Christiansands
Tricky (feat. Martina Topley-BIrd) Lyrics


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My defenses

Become fences

I'm stumbling

I change my face
And you think I'm fake-up
Wait around till I take off my makeup
Here we go again
I need another one
Her name is
She looks through me
Says I'm the only one

I've met a christian in christian sands, a devil in Helsinki
I've met a christian in christian sands, a devil in Helsinki

Is it getting better?
Wrote her a letter, asking questions
Maybe some deceptions
I mean we'll take it slow
I really don't know
When you talk, you make me cringe
Silver me to the messenger
Let her go don't question her

I've met a christian in christian sands, a devil in Helsinki
I've met a christian in christian sands, a devil in Helsinki

You and me, what does that mean?
Always, what does that mean?
Forever, what does that mean?
It means we'll manage




I'll master your language and in the meantime I'll create my own
By my own

Overall Meaning

interpretation of these lyrics to Tricky's "Christiansands," the song seems to be about a person struggling to find their own identity and to fit in with those around them. The first verse speaks to the idea of putting up defenses and creating facades in order to protect oneself from judgment and scrutiny. The singer feels the need to change their face with makeup so as to appear more acceptable, indicating a profound level of self-doubt and a lack of self-confidence. There is also the sense that this behavior is cyclical, with the singer needing another person to validate their sense of self-worth. The chorus of the song appears to offer a commentary on the conflict between different ideologies and cultures, regardless of how supposedly pious or "devilish" they may be. In this particular instance, the singer has met both a Christian and a devil in different places, highlighting the duality of human nature.


The second verse hints at the singer's difficulties in forming deep connections and their uncertainty about relationships. The use of the word "deception" implies that the singer is perhaps not being entirely truthful, either with themselves or the other person, and again, a sense of deep insecurity and confusion is conveyed through the lyrics. The lines "When you talk, you make me cringe / Silver me to the messenger / Let her go don't question her" suggest that the singer may be grappling with feelings of jealousy or betrayal, ultimately leading to a desire to be free from the situation altogether.


Overall, the song seems to be an exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the difficulties we often face in trying to establish our own sense of self in relation to others.


Line by Line Meaning

My defenses
My ability to protect myself


Become fences
Turn into barriers


I'm stumbling
I'm struggling


I change my face
I alter my appearance


And you think I'm fake-up
And you think I'm insincere


Wait around till I take off my makeup
Wait until I show you my true self


Here we go again
This has happened before


I need another one
I need another person


Her name is
The person I need is named


She looks through me
She sees through me


Says I'm the only one
Claims that I'm the only person for her


I've met a christian in christian sands, a devil in Helsinki
I've encountered good and evil in unexpected places


Is it getting better?
Is the situation improving?


Wrote her a letter, asking questions
Communicated with her by writing and asking for answers


Maybe some deceptions
Possibly some lies or falsehoods


I mean we'll take it slow
We will proceed cautiously


I really don't know
I'm uncertain


When you talk, you make me cringe
Your words make me feel uncomfortable


Silver me to the messenger
Send me a message


Let her go don't question her
Allow her to leave without interrogating her


You and me, what does that mean?
What is the significance of our relationship?


Always, what does that mean?
What is the meaning of 'always' in our relationship?


Forever, what does that mean?
What is the meaning of 'forever' in our relationship?


It means we'll manage
We will figure it out


I'll master your language and in the meantime I'll create my own
I will learn to communicate with you and develop my own way of expressing myself




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADRIAN NICHOLAS MATTHEW THAWS, DOUGLAS L. DAVIS, RICHARD M. WALTERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@floracane

My defenses become fences
I'm stumbling I change my face
And if you think I'm fake up
Wait around till I take off my make-up

Here we go again I need another one
Her name is
She looks at me
Says I'm the only one

I met a, a Christian in Christiansands
A Devil in Helsinki
I met a Christian in Christiansands
A Devil in Helsinki

Is it getting better?
Wrote her a letter asking questions
Baby steps in sections
I mean we'll take it slow

I really don't know
When you talk you make me cringe
Silver means your messenger
Let her go don't question her

I met a, a Christian in Christiansands
A Devil in Helsinki
I met a, Christian in Christiansands
A Devil in Helsinki

You and me what does that mean?
Always what does that mean?
Forever what does that mean?

It means we'll manage I'll master your language
And in the meantime I'll create my own, by my own
It means we'll manage I'll master your language
And in the meantime I'll create my own

You and me what does that mean?
Always what does that mean?
Forever what does that mean?
Always what does that mean?
Forever what does that mean?

It means we'll manage, master your language
And in the meantime I'll create my own
It means we'll manage, master your language
And in the meantime I'll create my own

It means we'll manage, master your language
And in the meantime
It means we'll manage, master your language
And in the meantime I'll create my own

You and me what does that mean?
Always what does that mean?
Forever what does that mean?
It means we'll manage I'll master your language
And in the meantime I'll create my own

And means we'll manage, master your language
And in the meantime I'll create my own
It means we'll manage, master your language



All comments from YouTube:

@kennydiamond3650

At the age of 17 this song changed my life. It was a gateway drug to all things alternative and unconventional. Thanks Tricky.

@NetMindsTV

My experience at 37

@Shade_razor-79

Same.. I’m 44.. got this album the day it came out.. life changing with psychedelics

@miadelmoro2558

Bro. I feel you!! Rest in peace PRECIOUS Anthony Nicolas Matthews. I think he still is underrated ❤

@alinazaranska9135

~~ Nirvana did the same for me

@miadelmoro2558

@@alinazaranska9135
I will never forget.
I was 11.
I was not allowed to watch MTV or any media as a kid. But at Grandmas...I was allowed! I would run to the old TV and turn on MTV as soon as I entered the house. Before sayin hello. I turned on MTV that day expecting to hear what I already knew. And then I saw the Smells like Teen Spirit Video for the first time!! I'll never forget. It started a wave that lasts a life time!!! I sat there on my knees gazing into the Screen...Almost drowned in that Video. And then I drowned into Nirvana's music for the next three, four years...I didn't come up to breathe so to say 😉...I was addicted to their music. So extremely obsessed that my father who wanted me to become a clissacal violinist started seariously seariously hate this band. Wayyyy
But I still understand the obsession 30 years later. I didn't understand just every single word as a young because English was not my First language to learn..I grew up learning German and English since Grade one..I stole my mother's credit cars at the age of 11 because I wanted to live in Seattle. I started studying every single song of Nirvana on the guitar.. that's why I quit Violin and started playin guitar until today. They def also changed my life. But i am 41 years old. There are just so many touching artists out there who have impressed me for a life time

@inphanta

Tricky was at his best with Martina. Her voice and essence both complemented and contrasted his in a way that was truly alchemical. He's not been the same since.

@Reprodestruxion

inphanta https://youtu.be/z6Fubdh13QE

@rockyh3425

PJ Harvey

@MDkid1

love her voice

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