Tricky
Tricky/Portishead Lyrics


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One-two one-two
Huh, one-two one-two one-two ( Mikecheck )

That one fronts
Braggin' on the stunts
Coke in ya nose (coke in ya nose )

Knock out ya gold fronts
That one fronts
Braggin' on your stunts
Coke in ya nose

Knock out ya gold fronts

Here comes a Nazarene
Look good in that magazine
Haile Selassie I
They look after I
God will receive us
Got me like Jesus
God will receive us
Got me like jesus

Mary magdaleine
That'd be my first sin
Being with this temptress
Yeahhhh

It's a mongrel rage
It's a new age
As long as you're humble
Let you be the king of jungle
We run everything
Always and ever
Has been has been
Heard there's german-jamaicans
With twisted faces
Same as it ever was
Tell me what the race is

It's surreal
They're not real
I put them on their places
Yeahhhh

They used to call me tricky-kid
I live the life they wish they did
I live the life, don't own a car
Now they call me superstar
Tell'm where you at baby ahhhh!

They used to call me tricky-kid

I live the life they wish they did

I live the life don't own a car

But now they call me superstar

Are you disturbed? i'll be with..
Everybody wants to know where my mind is
I'll tell you everything
Tell your life
Look deep into my mongrel eyes

Tell me what you see
Tell me what you see
Tell me what you see
When you look into these mongrel eyes... ahhhh!

That one fronts
Braggin' on the stunts
Coke in ya nose

Knock out ya gold fronts

Here comes a Nazarene

Look good in that magazine

Haile Selassie I
They look after I
God will receive us
Got me like jesus
Mary magdaleine
That'd be my first sin
Being with this temptress
Wahhhhhhh

It's a mongol rage
It's a new age
As long as ya humble
Let ya be the king of jungle
We run everything
Always and ever
Has been has been
Don't you see...

Heard there's german-jamaicans
With twisted faces
Faces
Same as it ever was
Same as it ever was

Tell me what the race is
It's surreal
They're not real
I put them by their places
See it

They used to call me tricky-kid
I live the life they wish they did
Lived the life, don't own a car

And now they call me superstar

Are you disturbed? i'll be with..
Everybody wants to know where my mind is
I'll tell you everything
Tell your life
Look deep into my mongrel eyes
Everybody wants a record deal
And everybody wants a...
And everybody wants a record deal
Fuck it the deal
Everybody wants to be naked and famous
Naked and famous
And everybody wants to be naked and famous
Naked and famous
And everybody wants to be just like me
I'm the kid
And famous
Check it

They used to call me tricky-kid
I live the life they wish they did
I lived the life to own a car

But now they call me superstar

Are you disturbed? i'm on with..
Everybody wants to know where my mind is
Tell you everything
I tell you lies

Look deep into these mongrel eyes
Check it
What do you see?
If you test and turn the tables

We're gonna get in smoke up
And we're starting to unturn your label

And everybody who got a record deal
And everybody wants to be naked and famous
Everybody's got a record deal
And everybody wants to be naked and famous
Naked and famous

Everybody wants to be just like me
I'm the kid

And famous
Ha ha
And everybody wants a record deal
Everybody

And everybody just wants to be like me
I'm the kid

And famous

And famous
That one fronts
Braggin' on the stunts
And coke in ya nose

Knock out ya gold fronts

Here comes a Nazarene
You look good in that magazine
Haile Selassie I
They look after I
God will receive us
Got me like jesus
Mary magdaleine
That'd be my first sin




Being with this temptress
Ahhhhhhhh

Overall Meaning

The song "Tricky" by the artist Tricky (formerly of Massive Attack) describes the experience of being famous and successful. It opens with a reference to "one-two one-two," which could be interpreted as a reference to the beat or rhythm of the song, or as an allusion to the traditional call-and-response between a rapper and a DJ. The chorus repeats the lines "That one fronts / Braggin' on your stunts / Coke in your nose / Knock out your gold fronts," suggesting that some people who are famous are insincere and only interested in bragging about their success and material possessions.


The song then takes a spiritual turn, referencing the Nazarene, Haile Selassie I, and Mary Magdaleine. The song suggests that fame and success can be seductive and lead people into temptation ("Being with this temptress"), and that some people in the music industry are fake or "not real." The line "German-Jamaicans with twisted faces" could be a reference to the ways in which different cultures can be appropriated and commodified in popular music, leading to a kind of cultural hybridity that is not always authentic.


The song closes with a repeated refrain of "And everybody wants to be naked and famous / Naked and famous" and the final lines "That one fronts / Braggin' on your stunts / And coke in your nose / Knock out your gold fronts." Taken as a whole, the song is a critique of the ways in which fame and success can corrupt and distort artistic expression.


Line by Line Meaning

One-two one-two
The beginning of a beatboxing sequence, setting the rhythm for the song.


Huh, one-two one-two one-two ( Mikecheck )
A playful, additional beatboxing sequence adding to the rhythm of the song.


That one fronts Braggin' on the stunts Coke in ya nose (coke in ya nose ) Knock out ya gold fronts That one fronts Braggin' on your stunts Coke in ya nose Knock out ya gold fronts
A warning directed at those who brag about their wealth and drug use, stating that their excessive behavior may cause them to lose what they have gained.


Here comes a Nazarene Look good in that magazine Haile Selassie I They look after I God will receive us Got me like Jesus God will receive us Got me like jesus
Referencing Rastafarian beliefs and religion, with the artist expressing faith in the love and protection of God and spirits, particularly in times of hardship.


Mary magdaleine That'd be my first sin Being with this temptress Yeahhhh
A reference to the Christian figure Mary Magdalene, with the artist possibly describing a sin or regret they have in their life.


It's a mongrel rage It's a new age As long as you're humble Let you be the king of jungle We run everything Always and ever Has been has been Heard there's german-jamaicans With twisted faces Same as it ever was Tell me what the race is
An empowerment anthem challenging the status quo and promoting equality, no matter one's background, race or heritage.


It's surreal They're not real I put them on their places Yeahhhh
With the singer possibly referring to people with similar lifestyles and behaviors to their own, they believe others' actions are inauthentic and not genuine in comparison to their own.


They used to call me tricky-kid I live the life they wish they did I live the life, don't own a car Now they call me superstar Tell'm where you at baby ahhhh!
A boastful line declaring the artist's success and status, emphasizing their journey from a life that others coveted to a life of stardom and acclaim.


Are you disturbed? i'll be with.. Everybody wants to know where my mind is I'll tell you everything Tell your life Look deep into my mongrel eyes
The artist stirring up controversy or a reaction from those who hear their music or message, challenging them to ask questions and dig deep into their own experiences.


They used to call me tricky-kid I live the life they wish they did I live the life don't own a car But now they call me superstar
Repeating their earlier bragging, the artist reminds the listener of their success and status, enjoying the position they have achieved in life.


Are you disturbed? i'll be with.. Everybody wants to know where my mind is I'll tell you everything Tell your life Look deep into my mongrel eyes Everybody wants a record deal And everybody wants a... And everybody wants a record deal Fuck it the deal Everybody wants to be naked and famous Naked and famous And everybody wants to be naked and famous Naked and famous And everybody wants to be just like me I'm the kid And famous Check it
A criticism of the music industry and society at large that elevates fame, with the singer recognizing their own status and questioning why others desire to imitate it.


What do you see? If you test and turn the tables We're gonna get in smoke up And we're starting to unturn your label And everybody who got a record deal And everybody wants to be naked and famous Everybody's got a record deal And everybody wants to be naked and famous Naked and famous Everybody wants to be just like me I'm the kid And famous And famous
Continuing to criticize the music industry and society, the artist warns of consequences for those who copy or imitate their actions and lifestyle.


That one fronts Braggin' on the stunts And coke in ya nose Knock out ya gold fronts Here comes a Nazarene You look good in that magazine Haile Selassie I They look after I God will receive us Got me like Jesus Mary magdaleine That'd be my first sin Being with this temptress Ahhhhhhhh
Closing the song with the repeated warning of losing wealth or status from earlier, again using religious symbolism and a sense of temptation and sin.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RONALD LAPREAD, LIONEL RICHIE, ANDREW THAW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@CarolanneIAMTHEQUANTUM

Tricky, Massive Attack, Portishead, Morcheeba, Sneaker Pimps..and so much more, thats my teenage years, born 88. I'm so grateful life was set up that way for me.

@EzeePosseTV

Heyyy Caroline, howz ya doin? lol. 80's kid here, born in 75. I feel the same about the music from mid 80's to around mid 90's and that includes the artists you mentioned too.

@jadehalliday6636

Hey girl! 🙋‍♀️✨ I was an '86 baby so the 90's were my primary school years 😊

@lordticklish

Those are some of my favorite bands and I was born in 1961.

@jaspwetering2528

Yes you're lucky. I was born in 65 so the 80 's were my soundtrack. Looking back I was lucky but in the moment it was....... confusing.

@ElephanTigeR

84 ❤

50 More Replies...

@_verydisco

Tricky didn't sample Portishead and Portishead didn't sample Tricky, they both sampled Isaac Hayes. Both songs are great.

@MrVidification

I suppose would be pointless to sample a sample given it would be the same result - unless it was a loophole to use without paying the original artist, or paying less

@electricmojo5180

three songs are great

@babytabby

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