After 10 years, I feel like I'm still digesting this record. Feels to me like one of those records that many people won't understand for another 40 years.
The production on this album was insane. He overdubbed his voice in different styles and with different singers. It's very rare to find such a mature and deep album. Hope he continues to put out content.
I wish the mixing and mastering was better on this album! You’re right - the performances and vocal arrangements are amazing, it’s just a shame we can barely hear them.
@@pablumpicasso9207 apparently, this album is meant to be listened through headphones. that's when the full experience pulls through & the sonics become incredible.
@@VINOCHILEZI I had it on vinyl and was listening to it on headphones the other night! Kinda suffers from being a muddy and lacking in dynamics. Still a great album despite that nitpick!
@@pablumpicasso9207 i see what you mean! i am actually grateful for this message because i just got a vinyl player & i wanted the first record i purchased to be Black Messiah. i guess i'll just opt for Voodoo! i appreciate you, brother!
D'angelo has always been unintelligible, lol. Ya'll just now figuring that out? For me understanding his lyrics has been the icing on the cake. The harmonies, rhythm and melodies are what get me every time.
This is specifically why I love this song. The production and feel of the song is unlike anything else. What special about it is, the lyrics that DO jump out add so much depth and darkness juxtaposed to the gorgeous melodies and harmonies
Prince influence on D'Angelo is overstated a lot but you can hear it ALL OVER this track. still absolutely love it, production values on this album are just incredible
Some of you don't get it because youre not really listening which is his point and exactly why he released the lyrics. "Degredition so loud that you can't hear the sound of our cries". There's a powerful message behind the "muffled" sound if people would actually pay attention. '1000 Deaths', 'The Charade', 'Til It's Done', 'Prayer' are all somewhat indecipherable for a reason.
1980starjustice People just fantasizing and shit. I doubt D will absolutely go haywire anyways after this release. He'll just go back in a cave for another 14 years probably. You make some good points though.
The funk transcends race. Glad you know D'Angelo. People want so say that race doesn't matter, but it sure is for how we discover music and see the world.
1:44 to 2:27 it's eargasm; I love this culmination (coolmination) and the bass pulsing under rising vocal, "The charade / With the veil off our eyes we'll truly see / And we'll march on / And it really won't take too long..." GREAT!
Listening to this album again and whew the synchronies hitting. D’Angelo’s voice and the melody can sometimes make you forget what the lyrics are saying, or the message being told 😮💨🔥
This is a deep song. Lyrically and musically. I'm so happy that we have musicians making real music like this. Thank you D'angelo. Beautifully written song.
love this song!!!!! I get the Prince and sly and the family stone... they all up in through this song. but it also kind of reminds me of Van Hunt's song Dust. The melody.
A beautiful tribute I would never expect after his death !,in such this truthful artistic commitment I bow to the love ❤️ and sincere talents of God. Thank you D'angelo.
What a beautiful song. It's got the brilliance of Prince, the serenity of Ravi Shankar, the soul of Stevie, and the heart of relief in the middle of a street festival, hearing something utterly different and feeling big speakers blast through your entire body.
Song with lyrics like this won't get major burn on the radio or on tv. The people who run those outlets would rather try to keep us, specifically dark skinned people, ignorant, self destructive, and powerless. And that's largely what the song is about is us coming up out this mess.
Great job to the song writers, Kendra Foster and D'Angelo. Lyrics are so profound. Melody is dazzling. Pure art. How do you drop such a heavy message, in a song that is perfect for either a long drive or a day at the beach. So dope. Lyrics "Crawling through a systematic maze And it pains to demise Pain in our eyes Strain of drownin', wading into your lies Degradation so loud that you can't hear the sound of our cries (doo, doo) All the dreamers have gone to the side of the road which we will lay on Inundated by media, virtual mind fucks in streams [CHORUS] All we wanted was a chance to talk 'Stead we only got outlined in chalk Feet have bled a million miles we've walked Revealing at the end of the day, the charade Perpetrators beware say a prayer if you dare for the believers With a faith at the size of a seed enough to be redeemed (doo doo) Relegated to savages bound by the way of the deceivers So anchors be sure that you're sure we ain't no amateurs [CHORUS] All we wanted was a chance to talk 'Stead we only got outlined in chalk Feet have bled a million miles we've walked Revealing at the end of the day, the charade [BRIDGE] With the veil off our eyes we'll truly see And we'll march on And it really won't take too long And it really won't take us very long Add song meaning ! Songwriters Foster, Kendra / Archer, Michael Eugene
Yes you're right...that little pause before the chorus on this track screams Money Don't Matter 2 Nite! Saw this performed a couple of years back on his comeback tour...the album version has nothing on the live version...amazing track all round!
Few understand the meaning of this song... RIP Terrence Crutcher... Blacks have been living with an illusion of freedom for a good minute, it was all a #charade.... all we wanted was a chance to talk.. instead we only got outlined in chalk.
Unlike today's popular RnB - very analog (no digital enhancements on vocals; no cut & paste; no looping; live instrumentation; very "dry"). It's reminiscent of Me'shell Ndegeocello's "Plantation Lullabies" in that regard. Like that album, I had to put on the head phones to appreciate it. Thank you D'Angelo - love it!!
Welcome back D'Angelo! You were missed and I love your new album. I've been playing it on a loop and just steeping in it. Thank you for the hours of pleasure and the way you use your voice as an instrument of beautiful sound and protest. Kudos!
You know how good this album and song is? This studio version is way too short compared to the insane live versions floating around for the past few years, but I'm not even upset or disappointed. D is knocking it out of the park.
Man, I really dig this tune and D'Angelo. I love that he's the anti-typical R&B singer that are just so unoriginal and overplayed. He's about the music, not the image.
![Thievery Corporation - It Takes a Thief. [Full Album Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ewHRPWaipBQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Man i wish D'Angelo and Prince would've done a whole album together that would've been fire 🎸🎶
After 10 years, I feel like I'm still digesting this record. Feels to me like one of those records that many people won't understand for another 40 years.
The Prince influence in D'Angelo's music is so strong. The unique harmonizing. The production. Man....just so good.
I had this thought today, D'angelo fuzzy phrasing/vocals are also reminiscent of Cocteau twins
I thought I was the only one who thought that.
Yup, the beginning of this track even sounds like Prince's - The Line .
Sly stone too!!
specially that maestro drum machine
The production on this album was insane. He overdubbed his voice in different styles and with different singers. It's very rare to find such a mature and deep album. Hope he continues to put out content.
Marvin Gaye was one the first to do the voice overdub. Love it.
I wish the mixing and mastering was better on this album! You’re right - the performances and vocal arrangements are amazing, it’s just a shame we can barely hear them.
@@pablumpicasso9207 apparently, this album is meant to be listened through headphones. that's when the full experience pulls through & the sonics become incredible.
@@VINOCHILEZI I had it on vinyl and was listening to it on headphones the other night! Kinda suffers from being a muddy and lacking in dynamics. Still a great album despite that nitpick!
@@pablumpicasso9207 i see what you mean! i am actually grateful for this message because i just got a vinyl player & i wanted the first record i purchased to be Black Messiah. i guess i'll just opt for Voodoo! i appreciate you, brother!
Appreciate these artists making good music while they are still around. Don't wait until they have passed.
SAY IT AGAIN
Life changing bassline.
Pino Palladino you're a legend!
The bass line is killin’
Prince is ALIVE AND WELL. in this mans music!!
"All we wanted was a chance to talk. Stead, we only got outlined in chalk."
The charade...
Them 🎼 🔥
Using this lyric clip in my english assignment on Racial Prejudice
"...revealing at the end of the day, The Charade."
D'angelo has always been unintelligible, lol. Ya'll just now figuring that out? For me understanding his lyrics has been the icing on the cake. The harmonies, rhythm and melodies are what get me every time.
Yeah its funny cuz it don't matter a bit. He can moan n hum the whole way thru like a heroin addict n it would still sound great
This is specifically why I love this song. The production and feel of the song is unlike anything else.
What special about it is, the lyrics that DO jump out add so much depth and darkness juxtaposed to the gorgeous melodies and harmonies
shut up
this is art on a high level....
Prince influence on D'Angelo is overstated a lot but you can hear it ALL OVER this track. still absolutely love it, production values on this album are just incredible
Some of you don't get it because youre not really listening which is his point and exactly why he released the lyrics. "Degredition so loud that you can't hear the sound of our cries". There's a powerful message behind the "muffled" sound if people would actually pay attention. '1000 Deaths', 'The Charade', 'Til It's Done', 'Prayer' are all somewhat indecipherable for a reason.
Put perfectly
Truth!
This explanation is brilliant.
Great!
That's it.
This song was purified in the waters of Lake Minnetonka. You can hear "The Kid" all over this track. Grammy well deserved.
In your face Charlie Murphy
Well said.
church!
O yes indeed! ❤❤❤
this is so Prince sounding... I know you dig prince...I love him the most..but be original
The best track on the album. Its classic D! I play this track back to back at the workplace! .
Definately a classic, will be on repeat for awhile #Musicislife
I cannot pick a clear favorite.
Actually, I think it's Another Life.
This is one of those songs that I just can't play only one time.
This isn't a bassline this is a symphony.Groove that starts at 0:40 is a whole ass melody
He killed this on SNL! God bless D'angelo :)
My favorite song. I've had it on repeat for hours. D'Angelo and Questlove came with it on this one. The Prince vibe is amazing. Great job guys!!!!!
This is definitely his most authentically “Prince” song.
This album is changing my life.
D'Angelo and Kendrick need an album togehter
That would bring time itself to a stop
I wish some kind of new soulquarians-esque group would form. I know there won't be another soulquarians, but I wish we could see something similiar.
mila danzy seriously???
mila danzy nooooo.......NOT TIME...
1980starjustice People just fantasizing and shit. I doubt D will absolutely go haywire anyways after this release. He'll just go back in a cave for another 14 years probably. You make some good points though.
I got TEARS in my eyes. I'm sooooo happy D came back and gave us this gift of music. Thank you D. I love this!
D'angelo is the most eloquent, unintelligible person that ever lived. For those who don't get that, fret not, you're not supposed to.
Oh dear, I'm Asian and this song gives me chills. Love it.
+張心哲 Are Asian less chill able than other races? I don't get it
+張心哲 I get it!
+張心哲 It's transcendent and powerful.
That has nothing to do with nothing. Humans feel this here music.
Cheers.
The funk transcends race. Glad you know D'Angelo.
People want so say that race doesn't matter, but it sure is for how we discover music and see the world.
Beautiful words and music. Touches the soul.
1:44 to 2:27 it's eargasm; I love this culmination (coolmination) and the bass pulsing under rising vocal, "The charade / With the veil off our eyes we'll truly see / And we'll march on / And it really won't take too long..." GREAT!
Listening to this album again and whew the synchronies hitting. D’Angelo’s voice and the melody can sometimes make you forget what the lyrics are saying, or the message being told 😮💨🔥
This is a deep song. Lyrically and musically. I'm so happy that we have musicians making real music like this. Thank you D'angelo. Beautifully written song.
I'm always busting into the Raseberry Beret moves to this song lol. I love this song.
And we love ya for it
Now all we need is D and Van Hunt to tour together. Monumental.
Honestly the best r&b album of the last 20 years
For Sure.
Yeah... literally since _Voodoo!_ 😊
love this song!!!!! I get the Prince and sly and the family stone... they all up in through this song. but it also kind of reminds me of Van Hunt's song Dust. The melody.
Made me think of Van Hunt too, especially the lyrics.
MPCre8tive Payton You could hear the lyrics? Mad props to you!
Rane Parish
Lol, they were posted up
i love it...dont care what hes saying....the harmonies and the melody is good enuff for me.
I overstand him just fine! And, I love every word! SANG, D!
The diversity of this album as a whole is ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!!!!!! #MusicHasBeenWaitingOnYourReturn Great song!
Love the (Rest Easy) Prince influence. Music like this is much needed today. Keep going strong D’Angelo.
This song is crazy beautiful, I can't stop listening to it.
I love this one. The lyrics, arrangement and engineering. Dissonance is just part of its' beauty.
By far, the best song of 2014.
A beautiful tribute I would never expect after his death !,in such this truthful artistic commitment I bow to the love ❤️ and sincere talents of God. Thank you D'angelo.
The bass work is top notch.
What a beautiful song. It's got the brilliance of Prince, the serenity of Ravi Shankar, the soul of Stevie, and the heart of relief in the middle of a street festival, hearing something utterly different and feeling big speakers blast through your entire body.
Why ain't this a hit single, or played on the radio?
+Gabriel Matthews because Radio stations don't cater for real talent or to real music lovers nowadays, they just churn out mind numbing teeny shit.
Song with lyrics like this won't get major burn on the radio or on tv. The people who run those outlets would rather try to keep us, specifically dark skinned people, ignorant, self destructive, and powerless. And that's largely what the song is about is us coming up out this mess.
+GazFunkstar "mind numbing teeny shit" Perfect. Ultimate truth.
The radio is designed for a popular audience, they wouldn't understand.
I don't care if its another 10+ years till his next album. It's always well worth the wait. Love it and The Vanguard is amazing!
this song, this album, they're impeccable beyond words
I get a heavy Sly Stone vibe from this dope-ass track.
Sly stone influenced alot of artist Rick James, Prince , just to name a few.
I can hit the road listening to this. So groovy, I need D and Lenny to collaborate.
Thank you D'Angelo for stay true to yourself and Making this album an Mesmerizing and Historical experience. This song is a Masterpiece.
Great job to the song writers, Kendra Foster and D'Angelo. Lyrics are so profound. Melody is dazzling. Pure art. How do you drop such a heavy message, in a song that is perfect for either a long drive or a day at the beach. So dope.
Lyrics
"Crawling through a systematic maze
And it pains to demise
Pain in our eyes
Strain of drownin', wading into your lies
Degradation so loud that you can't hear the sound of our cries (doo, doo)
All the dreamers have gone to the side of the road which we will lay on
Inundated by media, virtual mind fucks in streams
[CHORUS]
All we wanted was a chance to talk
'Stead we only got outlined in chalk
Feet have bled a million miles we've walked
Revealing at the end of the day, the charade
Perpetrators beware say a prayer if you dare for the believers
With a faith at the size of a seed enough to be redeemed (doo doo)
Relegated to savages bound by the way of the deceivers
So anchors be sure that you're sure we ain't no amateurs
[CHORUS]
All we wanted was a chance to talk
'Stead we only got outlined in chalk
Feet have bled a million miles we've walked
Revealing at the end of the day, the charade
[BRIDGE]
With the veil off our eyes we'll truly see
And we'll march on
And it really won't take too long
And it really won't take us very long
Add song meaning
!
Songwriters
Foster, Kendra / Archer, Michael Eugene
Kendra is dope as hell
Thank you so much for the lyrics 💯💯💯💯💯
Lyrics and song are beautiful! I wish D’Angelo’s vocals were a bit easier to understand on this album compared to Voodoo though, lol
Great song. Reminds me "Money Don't Matter 2 Night".
Yes you're right...that little pause before the chorus on this track screams Money Don't Matter 2 Nite! Saw this performed a couple of years back on his comeback tour...the album version has nothing on the live version...amazing track all round!
A million days
Really can't believe no one is talking about the message of this album to our people, valley of dry bones.
I am infatuated with this song
I wish I had 2 more hands so I could give this album 4 thumbs up. Bravo D'Angelo!
@1:57 made me stand up because I knew the climax of the song would be bananas and it was!!! Gigging like is was in church! love this album!!
Few understand the meaning of this song... RIP Terrence Crutcher... Blacks have been living with an illusion of freedom for a good minute, it was all a #charade.... all we wanted was a chance to talk.. instead we only got outlined in chalk.
Isaac Shaw I wish I could love your comment. So true!
We are the true children of Israel! read Deuteronomy 28! D'angelo trying to wake you fools up!
@@DLloydisDFGWake up to what? More like we need to grow up.
Stop spreading nonsense.
This has some of Prince all up IN this song! I'm feelin a bit of the Purple Rain sdtrk in this one...
Seminal album and artist. With Prince gone now I firmly believe this dude is the only one capable to create truly enjoyable soul/rock/funk music.
this is a track...sounds sooo much like prince would have written.....love it
+Tracy Blum wowwwwww...you are on point..how you made this comment 3 days prior!
The song is perfectly tempo matched to 60bpm by the second. And it yet it feels as if it was free time recorded. It's mind blowing.
I had this on serious repeat in 3018 when I discovered it. Got me through! Thankyou.
Sublime.
This is like the best martini plus the best sex plus the best weather on a good hair day all rolled into one!!!
I swear I can hear Rosie Gaines coming in on the chorus blasting. Wow, I am blown away
What a masterpiece of a song. Brilliant.
It's like Prince soul came from the grave and performed this thru D' Angelo.. this is beautifully haunting man. 🔥
This my damn album right here!
A glass of brandy,and im putting this on repeat,,My goodness!!
WOW! Had no idea his album. Just brought two for the support. Big ups D'Angelo. Welcome!
I just discovered this album... im so glad I did. Its great
Reminds me of when I fell in love with music, Like when I felt it for the first time!!!!!! Freakin Phenomenal!!!!
phenomenal! sounds like jimmy was a rock star from commons electric circus album. also Imagine erykah badu vocals in this too!
Love love love this album you definitely hear the grown man....Philly loves you D please come back.
This man is absolutely beautiful.
Isnt he!
The spirit of Prince flows through...
Unlike today's popular RnB - very analog (no digital enhancements on vocals; no cut & paste; no looping; live instrumentation; very "dry"). It's reminiscent of Me'shell Ndegeocello's "Plantation Lullabies" in that regard. Like that album, I had to put on the head phones to appreciate it. Thank you D'Angelo - love it!!
this my favorite song that's not by me!
great to have you back D'angelo! that Vanguard is the truth!
This album is an eargasm amidst an orgy with a choir of angels.
WOW this is unbelievable, what a genius.. #thankyouDAngelo
My eyes well up every time.... beautiful song, powerful message
Pure Genius
Welcome back D'Angelo! You were missed and I love your new album. I've been playing it on a loop and just steeping in it. Thank you for the hours of pleasure and the way you use your voice as an instrument of beautiful sound and protest. Kudos!
Hardcore shit we like here! Lycrics, good taste.
This jam is so profound and then he comes in with those wicked harmonies and the instrumentation and man i love this song!!!!
Oh yeah,a dash of Purple all over the track
My fave song on the album! Very deep!
I'll listen to this one at least 3 times before moving on to the next cut.
This track gets better with each listen.
I'm on my first listen and I love the whole album, great music!! This song remind me of Prince in his prime.
Hope you are well, My pianist mother with a PhD loves this song and your performance on SnL!!
easily the best song in his whole catalog. this is one of the rare originals when everything is pretty much derivative if not a flat out cover.
Everytime i fall in Love with the song! whenever i play it! one of my all time favourites
My christmas present. I coulnt be happier with this album my first one in 10 years!
Can we chaka and d'angelo on something new together. 💜✨💜 Geeesh. Genius. 2019 baby!!!
musical genius....
This is the best Prince song recorded in the past 15 years.
This message is deep! Listen and feel it.
Gives me a Prince type vibe which is why this is my favorite song on the album.
this is so worth the wait!!!!!!
My favourite song from this awesome album !
You know how good this album and song is? This studio version is way too short compared to the insane live versions floating around for the past few years, but I'm not even upset or disappointed. D is knocking it out of the park.
OH MY! This song is just amazing!!!
Man, I really dig this tune and D'Angelo. I love that he's the anti-typical R&B singer that are just so unoriginal and overplayed. He's about the music, not the image.
I can and am listening to this song over and over and over again!