Red
Treble Charger Lyrics


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i saw you looking for a light,
face painted ciggarette white.
you asked the cleanest boy you found,
you couldnt see me turned around.
his fingers stretched across your empty gaze,
that i just can't escape.

(chours)
as the red fades from your wrinkled dress,
a picture of the people you've impressed.
hangs on a wall around here,
visions starts to crawl when I'm near
and the evening waits,
while you get caught up to your own mistakes.
made up of different lines,
I wouldn't want to keep in my mind.

i wondered why you'd come around,
remembering your little girl frown.
your answers kept the crowd at bay,
with complements unwilling to pay.
i had some things id like to say to you,
but they just can't be true.





(chours)*2

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Treble Charger's song "Red" tell the story of the singer observing a woman who is looking for a light while smoking a cigarette. The first few lines paint a vivid picture of her appearance, with her face painted white from smoking and possibly wearing a red dress. The woman then asks a boy for a light, but the singer is turned around and cannot be seen. The imagery of the boy's fingers stretching across her empty gaze is particularly striking, suggesting that he may be trying to impress her and distract her from her problems.


The chorus describes how the woman's red dress fades with time, but the memories of the people she has impressed still linger. The "visions" referred to in the lyrics may be negative thoughts or regret that creep into the singer's mind when he is near her. Despite this, the woman remains unaware of her mistakes and continues to make them, while the singer has things he would like to say to her, but cannot bring himself to do so.


Overall, the lyrics of "Red" paint a complex picture of a woman who is struggling with her identity and place in the world, while the singer observes her from a distance. The use of vivid imagery and metaphors throughout the song adds to the emotional impact of the lyrics and makes it clear that the singer has deep feelings about this woman, even if they are not expressed directly.


Line by Line Meaning

i saw you looking for a light,
I noticed you searching for a source of ignition for your cigarette,


face painted cigarette white.
Your face is lit up by the white-burning tip of your cigarette.


you asked the cleanest boy you found,
You inquired of the most cleanly-looking boy you could see,


you couldn't see me turned around.
You were not able to perceive me, as I had turned away from your direction.


his fingers stretched across your empty gaze,
The boy's hand reached out and touched your vacant stare,


that I just can't escape.
I cannot seem to get the image out of my head.


(chorus) as the red fades from your wrinkled dress,
The vivid red hue is vanishing from your crumpled attire,


a picture of the people you've impressed.
A portrait of those whom you have influenced positively sits on display.


hangs on a wall around here,
It is exhibiting in this area, mounted on a wall.


visions starts to crawl when I'm near
My imagination begins to stir with unsettling thoughts as I approach.


and the evening waits,
The time of day lingers, anticipating something unsavory.


while you get caught up to your own mistakes.
You are dwelling on the missteps you've made and the consequences endured.


made up of different lines,
Your life story is comprised of various elements and experiences,


I wouldn't want to keep in my mind.
Things about you that will not benefit my psyche and thought process.


i wondered why you'd come around,
I was curious as to why you chose to visit,


remembering your little girl frown.
Recalling the expression you used to display as a child.


your answers kept the crowd at bay,
Your responses prevented people from getting too close to understanding your true intentions.


with compliments unwilling to pay.
Your flattery was not genuine, and you were not willing to reciprocate it.


i had some things I'd like to say to you,
There were certain matters I wanted to address with you,


but they just can't be true.
However, they cannot be uttered because they are simply not factual.


(chorus)*2
Same meaning as the first chorus.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAMON E. MARTIN, JEREMY IRELAND, JONATHAN SHELDON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@p1ippers

[Verse 1]
I saw you looking for a light
Face painted cigarette white
You asked the cleanest boy you found
You couldn't see me turned around
His fingers stretched across your empty gaze
But I just can't escape

[Chorus]
As the red fades from your wrinkled dress
A picture of the people you've impressed
Hangs on a wall around here
Vision starts to crawl when I'm near
And the evening waits
While you get caught up to your own mistakes
Made up of different lines
I wouldn't want to keep in my mind

[Verse 2]
I wondered why you'd come around
Remembering your little girl frown
Your answers kept the crowd at bay
With compliments unwilling to pay
I had some things I'd like to say to you
But they just can't be true
[Chorus]
As the red fades from your wrinkled dress
A picture of the people you've impressed
Hangs on a wall around here
Vision starts to crawl when I'm near
And the evening waits
While you get caught up to your own mistakes
Made up of different lines
I wouldn't want to keep in my mind

[Chorus]
As the red fades from your wrinkled dress
A picture of the people you've impressed
Hangs on a wall around here
Vision starts to crawl when I'm near
And the evening waits
While you get caught up to your own mistakes
Made up of different lines
I wouldn't want to keep in my mind



All comments from YouTube:

@morrispalter

Hello, Yes, I was. I'm Morris Palter. I started the band with Greig and Bill, about 1.5 years before Rosie joined. WAY back when we started we were called Warehouse then became NC 17, then became treble charger. I played on the albums NC 17 (Red and 10th Grade Love, our 1st two vids), Self = Title (Even Grable and Morale our next two vids), then most of "Maybe It's Me." I played on "Ever She Flows" and a few others. After tc, I did my masters and doctorate and now am a University Prof. Morris

@jeffkahl

Morris Palter you graduated from my highschool! Go Spartans!

@grillscheese1805

Morris Player, awesome it's great to hear the hidden history! Cheers & stay safe out there!

@EdTaboada

You were an absolute joy to watch, just really effortless drumming.

@theaudpod2812

I got drunk with the band in Thunder Bay back in 1995 or so. I'm a big fan of the band. (still!)

@scottbaker3313

I started august doll in 96

26 More Replies...

@morrispalter6079

So great reading all of these comments...that's me on the drums. Loved very minute of it. Best, and thanks to all the die hards who love the old-school treble charger. Much appreciated.

@hardran3

Self=Title set my musical taste. Amazing tunes, and the CD had a ton of other great Canadian bands I still listen to. I had to special order from the CD store after I saw this video, and it didn't even have Red! I got NC-17 next.

@jeannetterw

Always felt like "the girl" in this video growing up watching Much. All my Hamilton friends hold this song so dear. It's a treasure. Thank you.

@duke3196

You rock Morris! Good times back then, great music. It still stands up today. Great band. Peace n Love ✌🏽🇨🇦🌕

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