Smoke & Mirrors, by Bassel & The Supernaturals

Smoke & Mirrors

by Bassel & The Supernaturals

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1.	Calculated Love 04:07	lyrics	buy track
Oh is love overrated? Well, it’s been debated Time and time it’s won again Life up in the city The stars ain’t half as pretty As my baby when she wakes up in the morning Come on, come on say like you mean it Tell me like you mean it Now kiss me like we’re out of time I crave every moment just to be by your side The center of your earth is mine Oh I know, we know This ain’t none of the photographic, scientific love We both can agree - this ain’t normal, I am captivated love There’s something in the water And I feel like I’m in tune with you Back up - let me tell you about the first time I saw my love but I didn’t realize That nature’s got it’s way to unfold Since then, I didn’t have to show you The hoops that other ladies made me jump through I was spinning, calculating what is this all for I didn’t know you’d steal my soul You left the gate and door wide open write your name on the wall I was crunching numbers, overthinking What does it take to win over your heart? We know this ain’t none of the formulaic, calculated love We both can agree - this ain’t normal, I am captivated love There’s something in the water And I feel like I’m in tune with you We know this ain’t none of the photographic, scientific love We both can agree - this ain’t normal, I am captivated love There’s something in the water And I feel like I’m in tune with you
2.	Stepping Back in Time 04:16	lyrics	buy track
Make the call and I let it ring This operator’s gonna take my name Cause I wanna say - no, it’s not okay The gate is up, but they closed the lane You send them back to their cage again Fuck your wall - it pulls us apart Stand up - you gotta make a sound now Get down - gonna make you read your rights Man up - time to take a chance now Stand down - hope that we get out alive …that we make it out alive Stepping back in time We’re clueless, we’re over polluting And we watch the world as it crumbles Stepping back in time At the rate we’re going we’ll burn it to the ground Seeking out xenophobia I tend to think that we’ll break these borders down Not getting younger Stressed out by the weight of the fear that consumes their souls Stand up - you gotta make a sound now Get down - gonna make you read your rights Man up - time to take a chance now Stand down - hope that we get out alive …that we make it out alive
3.	Smoke 04:28	lyrics	buy track
Smoke I feel your fire I ain’t broke, I’m made of iron Sky’s looking gloomy from the rain I’m assuming A break from the city is a welcome opportunity Somebody save me before I go crazy Well I’m a nomad - and no, I’m not mad - I just I know it ain’t over ’til the lady rolls over Smoke til’ I feel your fire I won’t choke - I’m too inspired Why do I go in circles around you? I want to come through Feeling wide-eyed - sober the older I get Smoke - I feel your fire I ain’t broke, I’m made of iron Take time when I know I’m in over my head I’m sweating bullets from the same thing Paint the town, getting loud Shut it down like a movie star I’m built for the stage No smoke & mirrors but the real thing So baby, baby now don’t you snooze Don’t you snooze Wide-eyed Shine the light Check the mic All for you I sing It’s all smoke & mirrors
4.	Aleppo (ft. Ashkur) 05:14	lyrics	buy track
If there’s one thing I know It’s how to make you feel right at home Just take the bed and eat up Can’t you tell it’s overwhelming Oh the love inside my nana’s eyes She stayed up when I was sick all night It’s taking time to realize she’s gone But the peace has followed her beyond Have no fear - time goes slow Oh these summer nights, and the smell of rose Create a new beginning when the world it keeps on spinning We’re in danger now where we’ve always been But they’re lighting up the city When they should be taking pity On the people seeking peace and a place to call home You know - to the oldest city Aleppo Didn’t you know that it’s the oldest city Aleppo It’s faded, Aleppo Outdated, Aleppo It’s the oldest city, Aleppo We’re running out of time Save my plate I’m coming back for more You’re gonna have to roll me back out through that door Just shuffle the cards and deal ‘em And pass the argila ’til we float into the clouds The citadel’s a party now Where Saladin was hanging out Oh the sun’s out over our heads So we sleep it off, then we do it again Prayers fill the sky with the sunlight Baked bread is gone by the time I get home I want to see it with my own two eyes Like the memories, the good times But they’re lighting up the city When they should be taking pity On the people seeking peace and a place to call home You know - to the oldest city Aleppo Didn’t you know that it’s the oldest city Aleppo It’s faded, Aleppo Outdated, Aleppo It’s the oldest city, Aleppo We’re running out of time قلبي بريدك يا حلب ‏ ‏بحلم في حلب روحي تريد حلب خليلي حلب ‏ ‏مدينة حلب ‏تسلملي حلب ‏خليلي حلب ‏روحي تريد حلب لو تسمعو دقات قلبي لو تسألو هالقلب رح تسمعوه عم بنادي يا حلب شو ماغنوا شو ما حكيوا وشو مانكتب رح تبقى أنت الأحلى يا حلب
5.	Skipping Heartbeats 05:17	lyrics	buy track
Take you out with me and I just can't believe that we're in love Sunsets painted on our back porch, watching as the world drifts over me How do you know? The thunder keeps rolling in We'll stand upright Swimming with the tide to a place Where we can embrace Our vision of how We will overcome I know that you're the one We operate on soulful love Skipping heartbeats, I must be dreaming And I’ll savor each moment I can I know that I'm bold enough to say that I'm your man Let your hair down in the evening, let me be the one who sets you free Seldom tell you how I'm feeling, there are no words They're floating away Time only lifts us up to space I'm solely yours, I'm here to stay How do you know? The thunder keeps rolling in We'll stand upright Swimming with the tide to a place Where we can embrace Our vision of how We will overcome I know that you're the one We operate on soulful love Skipping heartbeats, I must be dreaming And I’ll savor each moment I can I know that I'm bold enough to say that I'm your man
6.	Breathe 01:41	lyrics	buy track
Slow down and breathe
7.	Relay 03:50	lyrics	buy track
Breast stroke, third up I’m racing in a relay Slow pace, fast race I can hear them screaming My momma told me to be a swimmer Oh as cold as it could be - we better knew than shiver Head down and swim Pull, scoop, now kick, and extend I’m hiding away, hoping she’ll say the water is code for a blanket I might never get in - chlorine on my skin, my people weren’t made for this shit I’m a surf the sands of time, take it in stride, and most importantly warm Where I’m feeling in frequency freedom to follow my family history coping with misery Wet - tasted too salty, God made me fresh Feeling a false sense of security taking a hold on me I should be taking my goggles off, opening eyes Heads up, swallowing pride Pulling, scooping, bringing around this H20 that brings me down Head down and swim Pull, scoop, now kick, and extend Like water I am transient Not afraid to go I feel like there’s something new Wait out the storm
8.	Black Water 05:10	lyrics	buy track
I know with the water comes the fire Black stones remain where they taught her Silent rhythms take our children Sail away, sail away, sail away in my sleep The hills are green, the river’s full Filled up with garbage from the city Thick smoke engulfs the earth around me I heard they opened the river again Fire on black water Silent rhythms take our children Violent prison stained with crimson Sail away, sail away, sail away in my sleep The hills are green, the river’s full
9.	Mistakes 04:53	lyrics	buy track
I need something to lay the edge off Blame it on a hard day, well I don't want to come home tonight Shaking down to my legs Just to feel like I'm awake my mind is reeling Let's have a smoke Why do I behave this way? Where do I refrain? Some will say it's-- all arranged Repeat the same mistakes ...Why do I lie to myself? I'm feeling like I really could use a drag Now I'm faded, but I'm not alone There's always the comfort of smoke in the length of the chain Just give me a break, I've got my demons too - I'm just like you Eyes on the road Why do I behave this way? Where do I refrain? Some will say it's all arranged Repeat the same mistakes I'm feeling like I really could use a drag

about

Smoke & Mirrors is inspired by the false glamour that surrounds touring artists.

credits

released April 17, 2020

Bassel Almadani: Lead Vocals and Background Vocals
Brandon Hunt: Electric and Acoustic Guitars
Jackson Kidder: Electric and Upright Bass
Carl Kennedy: Keyboards
Stevenson Valentor: Drums
Ben Phillips: Trumpet and Flugelhorn
Alex Blomarz: Saxophones and Flute
Reed Flygt: Auxiliary Percussion
Sydney Jay: Background Vocals
Matt Hannau: Violin
Sara Morrow: Viola
Calvin Armstrong: Cello
Ashkur: Guest Vocals

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about

Bassel & The Supernaturals Chicago, Illinois

Bassel & The Supernaturals combines neo-soul and funk with captivating lyrics about love, loss, and a war in Syria that has directly affected Bassel Almadani’s family along with 10,000,000 others.