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.
Take It There
Massive Attack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Skinny don't fuss it kills place
Rub it down again where the pain still sticks on the grey licks
Sticking out your tongue it's a hot red crack suck it in
Out there, it's heavy though
I play my voice, yeah, it's slim
I need a fix, you call the tricks
We collide, I concentrate
She's with me, we share the pain
Treat the girl like licorice
She's so soft and ticklish
Take you there, and take your time
Take you there, and take your time
Take you there, you'll lose you mind
Take you there, and take your time
Take you there, and take your time
Take you there, you'll lose you mind
My coordinates it could be any voice cracks (Lots to lose where users use)
Slipped down your footsteps all my boys roll my slip jobs wet (Lots to lose where users use)
Slip job and insurgency make the world safe for you and me
Got simple plans for special ways
Got push to get for lonely days
Needs are met, trees are bloom
I'm the one to hear the tune
I meet you there, meet you soon
I meet you there, give you breath
Take you there
Take you there, and take your time
Take you there, and take your time
Take you there, you'll lose you mind
Take you there, and take your time
Take you there, and take your time
Take you there, you'll lose you mind
The lyrics to Massive Attack & Tricky & 3D's song Take It There evoke a dark and heavy mood, exploring themes of addiction, desire, pain, and escapism. The first verse begins with the line "Lots to lose where users use", which suggests the dangers of drug use and the potential loss that comes with it. The following lines "Skinny don't fuss it kills place / Rub it down again where the pain still sticks on the grey licks / Sticking out your tongue it's a hot red crack suck it in" further reinforce this idea, referencing the destructive and addictive nature of drugs, and the physical toll they can take on the body.
The second verse shifts the focus to the singer's own struggles with addiction and the need for a fix. The line "I'm the man, to hear the tune" suggests that music serves as a coping mechanism or escape from reality for the singer. The repetition of "Take you there, and take your time / Take you there, you'll lose your mind" throughout the song seems to further emphasize this desire for escape, as the singer invites the listener to join them on this journey.
Overall, the lyrics of Take It There are open to interpretation and can be viewed from different perspectives. Some may see it as a cautionary tale about addiction, while others may relate to the desire for escapism in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Lots to lose where users use
There is a lot at risk when people engage in risky behavior
Skinny don't fuss it kills place
Being too concerned about appearance can be harmful to one's wellbeing
Rub it down again where the pain still sticks on the grey licks
Trying to alleviate emotional pain by distracting oneself, but the pain still lingers
Sticking out your tongue it's a hot red crack suck it in
Giving into pleasure and temptation can come with a painful cost
Out there, it's heavy though
The world can be a difficult and burdensome place
I play my voice, yeah, it's slim
I try to make my voice heard despite feeling small and insignificant
I need a fix, you call the tricks
I am seeking something to help ease my pain, and I am willing to do whatever it takes
I'm the man, to hear the tune
I am the one who can help you find comfort through music
We collide, I concentrate
Our meeting and connection is intense and focused
She's with me, we share the pain
We are both struggling and can find solace in each other's company
Treat the girl like licorice
She is sweet and enjoyable, but also fragile
She's so soft and ticklish
She is gentle and vulnerable
My coordinates it could be any voice cracks (Lots to lose where users use)
My location is uncertain and precarious, as is the situation I find myself in
Slipped down your footsteps all my boys roll my slip jobs wet (Lots to lose where users use)
I am following in someone else's footsteps, and those before me have taken risks and faced consequences
Slip job and insurgency make the world safe for you and me
Sometimes taking risks and being rebellious can lead to a safer and more just world
Got simple plans for special ways
I have straightforward goals for enriching experiences
Got push to get for lonely days
I have motivation to achieve my goals even during difficult times
Needs are met, trees are bloom
Everything is right and good in the world
I meet you there, meet you soon
I promise to be there for you soon
I meet you there, give you breath
I will be a comfort and support to you
Take you there, and take your time
I will guide you to a better place, but we don't have to rush
Take you there, you'll lose your mind
The experience will be so intense and amazing that it will be overwhelming
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Euan Dickinson, Robert Del Naja, Adrian Thaws
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cainfft008
I think I just realized what this video is about....and I only had to get drunk to figure it out.
They are saying in the video that our own personal demons are a way that we can love and enjoy ourselves, even when we're going through rough times or even have some form of self-hatred--especially that. They aren't always destructive to us even though they very much seem that way from the outside. Sometimes they bring us the only joy we'll ever see when we're the most down. Notice how he is alone the entire video (aside from the displeasing glance from the old guy) and how he resists the demons at first (and even makes them disappear a few times). He just stands there, annoyed that they had attempted to goad him. Notice how he throws his hand up after the encounter with the old guy, as if he's given up on asking for help or something like that. But after "the fall," the guy learns to accept and even enjoy them, his own personal demons are a reflection of his true self. Notice how one of this demons nuzzles his shoulder as if to say "come on, you know that you enjoy this, you know that you love this. Enjoy it with us!" His vindication is the acknowledgement of his own demons and after which he feels inescapable joy before collapsing in his seemingly drunken stupor. Also notice that during the acceptance, he doesn't stumble at all, he knows all the steps and how to perform, as if this had occurred a thousand times, and a thousand times he'd 'tried to suppress it, and a thousand times in his own perception of his own weakness he'd faltered and caved into this "dance." This insanely choreographed maneuver of the deepest of all self expression. He blooms after this point and proceeds to actually tell us what is on his mind through this "dance." (The feign suicide / scream bit is soooooo good. I'm not sure how its possible that I can relate to that so well).
I think this also says a bit about alcoholism or any sort of dependency and the nature of how it can simultaneously plague and enlighten us, and those moments are so fleeting that we can't ever fully understand or even hold on to such feelings for a very long time before the droning of life (symbolized by the reprise of the entry melody) kicks in and we collapse for real. Dependency leads to an environment where you always need something extra to be able to experience that joy, that in a way you are incapable of experiencing true joy without that crutch and this video demonstrates how many different forms that dependency can manifest itself.
or TLDR: Moments of joy or pure beauty or whatever sometimes come during the darkest of times--at the end of your rope you'll always find truth. And sometimes you need a little pain to fully appreciate what is good.
Now if only I could figure out wtf he's saying in the 'chorus'....
This video is god damned brilliant. BRILLIANT! How you can say all that with absolutely no dialogue, no back story, a 2s establishing shot, jesus...the person who directed this video is a master at their craft. For Real.
Much love,
A long time Massive Attack fan.
@misty8081
I've listened to this single for the last 5 years and it still brings me to obsolute tears in the best possible way. How this song hasn't gone mainstream absolutely amazes me. To me, this is the apitome of the massive attack Bristol feeling. I know blue lines defines a music era, but this single is just pure brilliance, to me, it outclasses all previous songs, mind blowing. Class. Perfectionism.
@DepressedCapitalist
Agree. Much has been posted here about the meaning of the song, but musically it's perfect. The menacing groove in 3, the dissonance in the progression, the dark chords movement to that E (alas Radiohead) but much darker and emotional, the leitmotif in the piano, the soaring guitar line, the synched echoes in the synth, the bass and sub bass... I could go on all night! An Exquisite piece of art. Way more interesting than previous songs.
@PaterEcstaticus888
Yes.
@sparrow867
@@DepressedCapitalist Such a great breakdown of this song. I think out of the years of listening to Massive Attack this song ive played the most. The way this video is shot/concept and the choreography about not having control of inner demons is so intense. i almost cry
@DepressedCapitalist
@@sparrow867 Yes. I agree. Some music has the capacity to alter us, change us and spark something. I believe it is the power of music, but I believe it is not a common ocurrence in contemporary mainstream music. This piece of music is transcendental in every aspect. And beautiful. Cheers.
@sparrow867
@@DepressedCapitalist Thank you for the reply! it means much.
@alideep9656
I believe that the dancers represent the main character's sorrow and grief, they walk him along his path and encourages him to do self destructive behaviour, closer to the end when it feels like he is finally dancing with his grief, it turns out to be a little time up before the great fall. The video channeled a great message to me that is to always be present, self centered, take actions and do not make reactions.
@candleg72
Well Said!
@MaddAddam93
It's the best depiction of substance dependence/going down that path that I've seen
@violetxoxox
The choreography in this is just incredible.