Celebrating 30 years of Massive Attack's 'Unfinished Sympathy'

It is 30 years since Massive Attack released their seminal hit ‘Unfinished Sympathy’ which would later go on to define the Bristol band.

Released on 11th February 1991, ‘Unfinished Sympathy’ was the second single taken from the electronic outfit’s debut album ‘Blue Lines’.

The album produced a number of singles including ‘Daydreaming’ and ‘Safe From Harm’ but it was ‘Unfinished Sympathy’ that became a club-scene staple and sky-rocketed the trio into British trip-hop fame.

The track was written by Massive Attack’s members Daddy G, 3D and Mushroom with Shara Nelson on vocals. The song was recorded at Bristol’s Coach House studio and features an orchestra, which was later added at Abbey Road Studios in London.

The orchestra is an incredibly big part of the song but it also came with a big price tag. In fact, the band went so over budget on the strings that they had to sell their car!

The video for ‘Unfinished Sympathy’ directed by Baillie Walsh is almost as influential as the music itself. It was filmed in California in a single continuous take and inspired the video for The Verve’s ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ and later parodied by Fat Les in the video for the World Cup anthem ‘Vindaloo’.

‘Unfinished Sympathy’ was released in 1991 amid the Gulf War and the song’s popularity caused the band to temporarily drop ‘Attack’ from their name on advice from their record label in order to maintain radio plays.

The track achieved chart success and went on to be certified Gold in the UK. It was also covered by Tina Turner in 1996 featuring on her album ‘Wildest Dreams’.

Take a look at some of the biggest songs of the 90s:

How to listen to Absolute Radio:

Listen to Absolute Radio on DAB nationwide, on our free app, by hitting that play button on the bottom of your screen and via your smart speaker (“Play Absolute Radio”).

• massive attack