Silent Spring
Massive Attack Lyrics


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Boy brought power
To b-obey
Hear me call
To b-obey
To b-obey
I seek him clothe
Come shush-hush
A shrewd bow to b-obey (We are but bound to b-obey)
I seek him clothe (We are but bound to b-obey)
Come shush-hush (We are but bound to b-obey)
A shrewd bow to b-obey (We are but bound to b-obey)




I seek him clothe (We are but bound to b-obey)
Come shush-hush

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the Massive Attack song Silent Spring seem to be centered around the idea of being bound to obey someone or something, and how power dynamics play into this. The first line, "Boy brought power," suggests that this idea of power and obedience is rooted in childhood or youth. The repeated phrase "To b-obey" emphasizes the theme of obedience, almost like a mantra. The lines "I seek him clothe" and "Come shush-hush" are more ambiguous, but could be interpreted as a desire to be with or please the person in power. The line "A shrewd bow to b-obey" brings us back to the theme of obedience, suggesting that there are elements of manipulation or deception involved.


Overall, the lyrics of Silent Spring seem to be exploring the dynamics of power and control, and the complicated feelings of desire and coercion that can be involved. The repetition of the phrase "To b-obey" underscores the idea that we are often bound to obey someone or something, whether we want to or not, and that this can be a challenging and confusing experience.


Line by Line Meaning

Boy brought power
We rely on technology and the power it gives us, represented by the 'boy'.


To b-obey
We often blindly follow and obey those in power without questioning their actions or motives.


Hear me call
The singer is calling out for recognition and a call to action.


I seek him clothe
The artist is searching for protection and security in a world that can be chaotic and dangerous.


Come shush-hush
The artist is seeking quiet, peace and isolation from the chaos of the world.


A shrewd bow to b-obey (We are but bound to b-obey)
Despite the potential dangers of blindly following those in power, humans have a tendency to obey those in charge and ignore the potential consequences.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT DEL NAJA, NEIL DAVIDGE, ELIZABETH FRASER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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