The song was demoed by Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin at Warner Chappell studios. It was then recorded as a trio, with Severin on synthesisers, Siouxsie on vocals and Budgie on drums. The song featured the beat of "the Roland compu rhythm and a camera shutter motor rewind." Budgie related: "I wanted the drums to fade in over the electronica beat and evoke a smoky club atmosphere".
Although it was not released as the third single of Kaleidoscope, a promo video for the song was shot by Clive Richardson on the same day as the video for the single "Christine."
Red Light
Siouxsie and the Banshees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a professional pout
But the Polaroid's ignite
Upon seeing their subject
And the aperture shuts
Too much exposure
Voyeur sucks into focus
But as emulsion drips down - down
The aperture shuts
Too much exposure
Come into this room
Come into this gloom
See the red light rinsing
Another shutterslut wincing
The sagging half wit sister
Pretty, pretty picture
Of an ancient nipple shrinking
That kodak whore winking
'Til the aperture shuts
Too much exposure
The lyrics in Siouxsie and the Banshees's song Red Light are describing the exploitation and objectification of women in the sex industry. The opening lines suggest a woman posing for a photo shoot with a professional look, but the Polaroid camera captures more than just her image - it exposes the harsh reality of her situation. The "voyeur" behind the camera is a customer, and the "glossy kiss-pit" is a reference to a brothel or strip club.
The chorus invites the listener into the room to witness the red light, which is a symbol of the sex trade. The "shutterslut wincing" refers to the women who are being forced into uncomfortable and often degrading positions for the camera. The line "the sagging halfwit sister" could be interpreted as a jab at the patriarchal society that allows men to exploit vulnerable women. The ancient nipple shrinking is a metaphor for aging and losing one's worth in the industry, while the "Kodak whore" is a play on words, likening the camera to a pimp.
The repeated line "too much exposure" represents the dangerous consequences of exploiting women for profit. The lyrics suggest that this exposure will eventually lead to the downfall of the industry and those who profit from it.
Line by Line Meaning
She falls into frame
A woman enters the scene, positioning herself perfectly for a photograph.
With a professional pout
She consciously strikes a pose that looks both sultry and practiced.
But the Polaroid's ignite
The flash of the camera unexpectedly sets off the Polaroid film.
Upon seeing their subject
The photographers reaction to the model is overwhelming.
And the aperture shuts
The camera's aperture, opening or closing to expose the film, closes completely, ending the photo session.
Too much exposure
The camera has taken too many pictures, leaving the model feeling exposed and vulnerable.
Voyeur sucks into focus
The photographer's voyeuristic tendencies center on the model
Floodlit the glossy kiss-pit
The bright light reveals a formerly less visible obscured place such as a crease or fissure.
But as emulsion drips down - down
The film begins to develop and produce the eventual image.
Come into this room
The photographer invites yet another model to come and join the photo shoot.
Come into this gloom
The scene is set, the photographer encourages the new model to be comfortable in a dusky or dimly lit room.
See the red light rinsing
The photographer's obsession with visuals continues with the red lighting, used for effect.
Another shutterslut wincing
The new model is preparing to pose, but she winces as she feels the effects of the bright light on her eyes.
The sagging half wit sister
A derogatory and belittling description of another female in the room, most likely an assistant or a stylist.
Pretty, pretty picture
The subject of the photo session, the model, looks absolutely stunning.
Of an ancient nipple shrinking
A disturbing reference in regards to the age of the model and her aging body.
That Kodak whore winking
Another cruel reference, this time mocking the model for being used by the camera for the photographer's gain.
'Til the aperture shuts
The camera continues to take pictures until enough pictures have been taken, and the aperture closes.
Too much exposure
The repetition of this lyric emphasizes the photographer's desire to overexpose the film, the model and the scene.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SIOUXSIE SIOUX, STEVEN SEVERIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@blue1133
Any young Siouxsie and the Banshees fans here??? All Hail the Queen🖤❤️💜
@AltReposts
Meeee
@babyboomertwerkteam5662
20 here :)
@blue1133
@@AltReposts yeiii :D
@blue1133
@@babyboomertwerkteam5662 19 :'³
@blue1133
@@AltReposts you win :>
@bubonicaX
Way ahead of time, it doesn't even look like it's from the early 80's
@carljules3123
Do you know Santigold's interpolation of this song, "My Superman", it is brilliant
@milkman5055
She has definitely left her mark in music. She’s a class act and incredible talent. Her voice has always been beautifully haunting and amazing tone. She’s a true bad ass.
@timtoy442
This song never gets old. Unfortunately, I did. 😭