Get all 10 Ola Onabulé releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Point Less, It's The Peace That Deafens, Love For Sale - An all-Vocal Track, SEVEN SHADES DARKER, THE DEVOURED MAN, IN EMERGENCY, BRAKE SILENCE, AMBITIONS FOR DEEPER BREADTH, PRECIOUS LIBATIONS FOR SILENT GODS, and 2 more.
1. |
Never Known
05:02
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NEVER KNOWN
Ola Onabule © 2006
Smart Brother with an Afro like a halo round his head,
Still marching to the rhythm of a hero that hate beat dead
Heard his kin in the gutter call a damn good woman a bitch
Says I thought we’d all gone a little further,
Why you scratching that same old itch
Forgive me if I preach
But don’t he wanna reach
For what the world can teach him
(the guy says...)
This ignorance is bliss
There’s not a thing I miss
But listening to this hymn
It’s like this
Coz I don’t wanna know, I don’t ever ask,
And because I don’t ask
It’s never owned
So if it isn’t for me, I won’t even look
And because I don’t look
It’s never known.
Sister with aspirations, to inspire other lives
If only she can hold it, past the school yard hunting knives.
Every kids got a story, how they had to get a bigger blade
Cos being real cool doesnt cut it,
You make your mark with the right upgrade
She’ll try to make them see
How different it can be
Study without cold feet on
(the kids say...)
This ignorance is bliss
Are you trying to diss
Next on the lists a big gun
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2. |
Where The Past Goes
05:07
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WHERE THE PAST GOES ( like a be bop singer)
Ola Onabule © 2006
VERSE 1
She can’t know what I’m thinking
while I watch her flash chichi smiles
Watch her work the room, reel em in for miles
A whole lifetime we, don’t get one another
and we just don’t care,
We act as though we do, when she works the room.
I know I’m gonna pay for it,
there’ll come a day I’ll have to pay for it
I’ve been putting bits away for it
Inside my mind.
CHORUS
I held my ground, far too long
I got stuck saying no,
Let no sentiments grow
Where new renditions of the past go
When after all That time is gone
Hope I’ll just let it slide
A weight off my mind,
I can let it all go, where the past goes, when it goes
VERSE 2
Somewhere deep within
I feel a version of a love for her,
And from what she’ says, she’s not behind by far
I’m learning how to roll with it
It’s not easy, I’ll grow into it
If I just make more than history fit
Inside my mind
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3. |
The Devoured Man
04:30
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THE DEVOURED MAN
Ola Onabule © 2006
VERSE 1
Back in the day he was so cool
Virtue like a glistening jewel
proud of being incorruptible,
Now he won’t scrutinize his soul
And what he’s chosen not to know
Beneath a mask of denial and stone
CHORUS
Its the motion, of stagnation
A wink from temptation
the skirts of wind blown caution
That devalue a man
Greeds belly rumbles
We pause in vain fumbles
A minutes silence in the jungle
For the devoured man
VERSE 2
We know he’ll want to justify
With protestation, testify
We get in line for all he’s left behind
If he behaves it wont be far
It’s just a heartbreaks drive by car
close enough to learn whose loving her
MID 8
Was it fragile pride, it never falls with grace
It can quit without a single trace
Leaving all it ever craved with bright red hands
Was he an honest man, who planned to slay his price
Till his price came calling more than twice.
Guess now there aint the slightest doubt he understands
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4. |
This Fool Again
04:13
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THIS FOOL AGAIN
Ola Onabule © 2006
VERSE 1
It’s the girl with the hapless plan,
To pursue sweet revenge.
She’s resigned to do all she can,
To execute a tragic end.
Her bouquet of seduction floats
past the traps of her eyes
Feel her senses all taking notes
She speaks her truth, but I hear lies
CHORUS 1
If I get out of this and heaven spares my life
Then I swear I’ll never be this fool again
I can’t stay ever green or somewhere down the line
I just know I’m bound to meet this fool again
In places just like this.
Now my mind’s playing chess with me
I’m not doing so well
I imagine what she can see
Our room in her very own hell
When she smiles I hear exits shut
And I know that it’s time,
If this moment belongs to hurt
then good luck was never quite mine
Message to myself, at your peril ignore
That you must never stand in for this fool again
So bold yet so naive, it’s time you knew the score
One more slip like this you’ll lose this fool again
this time, for good, for sure
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5. |
Groove To The Lie
04:09
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GROOVE TO THE LIE
Ola Onabule © 2006
VERSE 1
He was the small guy, with a big gun,
From a small town, sent to the strange lands
Was singing ‘get down’, now it’s stay down,
sometimes stand down and other commands
Thinking where’d it all go wrong,
I can kill poor people, Can’t make them rich or strong
Damned if I do, damned if I don’t
Makes him wanna...
CHORUS
Put a groove to the lie, they’re not like us
They don’t really get peace
Put a funk to the shots yeah!, from all those guns
coz they love on the wrong beat.
Lets put some hip in the heads
of Mr. Man, we chose to play us just right
Put a groove to the lie yeah yeah!, that love is dead
Because it’s missing tonight
verse 2
He gets the white lies, on the black days
Where the bloods red, whatever shade you are
He gets the gizmos, so he can unload
Then return home, no internal scars
How did he get back here,
We’ve all got protection but live in total fear
Fear over there, war over here
Makes you wanna
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6. |
Miracle Obstacle
06:10
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MIRACLE OBSTACLE
Ola Onabule © 2006
VERSE 1
He feels that energy,
And It’s the best shot he’s had in a really long while
from the contortions of her racy body
He knows that he’s about to
be the man of his dreams and her dreams too
It’s out of control, the feelings grown,
he wants to pick the cherries to go and lets her know
But he’s got no accessories, so she tells him no Sirree
You can’t get in, without a permit
Obstacle to the miracle, Just a miraculous obstacle
VERSE 2
He’s off into the night
his destination being seven-eleven yeah
Where the storekeeper could chat all night,
‘Bout anything from sport to
whats been on TV and on radio 2
He’s losing control and says ‘Man I’ve got to go’.
Things I’ve got to tend to at home, so here’s your dough
Then he rushes back prayerfully, Hope she’s waiting expectantly
But He can’t get in, he’s blown the permit
Obstacle to the miracle, just a miraculous obstacle
MID 8
Raging and disbelieving, he let his, sure thing fall apart
Aching, parts of him aching, knows for sure, one is his heart
OUTRO
Just about to lay good lovin on the line,
When your kid walks in, and now you’re not doing so fine
Communicating so well, you thought you were in the zone
But your friend stepped in and soon he will be taking her home
You’ve sacrificed for her love you can’t do enough
But her daddy doesnt dig you so she’s calling the whole thing off
He thinks for definite, in her heart he was the king
Then finds no such thing as a sure thing
if it’s not a happening thing
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7. |
Truce Baby
05:11
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TRUCE BABY
Ola Onabule © 2006
VERSE 1
Oh we were dead in sync tonight
near thinking with one mind
Oh But now our rhythm’s not so tight
and nothing else seems aligned
So I find myself working burning up all senses,
And I’m twisting and turning, throwing up defences,
The hell is this...
CHORUS
I call a truce baby
Put this time to sweeter use maybe
If there is a perfect time to fight
I know it’s not tonight
Bring on that truce baby
VERSE 2
Oh Now I feel misunderstood
And I don’t care to be kind
Oh Gave all the fighting chance I could
Sweet harmony you declined
Now you’re gonnna get all that trouble you’ve had coming
You’ll need twisting and turning, keep on running, saying
MID 8
Come the whole way, to the mid way
And I’ll meet you there.
We’ll cross our hearts and we’ll say, swear from this day
We’ll have no more storms in here
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8. |
True Friends
07:25
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TRUE FRIENDS
Ola Onabule © 2006
VERSE 1
Shake it off, shake off the feeling
That notions helpless without you, so get back to believing
It’s a straight up hustle, you get to pay to bow
If you keep it in play, you’ll never see your happy ending out
Tune it out, I said, tune out the static
Don’t let it loose in your mind, And take the place of your logic
Losers give opinions, on winning and success
Whatever gets them talking, that’s what separates you from the rest
Ask what you have... everything
Ask what you’re worth... I’d say everything
if you don’t know that, it’s not worth a thing
And those tears will flow, with each hurtful sting
CHORUS
Where you go do they know of your dignity
And the way you defend those you love
Or the quickness of your generousity
Are these true friends that you’re speaking of,
Get it on, get on with living.
You owe nobody a thing, good has been long in the coming
So like headless chickens, let them run amok
Trying to figure out exactly how you came by such amazing luck
What would they give... everything
To be where you are... I’d say everything
if you don’t know that, it’s not anything
But how gentle hearts get to struggling
MID 8
You’re gonna say, say I’m wrong, then try to ask me more, whys and wherefores,
It’s just the way it is, the way it’s always been.
You make it hard, Or not at all
Just as simple as you want it to be
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9. |
My Other Prayer
05:48
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MY OTHERPRAYER
Ola Onabule © 2006
VERSE 1
I’ve never prayed here, it’s miles from my deep fears
I rise, rub the sleep clear, I’m fine, undeniably
My world fits like a good glove, but what I’m mostly proud of
Is how it seems to just work, no fuss, uncomplicatedly
CHORUS
Go where you will, you’ll always be where you’re meant to be
Seems like I’ve found a prayer that you were meant to be with me
Ask what you will, you’ll only get what was always yours
And so my other prayer Is what we have was always ours
VERSE 2
Still disbelieving, we’ve chanced on such a good thing
that gives life true meaning, no doubt, universally.
And so in that spirit I’m thankful each minute,
Could have all been so very different, no you, inconceivably
MID 8
Go where you will, Ask what you will, Do what you will
It’s gonna be the way, it’s meant to be!
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10. |
The Detail
05:29
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DETAIL
Ola Onabule © 2006
VERSE 1
They’ve got people making up just what to believe
Till you believe enough to simply leave things be, yeah
And there’ others with a take on how to survive
Till you’re trusting that they care if you’re alive, yeah
Lately you’ve begun to question why
The wool from over your eyes
You don’t like what you see,
But they say
Certainly it would appear the truth is being twisted, wasted distorted
We don’t think that you should get hung up on detail, do you.
Yes it would appear our facts have been a little way off, way out, and waylayed
But we don’t think that you should get hung up on detail, do you.
VERSE 2
Now they got you wondering who really is real
The baddie can be cool, the goody’s a bad actor
And all that charm is making you forget what you feel
They spun you in with smoke then out with a big fire
Lately you’ve begun to feel short changed
All the best bits were staged
You don’t like it one bit
but they say
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11. |
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WHO ARE YOU
Ola Onabule © 2006
He had a dye job, to make him stand out,
this little despot, In a fluorescent coat.
He said...
I was a hoodlum, there could be no doubt, Just for returning home,
by continental boat ,
returning to my home
I don’t mind, stuff is happenning all the time
But the drift of my soliloquy may be,
Not a one, of any one, I counted on,
Steps up to the line for me
Born alone, Dies alone
But doesn’t figure on fighting all alone
Oh who are you, what are you doing here, living like Me
Yes I am you, being those things that you won’t dare to be
Who the hell are you!
It’s not America, back in the twenties,
How can he do this, I wanna cut him bad
And my...
Mist is reddening, my teeth are clenching, I need to drive off,
before he drives me mad,
All around the bend
still they’re not here, lights are on but not upstairs
And the soul of their philosophy may be
If I’m alright then it’s alright for every one
the hells it got to do with me
Born alone, Dies alone
They never figure on fighting all alone
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12. |
Back Home
05:15
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BACK HOME
Ola Onabule © 2006
VERSE 1
Time breaks into my heart, steals my last remaining hope
Doubts grow hazing the light of my memories of home
They no longer know me, I’ve been gone too long
And now I know, that love’s been long gone
CHORUS
I’ll ever be the one that left
Ever the great outsider, fallen angel
flying my pride in fortunes face
A fall from grace
Who needs that kind back home
VERSE 2
No more desperate aims to redeem my shattered name
I just can’t keep tryin to explain that I’ve always been the same
By now they ought to know me, without compromise
But if they don’t, I can’t live those lies
MID 8
Home, home was a place where
someone elses dreams for me never came true
Home to me now is where ever I breathe
VERSE 3
Are they thinking of me, can they still recall
How we were, before the fall
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Ola Onabulé UK
Ola’s new album, POINT LESS has been critically received worldwide. The new
album is on the DownBeat list of Best Albums of 2019. .
Onabulé is a rugged individualist, a deeply soulful musician. Possessing an emotional intensity and vocal virtuosity, a poignant storyteller and capacity to cross cultural and musical boundaries with an unflinching lyrical pursuit of truth and justice.
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