90 Proof
90 Proof Lyrics


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Sitting in my day care, the art is deco painted
Blessed by the drink, upon the corner's where we've seen it
Chased by the plane it, haunted by the medium
Too high to flow toward to break the tedium
Glow from my TV set was blue like neon
Activated the remote, I put the BBC on
I've seen this city somewhere, I'm looking out for no one
Pallor in my eyes, it get blue like neon

Hell is 'round the corner where I shelter
Isms and schisms, we're living on a skelter
If you believe I'll deceive, then common sense says shall you receive
Let me take you down the corridors of my life
And when you walk, do you walk to your preference
No need to answer till I take further evidence
I seem to need a reference to get residence
A reference to your preference to say I'm a good neighbour
I trudge, so judge me for my labour

I walk in a bar and immediately
I sense danger
You look at me, girl, as if I was some kind of a
A total stranger

Hysterical, ecstatical, no matter, call me stags
Hard to get a drink or a girl to relax
Upon phono, no go zone I go through
Aching awaits just to relocate you
Kill us with your fist, now baby, mix it with me
You see me function better when I get approximately
High by my technical flyby
I function better with the sun in my eyes, so goodbye

Take a second of me, you beckon I'll be
And when you're sad, I'll mourn
And when you tear, I'm torn
Take a second of me
Take a second of me
I stand firm for our soil
Lick a rock off foil
So reduce me, seduce me
Dress me up in Stussy
Show me and I'll stick 'em
Will you be my victim?
Take a second of me

Mad over you, mad over me, an analogy
Baby, tagging up all of my stationary
Sitting in my daycare, media deco painted
Colliding with the jam until the drink got dated
Window indigo when they go boom
I run inside my room, no sense, you can trust me




Climb on my sofa, roll in a daydream
Spliff make daddy go sleep-a-trip dream

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "90 Proof" by UK musician Tricky are complex and multi-layered, full of references to urban life, media, and personal struggles. The song begins with Tricky sitting in his "day care," a possible reference to a bar or club, surrounded by art deco decor and drinking, watching the world go by. He describes feeling haunted or chased by the media, and too high to break out of his routine. The lyrics then shift to a more paranoid tone, with Tricky describing his inner struggles and fears, and hinting at danger lurking around every corner.


The chorus of the song has a menacing quality, with Tricky stating that "hell is 'round the corner where I shelter," and describing the turmoil and division in society with the phrase "isms and schisms." He reflects on the idea that what we believe or perceive can shape our reality, and that we may receive what we expect. The song then goes on to describe a scene in a bar, where Tricky feels like an outsider and sense danger from those around him. The lyrics end with a series of surreal, dreamlike images, perhaps meant to represent Tricky's state of mind or the disconnect between reality and his perception of it.


Overall, "90 Proof" is a complex and thought-provoking song that touches on themes of media saturation, paranoia, and the struggle to find meaning and connection in a chaotic world.


Line by Line Meaning

Sitting in my day care, the art is deco painted
I am in a place that was designed to keep me occupied all day, surrounded by colorful decorations.


Blessed by the drink, upon the corner's where we've seen it
I am grateful for the alcoholic drink I am holding and the memories it brings to mind.


Chased by the plane it, haunted by the medium
I feel like I am being pursued by airplanes and haunted by ghosts that communicate through the media.


Too high to flow toward to break the tedium
I am too intoxicated to be productive and break the boredom of my day.


Glow from my TV set was blue like neon
The blue light from my television set is the only thing illuminating my room.


Activated the remote, I put the BBC on
I turn on the TV and tune into the BBC.


I've seen this city somewhere, I'm looking out for no one
I've been to this city before, but I am not looking for anything or anyone in particular.


Pallor in my eyes, it get blue like neon
My eyes become pale and appear blue in the bright light of the neon.


Hell is 'round the corner where I shelter
I am always in a state of suffering, even when I seek refuge.


Isms and schisms, we're living on a skelter
We are living in a chaotic world full of conflicting ideas and division.


If you believe I'll deceive, then common sense says shall you receive
If you think I'll lie to you, then it only makes sense that you'll eventually find out the truth.


Let me take you down the corridors of my life
Let me show you the ups and downs of my life so far.


And when you walk, do you walk to your preference
When you walk, do you do it in the way that you prefer?


No need to answer till I take further evidence
I won't ask for an answer until I have more information about you.


I seem to need a reference to get residence
I need some sort of proof or reference to claim my place in this world.


A reference to your preference to say I'm a good neighbour
Having the same preferences as you will make me a great neighbor.


I trudge, so judge me for my labour
I am working hard, so you can judge me based on the results of my work.


I walk in a bar and immediately
As soon as I enter a bar,


I sense danger
I feel like something dangerous is about to happen to me.


You look at me, girl, as if I was some kind of a
When you look at me, you treat me like I am a stranger.


A total stranger
A complete unknown to you.


Hysterical, ecstatical, no matter, call me stags
I am feeling a mix of hysteria and ecstasy, but it doesn't matter, just call me stags.


Hard to get a drink or a girl to relax
It's difficult to find a drink or a girl who can help me unwind.


Upon phono, no go zone I go through
I listen to music on my headphones, which helps me escape reality.


Aching awaits just to relocate you
I am longing to move to a new location, to get away from the pain I feel.


Kill us with your fist, now baby, mix it with me
Punch me, baby, and mix your pain with mine.


You see me function better when I get approximately
I work better when I am under the influence of drugs or alcohol.


High by my technical flyby
I am high, thanks to the technical skills I have learned.


I function better with the sun in my eyes, so goodbye
I work better when the sun is shining in my eyes, so I'm leaving.


Take a second of me, you beckon I'll be
If you need me, just ask and I'll be there in a second.


And when you're sad, I'll mourn
If you're upset, I'll be upset too.


And when you tear, I'm torn
When you cry, I feel your pain.


I stand firm for our soil
I am loyal and committed to our country and its values.


Lick a rock off foil
I am addicted to drugs and will go to great lengths to get high.


So reduce me, seduce me
Make me feel small and powerless, then try to lure me into something.


Dress me up in Stussy
Put me in designer clothing to make me feel important.


Show me and I'll stick 'em
If you show me something, I will take it and keep it.


Will you be my victim?
Can I take advantage of you?


Mad over you, mad over me, an analogy
We are both crazy about each other, it's like an analogy.


Baby, tagging up all of my stationary
You are writing all over my belongings.


Colliding with the jam until the drink got dated
Drinking so much that it becomes outdated or uninteresting.


Window indigo when they go boom
The window turns dark when something loud happens outside.


I run inside my room, no sense, you can trust me
I retreat to my room, where it is safe and familiar.


Climb on my sofa, roll in a daydream
I lay on my couch and let my imagination run wild.


Spliff make daddy go sleep-a-trip dream
Smoking marijuana makes me feel euphoric and helps me sleep.




Contributed by Liam M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@jadentha1090

Smino snapped on this one with Cole, the lyricism, flow switch, everything about this song is a bop.

@plain-bagel

We're just lucky Cole didn't go for some Game of Thrones reference

@marcncheezz9130

Bro check his new album, is crazyyy

@akhenatonjohnson4182

Facts gotta love the switch up flows bars and all 💯👌🏾

@andilesphesihle1255

J cole walk on water bravo😂no cap

@Kleetus_Van_Damm

@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ hail Satan, foh

6 More Replies...

@lisabennettbolekaja8556

Listening to Smino reminds me of the first time I heard Outkast. The attention to detail in the verses, flow, and music. True artistry and growing in the craft. Congrats on the new project! Always a treat.

@tacomitchell373

Imagine Cole and Smi making another OutKast. The world isn't ready for that gold yet.

@zalzalitoquarantino4193

fr fr

@goldbaby9968

Yeah feelin those 3K vibes man

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