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
Weightless
Neneh Cherry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pushin weights, I must be doing it wrong
Within pain, I can't keep up any long
But they won't get me another, no
Movin in circles but I'm wasting away
Chasin my tag still past the late
Spending money like it's going out of fashion
Keep on dancing but I can't find my right moves
Still I'm weightless
Busy shrugging off the first thing
Drippin honey like a fool without a passion
Keep on dancing but I don't fit the right shoes
Am I weightless?
Uh! Out of my seat
Mind is weak, my heart is strong
Take with their car before it takes too long
See my voice on a liquid phone
Service myself when I'm all alone
Give a room a personal clue yea
And I hope you got to where the grass is greener
So I'm pullin at the first string,
Spending money like it's going out of fashion
Keep on dancing but I can't find my right moves
Still I'm weightless
Busy shrugging off the first thing
Drippin honey like a fool without a passion
Keep on dancing but I don't fit the right shoes
Am I weightless?
Hold your breath, watch your step
Watch your step, hold your breath
Cause it ain't over
Til the fat lady sings
Hold your breath, watch your step
Watch your step, hold your breath
Cause it ain't over
Til the fat lady sings
Baby, come on
Come on come on come on
Baby, oh
Come on
Weightless
Still I'm weightless
Oh yes baby
Still I'm weightless
The song "Weightless" by Neneh Cherry is a representation of an internal struggle between the singer's body and mind. The first couplet, "This mind is weak, my pulse is strong / Pushin weights, I must be doing it wrong" feels like a metaphor for the singer's struggle for control over their own body. They acknowledge that their mind is not strong enough to control their physical self, and they feel like they are "doing it wrong" by pushing weights. In the following lines, "Within pain, I can't keep up any long / But they won't get me another, no" the singer acknowledges the physical pain they endure while trying to exert control over their body, but also stubbornly refuses to give up or ask for help.
In the chorus, the singer admits to being lost and feeling unsure of themselves. They feel like they are "Movin in circles but I'm wasting away / Chasin my tag still past the late" and cannot seem to find their way. The lines "So I'm pullin at the first string, / Spending money like it's going out of fashion / Keep on dancing but I can't find my right moves / Still I'm weightless" seem to suggest that the singer is trying anything to find their rhythm or their place, but still feels ungrounded, or "weightless". The rest of the song builds up to the repeated phrase, "Hold your breath, watch your step / Watch your step, hold your breath / Cause it ain't over / Til the fat lady sings", which can be interpreted as a warning to stay vigilant and not let their guard down in the face of their struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
This mind is weak, my pulse is strong
My mental state is fragile, but my physical state remains sturdy.
Pushin weights, I must be doing it wrong
I'm struggling with a task, and it feels like I'm doing it incorrectly.
Within pain, I can't keep up any long
I can't maintain my effort through the discomfort.
But they won't get me another, no
I won't get another chance or replacement.
Movin in circles but I'm wasting away
I'm expending energy but not making progress.
Chasin my tag still past the late
I'm pursuing something that's already out of reach.
So I'm pullin at the first string,
I'm trying to fix the situation in the easiest way possible.
Spending money like it's going out of fashion
I'm being reckless with my finances.
Keep on dancing but I can't find my right moves
I'm trying my best to cope but failing to find what works.
Still I'm weightless
Despite the struggles, I feel weightless and free.
Busy shrugging off the first thing
I'm disregarding the simplest solution.
Drippin honey like a fool without a passion
I'm trying to attract attention but don't have genuine motivation.
Keep on dancing but I don't fit the right shoes
I'm continuing to try even though I know I don't have the right tools or skills.
Am I weightless?
I wonder if my struggles even matter in the grand scheme of things.
Mind is weak, my heart is strong
My mental state is still fragile, but my emotions remain powerful.
Take with their car before it takes too long
I want to take advantage of an opportunity before it disappears.
See my voice on a liquid phone
My communication feels distorted or disconnected.
Service myself when I'm all alone
I have to rely on myself in moments of solitude.
Give a room a personal clue yea
I want to leave a mark or make a statement in my surroundings.
And I hope you got to where the grass is greener
I hope you found a better situation or place to be.
Hold your breath, watch your step
Be prepared and cautious for what's to come.
Cause it ain't over
The situation is ongoing and unresolved.
Til the fat lady sings
The final outcome won't be known until the end.
Baby, come on
Encouragement to keep moving forward.
Weightless
Despite adversity, there can still be feelings of lightness and freedom.
Still I'm weightless
Reinforcement that despite struggles, there is still a sense of liberation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ludmila Sherstobitova
Love Neneh's voice so much! unique, impossible to confuse her with anybody else. Up-to-date track:)
Albatr0ss222
Pure musical genius, good lord, keep it up Ms. Cherry!!!
Alis Sunwolf
I'll love this until the day I can't hear any more. Great voice and I love the fuzz distortion.
Arturo Rodriguez
What a voice!!!! ;)
WillComet
The song rocks!
Anna Nsimbe
Brilliant performance from Neneh and the band yesterday @ Rough Trade East, London!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Weightleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeess!
msinthrop
This song kicks ass!!!
Alternative Visuals
Shes always had one hell voice, considering she can rap and sing is quite a feet
Dexter
Radiovarietyshow Feat.
Lars Bo Jensen
Damn, she's so hardcore. Love this!