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Massive Attack — Unfinished Sympathy
Album: Blue Lines
Avg rating:
7.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2646









Released: 1991
Length: 5:05
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I know that I've been mad in love before
And how it could be with you
Really hurt me, baby, really hurt me, baby
How can you have a day without a night?
You're the book that I have opened
And now I've got to know much more
The curiousness of your potential kiss
Has got my mind and body aching
Really hurt me, baby, really hurt me, baby
How can you have a day without a night?
You're the book that I have opened
And now I've got to know much more

Like a soul without a mind in a body without a heart
I'm missing every part

Like a soul without a mind in a body without a heart
I'm missing every part
Like a soul without a mind in a body without a heart
I'm missing every part
Like a soul without a mind in a body without a heart
I'm missing every part
Comments (101)add comment
as a young child of very nervous parents, I was escorted everywhere by a retired military officer, Sir Albert,a s a reward for good exam results I was given 24 hours to spend alone with friends...... I had a day without a knight......... I'll get my coat
Posted 9 months ago by MrDill    [ Reply ]
 Mackmoney3000 wrote:

This is 30 years old and still sounds new, which is an achievement on its own


“Unfinished Sympathy" is a song by the English trip hop group Massive Attack. It was released on 11 February 1991under the temporary group name Massive.
Outstanding after all these years 👍
Posted 10 months ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
Ahead of its time, genre creating masterpiece 
Posted 1 year ago by red04star    [ Reply ]
 Lumpy13 wrote:

This was 1992, people!  This rest of the sheeple in our country were listening to Right Said Fred.



Granted it was a bit of a guilty pleasure, but I liked Right Said Fred! 
Posted 1 year ago by Kajukenbo    [ Reply ]
Blue Lines, one of my top 10 albums of all time. Perfect
Posted 1 year ago by noventae9    [ Reply ]
GREAT!  Thanx RP!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 Lumpy13 wrote:

This was 1992, people!  This rest of the sheeple in our country were listening to Right Said Fred.



Loved these guys and nothing wrong with lovin a bit of Right Said Fred 
Posted 1 year ago by Fishman    [ Reply ]
 artsoft wrote:
One of my favorite song in my life... I am currently so sad.... about my life, my history, my kids, my wife ... far away from me. My parents, becoming older an older... I dont what happens with me in future. It seems that the future is already gone. I am sending warm regards and heart greetings into this cruel world. I cannot understand people fighting against other people and countries. I am so sad...


Cheer up! The world's consistent. Perpetually churning. This is the challenge of living in a global neighborhood. I have it on good authority things were pretty fucked up for thousands of years before now. One thing about hitting rock bottom - there is no where to go but up. Or you could just stay there.
Posted 1 year ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite song in my life... I am currently so sad.... about my life, my history, my kids, my wife ... far away from me. My parents, becoming older an older... I dont what happens with me in future. It seems that the future is already gone. I am sending warm regards and heart greetings into this cruel world. I cannot understand people fighting against other people and countries. I am so sad...
Posted 1 year ago by artsoft    [ Reply ]
Posted 1 year ago by matezeuszk    [ Reply ]
The best English band EVER.

You heard...


Posted 1 year ago by Lemonhead    [ Reply ]
 jef wrote:

Rootin Tootin Putin's fave band....



Then Putin's got good taste in music.
Posted 2 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
Rootin Tootin Putin's fave band....
Posted 2 years ago by jef    [ Reply ]
 khardog145 wrote:

I had never heard of them & my son turned me onto this approx. 2008.  I was blown away.  



How I missed out on these guys back in the 90s is beyond me. I remember seeing the album cover but must have thought it was rap.
Posted 2 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
BAM - Solid 10
Posted 2 years ago by CCSandman    [ Reply ]
Amazing vocals by Shara Nelson. I'm sad it took multiple clicks through wikipedia to figure that out!
Posted 3 years ago by pdibby    [ Reply ]
 Lumpy13 wrote:

This was 1992, people!  This rest of the sheeple in our country were listening to Right Said Fred.



I'm to sexy for this comment.
Posted 3 years ago by Akazungu    [ Reply ]
 Mackmoney3000 wrote:
This is 30 years old and still sounds new, which is an achievement on its own
 I feel the same way about "Tomorrow Never Knows" which came 20 years before it in release and one song after it in today's mix!  What a great pair!
Posted 4 years ago by bluejay08003    [ Reply ]
This is 30 years old and still sounds new, which is an achievement on its own
Posted 4 years ago by Mackmoney3000    [ Reply ]
 MicMen wrote:
Für mich gibt s nichts schöneres...
 
einverstanden 
Posted 4 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
Für mich gibt s nichts schöneres...
Posted 4 years ago by MicMen    [ Reply ]
the album/cd cover is a D.O.T. violation
Posted 4 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
I love the video to this song....
Posted 5 years ago by VH1    [ Reply ]
I had never heard of them & my son turned me onto this approx. 2008.  I was blown away.  
Posted 5 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
doesn't get better....
Posted 5 years ago by Lemonhead    [ Reply ]
best Bristol boys ever
Posted 5 years ago by Lemonhead    [ Reply ]
 Donar wrote:


Definitely and this one is a masterpiece i think.
 
Right?  Not bad for a debut album either, and wow, 1991 seems like AGES ago (my freshman year of HS)
I've been at an 8 for awhile on this one, maybe I'll go to 9 one day....not today....Long Live RP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
This reminds me of a Prodigy song but I can't put my finger on it. Is anyone else having the same impression and can point me to the source?
Posted 5 years ago by kopfhoerer    [ Reply ]
During the first Gulf War of 1991 Massive Attack changed their name into Massive.

Don't no for sure...
Posted 5 years ago by Ghiaap    [ Reply ]
 Alastair wrote:
One of the few bands that genuinely moved music on. You can hear their influence in so many other acts to this day.     
 

Definitely and this one is a masterpiece i think.
Posted 5 years ago by Donar    [ Reply ]
 ckevin63 wrote:
Sounds like Banksy.
 

We all know 3D is not Banksy.
You were ill informed if you think he is.


...No I'm not going to tell you who he is.
Posted 5 years ago by t0m5k1    [ Reply ]
Always reminds me of my first time in a club.
The whole day was amazing.
Posted 5 years ago by t0m5k1    [ Reply ]
rattles shakes...
Posted 6 years ago by ico    [ Reply ]
One of the few bands that genuinely moved music on. You can hear their influence in so many other acts to this day.     
Posted 7 years ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
 ckevin63 wrote:
Sounds like Banksy.

 
Not really for me.. I'd say Banksy sounds like a mix of The Clash with Manu Chao.
Posted 7 years ago by nampelkafe    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Banksy.
Posted 7 years ago by ckevin63    [ Reply ]
Sublime for ever
Posted 7 years ago by Noé    [ Reply ]
Still sounds so good after all these years.{#Clap}
Posted 8 years ago by Lemonhead    [ Reply ]
easy 10.  Surprised my CD still plays as was played to death when this came out.
Posted 8 years ago by Dazzerb    [ Reply ]
 Sjaaks wrote:
Still can see the woman walking down the street in the music video... {#Smile}
 

What a brilliant video. Memorable.
Posted 8 years ago by funkyalfonso    [ Reply ]
 jukes1 wrote:
Hymn Of The Big Wheel - 10

this song...? not-so-much 

 
de gustibus....
Hymn is mediocre at best for me but this is +100
{#Crown} 
Posted 8 years ago by ShamanManu    [ Reply ]
always loved the arrangement on this song ! zesty
Posted 8 years ago by primm    [ Reply ]
This is a great late nite tune, but I'll still take it on a Wednesday morning here in Chicago.  After all, it's late nite somewhere in the world right now.
Posted 8 years ago by Wolford    [ Reply ]
Superb.  There's nothing wrong with Shara Nelson's solo album from that era, either.
Posted 8 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
awesome
Posted 8 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWmrfgj0MZI
Posted 8 years ago by OHMish    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear this again. RP must have so many high ranking songs, please continue to play the favorites.
Posted 9 years ago by ezzyme    [ Reply ]
 The_Walrus wrote:
Just sublime, one of the best ever

 
100 percent agree! Still got goosebumps after all this years.
Posted 9 years ago by pankman    [ Reply ]
Just sublime, one of the best ever
Posted 10 years ago by The_Walrus    [ Reply ]
 katiecopstick wrote:
If there was a God this would be his intro music
 

 
{#Clap}
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
I was living in Bristol in 1991.  Thank you Massive Attack for the great memories and to R.P. for bringing them back.
Posted 10 years ago by hypotenuse    [ Reply ]
I'm hearing some new variety in the music, Bill...
Thanks for that!
Change is GOOD!  {#Hearteyes} 
Posted 10 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
 omersegev wrote:
Masterpiece.

Listened to the album non stop while serving the Army... 

 
US Army? Thank you for your service.

BTW, love this song...reminds me of another great album from the same era, Pet Shop Boys' "Behaviour"......wonderfully moody album.


Posted 10 years ago by EarthMama    [ Reply ]
I have always loved this song. Also the 1shot video is amazing...
Posted 10 years ago by janac13    [ Reply ]
Whoa.  Is this really from 1991?  

Good song, but there are much better on the album, IMO.   
Posted 11 years ago by hencini    [ Reply ]
Nice  Vocal
Posted 11 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
Masterpiece.

Listened to the album non stop while serving the Army... 
Posted 11 years ago by omersegev    [ Reply ]
 Patricula wrote:
I actually checked to see if any of the browser windows I had up was playing a looping banner ad that was playing at the same time of this song. 
Holy cow was this song (checks my spelling...) cacophonous and discordant!

 
It seems like a pretty standard "trip-hop" kind of dance tune with some sampling added.  I don't hear any specific cacophony or discord, but I guess it depends on one's definitions of those words.  I tend to prefer literal definitions.
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Very Moby-ish.
Posted 12 years ago by Shaken_Bake    [ Reply ]
If there was a God this would be his intro music
 
Posted 12 years ago by katiecopstick    [ Reply ]
Hymn Of The Big Wheel - 10

this song...? not-so-much 
Posted 12 years ago by jukes1    [ Reply ]
I may have said this before, but, man, my little tube amp loves this.....
People rating this sucko-barfo....you have "ishoos"...try to deal with 'em...huh?
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
One of those songs that sound great when are listened early in the morning.
Posted 12 years ago by lbzk    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:
Still amazing! Love those strings with the trip hop beat.{#Music}
 

Groovy still.
Posted 12 years ago by eddief    [ Reply ]
Very good stuff. I like this.
Posted 12 years ago by gemtag    [ Reply ]

Sounds like Sophie B Hawkins is back...
The two, Unfinished Symphony and Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover could be bookends ...
Amazon link should help RP overhead...


Posted 12 years ago by AndyJ    [ Reply ]
Ouch.
Posted 13 years ago by d-don    [ Reply ]
 Patricula wrote:
I actually checked to see if any of the browser windows I had up was playing a looping banner ad that was playing at the same time of this song. 
Holy cow was this song (checks my spelling...) cacophonous and discordant!
 
I checked my iTunes to see if it had hiccuped and was playing one of the (not very good) songs I occasionally download only because they're free.
Posted 13 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
Since I'm listening with just one ear bud (left ear), this sounds quite odd.....
Posted 13 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
Are they sampling a Jon Bonham drum line (cut short) from L.Z.III = Immigration Song... no can't be.

Posted 13 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
I don't want to like it, but I can't help myself. Some depth here.
Posted 13 years ago by actusreus    [ Reply ]
obligatory to show up on this decade 90's revival
Posted 13 years ago by hifi    [ Reply ]
Way ahead of their time.
Posted 13 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
 Lumpy13 wrote:
This was 1992, people!  This rest of the sheeple in our country were listening to Right Said Fred.
 

They both could easily fit in the same format. This is really bad. Not Massive Attack, I usually like them, but this song.... Oy vay!!{#Puke}

Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
I never really got this. It was on several best of the decade lists, but I always found it a bit "meh!"
Posted 13 years ago by GuiltyFeat    [ Reply ]
This song is just brilliant - turn the volume up
Posted 14 years ago by sarahg70    [ Reply ]
This song is the Bohiemn Raposdy of Dance music.  Simply fantastic and timeless

A Master piece 
Posted 14 years ago by djsarong    [ Reply ]
Every time this tune comes up on my playlist, I think "How did Moby get into here??".  Definitely not my favorite from this album.
Posted 14 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
This was 1992, people!  This rest of the sheeple in our country were listening to Right Said Fred.
Posted 14 years ago by Lumpy13    [ Reply ]
A classic of the early 90's.
Thank you, Bill, wherever you are!
Posted 14 years ago by CoYoT51    [ Reply ]
 Bridieboo wrote:
Fantastic!!  I wish all the guys in Massive Attack were still recording.  Great video for this song.

They are see  https://massiveattack.com/
Posted 14 years ago by Dillinquent    [ Reply ]
Wonderful! Probably my favourite song of the 90s. Love Massive Attack - also more Shara Nelson please Bill!

Posted 14 years ago by Syd    [ Reply ]
Still can see the woman walking down the street in the music video... {#Smile}

Posted 14 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:
Still amazing! Love those strings with the trip hop beat.{#Music}
 

me, pareil
Posted 14 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
 ZedLeppelin wrote:

It's Shara Nelson.

 
It's Yucky.  Too squeaky and missing subtle tones.

Posted 14 years ago by lysisphere    [ Reply ]
 Patricula wrote:
I actually checked to see if any of the browser windows I had up was playing a looping banner ad that was playing at the same time of this song. 
Holy cow was this song (checks my spelling...) cacophonous and discordant!
 
Well....it is unfinished. {#Wink}
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
This gets a pass since its Massive Attack, but I can't say I really care for it.
Posted 15 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
Fantastic!!  I wish all the guys in Massive Attack were still recording.  Great video for this song.

Posted 15 years ago by Bridieboo    [ Reply ]
I actually checked to see if any of the browser windows I had up was playing a looping banner ad that was playing at the same time of this song. 
Holy cow was this song (checks my spelling...) cacophonous and discordant!

Posted 15 years ago by Patricula    [ Reply ]
...widely considered to be progenitors of the genre known as trip hop
Posted 15 years ago by Bazooka    [ Reply ]
 bam23 wrote:
The drumming rather distracts, for me. Maybe rock does not always need a drum kit working away all the time. Just maybe.

 
In 1991 this drumtrack pattern has been absolutely hip. ;) Ok nowadays it sounds a bit "outmoded". But its still a massive track though.


Posted 15 years ago by Mnemo    [ Reply ]
 newwavegurly wrote:
Who is the female vocalist in this one? Does anyone know?
 
It's Shara Nelson.

Posted 15 years ago by ZedLeppelin    [ Reply ]
Ugh. This is hideous!
Posted 15 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
Who is the female vocalist in this one? Does anyone know?
Posted 15 years ago by newwavegurly    [ Reply ]
 mblake wrote:
The track Unfinished Symphony is from the album Blue Lines, not Protection.
 

Yep...this is the song that really got me into Massive Attack way back in the day. Have never grown tired of this one...
Posted 15 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
_always_ glad to hear the Massive
Posted 15 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
great set!
Posted 15 years ago by joanie    [ Reply ]
Still amazing! Love those strings with the trip hop beat.{#Music}
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
I usually like Massive Attack fairly well, but this is sorta lame. I agree with the comment that the drum machine is annoying.
Posted 15 years ago by Harlan879    [ Reply ]
The track Unfinished Symphony is from the album Blue Lines, not Protection.
Posted 15 years ago by mblake    [ Reply ]
The drumming rather distracts, for me. Maybe rock does not always need a drum kit working away all the time. Just maybe.

Posted 15 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]