Apart from the international sound of melodic acoustic soul, it is the intelligent angle on social and societal issues that really makes up the essence of S.T.I.C.S.
S.T.I.C.S. or Sound That Inspires Conscious Souls, have managed to inspire and provoke their audience with lyrics and music that challenges the boarders of acoustic soul, hip-hop and spoken word. S.T.I.C.S. consists of four members who in 2004 merged their individual cultural backgrounds and musical influences from Bosnia, Denmark, Zanzibar & Sweden. They have since then been performing around the world from Beijing to London, warming up for the legendary acts like Talib Kweli, Angie Stone, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), toured with the American rapper One Be Lo, playing alongside Amir Sulaiman and were in 2010 shortlisted for Best Upcoming Act at the Best African Achievement Awards.
With this being said, S.T.I.C.S. is a group that truly draws upon an international perspective to life, as they literally cross boarders on a regular basis to get together. They have also displayed their lyrical competences by achieving two first places in the National Swedish Poetry Slam Championships in 2007 and 2010 as well as a top 5 placement at the Scottish National Poetry Slam Championships, making their mark within the elite beyond the realm of music.
S.T.I.C.S have also had the pleasure of playing alongside- and warming up for: Maher Zain, Petter, Karen Mukupa, Blues, Kuku Agami, Mc Clemens, Houman Sebghati, Jonas Rendbo, Mzungu Kichaa, Mohammed Ali, Advance Patrol, Asha Ali and Illstar-allstars to name a few.
Pressure
S.T.I.C.S Lyrics
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Another place, another time
Once took more than just a whine,
To make me stop and look behind
False belief and vain hope,
I lie to myself and pretend to cope
Don't put too much pressure on,
Don't put too much pressure on,
Don't put too much pressure on me
Never mind you'll be blind,
You're confined to a paranoid mind
Never mind you'll be blind,
You're confined to a paranoid mind
Don't put too much pressure on,
Don't put too much pressure on me
Don't put too much pressure on,
Don't put too much pressure on me
If I stop and take a look,
The whispers stop, I become unstuck
A second look from slight eye,
The need to run from passers-by
Feeling I get from inside,
The need to run from the phantoms of mine
Having mind of a certain kind,
I'm confined to a paranoid mind
Don't put too much pressure on,
Don't put too much pressure on me
Don't put too much pressure on,
Don't put too much pressure on me
Never mind you'll be blind,
You're confined to a paranoid mind
Never mind you'll be blind,
You're confined to a paranoid mind
Don't put too much pressure on,
Don't put too much pressure on me
Don't put too much pressure on,
Don't put too much pressure on me
Fucked up mind is in a state,
Constant paranoia now turned to hate
You better go your fate is near,
Cling to a life you hold so dear
I see red I want you dead -
A lost cause is what the doctor said
Having mind of a certain kind,
I'm confined to a paranoid mind
Don't put too much pressure on,
Don't put too much pressure on me
Don't put too much pressure on,
Don't put too much pressure on me
Never mind you'll be blind,
You're confined to a paranoid mind
Never mind you'll be blind,
You're confined to a paranoid mind
Don't put too much pressure on,
Don't put too much pressure on me
Don't put too much pressure on,
Don't put too much pressure on me
In "Pressure," S.T.I.C.S brings to light the paranoia and anxiety that can come with excessive pressure from external sources. The opening lines, "Picture in your roaming mind, another place, another time," suggest a yearning for an escape from reality. The following lines, "Once took more than just a whine, to make me stop and look behind, false belief and vain hope, I lie to myself and pretend to cope," reveal that the pressure has become overwhelming, and the singer is struggling to keep up the facade of competence.
The chorus, "Don't put too much pressure on me," is a plea for understanding and empathy. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the urgency of the message. The next verse, "If I stop and take a look, the whispers stop, I become unstuck," suggests that taking a step back and reevaluating the situation can help alleviate the paranoia.
However, the final verse portrays the darkest side of pressure, where the singer's paranoia has turned to hate and violence. The lines, "I see red I want you dead - a lost cause is what the doctor said," reveal that the singer's mental health has deteriorated to a dangerous level.
Overall, "Pressure" is a powerful commentary on the damaging effects of excessive pressure and the importance of understanding and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Picture in your roaming mind,
Imagine in your wandering thoughts
Another place, another time
A different location or era
Once took more than just a whine,
Previously, it took more effort than mere complaining
To make me stop and look behind
To cause me to pause and reflect on past actions
False belief and vain hope,
Untrue convictions and fruitless expectations
I lie to myself and pretend to cope
I deceive myself and act as if I can handle things
Don't put too much pressure on,
Please do not exert excessive demands on
Don't put too much pressure on me
Do not force me beyond my limits
Never mind you'll be blind,
Ignore the fact that you will not understand
You're confined to a paranoid mind
Your thoughts are limited by fear and anxiety
If I stop and take a look,
If I pause and observe
The whispers stop, I become unstuck
The murmurs cease, and I feel liberated
A second look from slight eye,
A brief glimpse from a passerby
The need to run from passers-by
The urge to flee from strangers
Feeling I get from inside,
The emotion that arises within me
The need to run from the phantoms of mine
The drive to escape one's own illusions
Having mind of a certain kind,
Possessing a particular manner of thinking
I'm confined to a paranoid mind
I am restricted by fearful thoughts
Fucked up mind is in a state,
A disturbed mentality is present
Constant paranoia now turned to hate
Continual suspicion transformed into intense dislike
You better go your fate is near,
It is advisable for you to depart since danger approaches
Cling to a life you hold so dear
Hold tightly to what you value
I see red I want you dead -
I am filled with rage and desire your demise
A lost cause is what the doctor said
The physician declared it hopeless
Don't put too much pressure on,
Do not impose undue stress on
Never mind you'll be blind,
You will not comprehend, so do not worry
You're confined to a paranoid mind
You are limited by fear and suspicion
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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