Info → Take It There
Massive Attack backstage with Tricky in Berlin in February 2016 after performing Take It There live on stage that night.
UK Release: 28th January (Ritual Spirit EP)
UK Highest Chart (Ritual Spirit EP): #2
Track Duration: 04:29
Formats: CD, Vinyl, Digital. View Discography Entry.
Written By: Robert Del Naja, Euan Dickinson and Adrian Thaws
Produced By: Robert Del Naja and Euan Dickinson
Piano By: Neil Davidge
Promo Video Directed By: Hiro Murai
Video Producer: Jason Cole
Choreographer: Ryan Heffington
Filming Location: Highland Park, Los Angeles, USA
Video Duration: 04:31
All evidence points to Take It There being originally conceived in the Summer of 2012, when Massive Attack first went to Tricky's studio in Paris, which they posted about on their Facebook page at the time. This marked the thawing of the strained relationship between the band and Tricky after his last formal collaboration with Massive Attack in 1994.
It has been said that they worked on several new tracks during these new sessions, even though Take It there is currently the only one yet to be released tot the public.
Tricky's first appearance on a Massive Attack record since 1994's Protection album.
Massive Attack's co-producer/writer Neil Davidge, who was an integral part of Massive Attack for roughly 15 years before leaving the band amicably in 2010 to concentrate on his own solo career, much like Tricky also makes a one-off reappearance on Take It There. He is credited with playing the piano chords which form the backbone of the track, but does not have a writing credit. It is likely his piano contribution was a leftover piece of his work before leaving the band in 2010, as it does not appear he actively worked on the track with Massive Attack.
The Ritual Spirit EP (which Take It There appears on) marks the first major release to bear the Massive Attack name to feature Euan Dickinson, who had previously worked as a studio engineer/programmer before being promoted to co-producer/writer alongside 3D when Neil Davidge left the band. Daddy G by contrast, much liek he did with 100th Window, did not take part in the Ritual Spirit EP sessions.
Take It There being performed live on the 2016 tour with Martina Topley Bird and daddy G substituting for Tricky on stage.
Take It There received its live debut on the 19th January 2016 at Dublin's Olympia Theatre, which was the kickoff date of Massive Attack's 2016 tour to promote the release of the Ritual Spirit EP. The track would go on to be featured on all subsequent dates of the 2016 tour typically being performed towards the end of each show as the third of fourth last track of the setlist. Throughout the tour, the track was performed by 3D, Daddy G (filling in for Tricky) and Martina Topley Bird. For one date only, on the 18th February 2016, at a show in Berlin's Tempodrom venue were Massive Attack joined by Tricky on stage for Take It There. This was the first time Massive Attack and Tricky had performed live on stage since the Protection soundsystem tour of 1994/1995. The full recording of the aforementioned Berlin 2016 show can be listened to on Soundcloud.
Photo of Tricky in his Paris studio working with MAssive Attack taken in June 2012, which were the sessions that Take It There originated from.
3D on reuniting with Tricky on Take It There – “It’s always going to be slightly odd working with someone after so much time has passed. But after half a day, you revert to type, all the veneer’s stripped, all the posturing’s gone and you’re just what you were back then, 20 years ago, whether you like it or not. You just realise: ‘Oh, I haven’t fucking changed at all, I’ve got all the same issues, he knows how to push my buttons, I know how to push his.’ But that’s the nature of it. It’s kind of funny and difficult at the same time. He literally forced me to rap – ‘Chap, you’d better start bloody rapping again!’ We did it in one take, and afterwards, Tricks goes, ‘You’ll never do that again’, and I said, ‘Let’s hope not.’” [Guardian Interview – January 2016]
3D:
Lots to lose where users use
Skinny don't fuss it kills place
Rub it down again where the pain still sticks on the grey licks
Sticking out your tongue it's a hot red crack suck it in
Tricky:
Out there it's heavy though
I pre my voice yeah it's slim
I need a fix, you call the tricks
I'm the man, to hear the tune
We collide, I [?]
She's with me, we share the pain
Treat the girl like licorice
She's so soft and ticklish
Tricky & 3D:
Take you there, and take your time
([?])
Take your time
Take you there, you'll lose you mind
Take you there, and take your time
([?])
Take your time
Take you there, you'll lose you mind
Take you there, and take your time
3D:
My coordinates it could be any voice cracks
(Lots to lose where users use)
Slipped down your footsteps all my boys roll my slip jobs wet
(Lots to lose where users use)
Slip job and insurgency make the world safe for you and me
Tricky:
Got simple plans for special ways
Got pistol grip for lonely days
Needs are met, trees are bloom
I'm the one to hear the tune
I meet you there, meet you soon
I meet you there, give you breath
Take you there
Tricky & 3D:
Take you there, and take your time
([?])
Take your time
Take you there, you'll lose you mind
Take you there, and take your time
([?])
Take your time
Take you there, you'll lose you mind
Take you there, and take your time
Indie actor John Hawkes starred in the promo video for Take It There, directed by Hiro Murai and filmed in Highland Park, Los Angeles.
The Take It There video was directed by Hiro Murai, and filmed around Highland Park in Los Angeles. This was the first Massive Attack promo video to be filmed in Los Angeles in 25 years, the first being Unfinished Sympathy.
The video for Take It There was one of three produced for the promotion of the Ritual Spirit EP, and was the first released of these online on 28th January 2016, alongside a revamped official Massive Attack website.
The video featured Oscar nominated actor John Hawkes in a choreographed dance number with four other dancers. By design or coincidence, the two other promo videos produced for the Ritual Spirit EP (Voodoo In My Blood and Ritual Spirit), would also featured dance choreography, which was rare for Massive Attack before. Those two other videos would also feature well known entertainment personalities (Rosemund Pike and Kate Moss)
3D on the peculiarity of the Take It There video being dance inspired – “It’s strange how things turn out. All three films from Ritual Spirit have been dance pieces. Never been our style. Unexpected, and quite by accident — fate, I guess” [DazedDigital.com – March 2016]