Produced by Saint Etie… Read Full Bio ↴Written by Bob Stanley, Pete Wiggs & Tatiana Mais
Produced by Saint Etienne
Released August 1991 on Only Love Can Break Your Heart.
Notes Vocals are by British MC, Q-Tee, who was only 15 when the track was recorded. She later appeared on Saint Etienne's second album So Tough on the song Calico. She had her own solo UK Top 40 hit with Gimme That Body in 1996.
"Q-Tee had an amazing voice, she sounded like Peppermint Patty." (Bob Stanley, 2009).
"It was called 'Filthy' because when they first played the sample that was my reaction - you can't release this, it's just going to sound filthy - really scratched up old vinyl." (engineer Ian Catt, 2009).
Filthy
Saint Etienne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rhyming as I'm coming to the top, / with my back-pack of rhymes I won't stop. /
Every lyric / flying high like a dove / as the lord / sprinkles his love /
On me. / his assigned destiny, / teaching, preaching, c'mon / question me! /
I have the answer to the master-plan. / if you can't, / then I can. /
Jumping the chitz(? ) as I speak out, / wondering what its all about, /
Gonna make you see I'm not faking it / like all the others that be making it. /
Ecstatic, and stating the facts; / take heed to my extracts. /
Following the paths of me, / eat til you fill your greed. /
Feeding on my knowledge like a cake, / the smell of truth as I bake. /
Some goals / you will achieve; / no loss or debt to believe; /
Believe me, I wouldn't lie, / for my question / I need your reply. /
Whatever / you take from me, /
Whatever / you say, /
I try / to make you see /
Things / my way. /
Touch me, / take my hand. /
Hold on tight. / as tight as you can. /
Ill be with you / all the way. /
I'm asking you / won't you stay? /
Its your reality. /
Durbba durbba duhr, /
Badurbba durbba duhr, /
Badurbba durbba duhr, /
Badurbba durbba duhr. /
Earning respect from the crowd / as expression of my meaning comes loud, /
Bringing it all across / so as you know who's boss. /
This is not a media hype - / maybe I'm just not that type. /
My rhymes that'll lift you like a drug, / like a mat, Ill be your rug. /
Whatever / that you say, /
Ill never / turn you away. /
You don't know me / as you are, /
My mind is / what you have caught. /
Touch me, / take my hand. /
Hold on tight, / as tight as you can, /
Ill be with you / all the way. /
I'm asking you / won't you stay? /
Its your reality. /
Durbba durbba duhr, /
Badurbba durbba duhr, /
Badurbba durbba duhr, /
Badurbba durbba duhr.
[laughs]
The lyrics of Saint Etienne's "Filthy" are full of personal declarations and values, as the song's protagonist raps about his commitment to his craft, to sharing knowledge with his audience, and to seeking knowledge from them in turn. The opening lines, "Hello? [laughs] hello?" are suggestive of a phone call, but also of a wider conversation, as if the rapper is reaching out not just to one person, but to his broader community. The lines that follow, "Rhyming as I'm coming to the top, with my back-pack of rhymes I won't stop," bring forth the theme of perseverance and dedication to one's craft. Every lyric is "flying high like a dove," a metaphor for both poetry and the sense of freedom that the artist experiences through creative expression.
Throughout the remainder of the song, the rapper emphasizes his commitment to his audience, telling them to "take heed to my extracts," and to "feed on my knowledge like a cake." He predicts that his listeners will achieve "some goals" and emphasizes that he "wouldn't lie" to them. In a world filled with "media hype," he implies, his words are the truth, and his rhymes like a drug.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello?
Opening line of the song, unsure of who they are addressing
Rhyming as I'm coming to the top, with my back-pack of rhymes I won't stop.
The artist is confident in their skills and will continue to produce meaningful lyrics and rhymes.
Every lyric flying high like a dove as the lord sprinkles his love on me.
The artist feels inspired by a higher power and puts this love and inspiration into their lyrics.
His assigned destiny, teaching, preaching, c'mon question me! I have the answer to the master-plan. If you can't, then I can.
The artist sees their purpose as a teacher and leader in the music industry with a clear vision for the future.
Jumping the chitz(? ) as I speak out, wondering what its all about, Wishing I was only a dream and I wasn't so extreme.
The artist questions their own reality and the impact their extreme and truthful lyrics have on the world.
Gonna make you see I'm not faking it like all the others that be making it. Ecstatic, and stating the facts; take heed to my extracts.
The artist prides themselves on authenticity and truth, standing out amongst other artists who may not be as genuine in their lyrics.
Following the paths of me, eat til you fill your greed. Feeding on my knowledge like a cake, the smell of truth as I bake. Some goals you will achieve; no loss or debt to believe; Believe me, I wouldn't lie, for my question I need your reply.
The artist's lyrics and knowledge are a source of sustenance and inspiration for their fans with the promise of success and truth to guide them forward.
Whatever you take from me, Whatever you say, I try to make you see Things my way. Touch me, take my hand. Hold on tight. As tight as you can. Ill be with you all the way. I'm asking you won't you stay? Its your reality.
The artist wants to connect with their fans and share their perspective, hoping to have an impact on their reality.
Durbba durbba duhr, Badurbba durbba duhr, Badurbba durbba duhr, Badurbba durbba duhr.
Represents a shift in tone and a beat drop.
Earning respect from the crowd as expression of my meaning comes loud, Bringing it all across so as you know who's boss. This is not a media hype - maybe I'm just not that type. My rhymes that'll lift you like a drug, like a mat, Ill be your rug.
The artist commands attention and respect through their powerful lyrics and sees themselves as a supporter for their fans.
Whatever that you say, Ill never turn you away. You don't know me as you are, My mind is what you have caught. Touch me, take my hand. Hold on tight, as tight as you can, Ill be with you all the way. I'm asking you won't you stay? Its your reality.
The artist again invites their fans to connect with them and promises to be a source of support and guidance for them to navigate life's challenges.
Durbba durbba duhr, Badurbba durbba duhr, Badurbba durbba duhr, Badurbba durbba duhr.
Reiteration of the beat drop. End of the song.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB STANLEY, PETER STEWART WIGGS, ROBERT STANLEY, TATIANA MAIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind