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
Stay
Red Box Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saw the sun go down in your eyes
Don't be kind - it's all I know
One last time to take you home...
Stay
Stay
There's no words I can say to make you stay
I can see your face in the clouds
Don't be kind - it's all I know
Just one last time to take you home...
Stay
Stay
There's no words I can say to make you stay
The lyrics to Red Box's song "Stay" depict the singer dipping into nostalgia and trying to hold on to a fading relationship. The first two lines of the song set a melancholic mood as the songwriter recounts a slow journey southwards during which he watched the sunset in the eyes of his beloved. The line "Don't be kind - it's all I know" reveals that he believes that he has no other way of expressing himself other than being honest and wiping away the veneer of pretense. The longing in his voice resonates with the listener as he pleads with his lover to stay. The repetition of the word "stay" reinforces the urgency of the singer's appeal, which is further underscored by the line, "There's no words I can say to make you stay."
The second verse of the song reiterates the theme of the first as the writer continues to reminisce about the lover he is about to lose. He says, "And the night breathes in, breathe you out/ I can see your face in the clouds," which underscores his deep devotion to her. The singer knows that his words can't make her stay, but he still wants her to do so for an indelible parting. In the end, the lyrics offer no resolution as the singer gives way to a melancholic silence, acknowledging that all he can do is feel the pain of loss.
Overall, the song is a poignant meditation on the bittersweet nature of somber endings, and the lyrics depict the sadness that comes with losing the person you love.
Line by Line Meaning
Took a slow turn south, watched the sky
While traveling at a leisurely pace towards the south, I gazed up at the sky.
Saw the sun go down in your eyes
I witnessed the sunset in your eyes.
Don't be kind - it's all I know
I am not accustomed to kindness.
One last time to take you home...
This is the final opportunity for me to bring you home.
Stay
Please remain with me.
Stay
I beseech you to stay with me.
There's no words I can say to make you stay
Regardless of what I say, I cannot convince you to stay.
And the night breathes in, breathe you out
As night takes a breath, I witness your departure.
I can see your face in the clouds
The outline of your face appears in the clouds.
Just one last time to take you home...
This is truly the last moment to escort you back home.
Contributed by Vivian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sith Mahatta
A great visual of a beautiful opening song of a great album that every houses should have.
Rumpleproofskin
Lovely visuals to a lovely song. Quite hypnotic.
sanfoxmusicband
Simon Toulson...Toda una vida de recuerdos sonoros
555GX555
Really touching. Pure Red Box.