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.
Sketch
Stereo MC's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Paint it true, thru, thru
Paint it true, paint it true
Are you havin' problems tuning in
Are the truths that you're seeing deceptively thin
I come to clear up and pull you out of your spin
So don't adjust your set , jus' let me begin
Commercial breaks livin' in a mirage
Seen stars that are fake
They make you sedate
As your thoughts gestate daylight can't wait
Now's it's too late and I can see my mistake
Stone love, hate ain't it what you make of life
Don't ya see or buckle at the knee
The pressure around it won't let you be
I wanna know why we ain't conversin'
I wanna know why we always reversin'
Fobbin' me off with a web of diversion
Check the artist sketch if you want the true version
Paint it true, paint it true
Paint it true, thru, thru
Paint it true, paint it true
Paint it true, I to miss or mister
If you don't we won't get the picture
Lies and deception is a terrible mixture
When you speak from the heart it'll uplift ya
Don't be afraid when you don't understand
ВЂ˜cause your lifespan's only just began
And every step you take is as good as a stand
First impressions don't count like a slight of hand
A sudden move
The stride of a cheetah
The sound of a drum beater
Woman to woman, breast to breast
If you want the rest check the artist's sketch
Paint it true, paint it true
Paint it true, thru, thru
Paint it true, paint it true
Paint it true
So check the sketch no dust collects
Never fades, degrades soul made to make ya stretch
Agile worthwhile nothin' come from a vial or capsule
I got a natural smile
Turn out the lights tell me can you see
What a difference exists now between you and me
I'm at a bus stop waiting on a 33
I see for miles вЂ˜cause my mind is free
Don't take a genius to know about Venus
No misdemeanors I taking it serious
The flesh is weak you must protect it
If you forget check the artist sketch it
Now;
Paint it true, thru, thru
Paint it true, paint it true
Check the sketch
Paint it true, thru , thru
Paint it true, paint it true
Check the sketch
I chose this time to relate to you
A state of mind, come habitual,
Like a ritual, instinctual
Like you don't know how
But you know you will
Instilled on the in to will to the
Outside the world
Sleepin' in pure formaldehyde
Crystal ball mirror upon the wall
What is the fate to befall us all
ВЂ˜cause I remember days I swear
You wore flowers in your hair
And I wore cloth on my limbs all bare we was there
But now nothin' is as was intended
Can't walk the street without being apprehended
I feel so wretched and so perplex
So I flex the real in the artist sketch
I paint it true, I paint it true
Paint it true , thru , thru
I paint it true
Paint it true
Paint it true , thru , thru
I paint it true, me to you
Me to you , paint it true
Paint it true, paint it true
You can feel whatever you wanna feel
When you paint it true
Check the sketch
Paint it true, paint it true
Paint it true
Me to you, thru , thru
I paint it true,
Paint it true, paint it true
Paint it true, paint it true
Paint it true, paint it true
Paint it true
That is all you gotta do
The lyrics to Stereo MC's song Sketch are a commentary on the manipulation of truth and the power of media to distort reality. The opening lines of the song, "Paint it true, paint it true," emphasize the importance of authenticity and honesty. The following lines ask if the listener is having trouble discerning truth from lies, suggesting that the media often presents a fabricated version of reality that can be difficult to see through.
The song's verses describe the artist's frustration with the prevalence of commercial breaks and false representations of fame ("seen stars that are fake"). The artist expounds on the pressure of societal norms ("the pressure around it won't let you be") and the lack of meaningful communication in modern society ("why we ain't conversin'"). The artist urges the listener to speak from the heart and not be afraid to ask questions.
The chorus repeats the phrase "paint it true" as a call to action, encouraging the listener to seek authenticity and to not be swayed by false representations. The song ends on a note of hope, encouraging the listener to "feel whatever you wanna feel" as long as it is true.
Overall, Sketch is a powerful commentary on the media's impact on reality and the importance of remaining true to oneself and one's values.
Line by Line Meaning
Paint it true, paint it true
The singer is encouraging the listener to be truthful in their depiction of the world.
Paint it true, thru, thru
The message of honesty should penetrate all aspects of the listener's life, both internal and external.
Are you havin' problems tuning in
The singer is asking if the listener is having trouble perceiving reality accurately.
Are the truths that you're seeing deceptively thin
The artist is questioning whether the listener's understanding of reality is based on superficial or misleading information.
I come to clear up and pull you out of your spin
The artist is attempting to help the listener better understand reality and break out of any delusional thinking patterns they may be trapped in.
So don't adjust your set , jus' let me begin
The singer is urging the listener to listen without changing anything, to give them a chance to share their perspective.
I wanna tell you 'bout my daily barrage
The singer wants to share the challenges they face in their daily life.
Commercial breaks livin' in a mirage
The artist is criticizing the commercialization of society and how it promotes an unrealistic, shallow version of reality.
Seen stars that are fake
The artist has witnessed the creation of false idols or role models.
They make you sedate
The artist is saying that these false idols create a numbing effect, distracting people from engaging with reality.
As your thoughts gestate daylight can't wait
The singer is suggesting that if people wait too long to correct their delusions, it will be difficult for them to return to a clear understanding of reality.
Now's it's too late and I can see my mistake
The artist realizes that they did not act soon enough to help the listener understand the truth.
Stone love, hate ain't it what you make of life
The singer is highlighting the dual nature of life, which includes both love and hate, but ultimately what one chooses to focus on is up to them.
Don't ya see or buckle at the knee
The singer is urging the listener not to give up or surrender in the face of difficulties.
The pressure around it won't let you be
The singer is acknowledging that the listener may feel pressure from society or other external factors that make it difficult to see the truth.
I wanna know why we ain't conversin'
The artist is questioning why they cannot have a deeper conversation with the listener about important issues.
I wanna know why we always reversin'
The artist is expressing frustration that they keep returning to the same issues and can't seem to make any forward progress in their conversation.
Fobbin' me off with a web of diversion
The singer feels that the listener is avoiding the truth by distracting themself with irrelevant details or avoiding the larger issue.
Check the artist sketch if you want the true version
The singer is encouraging the listener to examine the work of an artist to find a more authentic portrayal of reality.
Paint it true, I to miss or mister
The artist is addressing the listener directly and reiterating the importance of being truthful in their depiction of reality.
If you don't we won't get the picture
The artist is saying that without an accurate depiction of reality, there can be no true understanding or communication.
Lies and deception is a terrible mixture
The artist is highlighting the negative impact that dishonesty and deceit can have on society.
When you speak from the heart it'll uplift ya
The singer suggests that when people are truthful and honest, it can have a positive impact on their emotional state.
Don't be afraid when you don't understand
The artist is urging the listener not to give up or be afraid when they encounter concepts or ideas that are difficult to comprehend.
ВЂ˜cause your lifespan's only just began
The singer is implying that the listener has their whole life ahead of them to continue learning and growing.
And every step you take is as good as a stand
The singer is suggesting that even small actions or movements towards understanding the truth are meaningful and impactful.
First impressions don't count like a slight of hand
The singer is implying that people's initial perceptions or assumptions about something may not always be accurate.
A sudden move, The stride of a cheetah
The artist is emphasizing the importance of acting quickly and decisively when making a change or seeking the truth, like a cheetah running.
The sound of a drum beater
The artist is using the image of a drumbeat to represent the steady progression of the search for the truth.
Woman to woman, breast to breast
The singer is referencing a physical connection between two people as a metaphor for a deeper, emotional connection.
If you want the rest check the artist's sketch
The singer is again encouraging the listener to examine artistic expressions for a more accurate representation of reality.
So check the sketch no dust collects
The artist is suggesting that the message conveyed by artistic expressions does not become outdated or irrelevant.
Never fades, degrades soul made to make ya stretch
The artist is implying that artistic expressions that convey the truth have an eternal quality that can uplift and inspire the listener in a way that promotes growth and expansion.
Agile worthwhile nothin' come from a vial or capsule
The artist is critical of quick fixes or superficial solutions to problems, emphasizing that true growth and understanding come from a more comprehensive approach to learning.
I got a natural smile
The singer is expressing their own personal confidence or satisfaction in their efforts to seek the truth.
Turn out the lights tell me can you see
The artist is asking the listener if they can perceive reality accurately even when more superficial distractions are removed.
What a difference exists now between you and me
The singer is suggesting that their own understanding of the truth has greatly evolved, creating a gap between themselves and the listener.
I'm at a bus stop waiting on a 33
The singer is highlighting the mundane aspect of their own life, showing that one can still find meaning and insight in the everyday experiences of life.
I see for miles вЂ˜cause my mind is free
The singer is stating that their clarity of thought and their freedom from delusions allows them to see the world more clearly and over a greater distance.
Don't take a genius to know about Venus
The artist is suggesting that there are some truths that do not require a high level of intelligence to understand.
No misdemeanors I taking it serious
The artist is saying that they take the search for truth very seriously and will not be deterred by small setbacks or roadblocks.
The flesh is weak you must protect it
The singer recognizes that people are vulnerable to temptation or distractions and encourages the listener to take steps to protect themselves from these influences.
If you forget check the artist sketch it
The singer reiterates that the artwork of truth-seeking artists is a valuable resource for anyone who loses their way in the search for a clear understanding of the world.
That is all you gotta do
The artist is summarizing the message of the song, which is to be truthful in one's portrayal of reality and to use artistic expressions as a tool to better understand the truth.
Contributed by Leah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.