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
carry me
Neneh Cherry Lyrics
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And in my dead mouth lies the taste
That's like the look in your dead eyes
Don't give me your expression, don't even swim with me
I've got the nerve to tell you, you'll never live through me
Carry me, carry me, carry me
I wanna go home
I wanna go home
Carry me, carry me, carry me
I wanna go home
Carry me, bury me
I wanna go home now
Like a witness that has come to be that's my expression
And though I live through your eyes, I've just lived in one dimension
You wanna let off a gun, press one hard be hard on
I wonder is your wisdom telling you'll never get to you
Carry me, carry me, carry me
I wanna go home
Carry me, bury me
I wanna go home
Carry me, carry me, carry me
I wanna go home
Carry me, bury me
I wanna go home
So now come, yeah
I'll take a [Incomprehensible] now, yeah
Movin' a hole in the gun
I gave you satisfaction
It's murder here when I'm round
So keep my felt tip impressions and bury me
Never to be found
Carry me, carry me, carry me
I wanna go home
Carry me bury me
I wanna go home
Carry me, bury me, carry me
I wanna go home
Carry me, bury me
I wanna go home
Carry me, bury me
I wanna go home now, now
Carry me, I wanna go home, oh
Carry me, yeah, bury me, yeah
Carry me, carry me, carry me
I wanna go home now, now
Bury me now, carry me now
Carry me, bury me
I wanna go home
The lyrics of Neneh Cherry's "Carry Me" are a statement on the burden of emotional weight, the need for release, and the quest for homecoming. The two opening lines "You fed the fire all my letters like you fed me French fries, And in my dead mouth lies the taste, That's like the look in your dead eyes" evoke memories of fractured relationships and one-sided love. They talk of a feeling of neglect and loss, where the singer's words are reduced to ashes in metaphorical flames, much like their identity and self-worth. The next section of the lyrics "Don't give me your expression, don't even swim with me, I've got the nerve to tell you, you'll never live through me" affirms the singer's desire for emotional freedom and the need to break away from toxic relationships. The chorus "Carry me, carry me, carry me, I wanna go home, Carry me, bury me, I wanna go home" repeats like a mantra, each time with greater urgency, as the singer seeks to be carried to a place where they are free from emotional baggage and burdens. The lines "Like a witness that has come to be that's my expression, And though I live through your eyes, I've just lived in one dimension" hint at the singer's struggle to find their own identity and voice in a relationship marred by emotional manipulation and control. The song ends with the lines "I gave you satisfaction, It's murder here when I'm round, So keep my felt tip impressions and bury me Never to be found," where the singer desires to vanish into thin air, leaving behind no trace or memory.
Line by Line Meaning
You fed the fire all my letters like you fed me French fries
You destroyed my personal writings just as easily as you fed me fast food; without thought or care.
And in my dead mouth lies the taste, that's like the look in your dead eyes
The way you've affected my life feels like death, and it's clear to me from your eyes that you're disconnected and indifferent.
Don't give me your expression, don't even swim with me
I don't want to hear your meaningless words or share anything with you.
I've got the nerve to tell you, you'll never live through me
Despite your attempts to control me, I refuse to let you have a say in my life.
Carry me, carry me, carry me
I wanna go home
Carry me, bury me
I wanna go home
I need to escape from this situation, even if it means being buried and forgotten.
Like a witness that has come to be, that's my expression
And though I live through your eyes, I've just lived in one dimension
My perspective and experiences are important, but you've only been able to see me through your own narrow lens.
You wanna let off a gun, press one hard, be hard on
I wonder is your wisdom telling you'll never get to you
You're quick to be violent or aggressive, but I question if you realize how this will ultimately harm you.
So now come, yeah
I'll take a [Incomprehensible] now, yeah
Movin' a hole in the gun
I'm ready to leave and I'll do whatever it takes to escape this dangerous situation.
I gave you satisfaction
It's murder here when I'm round
So keep my felt tip impressions and bury me
Never to be found
Even though I tried to please you, being around you feels like being in a deadly situation. Keep my words and thoughts, and let me disappear.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEVE HOPWOOD, CAMERON MCVEY, SIMON RICHMOND, NENEH CHERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind