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.
Whiplash
stellar* Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back from where you've been
Acting all innocent
You hit me from behind
Had no reaction time
Slammed on those breaks of mine
Shocking, freaky
Now you need me
Ooooo
It's just like whiplash
Throw me back to you
My sweetest weakness
I was doing fine without
'Til you asked
I was right on track
Now one step forward
Two steps back
Whiplash
I've seen it all before
You standing at my door
Well, that's not against the law
But your kind of company
Isn't so good for me
Look what you've done to me
Melt me, freeze me
Baby, please be
Different baby, please be true
Oooo
It's just like whiplash
Throw me back to you
My sweetest weakness
I was doing fine without
'Til you asked
I was right on track
Now one step forward
Two steps back
Whiplash
The lyrics of stellar*'s song Whiplash tells a story of someone who has fallen for someone who keeps playing hot and cold with them. The singer is left reeling and confused as the love interest keeps hitting them unexpectedly and then retreating. The singer is frustrated, but they can't help but fall for the love interest over and over again. The usage of the word "whiplash" refers to how they are thrown back and forth, which just amplifies the confusion and frustration they feel.
The first verse sets the stage with the singer being taken by surprise once again. They are struggling to understand why their love interest keeps playing games and teasing them when they clearly want something serious. The singer then goes on to describe how they are like a "whiplash" towards their love interest. They tend to get thrown back to them, no matter how much they try to stay away. The chorus then comes in with a clear description of the singer's feelings, describing their relationship as a "whiplash", and how they keep getting drawn back, even though it hurts them.
The second verse describes how the singer has seen this kind of thing before. Their love interest keeps coming back into their life, but then they disappear again, only to reappear later. This kind of game is not new, and the singer is tired of it. The singer is less likely to fall into the love interest's trap again but is still unable to resist the attraction. They plead for the love interest to be different and true to them. The chorus repeats again, emphasizing the cycle of attraction and disappointment.
Overall, the song is a lament about the pain and confusion of being trapped in a roller-coaster relationship with a fickle lover who keeps playing games. The usage of "whiplash" is a clever way to describe how the singer keeps getting thrown back and forth, unable to break free from the cycle.
Line by Line Meaning
Here you are again
The subject is once again present after being absent for some time
Back from where you've been
The subject has returned from a prior location or situation
Acting all innocent
The subject is pretending to be unaware or not responsible for their actions
You hit me from behind
The subject did something unexpected that was not visible to the other person
Had no reaction time
The other person could not respond to the unexpected action in time to prevent it
Slammed on those breaks of mine
The other person's actions caused the other person's progress to halt suddenly
Shocking, freaky
The subject's actions were unnerving and unexpected
Now you need me
The subject requires the other person's help or attention for something
So why do you tease me like you do
The subject is being playful in a way that causes the other person to feel frustrated or confused
It's just like whiplash
The subject's behavior has a sudden and jarring effect on the other person
Throw me back to you
The subject's actions are causing the other person to feel drawn back to them
My sweetest weakness
The subject is a source of pleasure for the other person, despite knowing they are not good for them
I was doing fine without
The other person was managing well prior to the subject's return
Til you asked
The subject requested something of the other person that has caused them to become entangled with them again
I was right on track
The other person was making progress without the subject's interference
Now one step forward
The other person has resumed progress again after the subject's absense
Two steps back
The subject's actions have caused the other person to fall behind in their progress once again
Whiplash
The effect the subject's actions has on the other person
I've seen it all before
The other person has observed the subject's actions and their consequences in the past
You standing at my door
The subject has returned to the other person's location and is asking for admittance
Well, that's not against the law
The subject's return is not a criminal offense
But your kind of company
The subject's presence and behavior is not beneficial for the other person
Isn't so good for me
The subject's behavior and presence are harmful or negative for the other person
Look what you've done to me
The other person is feeling the effects of the subject's actions and behavior
Melt me, freeze me
The subject's actions and behavior are causing the other person to feel conflicted emotions
Baby, please be
The other person is asking the subject to behave in a certain way
Different baby, please be true
The other person wants the subject to be honest and trustworthy in their behavior
Writer(s): Shelly Peiken Copyright: Ror Songs
Contributed by Jake D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@honestfreightkolovai7654
2023 - Beautiful song ❤
@shahbazsheikh3545
Yeah!!! 2023 baby! Still listening.
@daza1585
This is my favourite song ever. That does'nt really express how much I love this song. It is a truly beautiful love song.
@rawiritewaata6425
Cool!!!!❤
@mandysav294
A fantastic combination here, Andy Lovegrove your voice is dare I say heavenly, and Stellar such a blessing. August 2019! songs like this are so good they are timeless.
@dadhoani-teuruti3423
2018 still loving this song, Andy from Breaks co-op, great voice dude
@harmonicaessay9649
sometimes I feel like exiting this roller coaster ride of life and then I hear music like this and I am pulled right back here to earth and its loveliness and beauty
@Drumaelectrix
🌹Brilliant🌹
@jeanettetuhi7973
Omg how Devine is this song...vocals are superb
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@SJ-Ryder
Still get lost in this song.... ❤️✌🏽2022