But the first real song on the EP is a sobering track, “blue hands.” Written as a response to the 2016 killing of 23-year-old mother Korryn Gaines, duendita bellows a mournful six-line incantation for the protection of black girls and women from police violence. Although it begs for more time to sit with this dulcet lamentation, the song’s brevity allows its lyrics to be unpacked with each quick listen. Her breathy ad-libs mist over the track as if she’s gasping for air but her sadness turns optimistic as she warbles the lingering phrase, “I wish you a long, long, long black life.” Her sisters can disappear at the hands of cops with ease, but with “blue hands,” she brings them visibility and places the humanity of women at the forefront. This level of intention is present in all of duendita’s songwriting as she wades through a cascade of feelings.
At times, the ebb and flow of the EP can sound like one continuous mega-track, but that cohesiveness is a sign of duendita’s fluidity. She falls apart in the pursuit of romance, the blows of anxiety, and finds solace in her ever-present spirituality. It’s an emotional depth reminiscent of the soul legend Sade—one that’s honest and backed by music that’s equally as pure.
The album amounts to an enormous statement from an artist who values small, intimate details. In a few videos on her Instagram account, deundita sits with her microphone, keyboard, and drum machine and experiments with acoustic notes like the celestial ones she created for the EP. On the wistful ballad “September,” she plays cinematic chords that wail like singing bowls. She ends her first opus strong with the vulnerable cut “Bury Me” as her hums fade-out in harmony. direct line to My Creator leaves a margin for imperfection and its sometimes patchy vocals and odd notes are symbols of truth. In duendita’s openness about lovers, grief, and racial oppression, the singer starts the work of reclaiming her birthright of joy and healing. She makes it feel possible for the rest of us.
Pray
duendita Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd get so high that's just the way it goes
They don't tell you when you're young how much it sucks to be numb
I feeling fine you know I'm feeling good
I got your broad imback to my hood
They don't tell you when you're dumb how fun it is to get numb
Never forget your place try to look
Never forget to pray
I pray to my dad and my mom cause they're both the same
I pray for my homies
I pray for the girls that feel lonely
I pray for you, for me, for everything that's ever gone
I pray
You know at night I pray
You know at night I pray for you
You know I pray for you
You know I pray for you
I'm feeling blue you know I'm in that mood.
All then by 40 I'm the averdue
They don't tell you when you're young how much it sucks to be numb
I'm feeling big you know I'm feeling strong
I guide your, he knows all my songs
They don't tell you when your dumb how fun it is to get numb
Never forget your place try to look
Up cause the answers are in your face
Never forget to pray
I pray to my dad and my mom cause they're both the same
I pray for my homies
I pray for the girls that feel lonely
I pray for you, for me, for everything that's ever gone
I pray You know at night I pray
You know at night I pray for you
You know I pray for you
You know I pray for you
Get lost to somebody before the world ends
Grab the first human being you see, tell them you love them.
Get lost to somebody before this shit ends
Grab the first human being you see, tell them you love them.
Duendita's song "Pray" explores feelings of numbness, low mood, and the simultaneous desire to escape and be present. The lyrics reflect the struggles of feeling lost and disconnected in a world where one is told to constantly strive for success and happiness. The opening lines express the singer's dissatisfaction with their current state, and their tendency to turn to substance use as a means of escape. The following lines express the realization that this escape only leads to emptiness and a numbness that further exacerbates their feelings of loneliness and despair.
However, the chorus brings a glimmer of hope in the form of prayer. The singer acknowledges the importance of connecting with loved ones and oneself through prayer as a means of finding greater meaning and purpose in life. They provide a glimpse into the personal connections they have with their parents, friends, and all that surrounds them. The line "Never forget to pray" is a reminder to us all to take the time to connect with our loved ones and ourselves through prayer, as a way of clarifying our values, and centering ourselves in the face of the overwhelming noise and stimuli of the world around us.
The final verse is a call to action, a reminder that time is fleeting and that we must connect with others and tell them we love them while we still have the chance. The repetition of these lines emphasizes the urgency of our need to love and be loved, and to find meaning in our connections with others. Overall, Duendita's "Pray" is a powerful reminder of the importance of vulnerability, self-reflection, and human connection in navigating the complex and challenging world we live in today.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm feeling down you know I'm feeling low
I'm feeling sad and depressed
I'd get so high that's just the way it goes
I tend to use substances to cope with my emotional state
They don't tell you when you're young how much it sucks to be numb
No one tells you how detrimental emotional numbness can be
I feeling fine you know I'm feeling good
I am in a positive emotional state
I got your broad imback to my hood
I have my significant other with me, back in my hometown
They don't tell you when you're dumb how fun it is to get numb
No one warns you how enjoyable it can be to self-medicate
Never forget your place try to look Up cause the answers are in your face
Always try to have a positive perspective and remember that solutions can often be found around you
Never forget to pray
Always remember to take time to reflect on and connect with a higher power
I pray to my dad and my mom cause they're both the same
I pray to the universal parent figure as a symbol of support and guidance
I pray for my homies
I pray for my friends and companions
I pray for the girls that feel lonely
I pray for those who are feeling isolated and alone, particularly women
I pray for you, for me, for everything that's ever gone
I pray for myself and others, as well as for all past experiences
You know at night I pray
I often pray during the night
You know at night I pray for you
I pray for a specific person during the night
You know I pray for you
I frequently pray for a particular individual
I'm feeling blue you know I'm in that mood
I am feeling sad and melancholy
All then by 40 I'm the averdue
I feel pressure to achieve certain milestones, such as having a family, before reaching age 40
Get lost to somebody before the world ends
Connect with someone on a deep level before it is too late
Grab the first human being you see, tell them you love them.
Express love and affection for others without hesitation
Writer(s): Candace Lee Camacho, Livelle Collins
Contributed by William D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TheCannonable
such an amazing song, def needs more recognition
@TheSlowMusicMovement
Currently being blown away by Duendita's jazz tinted, gospel soaked, inventively arranged breath of super fresh soul air. The whole album is amazing and quite why this song doesn't have about 10 million views I don't know!
@intussunt4278
My niece is big time in to singing. She is at the age that her voice is super pliable and some practicing would give her awesome range. This is the song I'm gonna show her so she can practice that low register, cause dang this lady has a hell of range.
@christinakcover
Absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing this art! I was meant to hear this song at this very moment in my life.
@ToyToy008
Christina Cover 🤗💙💙💯🙏🏾
@maridodanoite
omg i'm so in love. i'm from brazil and your jam is 100%
@dearjunii
her voice is so elegant.
@parzavil
duendita it was very difficult to find your channel and I'm glad I found it. I'm wondering if you ever get the chance can you redo "One of One". it's hauntingly beautiful
@lucy-mf3xi
X2!
@gptstudios9580
I literally had to find a friend of a friend to find this song… worth it