The Good Life (If You Only Knew), by Kabir Sen

The Good Life (If You Only Knew)

by Kabir Sen

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Full Digital Discography

9

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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Man of the People (Song for Biko), Honestly, The Good Life (If You Only Knew), No More Excuses, Olympic Gold, The Time is Now, Peaceful Solutions, Fuel for the Fire, and 1 more. , and , .

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1.	Why? 02:44	lyrics	buy track
"Why?" - written by Kabir Sen ©2020 Why is this so hard? why can’t I play my cards? why am I on edge? and why are you on guard? why am I so scarred? I’m broken like a shard I’m warm on the outside but inside I’m all charred Why is this the case? Why is this my space? Why is your aggression so blatantly misplaced? Why do you just run from every obstacle you face? Why not value life? You treat it like a waste Why is it a race? Why not take your time with it Why is he so wishy-washy when she’s so committed? Why despite the evidence won’t you just admit it? And why are the guilty acquitted when they did it? Why do you care what people think - you’re on the brink And why act like you’re afloat when you’re really about to sink? And why does it feel better if you pour yourself a drink? And why not take that shower since you obviously stink! And why are we not able to agree? It’s imperative But people twist facts to shape their own narrative Your fake news is embarrassing, I’ll focus on my parenting A wife and three kids in the ‘burbs, I have everything And why does it get harrowing when life is souring? Find a way to march on through, it’s empowering Why do I write? Ideas I’m devouring The concept is a seed, give it water, now it’s flowering Why is power something that the evil just must grab? And why is freedom something that not all of us can have? Why are people scared of views that differ from their own? And why are we threatened by what’s foreign or unknown? Why can’t we control the pain? We do it to ourselves, Why do we care more about our iPhones than we do about our health? And why do all opinions seem to fall on party lines? And why even argue when we won’t change our minds?
2.	The Good Life (If You Only Knew) 04:01	lyrics	buy track
The Good Life (If You Only Knew) - written & produced by Kabir Sen ©2020 www.kabirsen.com If you only knew the pain that I feel, I love life but bleed pain and the struggle is real And no, I won't keep it concealed Twist the cap, pour it out, it'll all be revealed (If you only knew) all the love that I have Whether happy or sad, through the good and the bad And no, I can't keep it contained From the sun or the rain, the joy or the pain (If you only knew) my commitment to you Is tried and true, look at all we've been through And no, to be real, this really ain't nothin new My life is the scenery, I'm loving the view (If you only knew) the song is a canvas Making sense of the world as I understand it Put my love into my music, while keeping it candid, Being true to myself is what I'm demanding.... Livin' the good life here and now Straight to the top, we'll show you how Livin' the good life here and now (hey hey) Makin' it through all the highs and lows Where does it lead? No one knows Livin' the good life here and now (hey hey) If you only knew the things that I see The music I make are different pieces of me Whether written or free, Spittin’ bars, singing songs or playing the keys (If you only knew) the chances I take, the risk involved, the choices I make And I can't take a break because I'm headed to the party and I'm coming for cake (If you only knew) how I pulled light from the darkness, blood from the stone, love from the heartless, I try to stay true to myself as an artist, And I give and get love regardless (If you only knew) how I made it through with the loss of a parent it's apparent and true And I try to keep it positive with all that I do Because the strength in me sees the power in you
3.	Better Review 02:55	lyrics	buy track
Welcome to my mind, the real the unkind You fiend for that life now you’re falling way behind Welcome to my thoughts concepts are my sport And I’m dribbling off the court, out of bounds, abort! Brand new mission, brand new vision Brand new concepts, same old decisions Regardless of the cash flow you still need wisdom Reach for the stars escape from your prism Dancing and laughing in the rain to the rhythm Blastin' that boombox with the bumpin' system Radio Raheem style, no way you could miss 'em Do the right thing with opportunities given Let the rhythm hit em like Eric B & Rakim Knock em out like concussions, you remember nothin’ I think we better review the way to make it all new So many different directions that I’m taking a tune The night was dark so now I’m makin’ a moon Shine light on the shadows, help me find my way through (x2) Shrodinger’s big beats Markham like Pigmeat Lyrics from the spirit watch em blossom like a fig tree Nurture it, water it, attention? They get all of it My songs are adventures that I’m living and recording in Tensions rise like countries that are bordering People we must rise, it’s no surprise that there’s more to win Acting inhumane is commonplace, such a shame That we can’t use our brain, see there’s so much more to gain But the rain keeps pouring down with negative news and negative views, Times are dark we better get through Superiority? They think they’re better then you But they’re acting like rookies, what would veterans do? I think we better review the way to make it all new So many different directions that I’m taking a tune The night was dark so now I’m makin’ a moon Shine light on the shadows, help me find my way through (x2)
4.	Lucky Dude (Sa Re Ga mix) 03:37	lyrics	buy track
Workin' on my craft again and again Express myself with a mic or a pen Guitars and keyboards, the drums and the bass A fusion of elements we runnin' the place Man I'm a lucky dude Doing what I do I won't tell you the ending And ruin what you knew Writin' rhymes in Davis Call me Miles, kind of blue Thanks for coming to my jam on your own, glad i reminded you Blinded you with a deer-in-highlights type of flow, I'm older but I'm colder rockin' Boulder, Colorado! Grab a bottle, let's toast to this moment right here lets own it, make peace with my opponents My condolences to everyone who' grieving With a loss and a hole in your heart, don't stop believing, keep breathin', Livin', lovin', kissin', huggin' And if you can't laugh at yourself you're missin' somethin' I crushed a show and my blood was pumping, The bass was fatter than a Peking dumpling I don't know much but i'll tell ya one thing Dudes were jumpin' and the mood was somethin' I see so much beauty in this life that we're living, And it's dope that we're givin' it a chance And the rhythm is a dance through the confines of space and time, Sitting by the pool while you taste the wine, I wasted mine, another lost soldier, Brush it off your shoulder, that's what he told ya, This is rap yoga stretching from here to Angola, Venomous flows Call me the king cobra The things over but we'll do it again Make more friends play music again, But it's time for me to me say peace, yes I gotta leave And I got a lotta thangs that I'm trying to achieve Bellamy beats that you wouldn't believe Lyrics in my memory bank I will retrieve Believe I'm attackin' it, yes it's clearly happenin' Keep your ears clear cuz Kabir's always smashin' it!
5.	There's a Feeling 03:28	lyrics	buy track
There's a feeling and it's blowing through the valleys, And climbing over mountains as it makes it way to you And it's a feeling that flew right through the forests like words from every chorus of a song that still feels new There's a feeling and it's rolling down the river Through ravines and under bridges as it makes its way on through Yes it consumes me and fills me with emotion As it's headed toward the ocean in a sea of love for you And no one can stop the time Lets make sure we enjoy the ride And through the pain we'll make it there When it seems too much to bear Let the love run through your heart and mind There's a spirit and it's blowing through the city, Over rainbows bright and pretty, it surrounds the people there It bobs and weaves between the buildings and the shadows, Through the streets so straight and narrow and into the evening air Gone was the danger that left us feeling stranger, That bitter tasting flavor was finally contained Yes this was different, see the beauty in the distance, It conquered your dark resistance, and just the light remained And no one can stop the time Lets make sure we enjoy the ride And through the pain we'll make it there When it seems too much to bear Let the love run through your heart and mind There's a feeling and it's blowing through the valleys, And climbing over mountains as it makes it way to you It's a feeling that flew right through the forests Like words from every chorus of a song that still feels new There's a feeling and it's rolling down the river Through ravines and under bridges as it makes its way on through Yes it consumes me and fills me with emotion As it's headed toward the ocean in a sea of love for you
6.	My Little Ethan 03:24	lyrics	buy track
My little Ethan I can't believe you're speakin' I've been writing this song in my mind for weeks and weeks and Months go by, weekdays and lots of weekends I gotta get it out so you can hear it through the speakers My little Ethan, into the room you're sneakin' You're coming in with that cheeky grin, you're creepin' And when things don't go your way, yup you're weepin' Or that's what you want us to think You caught us sleepin' And the world is so new and exciting So inviting, I'm imagining that smile as I'm writing this you're lookin round to see who's payin' attention, a real jokester, sharp as a tack not to mention your love for hide and seek Ideas you try to speak And the way you put those steps together was quite a feat, quite a treat to watch you grow And this I surely know That you're gonna keep shining I can see it in your glow so... My little Ethan, what's that you eatin' You dropped your cookie on the floor and now you're freakin Your eyes close tight, you frown, your body weakens Collapse on the floor once more, it's worth repeating Nothing can stop you when you want "Mo' Mickey Mouse" Those tantrums were real when we pulled your binky out You like to shake your head and yell "no" with a big grin You love to dunk, shoot, kick, it's slick how you always win Hungry hippos plus those magnet tiles Build a city out of lego that could take a while We give a yard but you take a mile, how does he do it with that cheeky smile? You’re always changing, I’ve been rearranging While staring deep into the truth that I’m engaging Your mom and dad love you even when you’re raging, And Eva and Julia too (so amazing sample) My little Ethan I can’t believe you’re three and I’m watching with pride as you grow every season, Years go by and there must be a reason Why this song has been hard to write despite my freedom My little Ethan you’re growing up and reaching new heights as you’re learning what your family’s teaching, our time together is exactly what I’m needing, we curled up on the couch with a book and started reading This time is important I can’t believe you’re four and I’ve been watching you walk and talk more and more and You love those dinosaurs what’s mine is yours, your opportunities will come in time just find the doors, and walk right through, so you can find some more, tomorrow’s never promised, live your life, time is short! I said walk right through so you can find some more, tomorrow’s never promised, live your life, time is short!
7.	My Mind is a Traveling Tour 03:03	lyrics	buy track
My mind is a traveling tour, It never settles for less, always askin’ for more It flies over cities and fields, When it’s with me it feels inescapably real I’m all done holdin’ it back I let go and in fact That’s what keeps me in tact Liberation is a beautiful thing Make the music just sing with the life that it brings Another Saturday night and another show I go for mine I’m not affected by where others go Makin’ music for my sisters and my brothers yo Tracks for the children, their fathers and their mothers know I’m on a roll with the music from my soul The lyrics from my heart, following the art And let it take me places so far from the start The horse before the cart, the sum before the part My mind is a traveling tour, It never settles for less, always askin’ for more It flies over cities and fields, When it’s with me it feels inescapably real I’m all done holdin’ it back I let go and in fact That’s what keeps me in tact Liberation is a beautiful thing Make the music just sing with the life that it brings Like Nas “it was written,” but it’s time to edit now So many different ways that I could’ve said it now I can’t remember so you might as well forget it now Lost forever, you really shouldn’t sweat it now Heart pounding, call the paramedics now You wanna shout and yell, so just let it out You got ideas better make sure that you get em out They stuck around in your mind and then they headed out My mind is a traveling tour, It never settles for less, always askin’ for more It flies over cities and fields, When it’s with me it feels inescapably real I’m all done holdin’ it back I let go and in fact That’s what keeps me in tact Liberation is a beautiful thing Make the music just sing with the life that it brings
8.	Can't Find Ground 03:08	lyrics	buy track
Lost in a vortex, no escape Can’t tell what’s real or fake And I’m tryin’ to come up for air but I (can’t find ground) Lost down in the depths of the sea Can’t locate you or me And I’m tryin’ to come up for air but I (can’t find ground) Calm down, breathe a little Don’t frown weave a riddle Words are the bow, my mind is the fiddle I found these lyrics in the middle of the road They were looking lost and tryin’ to hitchhike home So I took em on a ride with my mind A flight up right up to the planets I got control like Janet, you’ll never understand it But the power of my mind, I won’t take it for granted I’m a junkie for jams to be candid My testimony’s strong it won’t be recanted My musical ideas are seeds to be planted I sprinkle ‘em around the garden, then I vanish You’ll be nourished, soon to flourish, filled with courage Eat your porridge, scratch the surface, don’t be nervous, it’s time to find your purpose, but in earnest it is worth it, you really should unearth it, that’s for certain, be your best version of a person…. Lost in a vortex, no escape Can’t tell what’s real or fake And I’m tryin’ to come up for air but I (can’t find ground) Lost down in the depths of the sea Can’t locate you or me And I’m tryin’ to come up for air but I (can’t find ground) album 7 type longevity Such a treat, the beat creates chemistry Don't bunsen burn your bridges, that's really not good business, Being real with you will be my legacy Stay away from bitterness and jealousy Yeah I'll kill' em with kindness and pleasantries, Thich Nhat Hanh of hip hop bout to drop A few jewels with dope rhymes and melodies People rock to the rhythm and the remedies And the times? We try to stay ahead of these, but we never over-hype, just reach for new heights in our quest to write songs successfully Capture a feelin' so heavenly, rhymes are rivers flowin' endlessly, they curve and bend, they swerve and blend fiction with a dose of reality Lost in a vortex, no escape Can’t tell what’s real or fake And I’m tryin’ to come up for air but I (can’t find ground) Lost down in the depths of the sea Can’t locate you or me And I’m tryin’ to come up for air but I (can’t find ground)
9.	One of a Kind 03:12	lyrics	buy track
When I was 8 years old you left us But time passed and now I realize how much you blessed us You gave me life and showed me what it means to love You taught me kindness and exactly what that was And even though these words sting and they hurt to write And even though denial made me the first to fight my inner feelings, Now I just can’t hold them in And I surely wish I could feel all your warmth again But I can’t, all I’ve got are these memories So I keep reflecting light, I won’t let them be my enemies I tell my kids about you and they’ll learn eventually How much the loss of someone effects you mentally They’ll also learn all about how much you meant to me And how an indestructible strength was sent to me A sense of power, the feeling of invincibility The trauma subsided in the face of my humility Her name was Eva, she was one of a kind Grace, intelligence and beauty combined And I can’t leave the feeling behind So I do my best to reimagine her with my mind When you left I felt the pain so heavy in my chest A sickness and a sorrow that never left I guess We moved from London and we headed west Across the pond to Boston, a new address I was still a mess and in deep distress But I turned the pain to power and I worried less Perhaps I let it sink in the sea, depressed Or maybe I was just tired of feeling stressed I started writing songs and I felt possessed Music gave meaning to the meaningless I dealt with some emotions, others were suppressed And today these lyrics deal with what was not addressed I refuse to care who feels it or who’s not impressed I’m dealing with these feelings that must be expressed I hope these words give strength to those who feel oppressed And that they can deal with pain in ways that suit them best Her name was Eva, she was one of a kind Grace, intelligence and beauty combined And I can’t leave the feeling behind So I do my best to reimagine her with my mind
10.	Taking Back the Power 03:00	lyrics	buy track
I'm taking back the power, rip and I devour Come and smell the flowers, making beats for hours Heating up the flour, we rise like yeast Kabir on the mic, Ben supplies the beats (x2) Yeah I put my name in it, I'm here to stay in it Watch me as a lay in it, got a sick way with it Musically committed, delivered and admitted Never wanna quit it, damn right I did it Yo I done done it, Hun, I run run it Yup you're fair game about to be hunted You stopped evolving, your growth got stunted It was only second down but your kicker still punted Words I utter, soon you will discover The force of a first course, ready for another? Sing for your supper, cut like an upper Don't be a downer, I can hear you mutter I can hear the rain as it drips from the gutter Elegant eloquence even when i stutter I can bring the 9 iron, you can bring the putter My golf game's weak but my rap game's butter From Calcutta to London to Rome Back to the city that I now call home Beantown, Boston, write it in a poem You see opportunity lost and unknown I see opportunity found and full grown Yes it's the freshness, I call it my own I let my mind travel down a lonely road, Soaking up truth before I come home I'm taking back the power, rip and I devour Come and smell the flowers, making beats for hours Heating up the flour, we rise like yeast Kabir on the mic, Ben supplies the beats (x2) Yeah I put my name in it, I'm here to stay in it Watch me as a lay in it, got a sick way with it Musically committed, delivered and admitted Never wanna quit it, damn right I did it Yo I done done it, Hun, I run run it Yup you're fair game about to be hunted You stopped evolving, your growth got stunted It was only second down but your kicker still punted Put it in a drawer, shove it in a folder Organize now, do what she told ya Get my act together, busy man getting older Gotta find the beauty lying in the eyes of the beholder Put it in gear, it's Kabir with that new new Activate flow, get it, go, coming to you Better be prepared for the air and the juju Jujitsu with the rhymes givin' fits to Any amateur that simply can't handle the mic in a way that we'd like Can't hold a candle to my homies on my left and my right Can't even comprehend the ways that we light up the night, what a sight Shine bright, connect the world like computers and Skype Rhyme right, don't get lost and all confused in the hype Quite nice to take part in all the things that you like Quite right to make art with the music and mic
11.	Last Resort 02:27	lyrics	buy track
Last resort, we're passed retorts Doin' it big, there's no remorse Skywalker on the mic watch me use the force Obi-wan with the guidance to keep you on course Not the droids you're looking for? I found the source That keeps the crowd hype, rocking back and forth Slicker than your average on passed reports But you can't compute, that's what math was for And if you can't get enough, better ask for more Gotta grind it out, that's the task for sure And if you don't have a shot you should pass the ball No need to be a hero and outclass them all Yo it matters how you act at the casting call So dust yourself off from that nasty fall When you tripped and fell and you hit the wall When you turned the key but the engine stalled It's your life don't throw it away Take chances before the wind blows it away What you knew in yesteryear, do you know it today? Here they're everywhere you mind going astray, I know it's OK (x2) Life, I know it's kind of hard right? Deal, make sure to play your cards right Survive, cause this is surely our fight Shine, your solar power star bright Persevere when someone might derail you Communicate when someone might have failed you Believe in yourself and then they will too Stay positive even if it kills you High beam your attitude through the dark nights And don't get too down about the stop lights We're in some tough times but still we've got fight And we won't over-react if we're not right We just "push it along" like Phife and Tip Make beats, sing songs, watch us write and rip An old formula with a tightened grip Poetic mojitos would you like a sip? It's your life don't throw it away Take chances before the wind blows it away What you knew in yesteryear, do you know it today? Here they're everywhere you mind going astray, I know it's okay (x2)
12.	Keep on Keeping on 03:01	lyrics	buy track
How did you, how did you, How did you give it all away? (x2) How did you give it all away on that day? An explanation so hard to convey in that way And how did you summon up the strength, it's intense How did you decide it was time to go the length? You swung for the fence and the outcome was immense But you could not simmer down when you were feeling tense And you can't tell us now, you left us in suspense We tried to find out why but it really makes no sense How did you decide it was time to end the ride? Was it many different forces that combined to collide? Did you feel unsuccessful with something that you tried? And you couldn't turn the tide because something in you died? Troubles multiplied but you bottled them inside And the divide between you and happiness got so wide People asked you what was up and you smiled and you lied And said everything was fine until they found out you had died How did you give it all away? How did you, how did you, How did you give it all away? (x2) Head ready, heart heavy, feeling so isolated Back and forth in your mind, pros and cons you debated And you waited for a time when you weren't so deflated But you hated all the things in life that you created Frustrated while everyone around you seemed elated, Highly animated, everything they say is overstated And everything you say leaves you empty, humiliated Confidence shattered, swag obliterated The pursuit of happiness is a long winding road Surround yourself with others who can help share the load And there's no shame in sadness when you feel all alone We all feel pain, some we brush off, some we own I told you this on "Circles" and I meant it too If you know what you love, you should do what you do And if you feel like giving up, we all stand up and say Get help, life is precious, don't give it all away Now don't you, now don't you Now don't you give it all away (x2) Keep on keeping on Keep on keeping on....
13.	People Stand Up 03:21	lyrics	buy track
Rise and rise, Rise and rise and rise People stand up, the youth are rising Active and aware, uncompromising Thoughtful, intelligent, elegant and eloquent Speaking out for truth, standing up for the youth Challenging the status quo with the baddest flow Brightening the spirits of where the saddest go I'm frightening with lyrics, hip hop animal This song is the antidote consisting of candid quotes And long-handed notes of verses that I wrote And some drums that we sampled because they sounded dope! The youth took my bad mood and turned it into hope They turned an uphill climb into a downward slope I'm just trying to cope and dodge the asteroids And make a better life for my wife, girls and boy A little break from the strife that tried to kill my joy Problems that emerge get served and destroyed Rise and rise, Rise and rise and rise Rise and rise and rise and rise Rise and rise and rise and rise and rise and rise People stand up, the youth are sick of the nonsense Sick of fear mongering, where is your conscience? We know you wanna hide behind the second amendment We know you'll stop at absolutely nothing to defend it Kids getting killed ain't enough to upend it? Schools getting shot up ain't enough to mend it? Sending thoughts and prayers won't calm the static When a fanatic acts erratic with a semi-automatic Tragic that we can't make progress on this issue When big business runs the show they're not with you NRA lobbyists - we'll never forgive you For choosing guns over lives even when people die The CDC can't study gun violence When the research is halted in an attempt to silence Now we can't get the data, let alone apply it I guess they'd rather I just shut my mouth and be quiet (but we) Rise and rise, Rise and rise and rise Rise and rise and rise and rise and rise Rise and rise and rise and rise and rise and rise

about

Kabir's 7th album is a funky mix of bumping lo-fi hip hop beats, catchy hooks, smooth melodies, personal narratives and explosive lyrics about the divisive times in which we are living. "The Good Life" blazes new trails for conscious music in 2020!

credits

released April 5, 2020

Written by Kabir Sen ©2020

Produced by Ben Colling, Aaron Bellamy and Kabir Sen

Mixed & Engineered by Aaron Bellamy at A1 Produx Studios, Charlestown, MA

Mastered by Jeff Lipton & Maria Rice at Peerless Mastering, Boston, MA

Vocals, Keyboards and Fender Rhodes by Kabir Sen

Drums by Brandon Mayes and Aaron Bellamy

Bass, Guitar, Percussion and Drum Programming by Aaron Bellamy

DJ cuts by Mister Rourke

Saxophone by Andrew Fogliano

Album Cover photo - Michelle Gendreau

Executive Producer - Kabir Sen

For more information please visit www.kabirsen.com
Email: kabirmakesmusic@gmail.com
IG: @kabirmakesmusic
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kabirmakesmusic

license

about

Kabir Sen (MC Kabir) Boston, Massachusetts

Kabir Sen (AKA "MC Kabir") is a hip hop/soul artist, music teacher, singer, emcee, songwriter and producer from the Boston area. He has worked with many hip hop luminaries over the years and performs regularly with "The Krush Faktory" at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge (1st Saturday of every month) and at Bull McCabes Pub in Somerville every Thursday night. His 7 albums are all available here! ... more