I stand firm for our soil (a source)
Lick a rock on foil (nigga I'll come forth)
Say reduce me, seduce me (They juice me, seduce me)
Dress me up in Stussy
Hell is round the corner where I shelter
Ism's and schisms
We're living helter skelter (been livin' on a study)
If you believe and (or) deceive common sense says shouldn't 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 neighbor, I trudge (shrug)
So judge me for labor
The bond on me ensures (lobotomy) my good behavior
The constant struggle (strum) ensures my insanity
Passing the ignorance ensures the struggle for my family
We're hungry beware of our appetite
Distant drums bring the news of a kill tonight
The kill which I share with my passengers
We take our fill, take our fill, take our fill

I stand firm for our soil (a source)
Lick a rock on foil (nigga I'll come forth)
Say reduce me, seduce me (they juice me, seduce me)
Dress me up in Stussy

Confused by different memories
Details of Asian remedies
Conversations, of what's become of enemies
My brain thinks bomb-like
So I listen he's a calm type
And as I grow, I grow collective
Before the move sit on the perspective
Mr. Quaye (Mr. Kray) lay in the crevice (distant cradle in the crevice)
And watches from the precipice
Imperial passage
Heat from the sun some days slowly passes
Until then, you have to live with yourself
Until then, you have to live with yourself

I stand firm for our soil (a source)
Lick a rock on foil (nigga I'll come forth)
Say reduce me, seduce me (They juice me, seduce me)
Dress me up in Stussy
Hell is round the corner where I shelter
Ism's and schisms
We're living helter skelter (been livin' on a study)
If you believe and deceive common sense says shouldn't receive
Let me take you down the corridor

My brain thinks bomb-like
Bomb-like
My brain thinks bomb-like
Bomb-like, bomb-like
My brain thinks
Bomb-like
Beware of my appetite


Lyrics submitted by nicole

Hell is Round the Corner Lyrics as written by Isaac Hayes Adrian Nicholas Matthew Thaws

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Hell Is Round the Corner song meanings
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24 Comments

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  • +4
    Song Meaning

    The lyrics of this track are pure genius... my interpretation of it has evolved over the years and its meaning has just grown more and more sinister! Tricky may be simply artfully describing his personal struggles... but at a broader scope I feel he is hitting on an underlying common experience for many of us. I believe the song starts off suggesting a need to escape through drugs, fantasy, or ideology. This need comes from a chaotic life where heavy manipulation, pressure, and disadvantage is being laid upon us. He questions how much of what we do is of our independent will when we must conform to insure less punishment. The insanity resulting from this way of life renders us desperate and very capable of violence. We then are consumed with thoughts of destruction of ourselves or others... and in the end we have to accept this life and all the things we were influenced to do. Sheer genius!

    mAdViBeZon January 13, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    he has the sexiest voice ever

    Adagio%Breezeson April 26, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    It sounds like a comment on how black people (young black men especially, I imagine; and possibly also immigrants) are reduced to stereotypes, and the impact that social marginalizing has on them.

    And yeah, it's exactly the same bass line as in "Glory Box." All of the trip-hoppers worked together in some permutation or other, and you'll find lyrics and music overlapping among many of the artists' outputs.

    persimmonon November 14, 2010   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    What makes the song so powerful is the seemingly non sequitur-like nature of the lyrics. I don't think there's one single "meaning" to discern from the text, but the imagery of Tricky's lyrics stimulates the formulation of one's own interpretation.

    Personally, it speaks to me because of the melancholia of a traumatic past. Everyone with a traumatic past (and let's face it, we're all scarred) will know that "Hell" always remains "just around the corner" of where ever you are. No matter whether you got better.

    To me, that's the core of the song. You can move beyond the shadows of your past, but they'll always be there. Perhaps there's some point when it's gone, but until then: you have to live with yourself.

    LeviNunon March 06, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    one of the greatest records of al time, i love its sleazy cool tones

    toxicgeekon April 25, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    brilliant track, westcountry trip hop at its best i say. better than anything off blowback - also gives portishead a run for their money

    Jabbatronon May 19, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    :: as many times as i listen to this trak i will never get bored of it. and as for a sexy voice, sure. but 3D has a MUCH sexier one ;) ::

    Mad On Vibeson June 14, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song is just awesome as hell

    bleedingmaskarahon February 01, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "We're hungry, beware of our appetite. Distant drums bring the news of a kill tonight. The kill which I share with my passengers. We take our fill, take our fill, take a feel."

    That always made me think of vampires when I was little and my mom played this song in the living room.. Anyhow, really cool song

    perfectandslowon March 03, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    most of the lyrics in this song are taken from Tricky's rap in Massive Attack's "Eurochild".

    molofanon January 31, 2006   Link

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