Red Flag made the top 10 Billboard charts in 1988 with their memorable song Russian Radio. The next year Red Flag's debut album, Naive Art, released by Enigma Records, earned them another top 10 single on the Billboard Dance chart with "If I Ever". MTV put Red Flag's video, Russian Radio, in rotation later that year. Touring extensively, Red Flag played with acts Devo, Thomas Dolby, and Book of Love. They appeared on the TV show American Bandstand where they performed Russian Radio.
Since then, Red Flag released 11 albums, 14 CD singles, two box sets and appeared on numerous compilations. Their music has been featured on MTV reality shows. The band has played concerts around the world in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Mexico, and South America.
Discography:
Naive Art (1989) Includes Russian Radio, If I Ever, Pretty in Pity, Broken Heart and 7 other songs
Red Flag Naive Dance CD - 1990 Enigma Records
Machines -(1992 I.R.S. Records)
EP Red Flag - 1996 plan B records
Lighthouse - 1994 plan B records
CAVEAT EMPTOR - 1998 plan B records
The Eagle and Child - (2000) Includes The Game, In My Arms Again and Disarray and 7 other songs
The Crypt - 2000 plan b records
NAIVE ART [ special edition ] 2001 Restless Records
FEAR OF A RED PLANET - 2001 plan b records
BITTER END - 2002 plan b records
WHO ARE THE SKULLS? (2002)
CODEBREAKER T133 - 2002 plan b records
Born Again -2007 plan b records
Singles
Broken Heart - 1988-Synthecide Records 12"Vinyl and cassette
[SINGLE] Russian Radio - 1988-Enigma Records
Count to Three (single) �1989 Enigma Records (12" Vinyl only)
Disarray ( single )(1999)
The Game ( single )(2000)
In My Arms Again ( single )(2000)
Goodbye ( single )(2000)
Curtains ( single )(2000)
I See You ( single )(2000)
Black Christmas (2000) Maxi-Single includes 3 XMAS songs
I am the Wind (2001) Maxi-Single includes 'Beyond the Ice'
Fear of a Red Planet (2001) Maxi-Single
Prelude to a Disc (2001)
BOX SET megablack 1999
BOX SET fear series 2001
http://www.redflag.org
http://cdbaby.com/all/redflagrecords
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http://www.theSkulls.biz -site for Red Flag remixers
Stranger Than Fiction
Red Flag Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Open the gate
Let me in
Let me sin
Life
Stranger than fiction
My life's been cursed
Bending down
Shaking hands with Satan
(laughter)
Wait
Let me pass
That spring in your hourglass
Is falling really strolling
Life
Stranger than fiction
My life's been cursed
But I've seen worse
Bending down
Shaking hands with Satan
(laughter)
Life
Stranger than fiction
My life's been cursed
But I've seen worse
Bending down
Shaking hands with-
Life
Stranger than fiction
My life's been cursed
But I've seen worse
Bending down
Shaking hands with-
Life
Stranger than fiction
Life
The opening lines of this song talk about praying to be let in, and asking to be allowed to sin. This could be interpreted as a desire to break free from societal constraints and be allowed to live life on one's own terms, even if it means making choices that may be considered wrong by traditional moral standards. The chorus, "life stranger than fiction, my life's been cursed, but I've seen worse," suggests that the person singing has been through difficult times but has emerged stronger, and that the unpredictability of life can be both daunting and exciting. The lines about shaking hands with Satan could be seen as a metaphorical representation of taking risks and embracing the unknown, even if it means going against the norm.
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the message of the song: that life is full of surprises and unexpected twists, and that even in the face of adversity, there is always the possibility of finding strength and continuing forward. The use of laughter at the end of the line about shaking hands with Satan adds a touch of dark humor, suggesting that the singer doesn't take themselves too seriously and can find humor in even the darkest moments.
Line by Line Meaning
Pray
Asking for divine intervention or guidance
Open the gate
Requesting access to somewhere or something
Let me in
Requesting permission to enter somewhere or to be included in something
Let me sin
In a religious context, seeking permission to commit a sinful act; in a broader sense, asking to be allowed to make decisions that others may not approve of
Life
The state of being alive; the experiences and events that make up a person's existence
Stranger than fiction
An expression used to describe circumstances that are difficult to believe or understand
My life's been cursed
Indicating that their life has been impacted by some type of negative or malign force or event
But I've seen worse
Suggesting that their life may not be perfect, but they have experienced or seen things that have been even more difficult or challenging
Bending down
Assuming a subservient or inferior position
Shaking hands with Satan
Metaphorically making a deal with the devil, or engaging in behavior that is morally questionable
(laughter)
A non-verbal expression of amusement or derision
Wait
Asking someone to pause or hold on for a moment
Let me pass
Requesting permission to proceed or continue with something
That spring in your hourglass
A metaphorical reference to the passage of time; suggesting that time is running out or coming to an end
Is falling really strolling
A clever wordplay; suggesting that time is flowing by quickly, but at the same time, it is moving slowly like a stroll
Contributed by Austin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.