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.
Karmacoma
Massive Attack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've nothing to give
Won't lie and say this love is best
Leave us in emotional peace
Take a walk, taste the rest
No, take a rest
I see you digging a hole
You're crazy but you're lazy
No need to live on the need to
Your troubles must be seen to see through money
Like it's paper with faces I remember
I drink on a daily basis
Though it seldom cools my temper
It never cools my temper
Walking through the suburbs they're not exactly lovers
You're a couple, especially when your body's doubled
Duplicate, and then you wait for the next Kuwait
Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma
Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma
Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma
Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma
You sure you want to be with me
I've nothing to give
Take a walk take a rest
Taste the rest
You sure you want to be with me
I've nothing to give
Take a walk take a rest
Taste the rest
Take a walk take a rest
Taste the rest
Don't want to be on top of your list
Monopoly and properly kissed
We overcome in 60 seconds
With the strength we have together
But for now, emotional ties they stay severed
When there's trust there'll be treats and
When we funk we'll hear be beats
Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma
Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma
Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma
Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma
Deflowering my baby, aiyee my baby me
I must be crazy, see I'm swazy
Digging a hole in your neighborhood
You're crazy but you're lazy, must be lazy
Don't wanna on top of your list
Monopoly and properly kissed
Deflowering my baby, aiyee my baby me
My baby
Deflowering my baby, aiyee my baby me
I must be crazy, you must be lazy
Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma
Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma
Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma
Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma
The lyrics of Massive Attack's "Karmacoma" suggest a complicated relationship between two people. The singer is questioning the decision of their partner to stay with them since they "have nothing to give," and the love between them is not the "best." They encourage their partner to take a break and "taste the rest." The next verses add complexity to the song, with references to drinking and money, as well as a lack of commitment in a love relationship. The song then takes a turn to address the listener directly, warning against being too focused on money and power and emphasizing the importance of trust in a relationship. The song ends with a repeated chorus of "Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma" that leaves the listener intrigued but uncertain of its meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
You sure you want to be with me
Doubting whether you really want to be with me
I've nothing to give
Feeling inadequate in the relationship
Won't lie and say this love is best
Not pretending that the love is perfect
Leave us in emotional peace
Desiring to avoid emotional turmoil
Take a walk, taste the rest
Encouraging to take a break and explore other options
No, take a rest
Further emphasizing the need for a break
I see you digging a hole
Observing destructive behavior
Your neighborhood
Impact of the behavior on others
You're crazy but you're lazy
Recognizing lack of effort to address the problem
No need to live on the need to
Not living only to fulfill material wants
Your troubles must be seen to see through money
Problems are not solved by throwing money at them
Like it's paper with faces I remember
Viewing money as superficial
I drink on a daily basis
Admitting a problem with alcohol
Though it seldom cools my temper
Acknowledging that drinking doesn't solve underlying issues
It never cools my temper
Reinforcing the idea that drinking is not a solution
Walking through the suburbs they're not exactly lovers
Observing that people in suburban areas are not passionate
You're a couple, especially when your body's doubled
Sarcasm about superficial relationships
Duplicate, and then you wait for the next Kuwait
Commenting on the repetitive cycle of war and violence
Don't want to be on top of your list
Not seeking to be the top priority
Monopoly and properly kissed
Not interested in superficial, materialistic relationships
We overcome in 60 seconds
Believing in the strength of the relationship
With the strength we have together
Recognizing that unity is important
But for now, emotional ties they stay severed
Admitting that currently, there are emotional issues that need to be addressed
When there's trust there'll be treats and
Suggesting that trust is needed for a healthy relationship
When we funk we'll hear be beats
Looking forward to good times
Deflowering my baby, aiyee my baby me
Using a metaphor for the destruction of innocence
I must be crazy, see I'm swazy
Recognizing one's own destructive behavior
Digging a hole in your neighborhood
Continuing with the destructive behavior
You must be crazy, you must be lazy
Pointing out that the other person is also responsible for the relationship issues
Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma
Repeating the song's title
Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma
Repeating the song's title
Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma
Repeating the song's title
Karmacoma, Jamaican aroma
Repeating the song's title
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Adrian Nicholas Matthew Thaws, Andrew Lee Isaac Vowles, Grantley Marshall, Grantley Evan Marshall, Robert Del Naja, Robert Milton Locke, Tim Norfolk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ZupTepi
2024....30 years of perfection
@OtseisRagnarok
I always thought this was the most relaxing chill song ever. then I saw the video.
@hardcoreCity18
the motive is probably taken from the shining stanley kubrick's movie, great movie :)
@wedalkalem
+Kamil Bryant stanley kubrick, tarantino ,david lynch
@hardcoreCity18
+wedalkalem not only, i see more motives but i don't know all of them.
@robertvonrobertson5717
+wedalkalem yesssss
@JogvanJespersenPGA
Then hear and watch their song 'Angel'
@getthoseskills4451
Total timeless classic.
Love Massive Attack and other electronic and trip hop acts like
Portishead, Tricky, Unkle, Sneaker Pimps, Atoms For Peace, Allflaws
@ChariseSowells
I haven't thought of Atoms for Peace in years! Thanks for the reminder
@MetalDetroit
Love tricky !