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
Naked
Neneh Cherry Lyrics
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Strip me naked and put me out the pasture
Multitask could keep your head above the water
Smell of any money keeps the wolves from the door
And there's the men with my taxes
It's the kinkiest of picks now
Run a little faster
Maybe I can go far
Maybe I can catch you
Maybe I can make good
For the love of so many
Can we catch oh oh oh
Oh oh oh, share it all
And if we're here
Could be there
Oh oh oh, another day if we get this
Strip me naked and put me down right
Strips me naked, my wings need to blast off
Life is going faster, like a bus it runs me over
No kind of beacon, fill me up and make me whole now
I could run a little faster
Maybe I can catch a ride
Run a little further
Like you run me over
Move slower than the money
But maybe I could make good
Maybe I can go far
For the love of so many
Can we catch oh oh oh
Oh oh oh, share it all
And if we're here
Could be there
Oh oh oh, another day if we get this
So there's the men with my taxes
They can be such pricks now
They're a little better
And go without this further
Maybe I can go far
Maybe I can catch you
I'm like a go-kart
For the love of so many
Can we catch oh oh oh
Oh oh oh, share it all
And if we're here
Could be there
Oh oh oh, another day if we get this
Can we catch oh oh oh
Oh oh oh, share it all
And if we're here
Could be there
Oh oh oh, another day if we get this
I wanna know now, baby
Can we? Baby
End of the trail
Rounds in the wind
The lyrics for "Naked" by Neneh Cherry are a commentary on the struggles of daily life and the desire to break free from them. The first verse begins with a call to strip the singer naked and put them outside, a metaphor for exposing oneself and stepping out of one's comfort zone. The next line speaks to the need to multitask and stay afloat, all while trying to keep the wolves (or financial struggles) at bay. This struggle is juxtaposed with the men taking the singer's taxes, which is the kinkiest of picks, but perhaps a necessary evil.
The second verse revolves around the need to blast off and move beyond life's struggles, but feeling as though life is running the singer over like a bus. Without any kind of beacon or guiding light, the singer feels whole but empty at the same time. The struggle to keep up with money and catch a ride is ongoing, but perhaps there is hope to make something good out of it all.
The chorus repeats the lines "Can we catch, oh oh oh? / Share it all / And if we're here / Could be there / Oh oh oh / Another day if we get this." This speaks to the idea that if we work together and share our struggles, we can reach our goals and move beyond the difficulties of daily life.
Overall, "Naked" is a powerful commentary on the struggles of modern life, and the need to step outside of our comfort zones to make something better for ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Strip me naked and put me outside
Strip me of my exterior and leave me in the open to face life's challenges.
Multitask could keep your head above the water
The ability to juggle various things can help you stay afloat in difficult times.
Smell of any money keeps the wolves from the door
Having even a little bit of money can prevent financial hardship.
And there's the men with my taxes
The government officials who collect tax money.
It's the kinkiest of picks now
The tax system is complicated and difficult to understand.
Run a little faster
Attempt to move quicker to achieve a goal.
Make it go a little further
Stretch resources to their maximum capacity.
Maybe I can go far
There is potential to achieve great things.
Maybe I can catch you
It is possible to achieve success and surpass others.
Maybe I can make good
There is a chance for redemption and success.
Can we catch oh oh oh
Will we be able to experience success?
Oh oh oh, share it all
Celebrate with others and spread the joy.
And if we're here
In the present moment.
Could be there
There exists a possibility for a better future.
Strips me naked, my wings need to blast off
Being stripped of one's exterior can lead to new opportunities for growth and success.
Life is going faster, like a bus it runs me over
Life is moving quickly and it can be overwhelming at times.
No kind of beacon, fill me up and make me whole now
Without direction or guidance, one may feel lost and incomplete.
Move slower than the money
Progress is slower than anticipated.
But maybe I could make good
Despite obstacles, there is potential for success.
I'm like a go-kart
I have the potential to move quickly and efficiently.
End of the trail
The culmination of a journey or experience.
Rounds in the wind
Moving forward and taking new chances, even in the face of uncertainty.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTIAN KARLSSON, MICHELLE LYNN BELL, PONTUS JOHAN WINNBERG, WAYNE ANTHONY HECTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind