I Against I
Massive Attack Lyrics
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I against I
Flesh of my flesh
And mind of my mind
Two of a kind but one won't survive
My images reflect in the enemies eye
And his images reflect in mine the same time
I-ya, I-ya
Flesh of my flesh
And mind of my mind
Two of a kind but one won't survive
Right here is where the end gon' start at
Conflict, contact 'n' combat
Fighters stand where the land is marked at
Settle the dispute about who the livest
3 word answer
Whoever survive this
Only one of us can ride forever
So you and I can't ride together
Can't live or can't die together
All we can do is collide together
So I skillfully apply the pressure
Won't stop until I'm forever... one!
A door step where death never come
Spread across time til my time never done
And I'm never done
Walk tall, why ever run?
When they move if I ever come?
Bad man never fret the war, tell'em come
General we have the stock, the mad fire burn
I-ya
I against I
Flesh of my flesh
And mind of my mind
Two of a kind but one won't survive
My images reflect in the enemies eye
And his images reflect in mine the same time
I-ya, I-ya
I against I
Flesh of my flesh
And mind of my mind
Two of a kind but one won't survive
Survive (x16)
Reign supreme in your you-N-I
V-E-are-S-E with the sharpness
Narrow row building no space for partners
No space for drivers, no space for walkers
No space regardless
Your on my path then get off it
Hardheaded and unresponsive
Get they lives put on target with harshness
Come with the canons sparkin' they darken
Who am I? one man squadron
Ma stir the fire this time that'd snatch your tomorrow
The thousand yard spear that'll pierce through your armor
You can get it on right now if you want to
But when ya front 9 get marched through
I warned you
You know who forever belong to
I-ya, I-ya
I against I
Flesh of my flesh
And mind of my mind
Two of a kind but one won't survive
My images reflect in the enemies eye
And his images reflect in mine the same time
I-ya, I-ya
I against I
Flesh of my flesh
And mind of my mind
Two of a kind but one won't survive
My images reflect in the enemies eye
And his images reflect in mine, survive
Survive (x16)
The song "I Against I" by Massive Attack featuring Mos Def is an introspective and confrontational song about internal struggles and conflicts between one's self and one's enemies. The title itself sets the tone for the song, with the repetition of "I against I" emphasizing the internal battle the singer is facing. The lyrics talk about the duality of humankind, with lines like "Flesh of my flesh / And mind of my mind / Two of a kind but one won't survive" indicating the internal conflict within one's self. Mos Def's verse adds to the theme of conflict, with references to "Conflict, contact 'n' combat" and "Settle the dispute about who the livest." The repeated line "My images reflect in the enemies eye / And his images reflect in mine, survive" further emphasizes the theme of duality and internal struggle.
The lyrics in "I Against I" are complemented by the song's dark and intense musical backing. The heavy bass, electronic sounds, and the use of distorted vocals emphasize the lyrics' themes of internal struggle and conflict. The tempo of the song is also slow and deliberate, adding to the sense of tension in the track.
Line by Line Meaning
I-ya
It's me
I against I
I am my own opponent
Flesh of my flesh
We're both human
And mind of my mind
We both think
Two of a kind but one won't survive
Only one of us will come out alive
My images reflect in the enemies eye
My opponent sees himself in me
And his images reflect in mine the same time
I see myself in my opponent at the same time
Right here is where the end gon' start at
The end is about to begin
Conflict, contact 'n' combat
This is a violent confrontation
Fighters stand where the land is marked at
We are fighting over territory
Settle the dispute about who the livest
We are fighting to determine who is the best
3 word answer
There is only one answer
Whoever survive this
Whoever lives through this
Only one of us can ride forever
Only one of us will come out on top
So you and I can't ride together
We cannot share the win
Can't live or can't die together
We cannot share the outcome
All we can do is collide together
All we can do is fight against each other
So I skillfully apply the pressure
I am strategically attacking my opponent
Won't stop until I'm forever... one!
I won't stop until I am victorious
A door step where death never come
I am not afraid of death
Spread across time til my time never done
I will be remembered throughout time
And I'm never done
I will never stop fighting
Walk tall, why ever run?
I am confident and unafraid
When they move if I ever come?
No one will challenge me
Bad man never fret the war, tell'em come
I am not afraid of war, let them come
General we have the stock, the mad fire burn
We are well-equipped and ready to fight
Reign supreme in your you-N-I
Be the best version of yourself
V-E-are-S-E with the sharpness
Be sharp and focused
Narrow row building no space for partners
There is no room for cooperation or alliances
No space for drivers, no space for walkers
There is no room for any kind of movement aside from fighting
No space regardless
There is no room for anything else
Your on my path then get off it
If you're in my way, move or suffer the consequences
Hardheaded and unresponsive
Stubborn and unwilling to compromise
Get they lives put on target with harshness
Be prepared for brutal attack
Come with the canons sparkin' they darken
Be ready for a fierce battle
Who am I? one man squadron
I am a one-man army
Ma stir the fire this time that'd snatch your tomorrow
I am making a move that will ensure your defeat
The thousand yard spear that'll pierce through your armor
My strategy will penetrate your defenses
You can get it on right now if you want to
We can fight right now, if you're ready
But when ya front 9 get marched through
When you lose your first 9 soldiers
I warned you
I warned you that I would win
You know who forever belong to
You know who will come out victorious
Survive (x16)
Only one will come out alive
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NEIL DAVIDGE, ROBERT DEL NAJA, GRANTLEY MARSHALL, DANTE SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind