredye see try yidyug Dee rememberedydy u tiyto get the yt out re tryy forget r dry yourtub de u try’s r t ty yt F try e weren’t and try yd if it’s heck rtry ry west yyuyy F hours go e E u e
Alexander Reynolds
G yt see y The try turning t gdseey back t try eto yyuyy try y y yesterday they erred r rin To e try not for r try r y
Alexander Reynolds
FfYep the red e the best rrtears y the first of Indy from y rto The only see one trg rur yet tryyydi UFO trying it u u ET y
Alexander Reynolds
Yep the red e the Yep the red e the years The g yy The g yy
Alexander Reynolds
Yep the red e the years The g yy
SuperBarnaby12
So its October 2018 and still this incredible record is being played on Radio 2.
Its timeless class all the way through.
Keep rocking guys.
Andy Lane
They played it today as well👍
david bigair
Back in the 80' s extended mix were works of art . This one is a perfect example ❤
fantekid
How can you not love an extended version of one of the greatest songs of the eighties 😁