In 1998, following a falling-out of her professional and personal relationship with Tricky, Topley-Bird began pursuing a solo career; however, it was not until 2003 that she released her debut solo album, Quixotic, on Independiente Records. (Tricky appears on one track, Ragga, as producer and guest vocalist.) Upon its release, Quixotic received rave reviews from critics, and was a finalist for the 2003 Mercury Music Prize. Need One, Anything, I Still Feel and Soul Food were released as singles in the UK. In Brazil, the song Lullaby was used in the campaign for the juice powder Clight. The song Sandpaper Kisses is featured on the soundtrack of the video game Fahrenheit (known as Indigo Prophecy in the United States).
The album finally saw a release, of sorts, in the United States in July 2004 when the Palme Pictures label released a "re-designed and re-sequenced" version with a new title (Anything), a trimmed-down tracklisting and all-new cover art.
In 2004, Martina appeared on Into the Sun, a track from Diplo's album Florida. A year later, she made a guest appearance (alongside Roots Manuva) on the Gorillaz track All Alone, on the album Demon Days.
Martina released her second studio album, The Blue God, in May 2008, followed by a collaborative project with Massive Attack, the album "Heligoland" which was released in 2010. She also appeared on the Splitting the Atom EP featured on the track Psyche (Flash Treatment) (released October 2009).
In 2010, she released her third album, Some Place Simple, followed by a collaboration with Mark Lanegan and Warpaint in 2013.
Something To Say
Martina Topley-Bird Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or tell me can I get it to you
This fan don't give us something to do
I hold a second and I refill you
I got something to say
So don’t believe you are me
Help me I call my hand (?!)
I saw so much to choose
How unsettled are you
I want a boy I can use
Out of solitude
I got something to say
I got something to say
I got something to say
You got something to say
You got something to say
Tell me something to chase him away
All of falling is use and not need
It’s so taken and taken over me
It’s so obtuse and it proves you’re on a leash
And all hallucinations
When there's already someone else
Not if I caught for living (?)
Or did you rinse your hands
Tell me where she lives
Come on and listen sit down now child
I got something to say
But don’t believe you are me
I got something to say
I got something to say
You got something to say
You got something to say
I got something to say
I got something to say
You got something to say
You got something to say
The lyrics of Martina Topley-Bird's song Something To Say convey a sense of confusion and desperation for communication. The first stanza displays a request for someone to tell something or to receive information. The song continues with Topley-Bird stating that she has thoughts to express and to not confuse her with someone else. The next verse appears to relate to relationships, with Topley-Bird desiring a partner that is useful without solitude. In the chorus, Topley-Bird repeats that there is something to say, and that it is not limited to her alone.
The following verses are abstract with a focus on the unseen, such as hallucinations, and demands to be told the whereabouts of a mystery figure. The final chorus seems to further reinforce the idea of needing to speak out loud, but acknowledges that it needs to be done collectively, and that everyone has something to say. The song’s message encourages people to speak their minds and not be limited by a fear of communication.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me something can I tell you
Can I confide in you?
Or tell me can I get it to you
Can I communicate my message effectively to you?
This fan don't give us something to do
We need some sort of activity or entertainment to pass the time.
I hold a second and I refill you
Let me pause for a moment and offer you refreshment.
I got something to say
I have a message I need to express.
So don't believe you are me
Don't assume that you fully understand my perspective or experiences.
Help me I call my hand
I am asking for assistance or support.
I saw so much to choose
There are many options available to me.
How unsettled are you
Do you feel uncertain or unsettled?
I want a boy I can use
I desire a partner who is helpful and supportive.
Out of solitude
To escape loneliness.
Tell me something to chase him away
Do you have any advice for how to get rid of someone bothering me?
All of falling is use and not need
Falling into patterns of behavior can be more about habit than actual necessity.
It's so taken and taken over me
I feel overwhelmed or consumed by a particular situation or emotion.
It's so obtuse and it proves you're on a leash
This situation is frustrating and makes me feel controlled or limited.
And all hallucinations
All these ideas or projections.
When there's already someone else
When another person is already involved or present in the situation.
Not if I caught for living (?)
I am not sure what this line means.
Or did you rinse your hands
Did you try to clean up the situation or absolve yourself of responsibility?
Tell me where she lives
Can you give me information about her whereabouts?
Come on and listen sit down now child
Please pay attention and take a seat.
I got something to say
I have something important to communicate.
I got something to say
I have something important to communicate.
You got something to say
Do you have anything to communicate as well?
You got something to say
Do you have anything to communicate as well?
Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
annabel graham
100% influenced by pj harvey and i love it!
Olivia Simpson
*Don't really stop❤️🩹
Olivia Simpson
You better stop it Mr, I'll bet you say that to all the girls;)