UNKLE, a musical outfit founded in 1994 in London, England, United Kingdom.… Read Full Bio ↴UNKLE, a musical outfit founded in 1994 in London, England, United Kingdom. Originally categorized as trip-hop, the group once included producer DJ Shadow and has employed a variety of guest artists and producers.

From the sleeve notes for the latest release End Titles...Stories For Film released in July 2008, the current line-up is stated as James Lavelle and Pablo Clements, also a member of the Psychonauts.

The original line-up was James Lavelle, Tim Goldsworthy (now a member of DFA) and Kudo (Major Force West, Skylab). This incarnation released several EPs and singles, usually involving collaborations with other Mo'Wax affiliated artists.

In 1998, after the departure of Goldsworthy and Kudo, Lavelle enlisted US producer DJ Shadow to help complete UNKLE's debut album, "Psyence Fiction". On this album they collaborated with a variety of guest artists including Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Mike D (Beastie Boys), Badly Drawn Boy and Richard Ashcroft (The Verve). The album contained songs which merged indie-rock with hip hop.

In 2003 UNKLE released "Never, Never, Land". At this time UNKLE consisted of Lavelle and new collaborator Richard File, and the album also featured Ian Brown (The Stone Roses), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack), Mani (The Stone Roses, Primal Scream) and others.

A third album entitled "War Stories" was released in July 2007. It features collaborations with Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Ian Astbury (The Cult), Autolux, Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack), The Duke Spirit, and Gavin Clark, and is far more strongly rock-influenced than previous releases. The album was preceded by an EP, Nights Temper, of which a limited pressing was released in May 2007.

Lavelle has also released several mix albums and remixes under his own name and under the name UNKLEsounds (together with Richard File).

UNKLE is known for remixing music from artists such as Explosions in the Sky, Massive Attack, and Oasis.

Powder Man
UNKLE Lyrics

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Powder Man
Powder Man
How do you.?
Let you in

Go back to.?
Start again
Get out of sight

Whilst you can

On the run
Down the ????
You don't get???
Nothing yet

Falling back
Against the sand

Wait till you fall???
Powder Man
Powder man

Powder Man
Powder Man
How do you.?
Let you in

Go back to.?
Start again
Get out of sight
Whilst you can

On the run
Down the ????
You don't get???
Nothing yet

Falling back
Against the sand

Wait till you fall???
Powder Man

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Powder Man" by UNKLE feat. Chris Goss are open to interpretation and can be understood in different ways. One possible interpretation is that the song is about someone who is trying to escape from their past or a difficult situation. The repeated questioning of "Powder Man, how do you let you in?" could signify the struggle of allowing oneself to move forward and let go of the burdens or mistakes of the past. The line "Go back to, start again" suggests the desire to go back and start afresh, to leave behind the old and embrace a new beginning.

The repetition of "Get out of sight while you can" could be seen as a warning to hide or escape from something dangerous or harmful. The lines "On the run, down the ????, you don't get nothing yet" imply a sense of urgency and the need to keep moving forward, despite not yet achieving anything significant.

The reference to falling back against the sand suggests a feeling of exhaustion or vulnerability, while the line "Wait till you fall, Powder Man" hints at a potential downfall or consequence that might await if the escape doesn't succeed.

Overall, the song's lyrics evoke a sense of longing for change and a desire to break free from past troubles, highlighting the struggle of accepting and embracing a new beginning.

Line by Line Meaning

Powder Man
This is a reference to someone who is associated or involved with drugs, specifically cocaine.

How do you.?
How do you manage to maintain your lifestyle or cope with the consequences of your choices?

Let you in
Allow yourself to engage in the dangerous and addictive world of drugs.

Go back to.?
Return to a previous state or mindset.

Start again
Begin anew, perhaps suggesting a cycle of addiction and recovery.

Get out of sight
Disappear or avoid being noticed, possibly indicating the need to hide drug use or the consequences it brings.

Whilst you can
While there is still a chance or opportunity to escape the negative consequences of your actions.

On the run
Constantly moving or evading capture, likely from law enforcement or personal demons associated with drug use.

Down the ????
Heading towards an uncertain and potentially harmful future.

You don't get???
You don't understand or comprehend the full extent of the dangers and negative effects of drug use.

Nothing yet
Despite the risks and consequences, you haven't experienced the worst outcomes of your actions.

Falling back
Regressing or returning to a previous state, likely related to addiction or destructive habits.

Against the sand
Facing resistance or obstacles, possibly representing the harsh reality and consequences of drug use.

Wait till you fall???
Implying that there will come a point where the negative consequences of drug use will catch up to the individual, leading to their downfall.

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: CHRISTOPHER ALLEN GOSS, JACK LEONARD, JAMES LAVELLE, STEVEN WESTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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