Silent Spring
Massive Attack;Elizabeth Fraser Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To b-obey
Hear me call
To b-obey
To b-obey
I seek him clothe
Come shush-hush
A shrewd bow to b-obey (We are but bound to b-obey)
Come shush-hush (We are but bound to b-obey)
A shrewd bow to b-obey (We are but bound to b-obey)
I seek him clothe (We are but bound to b-obey)
Come shush-hush
The lyrics to the Massive Attack song Silent Spring seem to be centered around the idea of being bound to obey someone or something, and how power dynamics play into this. The first line, "Boy brought power," suggests that this idea of power and obedience is rooted in childhood or youth. The repeated phrase "To b-obey" emphasizes the theme of obedience, almost like a mantra. The lines "I seek him clothe" and "Come shush-hush" are more ambiguous, but could be interpreted as a desire to be with or please the person in power. The line "A shrewd bow to b-obey" brings us back to the theme of obedience, suggesting that there are elements of manipulation or deception involved.
Overall, the lyrics of Silent Spring seem to be exploring the dynamics of power and control, and the complicated feelings of desire and coercion that can be involved. The repetition of the phrase "To b-obey" underscores the idea that we are often bound to obey someone or something, whether we want to or not, and that this can be a challenging and confusing experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Boy brought power
We rely on technology and the power it gives us, represented by the 'boy'.
To b-obey
We often blindly follow and obey those in power without questioning their actions or motives.
Hear me call
The singer is calling out for recognition and a call to action.
I seek him clothe
The artist is searching for protection and security in a world that can be chaotic and dangerous.
Come shush-hush
The artist is seeking quiet, peace and isolation from the chaos of the world.
A shrewd bow to b-obey (We are but bound to b-obey)
Despite the potential dangers of blindly following those in power, humans have a tendency to obey those in charge and ignore the potential consequences.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT DEL NAJA, NEIL DAVIDGE, ELIZABETH FRASER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@spinglasshydra
This song is so highly underrated and overlooked by most people. "The Voice of God" had enriched and even influenced my, very own personal sentiments in regards to my musical repertoire for almost four decades. This is essential a ballad and her voice still retains that unmistakably fragile whispering quiver, with those angelic backup vocals seemingly float along, which evoke a Heavenly calling. This is unnoticed and ignored by most people because, this particular song, is such a deviation by Elizabeth's unparalleled intensity is paired in a more Classical Music format. When, Massive Attack asked Elizabeth Fraser to collaborate together on the "Mezzanine" album, it was a masterstroke of pure genius. Elizabeth's inclusion, with this particular album alone, catapulted Massive Attack, still relatively unknown band in the United States, to the forefront of Global musical recognition. When I was attending University, everyone had a copy of Mezzanine on their desks -- People said, "Who's the girl singing, I can't understand her but no matter, her voice is outstanding...!!!"
In regard to Elizabeth's lyrics -- I'm discovering a new psychology embedded into a socially relevant observation from newbie Elizabeth Fraser fans. Interestingly enough, since the Cocteau Twins have become, more and more relevant in pop-culture film, I've witnessed newbie's have become obsessed with trying to decipher Elizabeth's lyrics. As a Psychiatrist, as well as, a longtime Cocteau Twins fan since 1982 -- I've discovered a new offshoot of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) along with a deep-seeded " 'Social Imaginary' in Codependency" a unique compulsion for both, "explanation" and "interpretation" that I've observed people becoming absolutely cruel and defensive. If anyone reading this is interested in disarming, "bullies" or "trolls" on YouTube, please check out the "The four types of narcissism" and also "How to disarm a narcissist".
Currently, we are in an explosion of "Dream-pop" and "Shoegaze" bands and their highly stylized musical formats. Most bands employ loads of reverberation and incoherent vocalizations, deeply seated into the background. Some music artists, will strategically employ a "cryptic language" technique, only they, may comprehend. Artists, intentionally force the listening audience to engage in "active listening" where a listener is allowed to conclude, making your own lyrical meaning. In-other-words, listeners are personalizing their own music's purpose and meaning. That makes this particular type of music such an organically grown, intrapersonal experience. Once anyone becomes psychologically invested in anything -- that person, will strongly defend their position.
It would be an utterly astonishing miracle, if I woke-up someday to see an Elizabeth Fraser song, without some random self-appointed Goth, Shoegaze, or Dream-pop music pseudo-guru, literally spell out random lyrics which they copy and pasted everywhere, which are wrong. I've been listening to the Cocteau Twins long enough to say, there are real, true, and honestly sets of cohesive lyrics. Even Robin Guthrie the founding member of the Cocteau Twins and (the onetime) husband of Elizabeth, said:
"What most people do is, they write in their own lyrics -- I do it myself...!!! I've got, my own versions of Cocteau Twins songs, there in my head -- and -- I hold on to them, I protect them in my heart...!!!"
Random people have asked me, why my comments are so long and complex? Writing is my ultimate catharsis; where, I discover new ideas, process, analysis, and develop original concepts from a Psychiatrist perspective. Then, I copy all the text over to my own desktop folder, where I place my writings. So, everything I write, automatically becomes copyright protected. Sometimes, I'll receive "replies" that might be helpful but usually, for the most part, I gotten barraged by a range of genuinely insecure narcissists the A-typical pubescent teenage way thinking, with a false sense of security, feel it's their duty to challenge my conclusions or lecture me regarding the Cocteau Twins or Goth facts. From a Psychiatric standpoint, I go to their YouTube "Homepage" and psychologically profile them.
@roiybenkel682
Boy brought power
To b-obey
Hear me call
To b-obey
To b-obey
I seek him clothe
Come shush-hush
A shrewd bow to b-obey (We are but bound to b-obey)
I seek him clothe (We are but bound to b-obey)
Come shush-hush (We are but bound to b-obey)
A shrewd bow to b-obey (We are but bound to b-obey)
I seek him clothe (We are but bound to b-obey)
Come shush-hush
@spinglasshydra
This song is so highly underrated and overlooked by most people. "The Voice of God" had enriched and even influenced my, very own personal sentiments in regards to my musical repertoire for almost four decades. This is essential a ballad and her voice still retains that unmistakably fragile whispering quiver, with those angelic backup vocals seemingly float along, which evoke a Heavenly calling. This is unnoticed and ignored by most people because, this particular song, is such a deviation by Elizabeth's unparalleled intensity is paired in a more Classical Music format. When, Massive Attack asked Elizabeth Fraser to collaborate together on the "Mezzanine" album, it was a masterstroke of pure genius. Elizabeth's inclusion, with this particular album alone, catapulted Massive Attack, still relatively unknown band in the United States, to the forefront of Global musical recognition. When I was attending University, everyone had a copy of Mezzanine on their desks -- People said, "Who's the girl singing, I can't understand her but no matter, her voice is outstanding...!!!"
In regard to Elizabeth's lyrics -- I'm discovering a new psychology embedded into a socially relevant observation from newbie Elizabeth Fraser fans. Interestingly enough, since the Cocteau Twins have become, more and more relevant in pop-culture film, I've witnessed newbie's have become obsessed with trying to decipher Elizabeth's lyrics. As a Psychiatrist, as well as, a longtime Cocteau Twins fan since 1982 -- I've discovered a new offshoot of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) along with a deep-seeded " 'Social Imaginary' in Codependency" a unique compulsion for both, "explanation" and "interpretation" that I've observed people becoming absolutely cruel and defensive. If anyone reading this is interested in disarming, "bullies" or "trolls" on YouTube, please check out the "The four types of narcissism" and also "How to disarm a narcissist".
Currently, we are in an explosion of "Dream-pop" and "Shoegaze" bands and their highly stylized musical formats. Most bands employ loads of reverberation and incoherent vocalizations, deeply seated into the background. Some music artists, will strategically employ a "cryptic language" technique, only they, may comprehend. Artists, intentionally force the listening audience to engage in "active listening" where a listener is allowed to conclude, making your own lyrical meaning. In-other-words, listeners are personalizing their own music's purpose and meaning. That makes this particular type of music such an organically grown, intrapersonal experience. Once anyone becomes psychologically invested in anything -- that person, will strongly defend their position.
It would be an utterly astonishing miracle, if I woke-up someday to see an Elizabeth Fraser song, without some random self-appointed Goth, Shoegaze, or Dream-pop music pseudo-guru, literally spell out random lyrics which they copy and pasted everywhere, which are wrong. I've been listening to the Cocteau Twins long enough to say, there are real, true, and honestly sets of cohesive lyrics. Even Robin Guthrie the founding member of the Cocteau Twins and (the onetime) husband of Elizabeth, said:
"What most people do is, they write in their own lyrics -- I do it myself...!!! I've got, my own versions of Cocteau Twins songs, there in my head -- and -- I hold on to them, I protect them in my heart...!!!"
Random people have asked me, why my comments are so long and complex? Writing is my ultimate catharsis; where, I discover new ideas, process, analysis, and develop original concepts from a Psychiatrist perspective. Then, I copy all the text over to my own desktop folder, where I place my writings. So, everything I write, automatically becomes copyright protected. Sometimes, I'll receive "replies" that might be helpful but usually, for the most part, I gotten barraged by a range of genuinely insecure narcissists the A-typical pubescent teenage way thinking, with a false sense of security, feel it's their duty to challenge my conclusions or lecture me regarding the Cocteau Twins or Goth facts. From a Psychiatric standpoint, I go to their YouTube "Homepage" and psychologically profile them.
@Psycho_nata
your vocabulary is so exquisite, delightful and thrilling
@AdoniaTT
Still listening...as of today. It's magical!
@rikinhouston
I love your comment. Will you profile me?
@instrumentaali
This is gorgeous, thank you for sharing! I love Elizabeth Fraser's voice so much.
@martelprayer416
This is such a perfect song to listen to when you're in the heat of battle or an arduos challenge. Many thanks to you for posting this.
@Palidine4M0O
The script flip on the opera level quality at the end of the song, from the meager beginning, is so beautiful
@abigaillkruss8823
Qué hermosa voz de esta mujer! Woow, gigantesca canción!
,👏
@gustee1000
Adoro la exquisita musicalidad de Elizabeth Fraser...
@emilaliev1264
masterpiece.