You Don't
Tricky (feat. Martina Topley-BIrd) Lyrics
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I fight evil with evil
Believe me how you found me
Take away my self-esteem
Anytime you're ready
You don't, you don't
You don't, you don't
I sleep, but get no rest.
You scheme, but gods know best.
Sick of trying! (Second try!) I was actually dying, oh!
When you drown in your devil's music
I did every need to use it.
You don't, you don't
You don't, you don't
You don't, you don't want to even try
Trust you if you're trustful
Use you if you're useful
Really smooth, really evil
And if you're here, and that is the reason
Giant strides, twelve tribes
It takes a second to wreck it
Sixty seconds--forget it
I guess you don't hear me though
I guess you don't hear me though
You don't, you don't
You don't, you don't
You don't, you don't want to even try
I'm not looking yours, I'm looking mine
Looking so quiet but discreet
Echoes to see
On an unsuggested stream, unsuggested mean
Take it to the top, unstable the times
Unstable the walk
And stable the walk
Unbearable, searable, popular demand
From cradle to grave is Abel buried a man
With my moneys and my felons, we conquer a clearance
Building extensions of potential
But I guess you don't hear me though
You don't, you don't
You don't, you don't
You don't, you don't want to even try
You don't, you don't
You don't, you don't
You don't, you don't want to even try
You don't, you don't
You don't, you don't
You don't, you don't want to even try
You don't, you don't
You don't, you don't
You don't, you don't want to even try
The lyrics of "You Don't" by Tricky (feat. Martina Topley-Bird) are abstract and open to interpretation. The song seems to be about a dysfunctional relationship where the singer is fighting evil with evil, perhaps referencing how they are responding poorly to the mistreatment they are receiving. The singer feels helpless because their self-esteem has been taken away and they are not getting any rest. They are sick of trying to fix the relationship, and the other person seems to be enjoying their misery. The lyrics "When you drown in your devil's music, I did every need to use it" could be interpreted as the singer using the pain they are experiencing to fuel their art.
The singer seems resigned to the fact that the other person doesn't want to try to make things better as they repeat "You don't want to even try" throughout the song. They acknowledge the other person's smoothness and evil tendencies, suggesting that they are aware of how toxic the relationship is. The lyrics "Take it to the top, unstable the times, unstable the walk, and stable the walk" could refer to how the singer is trying to move forward despite the obstacles in their way.
Overall, "You Don't" explores the complicated feelings and struggles of being in a dysfunctional relationship where one person seems to have all the power.
Line by Line Meaning
I fight evil with evil
I combat malevolence with malevolence.
Believe me how you found me
Have faith that the way you discovered me is factual.
Take away my self-esteem
Remove my sense of self-worth.
Anytime you're ready
Whenever you desire.
You don't, you don't
You do not, you do not
You don't, you don't want to even try
You have no desire to make an effort.
I sleep, but get no rest.
I slumber, but do not feel refreshed.
You scheme, but gods know best.
You plot, but divine powers are more knowledgeable.
Sick of trying! (Second try!) I was actually dying, oh!
Fed up with making an effort! (Attempt two!) I was truly perishing, oh!
When you drown in your devil's music
When you are consumed by evil tunes.
I did every need to use it.
I had a reason to make use of it.
Trust you if you're trustful
Have confidence in you if you possess trustworthiness.
Use you if you're useful
Exploit you if you have utility.
Really smooth, really evil
Truly slick, truly malevolent.
And if you're here, and that is the reason
And if you are present, and that is the cause.
Giant strides, twelve tribes
Massive footsteps, twelve clans.
It takes a second to wreck it
It only takes a moment to destroy it.
Sixty seconds--forget it
A minute--disregard it.
I guess you don't hear me though
I speculate that you do not comprehend me.
I'm not looking yours, I'm looking mine
I am not focused on yours, I am focused on mine.
Looking so quiet but discreet
Appearing subdued but being circumspect.
Echoes to see
Reverberations to perceive.
On an unsuggested stream, unsuggested mean
Upon an unadvised current, unadvised intention.
Take it to the top, unstable the times
Elevate it to the zenith, tumultuous the era.
Unstable the walk
Unsteady the gait.
And stable the walk
And make the pace firm.
Unbearable, searable, popular demand
Intolerable, scorching, demanded by the masses.
From cradle to grave is Abel buried a man
From birth to death Abel was interred as a human.
With my moneys and my felons, we conquer a clearance
With my funds and my criminals, we overcome an obstacle.
Building extensions of potential
Constructing amplifications of capacity.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADRIAN NICHOLAS MATTHEW THAWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind