Vocalist Rob Birch and DJ)/producer Nick Hallam founded their Gee Street recording studio and record label with money they were given to leave their London flat and, dispensing with using a backing band, travelled to early gigs on public transport.
They recorded their debut album, 33-45-78 in 1989 on a shoestring budget, with DJ Cesare, drummer Owen If and backing vocalist Cath Coffey. In 1990, "Elevate My Mind" became first British hip hop single to reach the United States R&B record chart. However, in the emerging UK alternative dance scene, it took an alliance with the Jungle Brothers to ensure chart success for Supernatural. Remix work for U2, PM Dawn, Queen Latifah, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Monie Love and Electronic followed.
Their live band included singers Andrea Bedassie and Verona Davis, and they were one of the few hip hop acts to play at rock music festivals at the time. Stereo MCs' mainstream breakthrough came in 1992 with the album Connected, which contained the hit singles "Connected", "Step It Up", "Creation", and "Ground Level", and also won them the BRIT Awards for Best Group and Best Album.
The follow-up to Connected did not appear for almost a decade. Further remix duties for Madonna and the Jungle Brothers in 1998 kept the Stereo MCs' name in the limelight. Madonna went on to use the Stereo MCs remix of "Frozen" as the basis of the live arrangement of the song on her 2001 Drowned World Tour.
2001 saw the release of Deep Down & Dirty, followed by a tour including slots opening for the recently re-united Jane's Addiction. Their sixth studio album, Double Bubble, was released in July 2008, followed by their seventh album, Emperor's Nightingale, in August 2011.
Connected
Stereo MC's Lyrics
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Somethin' ain't right
Gonna get myself
I'm gonna get myself
I'm gonna get myself connected
I ain't gonna go blind
For the light which is reflected
I see through you, I see through you
Your dirty tricks, you make me sick
I see through you, I see through you
I'm gonna do it again, gonna do it again
I'm (gonna do it again, gonna do it again)
Gotta do right (gonna do it again)
Somethin' ain't right (gonna do it again)
Gotta do right
Come on
If you make sure you're connected
The writing's on the wall
But if your mind's neglected
Stumble, you might fall
Stumble, you might fall
Stumble, you might fall
(Stereo MC's)
I, ain't gonna go blind
I see through you, see through you
I see through you, I see through you
Gonna get myself
I'm gonna get myself
I'm gonna get myself connected
I ain't gonna go blind
For the light which is reflected
Hear me out
Can ya hear me out?
Can ya hear me out?
Do it again
Do it again
Do it again
Do it again
I wanna do it again
I wanna do it again
I wanna do it again
You're terrified (I wanna do it again)
Ain't gonna go blind, ain't gonna go blind
(I wanna do it again)
Here we go
If you make sure you're connected
The writing's on the wall
But if your mind's neglected
Stumble, you might fall
Stumble, you might fall
Hear me out
Stumble, you might fall
Interstate 5
Stayin' alive
Won't someone try
Open up your eyes
You must be blind
If you can't see
The gaping hole called reality
Ow, wanna do it again
I gonna, gonna do it again
I wanna do it again, come on
I'm gonna do it again
Hear me out
Terrified
Somethin' ain't right
Here we go
If you make sure you're connected
The writing's on the wall
But if your mind's neglected
Stumble, you might fall
Stumble, you might fall
Stumble, you might fall
If you make sure you're connected
The writing's on the wall
But if your mind's neglected
Stumble, you might fall
Stumble, you might fall
Stumble, you might fall
If you make sure you're connected
The writing's on the wall
But if your mind's neglected
Stumble, you might fall
Stumble, you might fall
Stumble, you might fall
If you make sure you're connected
The writing's on the wall
But if your mind's neglected
Stumble, you might fall
Stumble, you might fall
The song "Connected" by Stereo MC's is about being aware of the world around us and not being blind to reality. The lyrics suggest that something is not right and the solution is to get connected, either mentally, physically or emotionally. The opening lines "Somethin' ain't right, gonna get myself connected" set the tone for the song, where the singer is determined to do whatever it takes to get connected and stay connected.
The song is an anthem to the power of being connected to the world around us. The lyrics suggest that we need to be aware of what's going on, and stay focused on the present moment. The repetition of the phrase "I see through you" implies that there are things that the singer knows that others do not. The song is encouraging the listener to see through the lies and propaganda that they are being fed, and to be able to connect with reality.
In the chorus, the lyrics advise the listener to stay connected or you might stumble and fall. The implication is that if you are not aware of what's going on around you, you are at risk of making a mistake or missing an opportunity. The song encourages people to stay awake, stay alert, and stay connected to the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Somethin' ain't right
There is something wrong
Gonna get myself, I'm gonna get myself
I am going to take action
Gonna get myself connected
I am going to connect with others
I ain't gonna go blind
I will not be blinded by something
For the light which is reflected
For things that seem good, but are not true
I see through you
I understand what you are really about
Ya dirty tricks, ya make me sick
Your deceitful behavior disgusts me
I'm (gonna do it again, gonna do it again)
I will persevere and try again
Gotta do right (gonna do it again)
I will do what's right and keep trying
'Cause somethin' ain't right (gonna do it again)
Because something is wrong, I will try again
If you make sure you're connected,
If you build meaningful relationships
The writing's on the wall
The message is clear
But if your mind's neglected,
But if you ignore your mental health
Stumble you might fall
You might make mistakes and suffer the consequences
Interstate five stayin' alive
The journey continues
Won't someone try open up your eyes
Someone must help you see the truth
You must be blind if you can't see
You are ignorant if you cannot understand
The gapin' hole called reality
The harsh truth of the world
Ow, wanna do it again,
I want to try again
I know I'm gonna do it again
I am determined to succeed
Hear me out, terrified
Listen, I am afraid
Here we go
Let's try again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Robert Birch, Nicholas Edward Jame Hallam, Harry Casey, Richard Raymond Finch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind