Imagine you're in a smoke-filled Bristol club in 1980s, surrounded by breakbeat rhythms and the swaggering beats of trip-hop. That's where it all started for Tricky, one of the most innovative voices to emerge from UK music in decades. Now, he's lifting the lid on his personal soundtrack – a 20-track playlist that takes us through the highs and lows of his life, from formative reggae jams to career-defining soundscapes.
But what really sets the heart racing is Tricky's relationship with Gregory Isaacs' 'Night Nurse'. He was just 15 when he first heard it, hanging out with a Jamaican girlfriend in the early 80s. Little did they know that two years later, their love would blossom into a lasting partnership – and a daughter who's now a social worker in Bristol, making this song an unbreakable part of his family history.
Tricky's emotional connection to music is woven into the fabric of his being, as he reveals how Van Morrison's 'Astral Weeks' brings back memories of his mum and their Bristol upbringing. He talks about how those poignant lyrics about a mother dressing her child for school resonated deeply – echoing his own childhood photos where his mum was always impeccably dressed.
The Specials played a pivotal role in shaping Tricky's musical aspirations, too. After being starstruck by Prince but struggling to match his vocal range, he discovered The Specials' 'Too Much Too Young'. That epiphany at a live gig with Terry Hall and Neville Staple brought him closer to his dream – and led to his first single purchase: The Specials' album. He'd devour every track on the bus ride home from Knowle West, the place where his musical journey truly began.
When it comes to the emotional impact of his music, Tricky admits he's somewhat detached from the notion that fans have used his songs as a backdrop for intimacy. While flattered by such claims, he finds the concept 'weird', and instead confesses to enjoying Cyndi Lauper's 'True Colors' at karaoke – or belting out Blur's 'Song 2' riff at parties.
Tricky's story is an electrifying insight into the mind of a true music innovator. His playlist, which spans decades and genres, shows us just how powerfully songs can capture life's milestones and inspire our creative paths – leaving an indelible mark on UK music in the process.