The debut Massive Attack album Blue Lines was released in 1991, with the single "Unfinished Sympathy" reaching the charts and later being voted the 63rd greatest song of all time in a poll by NME. 1998's Mezzanine (containing the top 10 single "Teardrop") and 2003's 100th Window charted in the UK at number one. Both Blue Lines and Mezzanine feature in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
The group has won numerous music awards throughout their career, including a Brit Award—winning Best British Dance Act, two MTV Europe Music Awards and two Q Awards. They have released five studio albums that have sold over 13 million copies worldwide. Throughout their history, Massive Attack have been supporters and activists for political, human rights and environmental causes.
14-Unfinished Sympathy
Massive Attack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And how it could be with you
Really hurt me baby, really hurt me baby
How can have a day without a night
You're the book that I have opened
And now I've got to know much more
The curiousness of your potential kiss
Really hurt me baby, really hurt me baby
How can you have a day without a night
You're the book that I have opened
And now I've got to know much more
[Repeat: x4]
Like a soul without a mind
In a body without a heart
I'm missing every part
"Unfinished Sympathy" by Massive Attack is a song about love, loss, and desire. The lyrics detail the singer's experience of falling in love with someone who has the potential to hurt them deeply. They acknowledge that they have been "mad in love before," but this new love is different. The singer is curious about the potential of a kiss from their love interest, but they are also afraid of the pain that could come with it. Despite this fear, they feel they cannot continue their life without exploring their feelings and learning more about the person they love.
The song's chorus, repeating "How can you have a day without a night / You're the book that I have opened / And now I've got to know much more," speaks to the idea that love is impossible to resist or ignore. The singer compares their love to a book they have opened, suggesting that they have only scratched the surface of what there is to learn about the person they love. They express a feeling of incompleteness, like a "soul without a mind / In a body without a heart / I'm missing every part."
Overall, "Unfinished Sympathy" is a complex exploration of the joys and fears of falling in love. It captures the sense of vulnerability that often comes with intense affection and acknowledges the potential for heartbreak. Despite this, the singer cannot resist the pull of their emotions and feels driven to learn more about the person who has captured their heart.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that I've been mad in love before
I have experienced intense love in the past.
And how it could be with you
I can imagine how it would feel to be in love with you.
Really hurt me baby, really hurt me baby
Your absence causes me great emotional pain.
How can have a day without a night
It's impossible to fully appreciate light without experiencing darkness as well.
You're the book that I have opened
You are a mystery that I am trying to unravel.
And now I've got to know much more
I am curious to learn everything there is to know about you.
The curiousness of your potential kiss
I am eager to experience the intensity of your affection.
Has got my mind and body aching
My desire for you is consuming me both physically and mentally.
Like a soul without a mind
Without you, I feel incomplete and lost.
In a body without a heart
I feel empty without the emotional connection that comes with love.
I'm missing every part
My heart aches for all the pieces of your being that I long to know and love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT DEL NAJA, GRANTLEY MARSHALL, SHARA NELSON, JONATHAN SHARP, ANDREW LEE ISAAC VOWLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RogueBoyScout
This filmclip always will remind me of my only holiday in the USA.
To be fair, I was a kid. From a naive Aussie family in '98. Now that I realise some of the areas we went to because, why not?. Didn't even have Travellors insurance. Really hope it was some Crips who "found" my Duty Free Winfield Blues.
LA and Mexico. Had a blast, us crazy Aussies. And everyone was chill in the US and Mexico. NO ONE gave us hustle.
Drank Jungle Juice with my brother in Tijuana.... And the worm turned us both....
Stay Safe.
@eoinoconnell185
+Filipe Henriques
Do you know, I always find myself coming back to this song time & time again.
Throughout the years.
In ecstasy and in pain.
This song just hits you where it needs to be hit.
whatever the emotion at the time.
This song suits it.
If you were to ask the average musical aficionado have they heard of Massive Attack, the vast majority would not.
But you're right, this song is a masterpiece.
Pure genius.
In 100 years time, this song will be listened to.
And in 1,000.
Epic accomplishment.
@sistazz9905
It’s 2024 and this is still one of the greatest songs ever
@wajdiraach9874
Indeed
@alsine6961
💯 Bristol vibes everlasting !
@andymac4965
Especially with all the complelety unnecessary conflict going on in the world.
@andymac4965
Just a magic sound .. a pominon.
@elih9700
Grrrrrr, tis true. x Kinky Afro tho.
@conchubharcinnfhaolaidh3341
My children cannot believe these songs like this are at least 30 years old. They sound timeless.
@paulolima7689
👨👩👧👦
@kyachdistent1301
Unlike most of the crap that was out in the 90s with it.
@mariyalambova5149
@@kyachdistent1301 ча]+