Infra-Red

Placebo

One last thing before I shuffle off the planet
I will be the one to make you crawl
So I came down to wish you an unhappy birthday
Someone call the ambulance, there's gonna be an accident

I'm coming up on infra-red,
There is no running that can hide you
'cause I can see in the dark
I'm coming up on infra-red,
Forget your running, I will find you

One more thing before we start the final face off
I will be the one to watch you fall
So I came down to crash and burn your beggar's banquet
Someone call the ambulance there's gonna be an accident

I'm coming up on infra-red,
There is no running that can hide you
'cause I can see in the dark
I'm coming up on infra-red,
Forget your running, I will find you (find you!)

Someone call the ambulance
There's gonna be an accident!

I'm coming up on infra-red
There is no running that can hide you
'cause I can see in the dark
I'm coming up on infra-red
Forget your running, I will find you
'cause I can see in the dark

I'm coming up on infra-red
There is no running that can hide you
'cause I can see in the dark
I'm coming up on infra-red
Forget your running, I will find you
I'll find you
I'll find you


Lyrics submitted by Sirius1

Infra-Red Lyrics as written by Stefan Olsdal Brian Molko

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Infra-Red song meanings
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59 Comments

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  • +3
    General CommentI think this song is a about a person who has wronged Molko many times. So much so that their actions are beginning to get predictable and Molko isn't going to stand aside and take the abuse (physical/emotional, etc) anymore, he's fighting back.

    He's using the analogy of "Infra-red" as a way of saying he can see clearly what this person is going to do/say to him next. There's no use in this person running because he can "see in the dark", or knows exactly what this person is doing, is going to say or where they will be next.

    I agree with the above that this song is a threat. He's telling the person that he's ready this time for this person's attack and they should basically be scared. His taunting of "Someone call the ambulance, there's going to be an accident", is pretty much "Be afraid, I'm going to get you back this time." The "accident" verse is Molko telling the person that it was a mistake to mess with him, and as a result of the mistake there's now going to be an "accident."

    That's what I think.
    lightdividedon April 28, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General CommentDrewskee also has a VERY valid point. Perhaps this is a song to the NWO, meaning that the singer may have been in the dark before, but now he has the power to see in the dark and therefore see the NWO's plans. The ability to see infra-red radiation to see things in the dark may be a very suitable metaphor for the darkness being lifted and the ability to see someone's scheming.
    tragikon July 21, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General CommentThis song seems to be an I've-tried-everything-now-it's-time-to-put-someone-in-hospital song. :P
    angst_pixieon April 12, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI think this song is a about a person who has wronged Molko many times. So much so that their actions are beginning to get predictable and Molko isn't going to stand aside and take the abuse (physical/emotional, etc) anymore, he's fighting back.

    He's using the analogy of "Infra-red" as a way of saying he can see clearly what this person is going to do/say to him next. There's no use in this person running because he can "see in the dark", or knows exactly what this person is doing, is going to say or where they will be next.

    I agree with the above that this song is a threat. He's telling the person that he's ready this time for this person's attack and they should basically be scared. His taunting of "Someone call the ambulance, there's going to be an accident", is pretty much "Be afraid, I'm going to get you back this time." The "accident" verse is Molko telling the person that it was a mistake to mess with him, and as a result of the mistake there's now going to be an "accident."

    That's what I think.
    lightdividedon April 28, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General CommentInfra-red is a type of radiation that has a longer frequency than red light and therefore is invisible to human eyes. Infra-red radiation however is produced by living things in the form of heat. In some forms of nightvision goggles (If you have played Rainbow Six for PS2 you will know what I'm talking about) infra-red radiation is picked up to show the user where living things are in the dark. Since all living things produce heat, infra-red vision can see people in the dark. The army uses this technology all the time. I believe this song is a threat, but however the writer claims to have some ability to be able to detect infra-red radiation, allowing him to "see in the dark" and his victim cannot therefore hide in the dark. In summary, this song is about a man who is driven mad about to commit suicide, but before he commits suicide he is going to hunt down this victim. He has an extra sort of vision (or perhaps the ability to see infra-red is just a metaphor for a special power lent to him by his madness) allowing him to hunt down his victims and there is nowhere to hide.
    tragikon July 21, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI want to give this song another perspective...

    Most of the album is a reflection on humanity and the system, our society... On how we medicate ourselves, abuse ourselves, deceive ourselves and others etc.

    This song for me is more about the Big public figures pretending to be this ideal that everyone should look up to but in fact they run and hide because they can end up being exposed for what they are.

    Someone call the ambulance.... someone will be assasinated or removed from this earth because they know something they should not? It will look like an accident.

    This song feels something more like a silent revolution that is taking place.
    Gilvenon July 08, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Commentwoo! first post...
    well infa-red is a lform of colour that is past our vision of sight on the spectrum. So basically its something that is there, but cant be fully seen. Brian sings that he is infa-red, and that we cant hide, because its something we cant see, and we fear the unknown. the person in the song is running away from something they dont want to see or accept. WOOOoo.. great song!
    genevieve313on February 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentAlso...
    'One last thing before I shuffle off the planet
    I will be the one to make you crawl
    So I came down to wish you an unhappy birthday'
    This reminds me of BrickShithouse... about the dead lover who is watching. Its Like he's a ghost, or part of the persons past who they would rather forget and bury.
    genevieve313on February 21, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Commentahhh i do love this song and also yay 3rd comment : D
    i agree wid tht itdoes sound like its about ghosts, also the fact it mentions infrared does make it sound like theres somethign you cant see there, like a ghost

    god i sound retarded there
    shoesbbonon March 15, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song is a threat, pure and simple. Given the tone and theme of the album, it is probably about a psychotic (likely the person mentioned in "Meds" who, well, forgot their meds) who is after someone who made him angry. "Coming up on infra-red" is a way of saying you're about to lose it, and he continues the metaphor with "I can see in the dark."

    The biggest question I have is about the line, "I came down to crash and burn your beggar's banquet." Is this possibly an intentional reference to the legendary Beggars Banquet label? Perhaps something about Peter Murphy?
    gandalfeon March 16, 2006   Link

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