Born of Swedish and Sierra Leonean parentage, Neneh Cherry spent most of her formative years in Europe and North America. Her stepfather is trumpeter Don Cherry. Early in her career she was a member of Rip Rig & Panic and New Age Steppers (1980). As a solo artist, she released a number of albums in the late 80's and early-to-mid 90's to critical and commercial acclaim (Raw Like Sushi, 1988; Homebrew, 1992; Man, 1996). Neneh is the half-sister of singer Eagle-Eye Cherry
Although she has participated in the odd production here and there, she has remained relatively quiet since then, appearing as a guest vocalist on the Groove Armada album Lovebox in 2002 and the Gorillaz album Demon Days in 2005.
Cherry announced the formation of her new band, cirKus. in 2006. Her husband Burt Ford (aka boogabear, aka Cameron McVey), is also in the band. The band's first album, Laylow was released in France in 2006 which was followed by Medicine in 2009. During 2010-2011 she did a few "secret" live performance in a few European cities.
Late in 2011 news came that she was working on a new project this is now known as Neneh Cherry & The Thing. They will release an album The Cherry Thing in June 2012.
In April 2013, she announced the release of a new studio album with the track "Nina (ft. Afrika Baby Bam)". Produced by Kieran Hebden aka Four Tet, the album also features appearances by Robyn and RocketNumberNine, due for release on Smalltown Supersound in early 2014.
Cherry was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1990 in the Best New Artist Category (due to success of "Buffalo Stance") but she lost out to Milli Vanilli, who later had their Grammy revoked when it was discovered that they had not performed on their recording. She received her second Grammy nomination in 1994 for the Youssou N'Dour duet "7 Seconds." The single received worldwide acclaim but did not win the Grammy Award. MTV Europe Music Awards 1995 "7 Seconds" Winner Best Song
Dossier
Neneh Cherry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not the start of the story cus it took him an age to do that (ooh)
When she noticed this guy it kinda took her out of her slumber (ooh)
He came in and turned round, went out, then he came back (ooh)
Then he left, the moment passed, she soon forgot
The weeks went by, she didn't give him another thought
Until one day she reached a hand inside her coat
All the way, dossier, offer is on the ceiling
(let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
Clap your hands, nod your head, got to love it another day
(let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
See a head, let's forget, like a thread out of it
(go down, reach down low, get low, get dark, baby drag yo booty on the floor)
Makin whips, fashion grips, taste the lips, that's incredible
(go down, reach down low, get low, get dark, baby drag yo booty on the floor)
He stepped up to her and gave her a slip with his number (ooh)
All humble and shy, this some serious guy went to sleep (ooh)
He asked her if she had a man in her life to encumber (ooh)
A date with himself if she didn't think him a freak (ooh)
What did she do? What did she think? What did she choose?
She called him up and arranged to meet, wore her nice new shoes
All the way, dossier, offer is on the ceiling
(let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
Clap your hands, nod your head, got to love it another day
(let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
See a head, let's forget, like a thread out of it
(let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
Makin whips, fashion grips, taste the lips, that's incredible
(go down, reach down low, get low, get dark, baby drag yo booty on the floor)
Like a knife, cuff your life, throw the slight man away
(go down, reach down low, get low, get dark, baby drag yo booty on the floor)
And now they meet every night beside their beds
And clean their teeth before they climb into their heads
All the way, dossier, offer is on the ceiling
(let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
Clap your hands, nod your head, got to love it another day
(let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
See a head, let's forget, like a thread out of it
(let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
Makin whips, fashion grips, taste the lips, that's incredible
Like a knife, cuff your life, throw the slight man away
The lyrics of "Dossier" by Neneh Cherry depict a story of a woman who receives a man's phone number and, after some hesitation, decides to call him back and arrange a date. The song begins with the man approaching the woman and giving her his number. Despite his initial shyness and the passage of time, the woman eventually decides to reach out. The lyrics focus on this pivotal moment where the woman takes a chance on potential romance. What follows is the couple enjoying each other's company and even finding a routine of sorts ("Now they meet every night beside their beds/And clean their teeth before they climb into their heads").
The lyrics of "Dossier" suggest a sense of spontaneity and adventure, as the woman decides to take a risk and explore the possibilities of this new connection. The song emphasizes the importance of embracing chance encounters and being open to unexpected opportunities that can lead to joy and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
She was standing at the tail when he came up and gave her his number (ooh)
She was waiting in line and he approached her, giving her his contact information.
It's not the start of the story cus it took him an age to do that (ooh)
Although he approached her in line, he had waited a long time before finally working up the nerve to give her his number.
When she noticed this guy it kinda took her out of her slumber (ooh)
She hadn't noticed him before, but when he approached her, it caught her attention.
He came in and turned round, went out, then he came back (ooh)
He came into the place where she was, walked around, left, then returned and approached her to give her his number.
Then he left, the moment passed, she soon forgot
After he gave her his number, he left, and although she was initially interested, she forgot about it as time passed.
The weeks went by, she didn't give him another thought
As time passed, she didn't think about him again.
Until one day she reached a hand inside her coat
One day, she happened to put her hand in her coat pocket.
And found the number he had written on that note
She found the contact information he had given her earlier.
All the way, dossier, offer is on the ceiling
(let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
Clap your hands, nod your head, got to love it another day
(let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go)
See a head, let's forget, like a thread out of it
(go down, reach down low, get low, get dark, baby drag yo booty on the floor)
Makin whips, fashion grips, taste the lips, that's incredible
(go down, reach down low, get low, get dark, baby drag yo booty on the floor)
These lines include various phrases that don't directly relate to the story being told in the song.
He stepped up to her and gave her a slip with his number (ooh)
He approached her and gave her a piece of paper with his contact information on it.
All humble and shy, this some serious guy went to sleep (ooh)
He was humble and shy, but still took a chance by giving her his number, then went to sleep.
He asked her if she had a man in her life to encumber (ooh)
He asked if she was in a romantic relationship that would make it difficult for her to accept his offer.
A date with himself if she didn't think him a freak (ooh)
He offered to go on a date with her if she wasn't put off by him.
What did she do? What did she think? What did she choose?
These lines emphasize the importance of the choice the singer had to make about whether to contact the guy or not.
She called him up and arranged to meet, wore her nice new shoes
She decided to call and accept his offer of a date and made an effort to dress up for the occasion.
And now they meet every night beside their beds
And clean their teeth before they climb into their heads
Now, they spend time together every night before going to bed and make sure to brush their teeth before going to sleep.
Like a knife, cuff your life, throw the slight man away
This phrase doesn't directly relate to the story being told in the song.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind