"The 'sequence' isn't sequenced at all — it's chopped–up audio, played in bits and dropped in. I was trying to get the analogue sequencers to play the arpeggios, but just couldn't do it, because the chords change. Geoff came up with this double–time beat. The problem with it had been that it was always too slow. We used to have an 808 classic old–school hip–hop beat, but that sounded a bit ordinary. We're always fighting against sounding like what we used to do, or sounding ordinary; so Geoff took it into another world. And while I was prattling on about sequencing, Geoff borrowed my Siel, and just played it — learnt the shape of the first chord, stopped, dropped in, learnt the shape of the second chord, and so on. There's a bassoon, too, and some other stuff: a little synth that comes in at the end, that we put on in the mix. It sounded like it needed something else, and I had my MS20 there, so I just put it on with it." -Adrian Utley
The Rip
Portishead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Scented and tall
Hesitating once more
And as I take on myself
And the bitterness I felt
I realize that love flows
Wild, white horses
And the tenderness I feel
Will send the dark underneath
Will I follow?
Through the glory of life
I will scatter on the floor
Disappointed and sore
And in my thoughts I have bled
For the riddles I've been fed
Another lie moves over
Wild, white horses
They will take me away
And the tenderness I feel
Will send the dark underneath
Will I follow?
Wild, white horses
They will take me away
And the tenderness I feel
Will send the dark underneath
Will I follow?
The Rip by Portishead is a hauntingly beautiful song that touches on emotions of love, bitterness, and disappointment. The song begins with the entrance of a scented and tall woman who hesitates before entering the room, which sets a melancholic tone for the song. The singer takes on the bitterness they have been feeling and realizes that love flows. The lyrics here suggest that the singer may have experienced heartbreak or disappointment in the past, but they are now open to love and all its complexities.
The chorus of the song introduces the metaphor of wild, white horses. The horses are a powerful symbol of freedom and the unknown, and they will take the singer away from their current situation. The tenderness the singer feels represents their willingness to follow where the horses lead, even if it means descending into darkness. In the second verse, the singer reflects on their past disappointments and the lies they have been fed. Despite this, they are still willing to follow the wild horses into the unknown.
Overall, The Rip is a deeply introspective song about love, disappointment, and the journey into the unknown. The use of metaphors and powerful imagery creates a haunting atmosphere that stays with the listener long after the song has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
As she walks in the room
The singer is describing a person entering the room.
Scented and tall
The person's presence is striking and noticeable.
Hesitating once more
The person seems hesitant or unsure of something.
And as I take on myself
The artist is taking responsibility for something happening in their own life.
And the bitterness I felt
The artist has been feeling bitter or resentful about something.
I realize that love flows
The singer has come to the realization that love is always present and moving forward.
Wild, white horses
The wild, white horses are a metaphor for something powerful and unstoppable.
They will take me away
The artist feels like they might be taken away or swept up by something powerful.
And the tenderness I feel
Despite the power of the situation, the artist also feels a sense of tenderness or caring.
Will send the dark underneath
The tenderness is pushing away or hiding something negative or dark.
Will I follow?
The singer is questioning whether or not to follow the powerful force that they feel.
Through the glory of life
Life has moments of glory mixed with other experiences.
I will scatter on the floor
The singer feels like they are falling apart or losing control.
Disappointed and sore
The singer is feeling let down and in pain.
And in my thoughts I have bled
The singer has been hurting and feeling emotional pain in their thoughts and beliefs.
For the riddles I've been fed
The artist has been given confusing or difficult situations to deal with.
Another lie moves over
The artist has been deceived or lied to, and another lie is now taking its place.
Wild, white horses
The powerful and unstoppable feeling returns.
They will take me away
The singer feels like they might be taken away or swept up once again.
And the tenderness I feel
Despite the power of the situation, the artist also feels a sense of tenderness or caring.
Will send the dark underneath
The tenderness is pushing away or hiding something negative or dark.
Will I follow?
The artist is still questioning whether or not to follow the powerful force that they feel.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ADRIAN FRANCIS UTLEY, BETH GIBBONS, GEOFFREY PAUL BARROW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elconejito99
As she walks in the room
Centered and tall
Hesitating once more
And as I take on myself
And the bitterness I felt
I realize that love flows
Wild, white horses
They will take me away
And the tenderness I feel
Will send the dark underneath
Will I follow?
Through the glory of life
I will scatter on the floor
Disappointed and sore
And in my thoughts I have bled
For the riddles I've been fed
Another lie moves over
Wild, white horses
They will take me away
And the tenderness I feel
Will send the dark underneath
Will I follow?
Wild, white horses
They will take me away
And the tenderness I feel
Will send the dark underneath
Will I follow?
@ExplicitCod
This life is so depressing when actually think about it..
Work 5 days out the week doing the same repetitive thing over and over again.
Waking up not knowing when your last day will be or going to sleep not knowing you’re never gonna wake up.
Seeing people you love leave your life willingly or unwillingly.
Worse days are coming even when you do everything you can to prevent those days from happening.
..we got dealt a bad hand as humans but somehow we still find happiness in it all and find the courage to keep going to see whats at the end of the finish line.
Its a gift and a curse.
@linkinparkrulz2275
My brother committed suicide last weekend by overdosing on something. He was found with headphones on, presumably listening to something. This is his youtube account. He made a playlist containing 6 songs that was edited the day he passed. This is one of the 6 songs. With the method he used, he was dead after about 30 minutes, probably unconscious around 12 minutes. I like to think that it was peaceful for him with his music on. I love you Myles, I'll miss you everyday for the rest of my life..
@cleopetra4155
Oh nooo!!:(
I m crying after reading ur comment
@asentientbeing.
I hope he finds peace.And I hope you are too.Life is a wonderful experience.
@francescafava2888
sending all my love
@terahdactyl6682
I’ve seen your comment before but can’t remember which song I found it on. I’m so sorry for your loss and I hope that listening to this helps connect you to him in a way. Stay strong❤️
@55nfabulous
I’m so sorry for your loss 😔
@VivaaLaaLyssaa
Never reading the comments again 😭
@matthewgower
:(
@johnabe3122
😂
@macy609
FOR REAL 😭 wah