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.
Better Things feat. Tracy Thorn
Massive Attack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just because you're down
And just 'cause you're blue
Don't make me too
Although you've found
Beauty more than me
Don't talk to me
About being free
That's freedom without love
And magic without love
Magic without love
Here we're safe
Better things will surely come our way
Hear me say
Better things will surely come our way
You say the magic's gone
Well I'm not a magician
You say the spark's gone
Well get an electrician
And save your line about needing to be free
Ah, that's bullshit babe
You just won't let it be
You want freedom without love
And magic without love
Magic without love
Yeah
Here we're safe
Better things will surely come our way
Hear me say
Better things will surely come our way
The lyrics in "Better Things" by Massive Attack vs. Mad Professor present a situation where one person is attempting to break free from a relationship while the other person is denying the truth behind their intentions. The first stanza explains that just because one person is feeling down, it doesn't mean that the other person should be dragged down as well. The second line particularly emphasises this idea. The singer notes that the other person is saying they need more than just the relationship, but they don't want to hear about being free without love. The singer understands that this just means the other person wants to be free from them. The chorus then comes in where the singer repeats the phrase "better things will surely come my way." This suggests that the singer is hopeful for a better future for themselves, in which they are no longer held back by this relationship.
The second stanza goes further into the situation where the other person denies that they are trying to get rid of the singer. The singer notes that they aren't a magician, so they can't make the sparks come back in the relationship. They then suggest that the other person has ulterior motives for leaving, and it's not necessarily about needing space or freedom. The chorus then repeats again, emphasising that the singer is looking towards a future that is better without this person.
Overall, the lyrics in "Better Things" capture the emotions that can come from a relationship breaking down. The singer is trying to understand why the other person is leaving and is expressing their feelings of sadness and frustration. The repetition of the phrase "better things will surely come my way" suggests that, despite the tough times, the singer is looking forward to a future where they can find happiness again.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't drag me down just because your down
I refuse to be brought down by your negative energy.
Just 'cause your blue don't make me too.
I won't let your sadness affect my own happiness.
Though you found you need more than me
You may require more than what I am capable of offering.
Don't talk to me about being free
Don't use the concept of freedom as an excuse to end our relationship.
That's freedom without love
Freedom alone is meaningless if it's not accompanied by love.
Magic without love
Similarly, magic is futile without the presence of love.
Hear me say, better things will surely come my way
I am speaking positively to manifest good things in my life.
You say that the magics gone well I'm not a magician
I cannot be solely responsible for the fate of our relationship.
You say the sparks gone, well get an electrician
If you want to rekindle our relationship, it takes effort from both parties.
And save your lie about needing to be free
Don't pretend that your desire for freedom is the sole reason for ending our relationship.
Oh that's bullshit baby you just want rid of me
You're lying - it's clear that you simply want to end our relationship.
Hear me say, better things will surely come my way
I am reinforcing my belief that positive things will happen for me in the future.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Robert Del Naja, Andrew Lee Isaac Vowles, Grantley Marshall, Tracey Anne Thorn, Ben Watt, James Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind