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One of the promo images for 100th Window featuring 3D with the words "Future Proof". The photo was taken by Nick Thornton Jones & Warren du Preez.

Development

After the low point of the LP4 recording sessions had come and gone, soon after Christmas 2001, 3D and Neil Davidige with a renewed vigor and purpose reconvened in the studio after purposely deciding to let go of the ambitious but ultimately failed 2000/2001 recording sessions with Lupine Howl. Future Proof was the first song produced in January 2002 and it succeeded in getting the ball rolling for the rest of the songs that would eventually make up 100th Window.

The majority of the track was recorded over the span of just two days.

One of the abandoned songs from the Lupine Howl sessions called Aftersun (not to be confused with the song on the Danny The Dog soundtrack) was used as a starting point (lending its beat) to Future Proof.

Additional Info

Was considered at one point in 2003 to be a possible single release along with a video however this did not come to be. Before the release of Collected, 3D spoke of “A COOL ‘FUTURE PROOF’ PIECE” (i.e video) to be included on that release but alas this did not happen.

On Collected, the song’s duration is 05:42, as the tapping percussive sound at the songs end has been extended by a few more seconds.

Live Appearances

Future Proof has always had an impressive visual backdrop when played live. During the 2003 tour for instance, the LED screen was comprised of a mass of digital 1's and 0's flowing down, whilst Future Proof was being performed.

Future Proof was first played live at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia on the 11th March 2003. For the next several years it would become a signature tune of the live show as it would feature in virtually every setlist. For the 2003 tour, Future Proof was the lead off track of the live show and its arrangement on this tour was more or less identical to the album version.

For the 2004 tour its arrangement changed drastically and so did its placement on the setlist coming in as the showstopper finale in the special Redux version.

In the 2006 tour for Collected, Future Proof’s arrangement returned to the more familiar album version and its placement in the show’s setlist came roughly after the midpoint of each show.

Future Proof was dropped however for the 2008 tour, to make way for the various new songs that would enter the setlist that year. It would return though for the Heligoland tour of 2009/2010.

Variations/Remixes

Future Proof (Redux) – Until 2010, this alternative version had never been released and never actually named but generally known as the Redux version within the Massive Attack fan community. Played only throughout the 2004 tour as the finale for each show. The Redux version takes the computerized beeps synonymous with the regular version and replaces them with a more guitar driven sound throughout rising to a crescendo in the final few minutes similar to the live version of Group Four.

Finally in November 2010, 3D self-released this redux version through his newly opened art blog – delnaja.com. It is streamable on his website as part of a newly mixed Nocturne Sessions (which differs from his original 2002 mix).

Promo Version – This is the version of Future Proof contained on promo copies of 100th Window only. It differs only at the very start of the song by adding two additional beeps thus adding an extra 3 seconds on to the regular version. These extra two beeps at the beginning are also always incorporated into the live version of the song.

Notable Quotes

Promo image for Future Proof with the CND peace symbol featured on MassiveAttack.com back in 2003. There were also t-shirts available at the 2003 shows with the same image.

3D on the initial recording of Future Proof – “Early last year, when we recorded Future Proof, was quite a good time. The Christmas period had been pretty depressing, and then Daddy G suddenly stopped showing up. After the New Year I then started writing songs with Neil Davidge. I had a couple of ideas for a track. Angelo contributed a bit of guitar. I added some more morse code, bleeps and a beat from another track, called Aftersun. The next day I found another couple of clicks that fitted perfectly with the rest. I already had the lyrics about dysfunctional relationships. And that jigsaw puzzle became Future Proof. In two days time!” [Humo Magazine - March 2003]

Lyrics

Borderline case. Reinforced glass. Absent friends. Passport photos, an elastic past. Empty pockets. And they think it is all… They think its soul. It’s all wrapped up on a swollen lip. Chemicals. Chemicals captured in winter’s grip. In winter’s grip. Turn us on. Separate the leper. Hungry ghosts. Hungry ghosts. Another imprint. In borrowed clothes. We can be numb. We can be numb. Passing through. Blow blow blow blow. Borderline case. Future proof. Real thin air. Real thin air. Real thin air

External Links

Interpretations From SongMeanings.com
Samples Of Future Proof That Were Originally Heard On MassiveAttack.Com in 2003
Fuji Rock Festival 2003 Live Performance
Wireless Festival 2006 Live Performance
Fuji Rock Festival 2010 Live Performance
Interview Clip With 3D From The Raft Website in 2003
Clip From The Episode “Asylum” Of The TV Series “Smallville” Featuring Future Proof On The Soundtrack
Clip From The Episode “Drugs, Sex and Lies” Of The TV Series “Queer As Folk” Featuring Future Proof On The Soundtrack