Unfinished Sympathy

Massive attack is a 3-man production team who used various vocalists on their compositions. Shara Nelson, who also sang on their song "Safe From Harm," appears on this. They lyrics find Nelson longing for her companion, but wary because she has been hurt before.

This is a very innovative song in the electronic dance (sometimes called Trip-Hop) genré. It features a string section and various orchestral elements (the title is probably a play on the term "Unfinished Symphony"), as well as samples and layers of vocals.

The rhythm track is based on the bells found in the 1975 song "Take Me To The Mardi Gras" by Bob James, who is a Jazz composer known for combining elements of dance, funk and pop. Another song that sampled this track is Run-D.M.C.'s "Peter Piper."

The male vocal is a sample of John McLaughlin from his 1975 song "Planetary Citizen." McLaughlin is a fusion guitarist who led the Mahavishnu Orchestra.

The video was directed by David Lynch, who is known for his TV series Twin Peaks and movie Blue Velvet. The video is one continuous shot filmed on West Pico Boulevard between South New Hampshire Avenue and Dewey Avenue in Los Angeles, California. It features Nelson walking along the sidewalk, indifferent to her surroundings, which include drunks, gangs, and bikers. The verve made a similar video for their song "Bittersweet Symphony." (thanks, ErickOverveen - Amsterdam, Netherlands)

This single was released shortly after the first Gulf War started, and due to increased sensitivities, the band changed their name to "Massive" for a time, which is how they are listed on the single.

Tina Turner recorded this for her 1996 album Wildest Dreams.

This was featured in the 1993 movie Sliver during a sex scene between Sharon Stone and William Baldwin.

This song is featured in many of the 'Best Song' polls. For instance the TV Channel MTV2 in the UK placed it #1 in a poll of the best songs ever and in 2002 the New Musical Express ranked it #10 in their list of The Top 100 Singles of All Time. In addition both Face Magazine and Melody Maker selected this as their Single of the Year. (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England)