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.
Mission Accomplished
Tricky Lyrics
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Oh my spirit
Oh my lonely
Conceil it for me
In other words flip flop
They said that I get dropped
I'm making it, big time
Big time, I'm on my way
I'm making it, big time
Big time, I'm on my way
I'm making it, big time
Big time, I'm on my way
I'm making it, big time
Oh my lonely
Conceil it for me
? I'm still feeling ?
? You won't mix it ?
Brand new retro
I won't let go
Are you ready
? I'm still feeling ?
? You won't mix it ?
Are you ready
? All my skin is ?
? I'm still feeling ?
? You won't mix it ?
Are you ready X2
Big time, I'm on my way
I'm making it, big time
Big time, I'm on my way
I'm making it, big time
Big time, I'm on my way
I'm making it, big time
Big time, I'm on my way
I'm making it, big time ...
The lyrics of Tricky's song "Mission Accomplished" reflect on the struggles and obstacles the artist has faced on his path to success. The lines "Are you ready/Oh my spirit/Oh my lonely/Conceil it for me" signify a sense of determination and vulnerability, as he asks for support on this challenging journey. The phrase "Big time, I'm on my way/I'm making it, big time" is repeated throughout the song, conveying a sense of self-affirmation and the hope that he will eventually achieve his goals.
The song's chorus also contains ambiguities and contradictions that reflect Tricky's complex feelings towards his own success. The lines "In other words flip-flop/They said that I get dropped" suggest that he has been subjected to criticism and doubt, but that he has been able to overcome it by persisting in his work. The dreamy, abstract quality of the lyrics and the repetitive, hypnotic melody of the song combine to create a powerful expression of Tricky's passion for his music and his determination to succeed despite the odds.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you ready
Asking if the listener is prepared for what's to come
Oh my spirit
Expression of excitement and motivation
Oh my lonely
Acknowledgement of feeling alone
Conceil it for me
Asking for concealment and privacy
In other words flip flop
Others doubted the artist but they proved them wrong
They said that I get dropped
Others predicted failure for the artist
Big time, I'm on my way
Artist is on the way to success
I'm making it, big time
Artist is succeeding and achieving their goals
Oh my lonely
Acknowledging feeling of isolation
Conceil it for me
Asking for privacy and secrecy in personal matters
? I'm still feeling ?
Artist is still feeling uncertain or emotional
? You won't mix it ?
Asking others not to interfere or involve themselves
Brand new retro
Modernized version of past styles
I won't let go
Commitment to hold onto something important
Are you ready
Asking again if the listener is ready
? All my skin is ?
Artist may feel vulnerable or exposed
Big time, I'm on my way
Artist is succeeding and on the path to success
I'm making it, big time
Continuation of success and achievement
Big time, I'm on my way
Reiteration of success and achievement
I'm making it, big time
Continued success and positive outlook
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ADRIAN NICHOLAS MATTHEW THAWS, PETER BRIAN GABRIEL, CHESNEY LEE HAWKES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind