Five Man Army
Massive Attack Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Trendy Wendy, you know what I mean?
Hangin' around with the girl who's rolling up her jeans
She watches her street cred 'cause she's no dummy
Still rockin' the microphone and now she's calling me a honey
Says, "I know what I want, don't move with thugs
With house parties, hip hop and smoking drugs."
And whoever's been the boss, she's down with 'em
She's always on time 'cause the girl got rhythm
To avoid no complications, I'll give some information
About a certain location under Paddington Station
'Cause when I host my show I avoid the girl called Lola
Who's more pu-pu-public than the drink they call it Coca Cola
But I'm not just practice posing, face is shaded in black
Is dominating as my color, the massive attack
Right now I hit it, kick it, flow smooth, hit middle wicket

I take a small step, now it's a giant stride
People say I'm loud, why should I hide?
Only had a small taste, so, what a waste
I'm quietly observed though it's not my space
Bottom end's heavy, you know we're never even
People call me Tricky for particular reason
I've got you, see, and I've got to let you know
See we're rockin' in your area, rock beneath your balcony
My baby just cares for me, well, that's funny
Her touch tickles especially on my tummy
Now, who's got the microphone? Now, who's honey?

A turbo turbo and chant with a charge
Andy, Daddy G, Wild Bunch Crew at large
Don't call me a officer just call me a sarge
Mashing up the country planning also abroad
Plan to go to America when I get a Visa card
But gettin' a Visa card nowadays isn't hard
So, keep your ears glued, now, listen to every chord
Tokyo city's one place that we toured
Four Technic plus two mixer board (yes)
Sharper than a Wilkinson razor sword

When I was a child I played Subbuteo, won
My table then I graduate to Studio One
'Cause D's my nom de plume, you know, but 3's my pseudonym
And around my neck you know I wear the Sony Boodo Khan
Indigo blues, you got me in my own shoes
The people dancing in the shape for what they made, they can't lose
Yes, waxing lyrical but this time it's not satirical
It's kinda spherical so jam me in a circle
This is the miracle of the dubplate dub selection
So whether you're black, white, or halfcast in your complexion
Yes, pull out your phono plug and tuck you in your phony
It's started by Marconi, resumed by Sony
A summary of wireless history and only
By Massive Attack enorme explosione

Get away with your cuss 'cause
We don't want it
Get away with your cuss 'cause (beat down, beat down, beat down)
We don't like it

Eternal love, eternal love
Money, money, money
Root of all evil
Money, money, money
Root of all evil

Money, money, money
Root of all evil
Money, money, money
Root of all evil, evil

Mash it, oh, yeah (wicked)
You hear me now?
Dry your eyes, dry your eyes (hear me now)
Sweet, sweet girl

Money, money




Skylarking
Skylarking

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Massive Attack's song "Five Man Army" tell a story of a group of people trying to make their way in the world. The first verse describes a woman named Wendy who hangs out with a girl who is into drugs and hip-hop music. The singer is interested in Wendy, but she warns him not to associate with any thugs. The singer then talks about avoiding a girl named Lola who is both public and a drug user. He describes himself as practicing posing and being shaded in black. He then talks about his friend Tricky and how they are known for their particular style.


The second verse is about Daddy G, a member of the group. He raps about his plans to go to America when he gets a visa card. He talks about traveling all over the world with the group and performing in Tokyo. He also mentions playing table football as a child and graduating to studio work. He talks about his pseudonym and the fact that he wears a Sony Budokan around his neck.


Line by Line Meaning

Trendy Wendy's you know what I mean
A girl, commonly found in trendy places, who desires material attainments.


Hangin' around with girl who's rolling up her jeans
A girl who is attempting to be fashion-forward by rolling up her jeans and is carefree in her attitude and persona.


She watches her street crack 'cause she's no dummy
She pays attention to the reality of the neighborhood and the illegal activity that takes place there.


Through rocking the microphone and she's calling me honey
She is a musician and shows her adoration for the artist by referring to them as honey.


Says I know what I want don't move with thugs
She is confident in her desires and does not want to associate with violent or dangerous individuals.


Well house parties hip hop and smoking drugs
She enjoys attending social gatherings that have rap music, drug use, and are hosted in residential locations.


And whoever's been the boss she's down with 'em
She is willing to align herself with whomever is in charge and may have ulterior motives.


She's always on time 'cause the girl got rhythm
She is consistently punctual because she has a strong sense of time and is musically inclined.


To avoid a complication I'll give some information
To prevent future issues, the artist will share some details to clarify or resolve any misunderstandings.


About a certain occasion under an illustration
The artist will share a specific event and use a visual aid to aid in understanding.


'Cause when I host my show-a I avoid the girl called lola
The singer tries to avoid a problematic individual named Lola during their performance/show.


Who's more pu-pu-public than the drink they call it coca cola
Lola is known to the public and has a high level of exposure/visibility, similar to the beverage Coca-Cola.


I'm just practice posing face is shaded in black
The singer is posing for practice and their face is obscured by shadows or makeup.


Is dominating as my color the massive attack
The singer's dominant color is black, a reference to the band Massive Attack.


Right now I hit it kick it flow smooth hit middle wicket
The singer is performing exceptionally well from the start and will continue to impress.


I take a small step now it's a giant stride
Although the artist only took a small step forward, their progress is significant and substantial.


People say I'm loud why should I hide
Despite criticism from others, the artist is proud of their outspoken behavior and will not change themselves to please others.


Only had a small taste so what a waste
The singer has only experienced a portion of what life has to offer and feels that it is a wasted opportunity.


I quietly observe though it's not my space
The singer is watching and learning from their surroundings, though they do not feel that they belong there.


Bottom end's heavy you know we're never even
The rhythm section of the music has a strong, persistent presence and will not be subdued.


People call me Tricky for particular reason
The artist has a nickname, Tricky, but the reason for this moniker is unclear.


I've got you see and I've got to let you know
The artist has a strong hold on their audience and feels the need to communicate with them.


See we're rockin' in your area rock beneath your balcony
The performer's music can be heard throughout the area, and people can even hear it from their balconies.


My baby just cares for me well that's funny
The artist finds it paradoxical that someone loves them for who they are, despite their flaws and mistakes.


Her touch tickles especially on my tummy
The singer enjoys the physical intimacy of their partner and is ticklish in certain areas.


Now who's got the microphone
The singer is challenging their competition to see who is superior on the microphone.


Now who's honey
The singer is demanding to know who their admirer is.


A turbo turbo and charge with a charge
The artist is energized and full of momentum, ready to take on new challenges.


I be daddy g wild bunch crew at large
The artist identifies as Daddy G and is part of the Wild Bunch crew.


Don't call a officer just call me a sarge
The singer prefers to be referred to as sarge, rather than being called an officer.


Mashing up the country and also abroad
The performer has successfully excited audiences both in their own country and internationally.


Plan to go to America when I get a visa card
The artist plans to travel to the United States, and it will be relatively easy for them to obtain a visa.


But gettin' a visa card nowadays isn't hard
Obtaining a visa card for travel has become increasingly easier over the years.


So keep your ears glued listen to every chord
The listener is encouraged to pay close attention to the music and enjoy every moment of it.


Tokyo city's one place that we toured
The performer has had the opportunity to play music in Tokyo, Japan.


Four technique plus two mixer board
The artist utilizes four turntables and two mixer boards to create their unique sound.


Sharper than a Wilkinson razor sword
The sound produced by the performer is incredibly sharp and distinct.


When I was a child I played subbuteo on
When the singer was younger, they enjoyed playing with the game Subbuteo.


My table then I graduate to studio one
The singer has progressed from playing games at the table to working in Studio One as a musician.


My nom de plume got my pseudo no
The artist has adopted a stage name and also has a false identity for security purposes.


And around my neck you know I wear the sony budokan
The performer wears a Sony Budokan around their neck as decoration, as the device might not exist outside of the song's context.


Indigo blues you got me in my own shoes
The performer is feeling a bit down and melancholic themselves.


The people dancing in the shape
The people in the audience are dancing vigorously and with great energy.


For what they make they can't lose
The dancers are experiencing immense joy and fun by simply attending the event.


Yes waxing lyrical but this time it's not satirical
The artist is engaging in poetic expression, but this time it is not intended to be humorous or critical.


It's kinda spherical so jam me in a
The music produced by the performer is very spherical and all-consuming, putting them in a trance-like state.


This is the miracle of the dubplate dub selection
The singer is producing incredible music through the careful selection and modification of dubplates.


So whether you're black white or half-caste in your complection
The listener could have any skin color; the artist believes that their music is intended for all people, regardless of appearance or social background.


Yes pull out your phono plug and tuck you in your phony
The music is engaging people so much that the singer suggests shutting off all distractions and focusing solely on the sound they're producing.


It's started by Marconi resumed by Sony
The history of audio technology dates back to Marconi's work and has continued to evolve via Sony and other companies.


A summary a while is a history and only
A brief recapitulation of statistics, years, or people can represent a broad history in a concise and clear ear.


But massive attack enorme explosione
Massive Attack is capable of producing explosive sound that can shock and excite audiences.


Get away with your guns now We don't want it Get away with your guns now We don't like it Eternal love eternal love Money money money Root of all evil Money money money Root of all evil
The artist denounces weapons and the negative influence of money. They promote eternal love and reject greed.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andrew Lee Isaac Vowles, Robert Del Naja, Grantley Marshall, Adrian Nicholas Matthew Thaws, Carol Williams

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@Pride317

Lyrics

[Verse: Willy Wee]
Trendy Wendy, you know what I mean?
Hanging around with the girl who's rolling up her jeans
She watches her street cred cause she's no dummy
Still rocking the microphone and now she's calling me a honey
Says, "I know what I want, don't move with thugs
With house parties, hip hop, and smoking drugs."
And whoever's been the boss she's down with 'em
She's always on time 'cause the girl got rhythm
To avoid no complications I'll give some information
About a certain location under Paddington Station
Cause when I host my show I avoid the girl called Lola
Who's more pu-pu-public than the drink they call it Coca Cola
I’m just practice posing face is shaded in black
Is dominating as my color, the massive attack
Right now I hit it, kick it, flow smooth, hit middle wicket

[Verse: Tricky]
I take a small step now it's a giant stride
People say I'm loud, why should I hide?
Only had a small taste, so, what a waste
I'm quietly observed though it's not my space
Bottom end's heavy, you know we're never even
People call me Tricky for a particular reason
I've got you, see, and I've got to let you know
See we're rocking in your area rock beneath your balcony
My baby just cares for me, well, that's funny
Her touch tickles especially on my tummy

[Verse: Willy Wee, (Tricky)]
Now, who's got the microphone? (Now, who's honey?)

[Verse: Daddy G, (Tricky)]
A turbo turbo and chant with a charge
Andy, Daddy G, Wild Bunch Crew at large
Don't call me a officer just call me a sarge
Mashing up the country planning also abroad
Plan to go to America when I get a Visa card
(But getting a Visa card nowadays isn't hard)
So, keep your ears glued, now, listen to every chord
Tokyo city's one place that we toured
Four technic plus two mixer board
Sharper than a Wilkinson razor sword

[Verse: 3D, (Daddy G)]
When I was a child I played Subbuteo, won
My table then I graduate to Studio One
Cos D’s my nom de plume, you know, but 3’s my pseudonym
And around my neck you know I wear the Sony Boodo Khan
Indigo blues, you got me in my own shoes
The people dancing in the shape for what they made, they can't lose
Yes, waxing lyrical but this time it's not satirical
It's kinda spherical so jam me in a circle
This is the miracle of the dubplate dub selection
(So whether you're black, white, or halfcast in your complexion)
Yes, pull out your phono plug and tuck you in your phony
It's started by Marconi, resumed by Sony
A summary of wireless history and only
By Massive Attack enorme explosione

[Interlude: Horace Andy]
Get away with your cuss 'cause
We don't want it
Get away with your cuss 'cause
We don't like it
Eternal love, eternal love
Money, money, money
Root of all evil
Money, money, money
Root of all evil
Money, money, money
Root of all evil
Money, money, money
Root of all evil
Mash it
You hear me now?
Dry your eyes, dry your eyes
Money, money
Skylarking, oh oh
Skylarking



@ManWalksDogs

Dunno why I didn't pick up on it at the time (though I was only 11 when the album was released) and it's only on seeing it written down that it's all suddenly clicked. 3D's lines about Sony & Marconi:

Yes, pull out your phono plug and tuck you in your phony
It's started by Marconi , resumed by Sony
A summary of wireless history and only
By Massive Attack enorme explosione

Marconi, Italian inventor of the wireless...then 'massive attack' in Italian.💥
3D was probably on about the audio equipment brand he was using, but coincidentally, Marconi's company name & assets would later be bought by Swedish firm Ericsson in 2006 who in turn would have their shares bought out in 2012 by Sony, having gone into a joint venture with them since 2001. Kind of gone full circle...⭕

Yes, waxing lyrical but this time it's not satirical
It's kinda spherical so jam me in a circle
This is the miracle of the dubplate dub selection



All comments from YouTube:

@ghandee

People call him Tricky for particular reason

@paulnellie2124

HARD tune.

@giorgizarandia5109

they used to call him tricky kid, now they call him superstar :)

@lmpnchi9416

He lives the life we wish we did

@venus22118

LOv it 💓

@CautionCU

Legend

1 More Replies...

@venus22118

This has been my favourite song for decades 🙏✨️

@Vicente810

That flow.... that fucking flow 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

@paulnellie2124

Lol.hard asf.wild bunch

@kopias1

One of the BEST Massive Attack track ever!!!

More Comments