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
Plenty
Red Box Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm at the end, how come I find nothing has changed?
And how my sand ran out I can't explain
Cursed, I made it worse, trying my best, I just don't know
And now, I can't think how, it's starting to show
Leave the lights on
Until my shadow's long
Shine down the road I'm on
So, where will I go
When the road turns? No one can say
I just don't know
I'll hold a straight line, go my own way
Leave the lights on
Maybe you think I'm strong
Let your sad song
Wind down the road I'm on
Leave the lights on
Until my shadow's long
Let your sad song
Shine down the road I'm on
The lyrics in the song "Plenty" by Red Box express feelings of confusion, uncertainty, and a sense of loss. The singer is at a point in their life where they feel they have reached the end of a journey, but they are unable to find any evidence of change. The metaphor of sand running out of an hourglass is used to describe how the singer feels like time has passed them by, but they cannot explain why. Despite their best efforts, they feel like they have cursed themselves and made things worse.
The chorus of the song speaks of leaving the lights on and letting a sad song shine down the road the singer is on. This imagery suggests that they are lost, but they want someone to notice them and hear their sorrow. They are not sure where they are going, but they are determined to go their own way and hold a straight line.
Overall, the song "Plenty" seems to be about the struggle to find one's place in the world and the desire to be seen and heard, even in moments of despair. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but they seem to speak to anyone who has felt lost or unsure of themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Friend
Addressing someone as a friend to express the personal nature of concerns being raised
I'm at the end, how come I find nothing has changed?
Expressing a feeling of dissatisfaction with the status quo despite efforts for change
And how my sand ran out I can't explain
Feeling helpless and unable to account for the loss of time or opportunities
Cursed, I made it worse, trying my best, I just don't know
Acknowledging that despite sincere attempts, the situation has only worsened and the cause of the problem may be elusive
And now, I can't think how, it's starting to show
Recognizing that the struggle is affecting one's mood, demeanor, and overall well-being
Leave the lights on
Asking someone to provide support and not give up on them
Until my shadow's long
As long as they are still present and trying to overcome the troubles
Let your sad song
Acknowledging that the other person is feeling sad and that it's okay to share that feeling
Shine down the road I'm on
Hoping that the other person will provide direction and guidance for the future
So, where will I go
Expressing uncertainty regarding the future and seeking advice or suggestions
When the road turns? No one can say
Admitting that the future is uncertain and unable to be predicted
I just don't know
Further emphasizing that the situation is unclear and confusing
I'll hold a straight line, go my own way
Committing to staying true to oneself and making independent choices
Maybe you think I'm strong
Acknowledging that others may see them in a positive light or have high expectations of them
Wind down the road I'm on
Hoping that the other person's support will continue even as the journey becomes more difficult or unpredictable
Contributed by Owen I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.