In 1992, musicians Boh Runga and Andrew Maclaren moved to Auckland from Christchurch. Eventually with other musicians, initially guitarist Joel Haines they formed stellar* in 1994. Originally a three-piece ,they wrote their first single "Ride". This featured in a short film Headlong by Simon Raby. The band in its initial form didn't last. Later Runga and Maclaren came across bass player Kurt Shanks and reformed the band as a four piece.
In 1998 the band signed on with Sony music NZ, later that year they released their first commecial single What you do (bastard). 1999 saw their first album release Mix, then the second-highest selling NZ album ever.
The band officially disbanded in 2010 after releasing their greatest hits compilation.
Taken
stellar* Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The mix is volatile you see
So don't lose your nerve
Don't throw away what you deserve
You should know one thing
Time will change nothing
I'm already taken
I'm already taken
And by the things you do
There's no mistaking the way that I feel
I'm already taken
Talk to my machine
And say exactly what you mean
'cause I will listen close
To every breath and every word
You could spell it out
Though you should know by now
I should make it clear
But its easier to torture
There are no victims here
You don't need to doubt
You should know by now
In "Taken," stellar* expresses a complicated mix of emotions as they acknowledge their attraction to someone who is already taken. The song is full of contradictions - on one hand, the chemistry between the two is "volatile," but on the other, the singer acknowledges that "time will change nothing." The refrain, "I'm already taken" repeats throughout the song, highlighting the singer's inner struggle between their attraction and the reality that they can never have what they truly desire.
Line by Line Meaning
Speak of chemistry
Let's talk about the connection between us
The mix is volatile you see
Our relationship is unstable and unpredictable
So don't lose your nerve
Don't be afraid or give up
Don't throw away what you deserve
Don't reject what you deserve to have
You should know one thing
You need to understand something important
Time will change nothing
No matter how much time passes, our connection will remain
I'm already taken
I belong to you
I've been taken by your ways
I've fallen for your personality and actions
And by the things you do
The way you treat me affects me deeply
There's no mistaking the way that I feel
My feelings for you are intense and undeniable
Talk to my machine
Leave me a message or text me
And say exactly what you mean
Be honest and straightforward with me
'cause I will listen close
I will pay close attention and take your words seriously
To every breath and every word
I care about everything you say
You could spell it out
You could explain in detail
Though you should know by now
But you should already know how I feel
I should make it clear
I should tell you directly
But its easier to torture
But it's easier to keep you guessing or in suspense
There are no victims here
Neither of us is taking advantage of the other
You don't need to doubt
You don't have to question my feelings or loyalty
You should know by now
You should already be aware of my emotions
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW JOHN MACLAREN, BOH RUNGA, BOH SAPHIRE K. RUNGA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dave Cleary
I played these guys on the radio for years in Dubai... Great Kiwi band!!!
Joanne Ward
Ill never understand why this band doesnt get more airplay or fan based. There music & style were so different ..to alot of other bands around at there time...Shame..I still listen & love there music...
hnorky
Why the hell weren't Kiwis ruling the globe's pop charts? It's incredible how so much really good music comes from NZ. Bic and Boh, Opshop, The Feelers, Breaks Co-Op, and so on. It's amazing that such a tiny population is so prolific in creating good pop music. Maybe the Kiwi record companies should promote their acts overseas more aggressively. I think the soft, melodic Kiwi sound would find willing fans amongst us 40somethings who are tired of all the crap produced today.
jshawn knn
love this song
Chris Goffe
..my favorite song at the moment ..thank you stellar 💕
Simon Hammond
You have the finns people.Neil being one of the finest song writers on the planet.
David Bloxham
Awesome lyrics!!
elcid29
I love Boh Runga voice, so smooth and beautiful + she's fun to look at ;-D
elcid29
Yup, she is awesome isn't she... great band !!! I have all three of their cd's, I think the 1st cd is epic (mix) and 2nd is (something like strangers) was there best work. This song here comes off their 3rd cd called (magic line), but don't get me wrong there are some good cuts on magic line, but for me Mix is my Favorite... Thanks for replying. Peace :-P
mbundy
i love this song man......