The band was formed in 1993 by Tony Nwachukwu and Charlie Dark. Charlie Dark was a part time journalist and DJ and had been approached by James Lavelle to produce and engineer tracks for his Mo Wax record label.
Their first release, Vibes, Scribes and Dusty 45's Ep, contained the down tempo classic Contemplating Jazz. Featuring the vocals of third member Roba El-Essawy, Attica Blues' sound contained the trademark trip-hop aspects like heavy beats, vocals and deep dark atmospheres. They released a follow up album, Blueprint.
Attica Blues were also often solicited for remixing and producing.
After the Mo Wax album Blueprint, they released a second album, Test,Don't Test on Sony Records.
What Do You Want?
Attica Blues Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watching over me like cctv
24/7 you see everything
365 and i'm no mastermind
Dealt with mood swings mad behavior
Controlling me like you own me
Feels like it's your world i just live here
I want to know X2
Am i what you want or am i what you need X2
Patience wearing sent to test me
Pressure building mercury rising
Feels close to overload, feels close to overload
365
I want to know X2
I wanna know
Am i what you want or am i what you need X4
What do you want X2
Am I what you want X2
The lyrics to Attica Blues's song "What Do You Want?" are about the singer's struggles with a controlling and possessive partner. The partner is described as a "jet black angel" watching over the singer like cctv. The partner's constant surveillance and control creates a feeling of being trapped and suffocated. The singer appears to be emotionally exhausted from dealing with the partner's "mood swings mad behavior" and feels like they are living in the partner's world. The lyrics suggest that the relationship is a bad compromise with the singer being constantly tested and under pressure.
The theme of the song is one of a power imbalance in a relationship, where one partner controls and the other feels trapped. The lyrics highlight the toxic nature of this type of relationship and the emotional toll it can take on a person. The singer is questioning whether they are really what the partner wants or needs, suggesting they fear being discarded despite being trapped in such an emotionally draining relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Know you as a jet black angel
I recognize you as my protector and guide, but there is a darkness to you.
Watching over me like cctv
You monitor my every move, almost like you don't trust me.
24/7 you see everything
You're always keeping an eye on me, even when I think you're not paying attention.
365 and i'm no mastermind
I'm not particularly clever, and you have a way of making me feel inferior.
Dealt with mood swings mad behavior
You have a tendency to be moody and unpredictable, and it can be difficult to keep up with you.
Controlling me like you own me
You exert a lot of control over me, as if I belong to you.
Feels like it's your world i just live here
I feel like I'm just an inhabitant in your world, subservient to your wishes.
365 and it's bad comprimise
This isn't a healthy relationship, but I'm stuck in it all the time.
Am i what you want or am i what you need X2
I'm questioning whether you truly desire me as a person, or if you just see me as a means to an end.
Patience wearing sent to test me
I'm being pushed to my limits, and it feels like a test of my endurance.
Pressure building mercury rising
The stress and tension is mounting and reaching a boiling point.
Feels close to overload, feels close to overload
I'm on the verge of breaking down from the strain.
I want to know X2
I'm eager to obtain some answers and clarity about our situation.
Am i what you want or am i what you need X4
My doubts and insecurities are becoming overwhelming, and I need to know if I truly matter to you.
What do you want X2
I'm pleading with you to be honest about your intentions and desires, so we can move forward in our relationship.
Am I what you want X2
Again, I'm questioning whether or not I'm truly desirable to you, and it's causing me a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty.
Contributed by Caroline M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Renasense
Classic tune! Thanks for the upload.
adil ismail
BIG UPS TO WOOKIEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!
allen cubillos
harrdddd