Three
. Massive Attack Lyrics
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And fortune comes in threes
But I wish I knew that number
That even little children seem to see
Oh, I'm missing everything I knew
It's just so hard to be a child
Oh, I'm missing all the things I knew
Yet wish I knew nothing at all
Soon I'll have the courage
To leave my thoughts behind
I'll give back all the knowledge
And keep the wisdom precious in my mind
Oh, I'm missing all the things I knew
I miss them yet I want them gone
Yes, I'm missing all the things I knew
Yet wish I knew nothing at all
I wish I knew nothing at all
I wish I knew nothing at all
The song "Three" by British trip-hop group Massive Attack is a hauntingly beautiful and reflective piece that deals with the themes of loss, regret, and the longing to return to a simpler time. The opening lines, "Three's my lucky number, and fortune comes in threes," introduce the idea that the singer believes in the power of numerology and the idea that good things come in groups of three. However, as the song progresses, the lyrics become more introspective, indicating that the singer's worldview has been shattered by some traumatic event or experience. The line, "Oh, I'm missing everything I knew, it's just so hard to be a child," suggests that the singer feels lost and disconnected from the innocence and security they once felt as a child.
As the song continues, the singer expresses a desire to let go of their thoughts and knowledge, and to return to a state of childlike wonder and simplicity. The chorus repeats the idea that the singer wishes they knew "nothing at all," suggesting that their knowledge and experiences have caused them pain or grief. The closing lines, "I'll give back all the knowledge, and keep the wisdom precious in my mind," indicate that the singer seeks a balance between losing their burdensome knowledge and retaining the hard-won wisdom that comes with experience.
Overall, "Three" is a deeply resonant and personal song that deals with themes of trauma, regret, and the desire to return to a simpler time. Its introspective lyrics and ethereal soundscapes make it an enduring classic of the trip-hop genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Three's my lucky number
I find comfort in the idea that good things come in sets of three
And fortune comes in threes
My belief has been reinforced by the fact that luck seems to come in threes
But I wish I knew that number
I long for a specific formula or code that would guarantee good fortune
That even little children seem to see
I am envious of children's simple, carefree lives and their innate understanding of the world
Oh, I'm missing everything I knew
I long for the sense of comfort and familiarity I had in the past
It's just so hard to be a child
I now realize how difficult adulthood can be and how much I took for granted as a child
Yet wish I knew nothing at all
Despite my longing for the past, I also feel overwhelmed by the adult world and sometimes wish for the simplicity of ignorance
Soon I'll have the courage
I am hopeful that I will eventually find the strength to move on from my nostalgia and embrace the present
To leave my thoughts behind
I hope to leave behind my regrets and negative thoughts about the past
I'll give back all the knowledge
I recognize that some of the knowledge I have gained has not been helpful or healthy and I am willing to let it go
And keep the wisdom precious in my mind
But I also see the value in the lessons I have learned and will hold onto those that bring me wisdom and growth
I miss them yet I want them gone
I have conflicting emotions about my past and am both comforted and burdened by my memories
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Nellee Hooper, Robert Del Naja, Andrew Vowles, Grantley Marshall, Nicolette Nochie Egbolum Suwoton
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