Three

Massive Attack's song 'Three,' featuring the haunting vocals of Nicolette, delves into the complex emotions of nostalgia and the longing for simplicity. The lyrics open with the idea that 'three's my lucky number,' suggesting a belief in the power of numbers and perhaps a sense of fate or destiny. This is juxtaposed with the singer's wish to understand a seemingly simple truth that even children grasp, highlighting a sense of lost innocence and the complications that come with growing up.

The recurring theme of missing 'everything I knew' underscores a deep sense of loss and yearning for the past. The singer reflects on the difficulty of being a child, yet paradoxically misses the simplicity and ignorance of childhood. This duality is captured in the repeated line, 'I whinge I knew nothing at all,' which conveys a bittersweet longing for a time when life was less complicated, even if it meant knowing less.

As the song progresses, there is a shift towards a desire for personal growth and wisdom. The singer expresses a hope to 'leave my thoughts behind' and 'give back all the knowledge,' aiming to retain only the precious wisdom. This suggests a journey towards self-acceptance and understanding, where the past is acknowledged but not allowed to hinder future growth. The song beautifully captures the tension between holding on to the past and moving forward, making it a poignant reflection on the human experience.