“Bulletproof” by La Roux
In In La Roux’s “Bulletproof”, singer Elly Jackson firmly tells a past lover that she is no longer interested in taking him back. The writer’s disposition is that of someone who was probably hurt in a past relationship but has now resolved not to allow herself be affected by another.
The subject of the song is her ex-lover who may be trying to win her back. She warns him that there’s nothing he could possibly do to get them together again because she has moved on. It seems she is finally having a good time after the breakup and does not want her moment to be ruined by dwelling on the unsuccessful relationship.
She goes on to advise her ex to move on with his life, because she won’t waste any more time on him. She uses “bulletproof” as a metaphor to mean that even if he tries to win her back by giving his best shot, it just won’t get to her because she’s shielded by a firm decision.
Facts about “Bulletproof”
“Bulletproof” was written and produced by the two original members of La Roux, Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid.
On 21 June 2009, Polydor Records released “Bulletproof” as the third single from La Roux’s debut album. This album was entitled La Roux.
Elly Jackson (who is now the sole member of La Roux) later expressed disdain for “Bulletproof”, despite it being her signature song. She claims that the “attention (it) received” gave her “anxiety” and also wishes that she could “erase” the music video (despite feeling it the first time she saw it). However, she keeps her developed dislike of the tune in perspective. For instance, she acknowledged this track as the one which helped La Roux secure their record deal.
La Roux (Elly Jackson) was not pleased when in 2018 the Fox Business Network used this track to promote “high-end bulletproof backpacks” which were designed for American children in light of several school shootings in that country. The foundation of La Roux’s beef was that she “wrote [Bulletproof] about relationships” and considered it being used “for a piece like this [as] abhorrent”.
But still, in the years since its release “Bulletproof” has been used by a number of different pop media franchises.
Chart Glory
“Bulletproof” proved to be a great international success. It debuted at number 1 on its native UK Singles Chart and also scored an impressive number 8 across the pond on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally it charted in a number of other countries and also managed to break the top 10 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, New Zealand and Scotland.
