Glory Box
Tricky/Portishead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of playing
Playing with this bow and arrow
Gonna give my heart away
Leave it to the other girls to play
For I've been a temptress too long
Just
To love you
Give me a reason to be
A woman
I just want to be a woman
From this time, unchained
We're all looking at a different picture
Through this new frame of mind
A thousand flowers could bloom
Move over, and give us some room, yeah
Give me a reason
To love you
Give me a reason to be
A woman
I just want to be a woman
So don't you stop
Being a man
Just take a little look
From outside when you can
Sow a little tenderness
No matter if you cry
Give me a reason
To love you
Give me a reason to be
A woman
I just want to be a woman
It's all I want to be
Is all woman
For this is the beginning
Of forever
And ever
It's time to move over
It's all I wanna be
I'm so tired
Of playing
Playing with this bow and arrow
Gonna give my heart away
Leave it to the other girls to play
For I've been a temptress too long
Just
Give me a reason, to love you
The opening lines of Tricky/Portishead's song "Glory Box" speak of exhaustion with their current role - that of a temptress. They want to change their ways and give their heart away, leaving behind the games of seduction for other women to play. The singer then asks for a reason to love their partner and to be a woman, indicating a longing for a deeper connection and a break from past patterns of behavior. They express a desire to be unchained and to see the world through a "new frame of mind," as they envision a future where a thousand flowers can bloom and where there is room for everyone.
Later in the song, the singer urges their partner to not stop being a man, but to show tenderness whenever possible. They repeat their request for a reason to love and be a woman, emphasizing that it is all they want and that this is the beginning of forever. The repeated lines at the end of the song, "I'm so tired of playing with this bow and arrow, gonna give my heart away," feel both mournful and hopeful, as though the singer is ready to take a leap of faith and commit to a more authentic version of themselves.
The lyrics of "Glory Box" have been interpreted in a range of ways, with some listeners reading the song as a feminist anthem that encourages women to break free from societal expectations and embrace their desires. Others see it as a commentary on relationships and the power dynamics that can exist between partners. Tricky has claimed that the song is actually a love letter to his mother, who taught him the importance of treating women with respect and kindness.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so tired
I am exhausted both physically and mentally, from the constant struggle of maintaining a certain image.
Of playing
Of pretending to be someone I am not, for the benefit of others' expectations.
Playing with this bow and arrow
Trying to present myself as a strong and independent woman, while still being restricted by societal norms.
Gonna give my heart away
I am willing to take a risk and be vulnerable in love, rather than conforming to expected roles and maintaining control.
Leave it to the other girls to play
Let the other women play games and manipulate relationships; I want something deeper and genuine.
For I've been a temptress too long
In the past, I have manipulated men for my own benefit and have lost sight of what it means to truly connect with someone.
Just
Simply put.
Give me a reason
Provide me with a catalyst or motivation to make a change or take a risk.
To love you
To open myself up to the possibility of love with you specifically, rather than remaining guarded and in control.
Give me a reason to be
Provide me with a justification for wanting to embrace my femininity and vulnerability.
A woman
To be seen and valued as an individual with unique qualities and emotions, rather than as a stereotype or caricature.
I just want to be a woman
I desire to break free from societal expectations and be true to myself as a woman.
From this time, unchained
Moving forward, I am breaking from the chains of societal norms and allowing myself to be authentic.
We're all looking at a different picture
Everyone has a unique perspective and experience that shapes their worldview.
Through this new frame of mind
Having a new outlook on life and breaking free from societal expectations presents a fresh perspective.
A thousand flowers could bloom
If we allow ourselves and others to be authentic and embrace their unique qualities, the possibilities for growth and connection are endless.
Move over, and give us some room, yeah
Make space for us to be ourselves and allow us the freedom to express our unique qualities.
So don't you stop
Don't lose sight of who you are and your unique qualities in the face of societal expectations.
Being a man
Embracing your own masculinity rather than conforming to societal norms of what it means to be a man.
Just take a little look
Step back and observe the world and people around you with fresh eyes and open-mindedness.
From outside when you can
Gain perspective and insight by distancing yourself from societal expectations and seeing things from a different perspective.
Sow a little tenderness
Showing empathy and emotional vulnerability towards others, instead of perpetuating a façade of toughness.
No matter if you cry
It's okay to show emotion and vulnerability, regardless of societal expectations and stereotypes.
It's all I want to be
Being true to myself and embracing my femininity and authenticity is my ultimate goal.
Is all woman
Fully embracing and expressing all the unique qualities and emotions that come with being a woman.
For this is the beginning
I am breaking free from the restrictions of societal expectations and beginning to live authentically as myself.
Of forever
This is a lifelong journey of self-discovery and authenticity.
And ever
This journey will never be complete or one-sided, as we must always strive to embrace new perspectives and grow as individuals.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adrian Francis Utley, Beth Gibbons, Geoffrey Paul Barrow, Isaac Lee Hayes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bv3Problems
Seems what a lot of people don't realize is the reason the 2 songs work so well together is because both Tricky and Portishead sampled the same track (Ike's Rap) for their respective songs, ironically enough, in the same year.
@lilvc3469
That is not the only reason. Only You blends well with his song too. Their styles and flow mesh well.
@ben_jammin242
Another good one is on the album Empyrean by John Frusciante
@nevalyashka9254
So loving the mix, it's amazing 🥰🎶
@factoryinn1759
Thanks Bro
@sarahstroud514
Uplifting and still want to cry
@CKent78
You've done what I've always wanted to hear... These two songs linked. Song on repeat for a very long time 👌
@HelenaBKay
This song has always been one; never ended, and never will
@Overdravila
This is the mix we all deserved.
@lilvc3469
I felt this mix tonight when I heard Tricky's Hell is Around the Corner on THT and immediately felt like adding Portishead's Only You to it. They so should collab! Dope AF