Black Steel

Tricky

About Black Steel

"Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos" is a song by the American hip hop group Public Enemy. It was originally featured on their 1988 album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, before being released as a single in 1989. The song tells the story of a conscientious objector who makes a prison escape. It is built on a high-pitched piano sample from the 1969 Isaac Hayes song "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic" from the album Hot Buttered Soul. The vocals are done mostly by lead rapper Chuck D, with sidekick Flavor Flav appearing in between verses, seemingly speaking to Chuck over the phone. Flavor went to another room and did actually call the studio to achieve this effect. In 1995, English trip hop musician Tricky released a cover version entitled "Black Steel", with Martina Topley-Bird performing the vocals backed by the techno-rock band FTV. 


5:39

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I got a letter from the government
The other day
I opened and read it
It said they were suckers
They wanted me for the army or whatever
Picture me given' a damn, I said never
Here is a land that never gave a damn
About a brother like me and myself
Because they never did
I wasn't wit' it, but just that very minute
It occurred to me
The suckers had authority
Cold sweatin' as I dwell in my cell
How long has it been?
They got me sittin' in the state pen
I gotta get out, but that thought was thought before
I contemplated a plan on the cell floor
I'm not a fugitive on the run
But a brother like me begun, to be another one
Public enemy servin' time, they drew the line y'all
To criticize me some crime, never the less
They could not understand that I'm a black man
And I could never be a veteran
On the strength, the situation's unreal
I got a raw deal, now I'm lookin' for the steel

(Many switch in, switch on, switch off (Repeat x5))
Nevertheless they cannot understand 
That I'm a black man, and I could never be a veteran.
On the strength of situations, I'm real.
I got a raw deal, so I'm lookin' for the steel
Lookin' for the steel.

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Tricky

Tricky (born Adrian Nicholas Matthews Thaws, 27 January 1968) is an Englishmusician and actor. As a producer and a musician, he is noted for a dark, rich and layered sound and a whispering sprechgesang lyrical style. Culturally, Tricky blends different styles, particularly in his musical fusion of rock and hip hop, high art and pop culture. His debut album Maxinquaye was nominated for the Mercury Prize and voted Album of the Year by NME Magazine. more »

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Written by: WILLIAM DRAYTON, CARLTON RIDENHOUR, ERIC SADLER, HANK SHOCKLEE

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"Black Steel" by Tricky falls under the category of trip-hop, a genre that blends electronic music, hip hop, and rock.
Album Information
The song was featured on Tricky's debut album, "Maxinquaye", released in 1995.
Unique Composition
The song is a reinterpretation of Public Enemy's "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos", with the rap vocals replaced by sung lyrics from Tricky's collaborator, Martina Topley-Bird.
Chart Performance
The song got to number 28 in the UK Singles Chart, making it Tricky's second highest-charting single in his home country.
Challenging Theme
Tricky's "Black Steel" maintains the political commentary of the Public Enemy original, criticising the treatment of Black people and prisoners in the US.
Highly Praised
The song is considered one of the most distinctive covers of a hip-hop song and it effectively launched Topley-Bird's singing career.
Memorable Music Video
The music video for "Black Steel" is set in a high-security prison and dramatically depicts a riot and jail-break, reflecting the themes of the song.
Part of a Longer Compilation
The original version of the song is over five minutes long, but it was cut down to three and a half minutes for radio play.
Worldwide Recognition
Despite being a UK artist, Tricky’s influence reached a global audience, with "Black Steel" being particularly appreciated in the United States.
Live Performances
Even though Tricky has released many albums since "Maxinquaye", "Black Steel" remains a fan favourite and a staple in his live performances.
On Film Soundtracks
"Black Steel" has been used in multiple film soundtracks, further reinforcing its wide recognition and popularity.
Long-Lasting Impact
"Black Steel" continues to be a highly influential track in the world of trip-hop, demonstrating the genre's potential for powerful social commentary.

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