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.
Murder Weapon
Tricky Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's time for the showdown.
I never want to hold the gun without the glove's upon my
Hand, don't leave the finger prints on the murder weapon.
One of them come I'm gonna kill them dead, two of them
Come I'm gonna run them red, went out to chase I'll send
Shiny gun, shiny gun, shiny gun rude boy
Shiny gun, shiny gun, shiny gun right now.
[Repeat x2]
Watch I got my glock on my waste,
Watch I got my glock on my waste,
You want to get acquainted to Betsy or you want to meet
My glock Charlie.
Shiny gun, shiny gun, shiny gun right now,
Shiny gun, shiny gun it's time for the showdown
The song "Murder Weapon" by Tricky is a dark and ominous track that touches upon themes of violence and aggression. The lyrics describe the desire for power and control through the use of a gun. The repetition of the line "shiny gun" highlights the fascination with the weapon as an object of desire and danger. The chorus "it's time for the showdown" evokes a sense of impending violence, as if the singer is preparing for a confrontation.
The second verse of the song shows a glimpse into the mindset of the singer, who doesn't want to leave any evidence behind. He refuses to touch the gun without wearing gloves to avoid leaving any fingerprints on the murder weapon. The following lines describe the willingness of the singer to kill, no matter how many people come their way. This highlights a sense of aggression and a desire for control over others. The last repetition of the chorus indicates that the singer is ready for a confrontation, and the use of the term "rude boy" connotes toughness and rebelliousness.
Overall, the song "Murder Weapon" is a powerful and disturbing commentary on the prevalence of violence in society and the harmful effects of weapons.
Line by Line Meaning
Shiny gun, shiny gun, shiny gun right now
The gun is freshly polished and ready to be used immediately.
It's time for the showdown.
The moment for confrontation has arrived.
I never want to hold the gun without the glove's upon my
Hand, don't leave the finger prints on the murder weapon.
The singer does not want to leave evidence of their presence on the gun used for murder, so they wear gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints.
One of them come I'm gonna kill them dead, two of them
Come I'm gonna run them red, went out to chase I'll send
Them to their beds, another one dead.
The singer is willing to kill anyone who confronts them. They claim to be able to kill even multiple people and won't hesitate to do it. They warn that anyone who crosses paths with them will pay with their life.
Shiny gun, shiny gun, shiny gun rude boy
They refer to the gun as a 'rude boy,' indicating that it's dangerous and capable of violence.
Watch I got my glock on my waste,
Watch I got my glock on my waste,
You want to get acquainted to Betsy or you want to meet
My glock Charlie.
The singer boasts of carrying a glock on them, which they call 'Betsy,' alternatively referencing it as 'Charlie.'
Shiny gun, shiny gun, shiny gun right now,
Shiny gun, shiny gun it's time for the showdown
The singer reiterates their readiness to use the newly polished gun for their confrontation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HENRY NICOLA MANCINI, NOEL PHILLIPS, CARLOS EDUARDO CORTE IMPERIAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sergeysolovyov3603
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Shiny gun, shiny gun, shiny gun right now
It's time for the showdown.
I never want to hold the gun without the glove's upon my
Hand, don't leave the finger prints on the murder weapon.
One of them come I'm gonna kill them dead, two of them
Come I'm gonna run them red, went out to chase I'll send
Them to their beds, another one dead.
Shiny gun, shiny gun, shiny gun rude boy
Shiny gun, shiny gun, shiny gun right now.
Watch I got my glock on my waste,
Watch I got my glock on my waste,
You want to get acquainted to Betsy or you want to meet
My glock Charlie.
Shiny gun, shiny gun, shiny gun right now,
Shiny gun, shiny gun it's time for the showdown
@Zajcik
If Tricky had a bigger promotion behind his back, this song would be a mainstream hit.
@davidherz9968
such a great song, even with a borrowed theme, hypnotic, don't need the video, been listening for years...what a master of sounds discreet and up front...
@superpache1973
The godfather of trip hop
@katoness
This is the Tricky stuff I really like. Always struggle with his dark tracks.
@sHART1780
Wow this rocks.
@ConfusionInc
Love Tricky, & Love Fleur & Manu.... every video they make is genius.
@tylerstychyshyn8682
Amazing. Love this guy saw him open for tool years back and he still keeps impressing
@ConstantXplorer
I have the original "Murder Weapon" track and the way Tricky reworks this is quit intriguing. You don't recognize it right off the bat, until it goes into chorus. That's why I dig Tricky's work.
@chickenchopsocky
Freakin' awesome. I remember this was on Chuck. \m/ Chuck has the best soundtrack for a TV series ever.
@GqFq
Superb! It's tricky.