It is the very first time I heard Khari Lucas aka Contour, the featured artist. He has a very unique voice with so much potential. There are a few artists who have that kind of impact upon the tracks they are involved. His pleasing vocal leads the track perfectly and builds a solid foundation for Matt's part.
Matt's verses are all poetic, story-telling and structured with such right words. Just like the dilemmas that many of us have faced before, he delivers the first verse with the pressure of not knowing where to begin. The instant outrage in the last line follows the impatience that comes with a desire to fix something quickly and to be emotionally healed. The second verse is perhaps the peak in terms of lyricism. Together with the repeated 'I Heard You's, the tempo rises again and the story moves to the next chapter.
"...All of your imperfections making you flawless."
In the last part, all the suppressed emotions are revealed. We continue burying our feelings, erroneously believing, that we have them under control while we also know the fact that they have to leak out in one way or the other. I like the way Matt keeps choosing kindest words even when the tension runs high. There is something about Matt's delivery that makes me upset suddenly. The subtext of each line is 'what if?'. Everything that needs to be said is said for the last time. After the extraordinary saxophone sample that starts off at 2:47, Contour takes over again and puts an end to the story.
I constantly find myself thinking deeper lately when I listen to this song. It hits me hard every time and makes me think a lot. For Amanda Parker is a love letter directly dedicated to someone and the end is unfortunately not the end we would like to read.
Lyrics:
[Chorus: Contour]
I see truth there's no discussion
You know it's comin'
You know it's comin'
I put your shoes on now I'm runnin'
Got the ocean right behind me
I'm ready to go home
I'm stayin' under
I'm stayin' under
I see truth there's no discussion
You know it's comin'
You know it's comin'
I put your shoes on now I'm runnin'
Got the ocean right behind me
I'm ready to go home
I'm stayin' under
I'm stayin' under
[Verse 1: Matt Monday]
Dear Amanda
I mean, where do I start?
I put words together and pick them apart
I call it strategy, they call it art
They call it foolish, I just play my part
I just want that penetration to your heart, yeah
I just want that penetration to your heart, yeah
[Verse 2]
I heard you got through the damage
I heard he took you for granted
I heard that you were left handed
Only one you on this planet
And we're just some hopeless romantics
Enough with the antics
I heard that you was a goddess
I heard that you way too modest
I heard that you ain't in the blogging, but love to go jogging
All of your imperfections making you flawless
[Chorus]
I see truth there's no discussion
You know it's comin'
You know it's comin'
I put your shoes on now I'm runnin'
Got the ocean right behind me
I'm ready to go home
I'm stayin' under
I'm stayin' under
I see truth there's no discussion
You know it's comin'
You know it's comin'
I put your shoes on now I'm runnin'
Got the ocean right behind me
I'm ready to go home
I'm stayin' under
I'm stayin' under
[Verse 3]
These days they don't love you no more
Cute smile with a button
I heard you got a song for everything
We talking wedding rings
I'm thinking we could make this a forever thing
I'm talking 'bout all the love that they never bring
I'm thinking 'bout all of the songs that they never sing
Heard you a queen you just need you a better king
Heard you a queen you just need you a better
You deserve better (Lord!)
[Chorus]
I see truth there's no discussion
You know it's comin'
You know it's comin'
I put your shoes on now I'm runnin'
Got the ocean right behind me
I'm ready to go home
I'm stayin' under
I'm stayin' under
You can learn more about Matt Monday here:
About The Curator - Mert Turan
I was born on the day "Evil Empire" album by Rage Against the Machine was released and I brought those lucky bastards 3 Grammy nominations. I live in Ankara, Turkey and study Philosophy at Middle East Technical University. I have worked professionally in the music industry for more than 4 years, specializing in studio recording, sound editing and mixing. I previously worked for musicto both as an intern and a curator. During my internship with musicto I gained valuable experience on the music business, social media and community management. I love being a part of this community.