Their first studio session left them cold theyd intended to sample an old Cloud One track but that typewriter percussion noise was all that survived. Everyone else disagreed. Muzik X-Press was an instant worldwide club hit. DJs as influential as Pete Tong and New Yorks Junior Vasquez then in his Sound Factory prime loved it. Clubbers around the world declared it an instant anthem. Its follow up, the juddering, funky London X-Press with its exhortation to "raise your hands!" was just as monstrously successful, it was the daft dancefloor smash, Say What, that came next. When their records began to get, as Ashley puts it, "more oblique", the three were content to put X-Press 2 aside and move onto other projects, and the three moved effortlessly into jazzier, funkier, more downbeat arenas with their internationally respected Ballistic Brothers team-up.
In April of 2000 X-Press 2 found themselves back together on the road and in the studio. In 2001 they released the mighty AC/DC. The boys were back in town. Into 2002 the singles Muzikizum and Lazy (more on that later) followed before the lads dropped their debut album also titled Muzikizum, the album was critically acclaimed and charted at number 15 in the national charts. A massive success.
Lazy was a track that perfectly summed up the mood of the nation. Released in April 2002 and charting at number 2 in the national. It became the biggest airplay track of the year and won them the coverted Ivor Nevello award ."I had contacted Beedle and co some five years ago after hearing Ballistic Brothers, which I loved," says Byrne, who offered them a slot on his European tour, thinking they were a live band. Hes glad the collaboration finally happened. "I loved the contradiction of a pumping dance track that is called Lazy".
Fast forward to 2009 and the X-Press 2 story continues, house music stalwarts Rocky and Diesel continue to fly the flag as Ashley Beedle has now left the act to focus on his solo career.
2008’s album release “Raise Your Hands”.... X-Press 2’s “Best Of”.... provided a great opportunity to draw a line, from which to start off a new era for the act. In a genre that tends to have a lot of one hit wonders and many changing trends and fashions, some records and artists remain timeless and relevant, like Carl Craig and Josh Wink, Carl Cox and Richie Hawtin for example, X-Press 2 are among these rare treasures. Songs like the Ivor Novello award winning “Lazy” may have hit the mainstream, but big room speaker bothering “Smoke Machine” and the instantly recognisable “Muzik Express” still get played worldwide in a vast array of club nights and remixes of these often pop up to appear on Beatport frequently as do many of their other tracks.
Back in the studio after a year’s sabbatical, the duo have been writing some incredible new tunes to be released on Skint. They are working with a variety of different vocalists and are weaving their usual leftfield, deep but strangely accessible sound around some simply amazing new songs. As always the unexpected is to be expected! The artist that brought you the unlikely dancefloor allure of “Give It” feat Kurt Wagner, and the dark mystery of “Kill 100” continues in the vein of creating music that is as cerebral as it is ultimately danceable...some very interesting and exciting collaborations are coming including the soon to be omnipresent “Time” feat James Yuill courtesy of Moshi Moshi, already receiving some amazing reactions with DJs and clubs alike...A songwriter of some considerable skill and panache James has proven to be the perfect partner for the X-Press 2 production sound...With a new straight-up dancefloor track ready to go and a handful of remixes in the pipeline, 2010 looks like it’s going to be a busy year for the 2
Say What
X-Press 2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dirty 30 perc send me to the pearly gates
Always knew that I was gon' be in a early grave
Don't put me in the ground, sleepin' now I'm wide awake
I got so high I don't think Ima go to work today
I stay inside cause I'm the type to keep it out the way
I'm paranoid, you know I gotta keep it on my waist
Might waste your time but it's alright because I'm worth the wait
I don't know what to say
Pour a pint of wock, mix it up and take it to the face
Yeah
I'm in outer space
Way up on my lonely, but it's feelin' like a crowded place
Yeah
Demons in my face
Talkin shit on Twitter, I'm like don't you got some clout to chase
Yeah, yeah
Bitch I'm in a daze
Yeah, yeah
I don't know what to say
Yeah, my pockets swell up
Walkin' round bloody steps red bottom Margiela
Fuck around pop some X, jump around like Coachella
Tweakin' out right on time, now I'm feelin' better
Keep on overdosing everybody gettin' fed up
Throwin' back this potion I'm just tryna keep my head up
Shit you can't afford if you ain't got it get your bread up
I would get in my bag but I don't think that I can get up
Go get some water cause I'm throwin' up a week's pay
Don't tell nobody I've been geekin' for a week straight
You know my body don't confuse me for no deep fake
I need that pressure, I can't fuck around with no week strain
Yeah
I don't know what to say
Pour a pint of wock, mix it up and take it to the face
Yeah
I'm in outer space
Way up on my lonely, but it's feelin' like a crowded place
Yeah
Demons in my face
Talkin shit on Twitter, I'm like don't you got some clout to chase
Yeah, yeah
Bitch I'm in a daze
Yeah, yeah
I don't know what to say
The lyrics to X-Press 2's song "Say What" reflect the struggles and mindset of someone caught in the downward spiral of substance abuse and self-destructive behavior. The opening lines express a desire to escape the harsh realities of life by indulging in drugs, with references to a drug dealer ("my plug pull up right away") and the intoxicating effects of combining drugs ("Dirty 30 perc send me to the pearly gates"). The singer acknowledges their self-destructive tendencies ("Always knew that I was gon' be in an early grave") but also expresses a sense of numbness and detachment from reality ("sleeping now I'm wide awake").
The lyrics continue to explore the singer's state of mind, emphasizing their withdrawal from society and constant fear ("I stay inside cause I'm the type to keep it out the way" and "I'm paranoid, you know I gotta keep it on my waist"). There is a sense of wasted time and self-worth, but an acceptance of the consequences that come with it ("Might waste your time but it's alright because I'm worth the wait").
As the song progresses, it delves deeper into the singer's struggle with addiction and mental health. There are references to feeling disconnected from others ("I'm in outer space, way up on my lonely, but it's feeling like a crowded place") and confrontations with their inner demons ("Demons in my face"). The lyrics also hint at the emptiness and insignificance of social media culture ("Talking shit on Twitter, I'm like don't you got some clout to chase").
Overall, "Say What" paints a vivid picture of someone grappling with addiction, isolation, and the weight of their choices. It highlights the internal battles and complexities of substance abuse and the desperate desire to find solace or escape from the harsh realities of life.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want this work, my plug pull up right away
If you're interested in this job, my supplier will arrive immediately
Dirty 30 perc send me to the pearly gates
Taking the drug Percocet in high doses brings me close to death
Always knew that I was gon' be in a early grave
I've always had a feeling that I would die young
Don't put me in the ground, sleepin' now I'm wide awake
Don't bury me, as I'm currently alert and active
I got so high I don't think Ima go to work today
I'm heavily intoxicated, making it unlikely for me to fulfill my work duties
I stay inside cause I'm the type to keep it out the way
I prefer to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary attention or trouble
I'm paranoid, you know I gotta keep it on my waist
I'm constantly anxious, so I carry a weapon for self-defense
Might waste your time but it's alright because I'm worth the wait
I might take up your time unnecessarily, but I believe I'm deserving of your patience
Yeah
Expressing agreement or acknowledgement
I don't know what to say
I'm at a loss for words
Pour a pint of wock, mix it up and take it to the face
I pour a pint of codeine cough syrup, mix it, and consume it directly
Yeah
Expressing agreement or acknowledgement
I'm in outer space
I feel disconnected from reality or in an altered state of mind
Way up on my lonely, but it's feelin' like a crowded place
Despite being physically alone, it feels as if there are many people around me
Yeah
Expressing agreement or acknowledgement
Demons in my face
I am constantly confronted by my inner struggles or personal demons
Talkin shit on Twitter, I'm like don't you got some clout to chase
People on social media are criticizing me, but they should focus on building their own reputation
Yeah, yeah
Expressing agreement or acknowledgement
Bitch I'm in a daze
I'm confused and mentally disoriented
Yeah, yeah
Expressing agreement or acknowledgement
I don't know what to say
I'm at a loss for words
Yeah, my pockets swell up
Yes, I have a significant amount of money or wealth
Walkin' round bloody steps red bottom Margiela
I'm wearing expensive designer shoes with red soles and leaving bloody footprints
Fuck around pop some X, jump around like Coachella
I casually take the drug ecstasy (X) and dance energetically as if I'm at the Coachella Music Festival
Tweakin' out right on time, now I'm feelin' better
Experiencing a burst of energy or euphoria after becoming agitated or anxious
Keep on overdosing everybody gettin' fed up
Continuously consuming excessive amounts of drugs is frustrating everyone around me
Throwin' back this potion I'm just tryna keep my head up
Drinking this concoction in an attempt to maintain my mental stability or resilience
Shit you can't afford if you ain't got it get your bread up
Engaging in activities that are beyond your financial means; if you can't afford it, work harder to earn more money
I would get in my bag but I don't think that I can get up
I would focus on achieving success, but I feel incapable of doing so
Go get some water cause I'm throwin' up a week's pay
Fetch me some water because I'm vomiting a substantial amount of money
Don't tell nobody I've been geekin' for a week straight
Keep it a secret that I've been excessively using drugs without interruption for an entire week
You know my body don't confuse me for no deep fake
My real self should not be mistaken for a deceptive or manipulated version of me
I need that pressure, I can't fuck around with no week strain
I require a strong and potent substance; I can't waste time on anything weak
Yeah
Expressing agreement or acknowledgement
I don't know what to say
I'm at a loss for words
Pour a pint of wock, mix it up and take it to the face
I pour a pint of codeine cough syrup, mix it, and consume it directly
Yeah
Expressing agreement or acknowledgement
I'm in outer space
I feel disconnected from reality or in an altered state of mind
Way up on my lonely, but it's feelin' like a crowded place
Despite being physically alone, it feels as if there are many people around me
Yeah
Expressing agreement or acknowledgement
Demons in my face
I am constantly confronted by my inner struggles or personal demons
Talkin shit on Twitter, I'm like don't you got some clout to chase
People on social media are criticizing me, but they should focus on building their own reputation
Yeah, yeah
Expressing agreement or acknowledgement
Bitch I'm in a daze
I'm confused and mentally disoriented
Yeah, yeah
Expressing agreement or acknowledgement
I don't know what to say
I'm at a loss for words
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Gabriel Sharpless
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris Venning
I love this tune! The bass line is amazing! Can't fail to get you moving! Ace!
redjam40
I love this. I have never hard it before until now. It sounds so funky in a unique way. "Bring all back". I wonder where they got that sample from?
Julian Firkins
"break it all down" / "break it on down" / "bring it all down" / "bring it on down" sample is from Trouble Funk - So Early In The Morning.
(only 12 years to get yer answer...!)
DJ Geovanni G
IT'S A CLASSIC. GREAT HOUSE TUNE!!!
d .p
Absolute top tune, so many memories.
Usman Patel
All time classic from the boys from X-Press 2. Another one from the Hacienda archives, classic tune, disco house best fits the description!
Margaret Whiteside
Was given this on vinyl from DJ at the Tunnel he said I lost my mind on the floor every time he played it. Tune
Dr Tune
From back when records knew how to party
Leigh Winspear
When records tasted GOOOOOD!
alessio pili
When producers know how to use hardware