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.
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Massive Attack Lyrics
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Always icy
Open rooms
Contra zoom
Pictures may
Faces may
Fade away
Brothers then
Step outside
Gunmetal sky
Peel away
Children play
Fade away
These lyrics seem to evoke a sense of isolation and detachment. The singer is walking through a hallway, which is always cold and icy, suggesting a lack of warmth and comfort. As they enter open rooms, the view seems to be distorted, perhaps suggesting a sense of unease or confusion. The lyrics mention pictures and faces fading away, which could indicate that the singer feels disconnected from the people and memories depicted in them. However, there is a mention of brothers, suggesting that there may be some sense of familial connection that the singer clings to.
As the song continues, the singer steps outside into a world with a "gunmetal sky", which implies a bleak and threatening environment. However, in the midst of this, the lyrics describe children playing, which could suggest some hope or innocence amidst the darkness. The song ends with a repetition of the phrase "fade away", perhaps indicating that the singer feels like they are disappearing or being forgotten.
Line by Line Meaning
Hallways I see
I am surrounded by long, empty corridors
Always icy
They are uncomfortably cold
Open rooms
Rooms without doors or barriers
Contra zoom
As I move, my vision is magnified and distorted
Pictures may
Memories of past events
Faces may
The people who were present in these events
Fade away
These memories and people slowly disappear from my mind
Brothers then
A reference to the bond between people who have shared experiences or hardships
Get close to them
It is important to connect with these individuals to maintain that bond
Step outside
To leave one's comfort zone and confront challenges
Gunmetal sky
The sky is dark and foreboding
Peel away
To strip away layers or facades to reveal the truth
Children play
The innocence and carefree nature of childhood
Fade away
All things, even the purest and most joyful, eventually come to an end
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GRANTLEY MARSHALL, GRANTLEY EVAN MARSHALL, NEIL DAVIDGE, ROBERT DEL NAJA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind