He is noted for an asthmatic whispering lyrical style that is half-rapped, half-sung. As a producer and a musician he is known for having an aversion to perfection preferring to build up a dark, rich and layered sound. Culturally, Tricky bridges white and black Britain particularly in his fusion of rock and hip-hop, high art and pop culture. He drew his influences from rap (Public Enemy) to post-punk (he covered a Siouxsie and the Banshees's song Tattoo).
Throughout his work, Tricky blurs the normally clear sexual definitions found within hip hop. Despite the heavy influence he drew from American hip hop in his debut album, Maxinquaye, he fights against typical sexual representations by, for example, dressing as a woman on the side sleeve of his album cover. Within many of his tracks he blends elements of varying types of music, and use his lyrics to create a much more ambiguous and blurry reality of sexuality.
Maxinquaye remains his most commercially and critically successful album to date. About it, Tricky originally said in an interview with Raygun in October 1996 that he wanted to make an 'out-an-out punk record' and that "I thought it was going be heavier. I thought it was just going to be an out-an-out punk record. But you end up straying. What I wanted to do was a total fast album. Some of the tracks are fast and hard, but they didn't come out like that." He also said that he hated being stuck with the trip-hop tag so "That's why I did Nearly God, and that's why I did Pre-Millennium Tension. You can't see them as trip-hop albums. So I just keep running away from it. But the farther you run, it's still there. They'll find you." Ever since, Tricky' style has evolved away from obscure, sample-based textures to a more contemporary, electronic sound.
Tricky was in Massive Attack and appeared in the movie The Fifth Element as well as the music video for Parabola by Tool. He has collaborated extensively with other artists on tracks on his various releases, including Bjork, Alanis Morissette, Cyndi Lauper, Anthony Kiedis , John Frusciante and Flea (of the Red Hot Chili Peppers), Martina Topley-Bird, and Alison Goldfrapp of Goldfrapp also many others.
After his initial success in the latter 1990's, he started his own label called Durban Poison. Currently he is heading a new imprint called Brown Punk.
Bonnie & Clyde
Tricky Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I move to place
We go thirds on it
I grab my gun
Goes down the sun
Tie up the guard with it
We use that rope
Tie up that dope
Tell that girl
Don't you speak
And we'll be gone baby
No need to speak
I'll go weak
If I get 12 on it
I shoulda listened
Oh no, time slow
shoulda listened
Shoulda listened
Oh no, time slow
Shoulda listened
Can't go by train
Or run to Spain
It's like a game
They're on it
We'll beat this game
But just in case
We'll be gone baby
I hear some shots
It must be cops
Let's go baby
A Car crash
I start to blast
They got 5 on me
Shots hit my chest
I'm wearing vest
Shoulda run from it
I shoulda listened
Oh no, time slow
I shoulda listened
I shoulda listened
Oh no, time slow
I shoulda listened
I shoulda listened
Oh no, time slow
I shoulda listened
I shoulda listened
Oh no, time slow
I shoulda listened
Oh no, I shoulda listened
Time slow
Oh no
Tricky’s song “Bonnie & Clyde” captures the essence of a dangerous and thrilling adventure, a modern take on the crime duo Bonnie and Clyde of the 1930s. The lyrics describe a scene where two individuals plan to rob a place, possibly a bank or a store. The lyrics depict the process of planning the robbery, including using ropes to tie up the guards and dope, ensuring everything is secure before they leave with the money. The song also describes the fear and anxiety that come with executing such a criminal act, with the singer expressing the desire to run away instead of carrying on with their plan. The lyrics then reveal the inevitable outcome, as the police catch up and shoot at the couple. The singer has been shot but is still alive, and the lyrics end with them reflecting about how they should have listened to their instincts.
The song’s title references the iconic Bonnie and Clyde – American outlaw criminals who were known for their bank robberies and were killed by the police in 1934. The song, like Bonnie and Clyde's story, represents taking risks and living on the edge, as well as the consequences that come with such actions. The song's fast-paced and adrenaline-fueled tempo helps to convey the sense of urgency present in the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Without a trace
I leave without any evidence of my departure
I move to place
I go to the designated location
We go thirds on it
The costs are split between three people
I grab my gun
I take my firearm
Goes down the sun
The sun sets
Tie up the guard with it
We use the rope to restrain the guard
We use that rope
The rope is utilized
Tie up that dope
We restrain the drugs
Make sure it's tight baby
Ensure that the restraints are secure
Tell that girl
Instruct the female
Don't you speak
Do not utter a word
And we'll be gone baby
We will leave immediately
No need to speak
There is no requirement to communicate
I'll go weak
I will be physically weak
If I get 12 on it
If I am sentenced to 12 years in prison
I shoulda listened
I regret not heeding advice
Oh no, time slow
I am experiencing a slow-motion effect
Can't go by train
We cannot travel by train
Or run to Spain
We cannot flee to Spain
It's like a game
Our situation feels like a game
They're on it
The authorities are closely pursuing us
We'll beat this game
We will successfully evade capture
But just in case
As a precautionary measure
I hear some shots
Gunfire is audible
It must be cops
The sounds are likely from the police
Let's go baby
We must leave immediately
A Car crash
We are involved in a vehicle collision
I start to blast
I begin to fire my weapon
They got 5 on me
The law enforcement officers have five charges against me
Shots hit my chest
I am struck by bullets in the chest
I'm wearing vest
I am wearing a bulletproof vest
Shoulda run from it
I should have fled instead of engaging in a confrontation
Oh no, I shoulda listened
I feel regret for not being attentive to advice
Time slow
I perceive time as slowing down
Oh no
An expression of disappointment or regret
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Adrian Nicholas Matthew Thaws
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ros73
Tricky es extraordinario, merece mucho más reconocimiento del que tiene.
Viola Grey
I'm so glad tricky has put out a new album! His work means the world to me.
Viola Grey
Also, this song, forever and ever and ever. I'm so glad Trickys back! please come to the northwest and play a show!
Ankan De
I can't believe that this song has so few listens!
Ed Fred
I'm soooo glad Francesca joined Tricky for so much art.
Love her style.
Though really, Love all of Tricky's collaborations.
cuatro veinte
tricky & massive attack = real music <3
elina26cook
Brilliant!Amazing!Love it
Nova Mae-Kirkova
Love it! I listen to this song almost daily..NO JOKE!
Alıntılarla Yaşıyorum
valla ben de brocum
Brian Jørgensen
Great track on a great Album!!