music by Jordan Katz, Charlyne Yi, MC Lars and Samarei
lyrics by MC Lars, Watsky and Charlyne Yi
CHORUS:
CHARLYNE: I was never afraid (x4)
VERSE 1:
LARS:
On a big blue couch in the corner of the kitchen,
we went on many missions and amazing expeditions
fying through the pages on that Magic School Bus,
Shel Silverstein rode shortgun, but it was up to us
to peel apart the layers and search for the dragons
the cats wearing hats, Curious George and Peter Rabbit
the newest freshest books? Mom always brought them home
then in high school it was Steinbeck, Keats and Edgar Allan Poe
WATSKY: Don’t let the memories fade, we’ve got to make them last
I was still a baby when Grandma Katy passed
and passed on her hardcover novels,
with the Sutherlin nameplates, our family gospel
‘cause I’m not sure if the lord is above,
but I know that your mother is alive in the stories you love
that you read to us when we were little, until we were grown
and I’m gonna pass them on when I’ve got some kids of my own
(Kids of my own)
CHORUS:
CHARLYNE: I was never afraid
LARS: (of the monsters in the closet, it would be alright)
CHARLYNE: I was never afraid
LARS: (reading Goosebumps up in Tahoe on those summer nights)
CHARLYNE: I was never afraid
WATSKY: (of a moaning ghost, or of a pile bones)
CHARLYNE: I was never afraid WATSKY: (even when the floorboards groaned)
LARS:
Did Stuart Little give up? (No!) He always persevered
you came on stage at Warped Tour, remember how they cheered? and unlike Jackie Paper I’ll be back to Honalee
to play you my new demos, ‘cause you’re so honest with me
at home you won’t put up with that rapper ego crap,
‘cause to you I’m still Andrew, and I’ll always treasure that
I’d choose my own adventure, it’s taken me so far
ghostriding giant peaches, catching seagulls with these bars
WATSKY:
Keep all your nickles and dimes, feed me your riddles and rhymes,
read me your Wrinkle in Time, build me a bridge out to Terabithia, meet me at nine
on the mysterious island, right at the scene of the crime
come with Captain Nemo, but I’m emo, don’t leave me behind
staring at the sun out on the cape until we’re legally blind
freeze any Mutiny on the Bounty, just cary me there,
out by Where the Red Fern Grows and just bury me there
(Bury me there)
CHORUS:
CHARLYNE: I was never afraid
LARS: (of the Twits or the Grinch or even Captain Hook)
CHARLYNE: I was never afraid
LARS: (of Boggis, Bunce or Bean, no I was never shook)
CHARLYNE: I was never afraid
WATSKY: (of the Grendel or of Ichabod Crane)
CHARLYNE: I was never afraid WATSKY: (even when the Tripods came)
CHARLYNE: Now suddenly,
for the first time,
I’m ready to be loved
VERSE 3:
LARS:
And If I ever have kids, I’ll read them Stega Nona
Lyle Lyle Crocodile, Matilda and Ramona
WATSKY:
I’ll never give ‘em the back of my hand,
give ‘em the Giver, the River, Hatchet and Raggedy Ann
LARS:
And even as a rap fiend, mama
you always kept my hats clean, mama
WATSKY:
Even though we have seen drama,
you always had the vaccine, mama
CHORUS:
CHARLYNE: I was never afraid
LARS: (of gettin’ lost in Narnia because we had a map)
CHARLYNE: I was never afraid
LARS: (in those Oakland Hills sitting on my mama’s lap)
CHARLYNE: I was never afraid
WATSKY: (in Jumanji, or of Anansi)
CHARLYNE: I was never afraid WATSKY: (there’s no Ork or Morlock that haunts me)
supported by 35 fans who also own “Never Afraid (featuring Watsky)”
Couldn't have made "BURNER" without the Nerdcore genre this man started. Love this O.G.'s exasperated take on the modern internet, and hope he hasn't given it up entirely! Laurence Warner
supported by 25 fans who also own “Never Afraid (featuring Watsky)”
I love this whole album: It just captures a wide range of experiences and affects the listener with a wide range of emotions.
I first liked this album because of the nerdcore elements, but I fell in love when I realized that these verses were true poetry, speaking to a deeper truth and beauty unlike most hip-hop I've heard. "A Poet" exemplifies this with its bittersweet message about how poetry is not valued. This is the first hip-hop tune I've ever shed a tear over.
Take a bow, Mega Ran. platinumazure
The Philadelphia rapper turns the children's music formula on its head with old-school beats and sharp life lessons. Bandcamp Album of the Day Sep 13, 2023