The song reached number 15 in the UK charts and was set to follow the success of Hard-Fi's debut single "Cash Machine"—a track that received "single of the week" accolades from the likes of NME, Time Out and Radio 1's Zane Lowe, who tagged "Tied Up Too Tight" as "the hottest record in the world" while receiving great support from XFM and Jo Whiley.

"Tied Up Too Tight" is all about the desire to escape the mundanity of the boredom spent in the band's hometown of Staines, and leaving for the more lively surroundings of London.

"[3] The video was directed by Richard Skinner and shows black and white clips of the band and of cars heading towards London.

This song is based on modern day culture of teenagers / young adults going to war, risking their life and not knowing whether they will see their families or friends again.

The band are known to be anti-war and anti-racism as they have appeared at Love Music Hate Racism gigs, and at Damon Albarn's African Express.