Lyric discussion by Wimmachine 

Cover art for Mezzanine lyrics by Massive Attack

I've listened to this song so many times, but never really thought about it.. I also hear 'half-floors' and it plays into my interpretation of the song.. It's about half of a relationship.

'Why don't you close your eyes and reinvent me' 'Give me evenings and weekends' 'I could be yours' 'watch your name go by' 'let's make it quiet and quickly'

He's got a physical relationship, encounters now and then, but not the whole thing. 'All these half-floors will lead to mine.' All this playing around will lead to him falling hard in love, bigger relationship, broken heart, etc..

There are some other errors to the lyrics, as I hear them:

  • 'We flew and strolled as two eliminated gently' sounds like 'illuminated gently'
  • 'will see to' sounds like 'or seem to' as in 'all these half-floors will lead to mine... or seem to'

So, all these half-floors/physical relationships that aren't the real deal will lead to his floor->heart being broken [or whatever], or at least that's the way it seems...

My Interpretation

Very insightful interpretation, Wimmachine, and thanks for pointing out the errors in the lyrics.

I could never fathom how the sexual references related to the rest of the song, the chorus in particular. Your interpretation, however, seems to bridge this gap in my mind. The references to sex establish that there is a physical relationship (a very intense one I presume, as 3D says "we'll go 'till morning comes"), yet the emotional/psychological bond is not quite there. The man clearly wants more from the woman (time, attention, and possibly commitment), but she is not making herself available.

...

i hear 'illuminated gently' as well

I like your interpretation! And yeah it's definitely FLOORS,not flaws... though while watching some of the live performances of Mezzanine and also on their concerts I hear "all these other floors" and not "half-floors". I also hear "illuminated gently". ^^