Portishead's debut album, Dummy (1994), fused hip hop production with an atmospheric, cinematic style reminiscent of spy film soundtracks. The album was met with commercial and critical acclaim, quickly becoming a landmark album in the emerging trip hop genre. However, the band disliked being associated with the term, and would consciously step away from that sound on later releases. Two other studio albums have been issued: Portishead in 1997 and Third in 2008, both of which received similar acclaim. In 1998, the band released a concert album, Roseland NYC Live.
Over
Portishead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Understand me anymore
To tread this fantasy openly
What have I done?
Ooh, this uncertainty
Is taking me over
I can't mold this stage anymore
To tread this fantasy openly
What have I done?
Ooh, this uncertainty
Is taking me over
Is taking me over
To tread this fantasy openly
What have I done?
Ooh, this uncertainty
Is taking me over
Is taking me over
Is taking me over
It's all over, yeah
Oh, it's all over, yeah
Oh, over
The lyrics to Portishead's "Over" convey a sense of despair and confusion. The singer can no longer manage the day and feels that no one understands them anymore. The phrase "To tread this fantasy, openly" suggests that there may have been a dream or ideal that the singer was pursuing, but the reality of the situation has made that impossible. The repetition of "What have I done?" and "This uncertainty is taking me over" further emphasizes the feelings of guilt and helplessness.
The lines "I can't mold this stage anymore/ Recognize me anymore" may indicate that the singer feels like they can no longer control their own life and that they are becoming unrecognizable even to themselves. The phrase "it's all over" at the end could suggest a sense of resignation or acceptance that the situation has reached its end.
Overall, the lyrics to "Over" are open to interpretation and could be about a variety of situations, such as a relationship or a personal struggle. However, the theme of someone feeling out of control and overwhelmed is a strong and relatable element in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't hold this day
I can't control what's happening in my life
Anymore
I used to have a grip on things, but now everything is slipping away
Understand me
I need someone to make sense of what's going on
Anymore
I'm feeling lost and disconnected
To tread this fantasy, openly
I'm pretending things are okay when they're really not
What have I done?
I'm questioning my actions and decisions
Ooh, this uncertainty
I'm feeling anxious and uneasy about the future
Is taking me over
These negative feelings are becoming overwhelming
I can't mould this stage
I can't bend reality to fit my desires
Recognise me
I feel like no one truly understands me
To tread this fantasy, openly
I'm trying to be honest about how I feel
What have I done?
I'm struggling with regrets and past mistakes
Ooh, this uncertainty
I'm still grappling with my fears and uncertainties
Is taking me over
These emotions are consuming me
Is taking me over
I can't seem to escape their grasp
Is taking me over
It feels like I'm drowning in this negative headspace
It's all over
I'm coming to terms with the end of something
Yeah
I'm acknowledging the finality of the situation
Ooh, it's all over
There's no going back
Yeah
This is the end
Ooh, oh, oh
I'm accepting the reality of what's happened
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Adrian Francis Utley, Beth Gibbons, Geoffrey Paul Barrow
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Idrathernot.
"Over"
I can't hold this day
Anymore
Understand me
Anymore
To tread this fantasy, openly
What have I done
Ooh this uncertainty, is taking me over
I can't mould this stage
Anymore
Recognise me
Anymore
To tread this fantasy, openly
What have I done
Ooh this uncertainty, is taking me over
is taking me over
To tread this fantasy, openly
What have I done
Ooh this uncertainty, is taking me over
is taking me over
is taking me over
@rogerwalters9557
Beth smoking with an orchestral back up is just magic.
@Kammalion
I can't understand how doesn't have much more views!!! It's easily my favourite of Portishead!
@DireClown30309
+Kammalion I'll try to help with that - sharing it on as many social media platforms as possible!!
@KcYoh
its easily portishead, how can PORTISHEAD doesnt have much more views
@lotusglobe2671
I just wonder why this song hasn't been used in as many movies as Glory Box has. Any film noir-type flick or psychological thriller would work well for this song.
@bluefilmsltd
@@lotusglobe2671 Same.
@pgreenlee
Beth Gibbons tormented wails always soothes me.
@masturdate
The scratching tho 😎
@flyingsquirrel3271
I just love how the whole groove feels totally layed back but extremely strong especially in that part. So dope :D
@dominicbiondi4097
One of the greatest live performances ever