Their debut album Mind Fruit produced the track "It's a Fine Day," a cover of a 1983 single by Jane & Barton, which topped the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1992 and reached number five on the UK singles chart.
The song, now considered a house music classic, is the basis of Orbital's 1993 track, "Halcyon + On + On", found on their second eponymous album (the "la la la" section of the "It's A Fine Day" chorus was backmasked and sampled throughout the song). Norwegian artist Erlend Øye also covered the song on his album that was part of the DJ-Kicks series.
Interestingly enough, Hawkshaw, impressed with the Orbital track, returned the favor by appearing in the video for "Halycon + On + On" playing a housewife who was 'under the influence' (even though she looked like she was daydreaming, but that could be disputed). The other single release from "Mind Fruit", was "I Talk To The Wind". This was not a big chart success in the UK, only reaching number 52.
Opus III's second album Guru Mother surfaced in 1994 and produced another number-one dance song "When You Made the Mountain". A third U.S. dance chart entry, "Hand in Hand (Looking for Sweet Inspiration)" hit number 14.
The group disbanded after their second album. Hawkshaw is still a major presence in dance music, lending her vocals to a number of electronic and dance music artists and tracks well into the 21st century.
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Opus III Lyrics
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P.i
(Temptation)
P.I
CHORUS
p.i p.i p.i p.i ya heard
when he comes rolling through your town
you better key a low down.
p.i p.i p.i p.i ya heard
he just joint the game gonna make old classic rappers
shiver for a change.
VERSE 1
I've started with a temptation to hi jack a plane and crush into white house station. The public look aggresive in devastation I did it because the research team just gave me some new medication. I assasin the owner of a jewelery shop grab my suitcase sell it illigal I indirectly don't listen to the laws I make the result to them I'm just a outlaw. I do a tv ad make the whole broadcast system hypnotized and make a slogan to drink alchol while your driving in your ride leaning on the edge of a bridge with the nails holding it stable if you wanna live re-act real fast.
The lyrics to Opus III's song Up are quite intricate and layered, and are open to various interpretations. The song deals with the concept of temptation and the lengths that people are willing to go to fulfill their desires. It seems to suggest that the promise of power and wealth can lead people down dark paths and make them do extreme things that they would normally never consider.
In the chorus, the song talks about a mysterious figure called P.I, who is apparently a new arrival on the hip-hop scene. The lyrics suggest that P.I is a dangerous and enigmatic character who commands respect and fear. The lines "when he comes rolling through your town, you better keep a low down" and "he just joined the game gonna make old classic rappers shiver for a change" imply that P.I is a force to be reckoned with and is here to shake things up.
Verse 1 delves deeper into the idea of temptation and the consequences of giving in to one's desires. The lyrics describe how the singer considered hijacking a plane and crashing it into the White House, all because a research team gave him some new medication. He also talks about assassinating the owner of a jewelry shop and selling the stolen goods illegally. The lines "I don't listen to the laws I make the result to them I'm just an outlaw" suggest that the singer sees himself as a rebel against society's rules and regulations.
Overall, the song seems to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of giving in to temptation and the high price that one may have to pay for it. The lyrics are dark, provocative and thought-provoking, and make the listener ponder the question of what they would do if they were faced with a similar situation.
Line by Line Meaning
I've started with a temptation to hi jack a plane and crush into white house station.
I was tempted to commit a violent act by hijacking a plane and crashing it into the White House.
The public look aggressive in devastation I did it because the research team just gave me some new medication.
The public seemed upset by my violent act, but I did it because a research team gave me new medication.
I assassinate the owner of a jewelry shop, grab my suitcase, sell it illegal, I indirectly don't listen to the laws, I make the result to them I'm just an outlaw.
I killed a jewelry store owner, stole their merchandise, sold it illegally, and consider myself an outlaw who doesn't adhere to the law.
I do a TV ad, make the whole broadcast system hypnotized, and make a slogan to drink alcohol while you're driving in your ride, leaning on the edge of a bridge with the nails holding it stable. If you want to live, react real fast.
I created a TV commercial that hypnotized viewers and encouraged them to drink and drive dangerously on a bridge. I suggested they need to react quickly if they wanted to survive.
Contributed by Thomas M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.