Their first major hit as Coldcut was the house-inflected People Hold On, featuring a then-unknown Lisa Stansfield. The single took the U.K. by a storm, and the subsequent album featured such luminaries as Junior Reid (on the single "Stop This Crazy Thing") and Queen Latifah.
In 1991 they started their own record label, Ninja Tune, which continues to release groundbreaking and extremely diverse music by a small army of like-minded artists. In 1997 the duo unveiled their own real time video manipulation software, VJamm. Coldcut's current live and DJ sets rely on video as much as records, taking the concept of multimedia performance into largely uncharted territory.
Conceptually, Coldcut owes as much to the ideas of beat writer and cut-up theorist William S. Burroughs, 1970s art / industrial group Throbbing Gristle, and the religious writings of J. R. "Bob" Dobbs as much as to hip-hop originators like Grandmaster Flash or later innovators Double D and Steinski.
Recognizing the power inherent in Burroughs' cut-up technique and its presence in hip hop music, More and Black have relentlessly pushed the D.I.Y. ethic and an understanding of play as a means of fostering greater interaction with and understanding of the world around you. The similarities between this ethos and that of hacking need hardly be stated. Ninja Tune uses a corporate facade to communicate via the marketplace itself, an idea first implemented by Throbbing Gristle via their own Industrial Records imprint.
One of the key aspects of the Ninja Tune ethos, Stealth, implies that their following of DJs and listeners are "agents" in a Burroughsian sense, propagating the D.I.Y. ethic of play as an essentially subversive act by replaying and manipulating media under the radar of mainstream culture. Nowadays Coldcut reach a worldwide audience through their syndicated radio show Solid Steel. Black has recently (2003) worked with Penny Rimbaud (ex Crass) on Crass Agenda's Savage Utopia project.
In 2006, Coldcut released their fifth album, Sound Mirrors. single True Skool featured rapper Roots Manuva and featured an Indian sample from a cult Bollywood era, making the track popular on the bhangra and desi scene and with most of the British Asian urban nation.
Payback
Coldcut Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One, two, three four, hit it
Yow
How you like me now? How you like me now?
Ladies and gentlemen
There are seven acknowledged wonders of the world
Get down
Fellas I'm ready to get up and do my thing
(Go ahead, go ahead)
I want to get into man, you know (go ahead)
Like a, like a sex machine, man
Doin' it, you know (yeah)
Can I count it off? (Go ahead)
One, two, three four
Get up, (get on up)
Get up, (get on up)
Stay on the scene (get on up) like a sex machine, (get on up)
Get up, (get on up)
Get up, (get on up)
Stay on the scene, (get on up), like a sex machine, (get on up)
Wait a minute
Excellent
Yow, sex machine
(Step on the scene)
Look up on this, get by the people
Get by the people, get by the people
Get by, the get back
Get back
On the good foot
On the good foot
On the good foot
Get back
Get on the good foot
I sho nuff feel good
On the good foot
Get back
What you gon' play now?
Bobby, I don't know, but whatever I play
Has got to be funky
(Hey you blow your whistle)
You got it (do it good)
I know you got soul
If you didn't, you wouldn't be in here
I know you got soul
If you didn't, you wouldn't be in here
I know you got soul
If you didn't, you wouldn't shake that thing
Shake it with the beat (oh, there it is), hey
'Cause it make me sing
One, two, three four
Okay, okay, don't move
Keep on singin', keep on singin'
Keep on singin', keep on singin'
One, two, three four
One, two, three four
Keep on singin', keep on singin'
Keep on singin', keep on singin'
Keep on singin', keep on singin'
One, two, three, hit it
Huh
Know we need it (soul power)
We got to have it (soul power)
Know we want it (soul power)
Ha, got to have it (soul power)
Give it to me (soul power)
Hey, you need it (soul power)
Huh, we want it (soul power)
Got to have it (soul power)
I wanna get
Get on up (get on up)
Get up, (get on up)
Get up, (get on up)
Get on up (get on up)
Stay on the scene (get on up) like a lovin' machine, (get on up)
Get up, (get on up)
Like a sex machine, (get on up)
Wait a minute
It's so funky, uh
So funky, get, uh
So funky, uh
So funky
Alright, hey
(Do it baby, uh, uh)
James brown
Don't say it's easy, no
Just plain living
Sometimes it's kinda tough
Now lookit here, I gotta get up and do my thing
Ok well, let me kind of move these things around here, you know
Get uh, can I, can I really, really do it?
Hey, alright
Keep in mind that James Brown will be back
The lyrics to Coldcut's song "Payback" are a mix of sampled and original lyrics, creating a funky and energetic atmosphere. The song opens with the line "We gonna do a song that you never heard before," setting the tone for something unique and fresh. It then counts off with "One, two, three four, hit it," signaling the start of the song.
The opening lines "How you like me now? How you like me now?" serve as a call-and-response to the audience, challenging them to appreciate and embrace the upcoming performance. The following lines reference the "seven acknowledged wonders of the world" and claim that the audience is about to witness the eighth wonder. This creates a sense of anticipation and builds excitement.
The main portion of the song revolves around the groove and rhythm. It references James Brown's iconic song "Sex Machine" with lines like "Get up, stay on the scene like a sex machine." The lyrics encourage the audience to "get on up" and get into the music, comparing the experience to the energy and sensuality of a sex machine. The lyrics also reference getting on the good foot, which is a term associated with James Brown's music and performances.
The repeated call for soul power and the mention of James Brown throughout the song pays homage to the Godfather of Soul himself. It acknowledges the influence and importance of his music and style.
Overall, "Payback" is a high-energy, funky song that encourages the audience to let go, get up, and enjoy the music. It blends elements of James Brown's style with Coldcut's unique sound, creating a fun and lively atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
We gonna do a song (hey) that you never heard before
We are going to perform a song that is new and unfamiliar to you
One, two, three four, hit it
Starting the song with a count-in, indicating the start of the performance
Yow
Expression of excitement or enthusiasm
How you like me now? How you like me now?
Asking for approval or reaction to the performance so far
Ladies and gentlemen
Addressing the audience politely
There are seven acknowledged wonders of the world
Referring to the famous seven wonders, introducing something extraordinary
You are about to witness the eighth
Implying that what is about to happen is even more amazing than the acknowledged wonders
Get down
Encouragement to start dancing or enjoying the performance
Fellas, I'm ready to get up and do my thing
I am prepared to showcase my skills and entertain
(Go ahead, go ahead)
Permission to proceed or encouragement to start
I want to get into man, you know (go ahead)
I want to fully immerse myself in the performance, expressing enthusiasm
Like a, like a sex machine, man
Comparing the intensity and energy of the performance to that of a powerful, passionate machine
Doin' it, you know (yeah)
Doing it with confidence and certainty, acknowledging agreement
Can I count it off? (Go ahead)
May I start the rhythm or tempo? Permission is granted to proceed
Get up, (get on up)
Rise up or get on your feet
Stay on the scene (get on up) like a sex machine, (get on up)
Remain active and involved in the situation, exhibiting power and charisma
Wait a minute
Pause for a moment or hold on
Excellent
Expressing satisfaction or approval
Yow, sex machine
Acknowledging the connection between the performer and a powerful, passionate machine
(Step on the scene)
Arriving or entering the stage or performance area
Look up on this, get by the people
Attract attention and impress the audience
Get by the people, get by the people
Engage and captivate the audience's attention
Get by, the get back
Overcome obstacles or challenges and make a triumphant return
Get back
Recover or return to a previously successful state
On the good foot
In a positive and successful manner
I sho nuff feel good
I genuinely feel great
What you gon' play now?
Asking what song or music will be performed next
Bobby, I don't know, but whatever I play
Uncertain about the choice, but confident that no matter what is played, it will be great
Has got to be funky
Emphasizing the need for the music to be lively, rhythmic, and enjoyable
(Hey you blow your whistle)
A command to use a whistle, possibly as a signal or to add a certain sound
You got it (do it good)
You understand what is required, so do it well
I know you got soul
I believe you possess deep emotional and musical sensibility
If you didn't, you wouldn't be in here
Being present in this performance suggests that you have soul
You wouldn't shake that thing
You wouldn't be dancing and moving to the music
Shake it with the beat (oh, there it is), hey
Move your body in sync with the rhythm of the music, expressing excitement
'Cause it make me sing
The energy and enthusiasm of the dancing and music compel me to sing
Keep on singin', keep on singin'
Continue singing with passion and dedication
One, two, three four
Rhythmic count-in, indicating the start of a new section or verse
Okay, okay, don't move
Hold on, stay still, or remain in place
Keep on singin', keep on singin'
Maintain the vocal performance and continue singing
Huh
Expression of surprise or satisfaction
Know we need it (soul power)
We strongly desire and require soul energy or strength
We got to have it (soul power)
It is essential for us to possess soul energy or strength
Know we want it (soul power)
We have a strong desire for soul energy or strength
Ha, got to have it (soul power)
It is absolutely necessary for us to possess soul energy or strength
Give it to me (soul power)
Provide me with soul energy or strength
Hey, you need it (soul power)
You also require soul energy or strength
Huh, we want it (soul power)
We strongly desire soul energy or strength
Got to have it (soul power)
We must possess soul energy or strength
I wanna get
I desire or aspire to obtain or achieve
Like a sex machine, (get on up)
Similar to a powerful, passionate machine, exhibiting energy and intensity
It's so funky, uh
The music is incredibly lively, rhythmic, and enjoyable
So funky, get, uh
The music is exceptionally lively, rhythmically and energetically
Alright, hey
Expression of approval or agreement, acknowledging the positive energy
(Do it baby, uh, uh)
Encouragement to continue the performance, possibly with added enthusiasm
James brown
Referencing the iconic musician James Brown, known for his dynamic performances
Don't say it's easy, no
Acknowledging that the performance requires effort and skill, not to be taken lightly
Just plain living
Simplifying the concept of life, removing unnecessary complications
Sometimes it's kinda tough
Admitting that life can be challenging at times
Now lookit here, I gotta get up and do my thing
Expressing the need to start the performance and showcase personal abilities
Ok well, let me kind of move these things around here, you know
Adjusting or preparing the surroundings before starting the performance
Get uh, can I, can I really, really do it?
Requesting confirmation or validation of the ability to successfully complete the performance
Hey, alright
Expression of satisfaction or agreement with the affirmation
Keep in mind that James Brown will be back
Remember that the legendary James Brown will return to perform
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Brown, John Starks, Fred Wesley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jid Duf
Que du bonheur a l'ancienne des très très bon souvenir
Randy J
Coldcut made the best James Brown edits and megamixes - period. My fave being the early simple mashup of funky drummer and the bare necessities ;)