Get all 27 Adeem the Artist releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of ANNIVERSARY, What If We Stayed?, I C U, Home Recordings Vol. 2, White Trash Revelry, Home Recordings Vol. 1, Cast-Iron Pansexual, Merry Christmas, Urgent Care, and 19 more.
1. |
Carolina
03:24
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I started out as a light in my father’s eyes at a Texaco
Mama was working overnights on Sam Wilson Road
She was a madkap, teenage runaway
A year past graduation
She was new in town and he was burning down
The place with infatuation
She fired red hot buckshot distress calls across the parking lot;
A rebel reeling from the feeling of rooting around for a little repose
They chased sunrise with moonshine
After tussling and muttering secrets all night
I started out as a light in Carolina
I started out as a light in my mothers eyes many years ago
In the numbing fires of live wires loose in foster homes
From my grandpa’s fist to my mothers lips,
There’s an ancestral impression
An American inheritance of trauma and depression
She fired red hot buckshot distress calls across the parking lot
A rebel reeling from the feeling of rooting around for a little repose
They chased sunrise with moonshine
After tussling and muttering secrets all night
I started out as a light in Carolina
From the birth canal to the whistle of emergency sirens,
You’ve got a lot of skins to wear as you try to figure out who you are
And it don’t matter what people say
Don’t expect them to understand
Ain’t nobody someone else’s mistake
Life is not always the things you plan
Some of us have childhoods that aren’t poems on sight
But, darlin’, you’re doing alright
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2. |
For Judas
04:28
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Me and Judas down on 6th & Lowry
Outside a cafe when the moonlight fell
It cast itself down, pouring out on the city
What a pity when something so beautiful wastes itself
I took a pull from my wood pipe as the taxicabs drove by,
full of college age women in drag
Yeah they’re all wearing costumes and they all look like children
And they’re blowing us kisses as they pass
I wondered what in the hell in this world could compel
Any creature to smile on a pair like we were
He had short, neat curls that were shadow black
And I was fumbling around with the weather app
Wondering if he could ever love me back
Sometimes these things are hit or miss
With the perfume trails lingering behind
I caught an urge & the nerve to take his hand in mine
And if it didn’t rain at the perfect time,
It’s probable we wouldn’t have kissed
In the NorthEast Minneapolis Arts District
He whispered, “I’m not the kind to lie about leaving”
With me clinging so tight to his chest.
In a notebook on the rough-hewn walnut stand by his mattress
I had drawn ultimatums in a cursive mess.
And then I never told anyone, kept it quiet
Imprisoned by the urgency of the love we shared
Some of our friends say that I’m still alive in it
But others don’t believe that I was ever anywhere
I gave my body and blood for the power of love
And hoped that I would conquer sin
But I never even rose again
Then by the light of a wasteful moon, too familiar
You sold me out for some pieces of silver
But still I loved the feel of your lips
And i never wanted more than this: to kiss you in public
To openly say that I loved it
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3. |
Heritage of Arrogance
04:29
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I grew up on Thomas Fight
It was lined with rebel flags
Mom and Dad tried to teach me wrong from right
But their compasses were bad
I saw the Klan once with a child's eyes
Down the street where I would play
And angry Black people on the other side of the road with clenched fists raised
Just two sides of a coin, the Klan and the APC
That’s the kind of bullshit that our daddies said to you and me
But I been listening
Trying to keep myself from dismissing
Perspectives that I struggle to relate with
I been learning our true history and I hate it
Two sides of a coin implies there ain’t no better side
It says racism and justice are equally justified
And I know I didn’t ask to be born white
Wasn’t taught the world was so goddamn unjust
But it’s on us to make it right
I got saved at the Baptist Church
When I said the sinners prayer
Came to service with momma
And they’s only white people there
I saw Rodney King on the TV screen
Turn slowly into Trayon
I heard my parents make excuses
For the man who fired the gun
Two sides of a coin, Jesus Christ and White Supremacy
Looking back, it don’t make any sense to me
But I been listening
Trying to keep myself from dismissing
Perspectives that I struggle to relate with
And I been learning our true history and I hate it
Two sides of a coin implies there ain’t no better side
Says racism and justice are equally justified
I mean, I never worked the auction block or joined the Christian Knights
Never called someone a racial epithet at a traffic light
And I know we never asked to be born white
We were not taught the world was so goddamn unjust but it’s on us to make it right
Our inheritance is a heritage of arrogance and unchecked oppression
We can dismantle this if you can stand with us- siblings, our daddies never understood this lesson
And I swear that I don’t mean that as a slight
They were not taught the world was so goddamn unjust but it’s on us to make it right
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4. |
Painkillers & Magic
03:34
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We used to go down to Aunt Peggie’s house
Played in the dirt by the single wide trailer
it up the church when the spirit fell
Speaking in tongues of angels
Marty’s on the drink again
We reach out towards him from the sanctuary
Some folks sing or shout
And the room gets loud until it all sounds scary
This coalescing of holiness & horror
Addiction, loss, & blessing
Painkillers & magic,
Methamphetamines & spiritual madness
I watch with the eyes of a child as it happens
through the lens of these memories of white trash revelry
Painkillers & magic
Peggy has a soft voice
Singing from the porch while I play with the boys
Though the fabric of memory,
She stands in front of me
Gentle and sad and rejoicing
Praise be the lord’s savage sorcery
This coalescing of holiness & horror,
Addiction, loss, & blessing
Painkillers and magic,
Methamphetamines and spiritual madness
I watch with the eyes of a child as it happens
Through the lens of these memories all our white trash revelry
Painkillers & magic
Hallelujah
When I ached in the darkness alone on my knees
Hallelujah
I would plead for God’s mercy to wash over me
Hallelujah
I was a child and I heard nothing,
But I hear Peggie sing, “hallelujah” ceaselessly
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5. |
Run This Town
02:44
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We’re gonna start on city council
And then aim for a mayoral seat
Slowly make our way to the county
Until we’ve got a cool majority
I’ve been spending my time designing signs, wearing ties in high profile galleries
we’re gonna run this town into the goddamn ground but we’re gonna run it
We’re gonna get ourselves a friend in the sheriff
I’m gonna learn his momma’s name
Get my way into the pocket of the clerics
Lord knows they got a lot of spare change
Yeah I been concocting a plan that I reckon can change the social landscape
We’re gonna run this town into the goddamn ground but we’re gonna run it
We’re gonna brunch with a bunch of fascists
We’re gonna fast with the activists
Do a dance to court the favor the masses
‘Till we finally get ourselves elected
Yeah the revolution can be a corporate hand of the man if we pick up the language
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6. |
Baptized In Well Spirits
03:19
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My daddy kept his hope in a reservoir
Whiskey distilled in a mason jar
Taught me everything I about breaking hearts
And how getting back up is the hardest part
My momma had faith and wore it well
But it didn’t fit me when I was raising hell
And around 16 I finally figured out
There was one way to be free
I could follow my heart to heaven
The wayward down to hell
Or tuck my way into some middle ground
Between my whiskey jar and the heart of God,
There’s a simple understanding:
I’ll be drinking when I’m happy & praying when I’m sad;
Baptized in well spirits
Then Friday night on the Johnny Cash show,
We were bathing in the light of the TV glow
He sang, “Walk the line” and he sang it slow
Like he knew what was on my mind
Then Sunday morning the preacher said
“You just listen to the words in red”
Well, I read Jesus turned the water into wine
I could follow my heart to heaven
The wayward down to hell
Or tuck my way into some middle ground
Between my whiskey jar and the heart of God,
There’s a simple understanding:
I’ll be drinking when I’m happy & praying when I’m sad;
Baptized in well spirits
I found the road that split towards good or evil
And knew I’d have to carve another way
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7. |
Middle Of A Heart
04:00
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Daddy’s gonna buy me a brand new gun
Show me how to clean it in the yard
Papaw says he can’t wait to see me fire with that steady arm
A couple hours of waiting and some heavy concentration,
Put a bullet through the middle of a heart
Everybody’s gonna be so glad to see the freezer full of fresh deer meat
Mama’s gonna be so proud of me when we get back to the farm
Nights get longer,
Days get hard
I learn to put a bullet through the middle of a heart
Carlene asked if she could marry me
Driving round in daddy’s car
I gave her my graduation ring
Down by the lumber yard
I felt the violent hit of her passionate kiss
Like a bullet through the middle of a heart
Everybody’s gonna be so glad to see her down the aisle our wedding
Mama’s gonna be so proud of me spinning round to a steel guitar
But nights get longer
& days get hard
It hits like a bullet through the middle of a heart
Daddy paid his service ‘till his time was due
His buddy recruits these days
Says I can make my Country proud
And get my education paid
Face them fears, make it 3 years, and buddy, you’ll have it made
Everybody’s gonna be so glad to see me wearing that robe with my degree
Mama’s gonna be so proud of me- God bless the USA
But nights get longer,
Days stay hard
& I learn to bullet through the middle of a heart
I didn’t have a grudge to bear with any of the people there
But I still came home haunted by the lives my duty cost
I felt the bullets tip against my rib
And put a bullet through the middle of a heart
Everybody’s gonna be so sad to see that flag disappear into the earth with me
Mama, do you think you still believe I’ll see the face of God?
Night gets longer,
The light goes dark,
I’ve learned to put a bullet through the middle of a heart
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8. |
Going To Hell
02:58
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Do you really wanna go to heaven
When we get this rapture started?
Or do you want to go to hell, children,
With Adeem the Artist?
We’re gonna dance around on the fiery ground
Devil gonna fiddle out a bluegrass sound
A ruckus that’d made Charlie Daniels proud
They play country songs in heaven
But in hell, they play ‘em loud
I met the devil down at the crossroads
And I asked if we could make a deal
He seemed puzzled so I told him the story
And he said, “None of that shit’s real.
It’s true I met Robert Johnson, now
He showed me how the blues could work
But white folk would rather give the devil praise
Than acknowledge a black man’s worth.”
Do you really wanna go to heaven
When we get this rapture started?
Or do you want to go to hell, children,
With Adeem the Artist?
We’re gonna dance around on the fiery ground
Devil gonna fiddle out a bluegrass sound
A ruckus that’d made Charlie Daniels proud
They play country songs in heaven
But in hell, they play ‘em loud
He said, “I give you only freedom
And I ask you use it well
Love ain’t just some feeling- it’s a god dang magic spell”
So we sat down in the darkness
And played some songs together
But we wouldn’t make no deal with me
And that’s why I’m not better
Do you really wanna go to heaven when we get this rapture started?
Or do you want to go to hell, children, with Adeem the Artist?
We’re gonna dance around on the fiery ground
Devil’s gonna holler blood harmonies out
Try and make the Louvin Brothers proud
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9. |
Redneck, Unread Hicks
03:53
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Everybody gather round, we got another one here
It’s got the pronouns listed, it’s a genuine queer
Singing “Black Lives Matter” to a Jimmie Rodgers melody, y’all
Well, these rednecks & unread hicks ain’t the same around here anymore
I got the lotus sutra loaded, shoot you straight in the ear
I’m liable, talking Bible with Rumi in a field
Get out the red book hymnal, scream, shout, & dance all night
Well, us rednecks & unread hicks screaming, “Free Palestine!”
I’ve been breaking my back and, no, that’s not what I mean
The sanctity of marriage ain’t a black & white thing
Reckon’ my love’s more sacred than Donald Trumps 3rd go around
Well these rednecks & unread hicks
In a backyard with two wedding gowns
There’s a trans femme trans am mandolin riff
A firebird, registered socialist
But they’ll still out drink you on a Tennessee Saturday Night- from an old fruit jar
Yeah, these rednecks & unread hicks organizing protest in the trailer park
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10. |
Books & Records
04:28
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We've been selling off our books and records,
instruments our grandparents played
We've been selling off our books and records,
but we're gonna buy them back some day
For the last two years the rent keeps getting higher
and our neighbors all have cars we can't afford
I'm working two jobs now and, brother, I stay tired
but we could always stand to make a little more
The way it goes I doubt we'll be here by December
We both know there's gonna have to be a break
I priced my blood to try and turn back on our power
Oh, Lord, there's got to be a better way
We've been selling off our books and records,
instruments our grandparents played
We've been selling off our books and records,
but we're gonna buy them back some day
These past few winters have been harder than expected
Unknown numbers call us all hours of the day
Both been learning how to cook our suppers cheaper
and stretch it out until we get paid
The way it goes, I doubt we ever will retire
but the cast iron will be seasoned well by then
And if we're lucky we'll have moments by the fire
put some records on and read a book again
We've been selling off our books and records,
instruments our grandparents played
We've been selling off our books and records,
but we're gonna buy them back some day
and down at Tommy's Pawn, there's an unheard song
buried in my grandpa's guitar
by a box of antique photos I got when granny Marie passed on
We learned hard to take it on the chin
Get our bills caught up in time to fall behind again
We've been selling off our books and records,
instruments our grandparents played
We've been selling off our books and records,
but we're gonna buy them back some day
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11. |
My America
03:17
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Things are not the way that I remember
The world around me ages every day
I don’t recognize the person standing in my mirror
Looking older now and angry and afraid
Do the places I found meaning still mean anything at all?
Do the values I’ve upheld hold any value now?
I am worried my America will die when I do
And there won’t be nothing left of me when I am not around.
When I was young, we didn’t have the internet
Or corporations censoring our words
I sit and scroll at night in the soft, blue cell phone light
As the lines that divide fiction from reality are blurred
I work too many hours to research everything
There’s just so many minutes of the day
I’m wary of the jokers and the koolaid dipped joint smokers
You can’t believe a god damn thing they say
And the media wants money more than telling me the truth
Journalists farming clicks with shock headlines
I am worried for my children, though I don’t know how to tell them
And what this world will look like when my America has died?
And you can call me a hypocrite,
Or a white supremacist, whatever helps you sleep
But I don’t where I fit into this,
Unless I now decide to relearn everything?
Do the places I found meaning still mean anything at all?
Do the values I’ve upheld hold any value now?
I am worried and afraid in a myriad of ways
And I want to see the future but I don’t know how
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Adeem the Artist Tennessee
Adeem is a seventh-generation Carolinian, a makeshift poet, singer-songwriter, storyteller, and blue-collar Artist.
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