Trojan Horse
by Dave (featuring Central Cee)

Album: Split Decision (2023)
Charted: 12
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Trojan Horse" is the chorus-less opening track of Dave and Central Cee's 4-track EP Split Decision. The duo go toe-to-toe, spitting seven verses between them about their ascent to the throne and the treacherous traps that fame and fortune bring.
  • Dave kicks things off, taking us back to the days when he couldn't afford fancy kicks. He reminisces about his one precious pair, scrubbing them clean with meticulous care. The young rapper took immense care of his cheap footwear, feeling like Real Madrid's Brazilian winger Vinícius Junior.

    Cench jumps in, leaving the past behind as he flaunts his present lifestyle. He keeps himself protected, surrounded by famous women, ticking them off his checklist like a boss. Meanwhile, his guestlist is filled with bare gunmen.

    Later in the track, Dave's generosity dwindles, but there's a reason behind it. He questions those who handed him the scissors only to get upset when he cuts them off. They walked the two-man step, but he watches his back vigilantly, knowing that trust can be a slippery slope.

    And trust issues don't discriminate - Cench has learned that lesson the hard way in his rapid rise to the top. The fame-filled lifestyle messes with his head, making him question who might betray him.
  • Dave brings the fire in the fifth verse, where the song title takes center stage.

    Give her the Trojan, give her the Trojan Horse, I feel like Troy

    Dave plays with wordplay, hinting at giving a woman a Trojan, a well-known brand of contraception. Yet, he suggests he won't use it, implying the possibility of impregnation - a Trojan Horse, a metaphorical baby bombshell.

    Now, let's dig deeper. The Trojan Horse was a legendary wooden horse that was used by the Greeks to trick the Trojans into letting them into their city during the Trojan War. The horse was filled with Greek soldiers, and when the Trojans opened the gates, the soldiers rushed out and attacked Troy. "I feel like Troy" suggests Dave is feeling vulnerable and exposed.
  • Dave created the string-backed beat himself. It samples "Trisha's Lullaby" by Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir from the soundtrack of the 2009-10 Japanese anime television series Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Bible Lyrics

Bible LyricsMusic Quiz

Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues"

Mike Scott of The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues"They're Playing My Song

Armed with a childhood spent devouring books, Mike Scott's heart was stolen by the punk rock scene of 1977. Not surprisingly, he would go on to become the most literate of rockers.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal Tap

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal TapSong Writing

Based on criteria like girlfriend tension, stage mishaps and drummer turnover, these are the 10 bands most like Spinal Tap.

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"They're Playing My Song

When a waitress wouldn't take him home, Jack wrote what would become one of the Eagles most enduring hits.