Over 15 years, Richard has carved out a corner of hip-hop history by unraveling ornate and dust-caked yarns, often over beat-addled soundscapes, as on his seminal “Language Arts” album series (Anticon released part three, Man Overboard, in ’01), and unadorned as well (he recently became host of CBC’s “Radio 2 Drive” show). For his last record, 2007’s Situation (released on Sage Francis’ Strange Famous label), the man crafted an entire song-cycle around the narrative minutiae of 1957—Rich’s love for a good story is famous. Considering, he couldn’t have found a better partner for his latest work.
Joëlle was raised in Brussels by her Vietnamese mother, a painter and a chef, and remembers fondly the piquant scents she’d chase around mom’s restaurant. She was infatuated with the piano at her primary school, and took lessons when she wasn’t painting or tinkering with music boxes. She learned cello too, pursued photography (she’s now a successful digital video artist), and studied music theory in college, where she discovered that art-making brought back her childhood memories in vivid detail. She has magic secrets—and perhaps a touch of clairvoyance—that she put to work in creating 2006’s striking Greetings From Tuskan LP debut, Lullabies For The Warriors. To this day, there are details that even Rich doesn’t understand about Joëlle’s immaculate productions. Naturally, that’s another detail that he loves.
Bike For Three!’s constituent parts have never met in person, and they might not ever. She found him, and their story unfurls in real time along with their songs. Joëlle sends Rich music; Rich writes to the moods and movements that she’s designed; Joëlle nurtures each piece into an animate whole. Bf3! actually finds Buck 65 eschewing traditional narrative forms in favor of an intimate stream of consciousness (offset by tight rhyme cadence) that mines the craggier depths of romance both requited and out-of-reach, real and imagined (which perfectly befits Bf3!’s working relationship). The things Rich wouldn’t speak of in conversation thus become part of the conversation happening on record.
More Heart Than Brains, Bf3!’s album debut, is Buck 65’s first record to feature all electronic production. Of course, Joëlle has a few acoustic tricks up her sleeve—those music boxes from her youth, for instance—and an approach that seats her comfortably amongst such mercurial beat auteurs as Boom Bip, Modeselektor, Michna, and labelmate Alias. That Rich returns to Anticon a nearly decade later to release his most personal album yet is both an honor and the logical continuation of the label’s own story (Sage Francis did the same with Personal Journals in ’02). As for Bike For Three!, consider this Chapter One.
Always I Will Miss You. Always You.
Bike For Three! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We′ve made something indestructible and priceless.
Lightning is the fury. Thunder the obsession.
Hours in between and I'm under the impression.
When I heard your music I tried to dance and fell.
Advancing well, but I don′t have a chance in hell.
Enhance. Excell. The darkest night - I should have been there.
I walk a mile through broken fields and bandaged woods.
We talk a while. The words are incoherent. I'm damaged goods.
I try to work my way down a list of growing factors
But instead I'm going backwards.
There′s been an accident. Condition stable. Intravenous.
Holding your hand with the kitchen table in between us.
Your perfect hands - I recognize them right away.
Your naked truth that will never see the light of day.
We speak a secret language. Explaining scars,
Birds in the trees, waterfalls and flaming stars.
All the little things that can take my breath away.
Lying to myself, I fake my death today.
Why am I doing this...
Left to our own devices, preciseness,
We′ve made something indestructible and priceless.
Lightning is the fury. Thunder the obsession.
Hours in between and I'm under the impression.
Leavin′ to stay. Tomorrow - all hail to it.
Blank piece of paper. Bored with a nail through it.
You belong to something else - part of my dreams.
Different story. I'm coming apart at the seams.
The face you want to know and the mask you touch.
I don′t know what's worse and I ask too much.
Going down on each other and caught in the act.
Up against the wall and shot in the back.
Two rivers. Similarity and other-ness.
Another day in a life that is motherless.
Thorn in the side. Diamonds adorn the sky.
I′m under the impression and I was born to die.
Left to our own devices, preciseness,
We've made something indestructible and priceless.
Lightning is the fury. Thunder the obsession.
Hours in between and I'm under the impression.
The lyrics of "Always I Will Miss You. Always You." by Bike For Three! depict a complicated and intense relationship that is marked by distance, longing, and emotional turmoil. The first verse sets the tone with the idea that despite their best efforts, the singers have created something powerful and resilient. The reference to lightning as fury and thunder as obsession suggests that their connection is intense and passionate. However, the hours in between, possibly referring to time apart, leave the singer feeling uncertain and underwhelmed.
The second verse explores the singer's failed attempts to be close to their loved one. The mention of trying to dance and falling symbolizes their struggle to match the other person's rhythm. Despite their efforts to advance, they feel hopeless. The regret is palpable as they express the desire to have been there during the darkest times, but every time they get close, their loved one disappears. The singer describes walking through broken fields and woods, indicating personal struggles and damaged emotions. The feeling of going backwards rather than making progress intensifies their frustration and confusion.
The third verse delves into the intimate and unique bond between the singers. They share a secret language that allows them to communicate deeply. The mention of explaining scars, birds, waterfalls, and stars illustrates the depth of their connection and their ability to find beauty in unexpected places. However, there is also a sense of denial and self-deception as the singer lies to themselves, symbolically faking their death. This suggests that they might be avoiding facing the truth of their relationship.
The final verse highlights the conflicting emotions and challenges faced by the singer. They feel torn between leaving and staying, trapped between wanting to let go and holding on to their dreams. The reference to a blank piece of paper with a nail through it signifies boredom and a sense of being stuck. The singer questions the nature of their loved one's identity, unsure of what is real and what is an act. There is a sense of betrayal and pain as they mention being caught in the act and shot in the back. The lyrics conclude with a reflection on the profound loneliness and a feeling of being motherless in this world, reinforcing a sense of existential emptiness and the inevitability of death.
Overall, the lyrics of "Always I Will Miss You. Always You." paint a vivid picture of a complex and tumultuous relationship filled with longing, uncertainty, and conflicting emotions. The song explores themes of distance, loss, and the struggle to understand and connect with another person on a deep level.
Line by Line Meaning
Left to our own devices, preciseness,
Given freedom to act without external influence, our attention to detail has resulted in something that is both unbreakable and invaluable.
We′ve made something indestructible and priceless.
Through our collaboration, we have created a creation that cannot be destroyed and holds immeasurable value.
Lightning is the fury. Thunder the obsession.
The intensity and passion in our work can be compared to the fierce power of lightning and the relentless nature of thunder.
Hours in between and I'm under the impression.
During the time spent apart, I am left with a strong belief or feeling that I cannot shake.
Leavin′ to stay. Tomorrow - all hail to it.
Despite the conflicting emotions, I am determined to depart while simultaneously desiring to remain. Tomorrow holds both uncertainty and anticipation.
Blank piece of paper. Bored with a nail through it.
An empty canvas, lacking inspiration and excitement, feeling stagnant and unfulfilled.
You belong to something else - part of my dreams.
You have a connection to a different realm, a presence that is intertwined with my aspirations and subconscious thoughts.
Different story. I'm coming apart at the seams.
We have contrasting narratives, and as a result, I am experiencing a gradual unraveling and deterioration.
The face you want to know and the mask you touch.
You desire to understand the true essence behind the facade you interact with.
I don′t know what's worse and I ask too much.
I am uncertain about which situation is more challenging, and I am burdened by my tendency to seek answers beyond what is reasonable.
Going down on each other and caught in the act.
Engaging in mutual exploration and vulnerability, we are unexpectedly interrupted.
Up against the wall and shot in the back.
Facing a difficult obstacle or circumstance, I am betrayed or harmed unexpectedly.
Two rivers. Similarity and other-ness.
We are like two separate streams merging, simultaneously sharing similarities and emphasizing our distinctiveness.
Another day in a life that is motherless.
Every new day is a reminder of the absence of nurturing and maternal care in my existence.
Thorn in the side. Diamonds adorn the sky.
An irritation or obstacle persists in my life, yet the beauty and brilliance of the universe remain ever-present.
I′m under the impression and I was born to die.
I strongly believe in certain ideas or notions, and it is my conviction that my purpose in life is ultimately to face mortality.
Left to our own devices, preciseness,
Given freedom to act without external influence, our attention to detail has resulted in something that is both unbreakable and invaluable.
We've made something indestructible and priceless.
Through our collaboration, we have created a creation that cannot be destroyed and holds immeasurable value.
Lightning is the fury. Thunder the obsession.
The intensity and passion in our work can be compared to the fierce power of lightning and the relentless nature of thunder.
Hours in between and I'm under the impression.
During the time spent apart, I am left with a strong belief or feeling that I cannot shake.
Writer(s): Richard Terfry, Le Joelle Phuong Minh
Contributed by Hunter L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@HairFIip
Heard this randomly through Pandora, and now it's on my iPod. Freaking love this song. This is how rap should be.
@clyfNz
Wow, pandora. Does it still exist?
@DrSpoon1991
I really encourage you to listen to Buck 65 (they guy in the song) if you haven't yet, he is fantastic.
@gregorysanchez1184
The king!!🪓🧟🪐
@TheAncientTales
Damn right, i heard it while listining to "ill mind of hopsin 5" radio
@antdog4117
raw, sun. that's awesome. Def got some with this one. fist fulls of izms.