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 Awardβwinning 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.
Flat of the Blade feat. Guy Garvey
Massive Attack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got skills I can't speak of
Things I've seen will chase me
To the grave
I'm not good in a crowd,
I got skills I can't speak of
Things that I've seen
Will chase me to the grave
Led with your hands tied
Fetters and flies
You stumble the dunes
Complain to the moon
Backs to the wheel
There's granite to shove
Take it
They give it
So rivet for rivet
I will pilfer my family a bulletproof love
How does it feel
The weight of the steel?
The weight of the steel
The flat of the blade
How does it feel
To kneel at defeat?
To kneel at defeat
At the choices you make
I'm not good in a crowd,
I got skills I can't speak of
Things I've seen will chase me
To the grave
Backs to the wheel
There's granite to shove
Take it
They give it
And rivet for rivet
I will build for my family a bulletproof love
The lyrics of Massive Attack and Guy Garvey's song 'Flat of the Blade' express a sense of apprehension and trepidation from the perspective of the singer who confesses being uncomfortable in crowds. The singer has witnessed some disturbing and unsettling events that haunt him, and he feels they will continue to follow him to his grave.
The song is highly metaphorical, and the imagery used in the lyrics takes listeners on a journey through different emotions and challenges. The phrase 'Led with your hands tied, fetters and flies, you stumble the dunes, complain to the moon' suggests the feeling of being trapped and helpless, with no escape from the problems at hand. The chorus 'How does it feel, The weight of the steel, The flat of the blade, To kneel at defeat, At the choices you make' laments the feeling of defeat and the consequences of the choices that one makes in life.
The song's overall mood is somber and introspective, and the lyrics seem to describe feelings that are universal and relatable. The metaphorical language used in the lyrics adds depth and complexity to the song, and the music effectively conveys the emotions expressed in the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not good in a crowd,
I'm uncomfortable around many people,
I got skills I can't speak of
I have abilities that are impossible for me to describe,
Things I've seen will chase me
Experiences I've had will haunt me,
To the grave
Until the day I die,
Over there
Beyond where I am,
Led with your hands tied
Controlled by someone else,
Fetters and flies
Restraints and nuisances,
You stumble the dunes
You struggle through the challenges,
Complain to the moon
Express your frustrations to something beyond your control,
Backs to the wheel
Working hard despite difficult circumstances,
There's granite to shove
There are immense obstacles to overcome,
Take it
Accept the challenge,
They give it
Others will provide opportunities,
So rivet for rivet
One step at a time,
I will pilfer my family a bulletproof love
I will fortify my family with impenetrable affection,
How does it feel
What are the emotions,
The weight of the steel?
The heaviness of the responsibility?
The flat of the blade
The dull part of the knife,
To kneel at defeat?
Accepting failure on your knees?
At the choices you make
Because of the decisions you've made,
Lyrics Β© Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group
Written by: ROBERT DEL NAJA, GUY EDWARD JOHN GARVEY, NEIL DAVIDGE, GRANTLEY EVAN MARSHALL, DAMON ALBARN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nkj777able
Extraordinary! Β I tripped out when I first heard this a few years ago, not familiar with Garvey but a huge fan of the Massive. Β This is amongst their most excellent things I think.
@ThousandShakes
The second part of this starting at 2:26 is one of the best songs period, of all bands, yes all bands. I crank this for all my neighbors.
@deltatangofoxtot
This has been posted as a tribute to ex gang members and our returning Vets. Guy Garvey did a couple of songs outside of Elbow. The Promo Video is nearly poetic. I think it works. :)
@businessraptor127
This is the version I found originally
@Areyourealythatdumb
This is just disturbing - never thought I would hear guy garvey singing over a tune that made me feel sick.
@keef78
Wow i had no idea guy garvey did vocals on a massive attack song, this is not that unusual a sound for him as elbow did quite a few songs similar to this on their earlier albums albiet not as electronic.
@OneMansLoss
Fyi, this is dropped in tempo and pitch pretty awfully. Sounds like a dragging record compared to the album version.
@PM-vv3uc
you're right, his voice sounds weird and too deep.
@businessraptor127
This was th leaked version. I found it online before the album was released. I'm partial to this version.