Meaning of "Suffocated Love" by Tricky

The lyrics of "Suffocated Love" by Tricky paint a portrait of a dysfunctional relationship characterized by power dynamics, manipulation, and emotional turmoil. The narrator is in a constant state of conflict with their partner, who exerts control over them through various means, including sex, money, and emotional manipulation. The imagery used throughout the song conveys a sense of entrapment, with references to suffocation, being cut, and the inability to escape the toxic cycle of the relationship. The repeated question of whether the partner's actions are out of love or manipulation highlights the ambiguity and confusion the narrator feels. The mention of the caged bird symbolizes the narrator's own feelings of being trapped and silenced within the relationship. Overall, the lyrics capture the complexity and pain of being in a toxic and suffocating love affair where the dynamics are skewed, and one party feels dominated and restricted.