Step Up
(B. Mosley)
appears on Light & Blood
Something made me want to put as many syllables as possible into a single song…or at least it seems like that, looking back at this one. With the ink still wet, I played it for a friend and he dubbed it “Hick-Hop”. I was just writing what I felt and following my gut. I didn’t really know what made things sound ‘right’ or ‘cool’ or ‘interesting’ or ‘not boring’. In the mid-2000s, I just knew how I felt—as if for the first time—and had to say it. In fact, it would be quite a few years before I got much of an idea how to write verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus.
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I ain’t pourin’ my heart in no hole in your soul if you spit it out. Kinda gotta get a little further back ’cause I’m steppin’ up wide feelin’ no fear ’cause I’m here like I’d rather get busted up tryin’ to live before I die. Can’t leave anywhere ’til I go there I swear. Found out it’s about gettin’ rid ‘a your silly little fears.
Step up and come right here.
Step up so what you’re scared.
Step up and share your tears.
Step up I know you hear me.
Womens can you hear me?
Long as you live in fear, stiff and scared you’re gonna fuck up every man’s life who comes near. Even a man who could stand up and see and believe in the need to feel you. You give life just by smiling and kill it and defile it by closing your heart. Can I get an Amen? Can’t be gettin’ the ducks beak to butt ’til Woman learns to let the man love ’em up close enough to heaven in a rocket sled I said, girl. Bring your sins. Just bring ’em on in here. I’m not the promised land, just a man. But I fit in your hand – letcha hold me if you think you can afford to feel a lotta Right Now. ‘Cause that’s how I bring it. A smart piece of meat, and candid treat. Don’t wanna forget it.
Step up and come right here.
Step up so what you’re scared.
Step up and share your tears.
Step up I know you hear me.
You wanna be known don’tcha? Won’tcha own it? You’re only gonna live so long so hold control or shine out. Either or. What’s it gonna be? ‘Cause I believe I’ll dive in your eyes and start up a fire. Take you ridin’ higher than you thought you could ever go. Feel your soul moanin’. Seein’ you be here like you mean it. Lover, just gotta uncover the things that fly inside you. My, my. Don’t blame a man if you can’t stand still for the feelin’ that you’re real. And you’re thrillin’ me. Open your eyes when you cry out. It’s about Now and Time’s a big fat lie. I could pin you down but I found we got a better chance of headin’ home if you stand on your own two feet and jump when I do. Up in sky where the why and the who groove. Move your soul. There’s a whole mundo we don’t know ’til we go and we go there together. ‘Cause we can’t begin to dig within beyond without each other. Too big for one to know or go alone about unlovered. Same kind of thing as when the Rain and Sun give up the colors.
Step up and come right here
Step up so what you’re scared
Step up your fear ain’t fair
Step up I know you hear me