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.
Be Thankful For What You've Got
Massive Attack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gangster whitewalls, TV antenna in the back
You may not have a car at all
But just remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
(Diamonds in the back, sunroof top diggin' the scene with the gangster lean)
Gangster whitewalls, TV antenna in the back
You may not have a car at all
But just remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Though you may not drive a big big Cadillac
Gangster whitewalls, TV antenna in the back
You may not have a car at all
But just remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene
With the gangster lean, oh, oh, oh
Diamonds in the back
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene
With the gangster lean, oh, oh, oh
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene
With the gangster lean, oh, oh, oh
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene
With the gangster lean, oh, oh, oh
The lyrics of Massive Attack’s song "Be Thankful for What You've Got" speaks to the listener about appreciating the things they have in life. It encourages the listener to be grateful, even if they don't have everything they desire. The song uses the metaphor of a big Cadillac with gangster whitewalls and a TV antenna in the back as a symbol of material wealth that many people strive for. Despite not having such luxurious things, the listener is reminded that they can still "stand tall" and be thankful for what they do have.
The repetition of "diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene with the gangster lean" is an acknowledgment of the superficial things we desire in life. The reference to a "gangster lean" adds a rebellious edge to the lyrics, reminding the listener not to be influenced by the material wealth portrayed in mainstream culture but to focus on the more important things in life.
The message of the song is that one must find contentment in what they have and that happiness does not come from material things. It's a call to appreciate the simple things in life and enjoy what one has rather than pining after things that they don't.
Line by Line Meaning
Though you may not drive a big big Cadillac
Even if you don't possess luxury items such as a big Cadillac car
Gangster whitewalls, TV antenna in the back
Whitewall tires and rear TV antennas are synonymous with a gangster style of the 70s and 80s and are just some of the luxury items associated with the big Cadillac car
You may not have a car at all
It's possible that you may not even have a car
But just remember brothers and sisters
But it's important to keep in mind, my fellow human beings
You can still stand tall
You can still be proud of who you are and your accomplishments
Just be thankful for what you've got
You should always appreciate and be grateful for what you currently possess
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene
Some people ride in style with a sunroof and diamonds in the upholstery, enjoying the atmosphere of their surroundings from the comfort of their car
With the gangster lean, oh, oh, oh
This demeanor, which signifies aggression or confidence, is often adopted by those wishing to project an image of power or toughness
Diamonds in the back
The car's leather seats are studded with diamonds
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene
Luxury and opulence come together with the sunroof open and the driver enjoying the sights and sounds of the world around them
With the gangster lean, oh, oh, oh
Confidence and power are on full display with the driver's posture and demeanor
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: William DeVaughan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mariavirginiaokovic9064
✨Lyrics✨
Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac
Gangster whitewalls T.V antenna in the back
You may not have a car at all
But just remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene
With a gangster lean gangster whitewalls
T.V antenna in the back
You may not have a car at all
But just remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene
With a gangster lean ooh ooh ooh
Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac
Gangster whitewalls tv antenna in the back
You may not have a car at all
But just remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene
With a gangster lean
ooh ooh ooh
✨💗✨
@CarolynSchulz
As a driving instructor, I used to play this song on the awkward drive home after a student failed their road test. I doubt any of the students ever bothered to discern the lyrics, but I thought they were fitting.
@xXxdiscipelsxXx
:'D 👍👍👍👍👍
@FarewellmyFriend.
HAHA genius
@k-leb4671
The driving instructor drives the students back home? That's really weird. In Queensland, you make your own way to and from the department for transport when you do your test. If you succeed and get your P plates, you get to drive yourself home. Otherwise, better hope someone is waiting around to help you out.
@CarolynSchulz
@@k-leb4671 parents would pay for lesson packages and that could mean that the instructor would pick them up, do a pre lesson, drop them off for their exam (they would use the instructor’s car), and then drive them home. Parents didn’t even have to take time off work.
@dominik13579
That has to be super awkward wtf mate lol
@charlenejordan9585
One of the best cover versions of a song that Ive ever heard
@Falconcat63
Dead on!
@jeffkempster1818
Absolutely agree
@caiobernardo9111
Who did the original?