A scrapped record from my 2019 album, Smile For The Camera. Shout out to https://soundcloud.com/jayhillraps for inspiring its release in the S13E03 episode of my show, Rap Rankings. But yeah, I'm still effectively retired, so nothing more to see here.

Listen to Rap Rankings.

https://raprankings.captivate.fm/listen

[Verse 1]
If you think you're about to faint
If you think your heart could break
If you feel a little touched
If you feel you just might jump 
Hold it, don't fall from the ledge 
Here's what you can do instead 
Call my name, I'll be there stat 
And we can fix it just like that 

[Bridge]
Hey, now… I know it… gets so crazy...
But don't ever let them end you
Hey, now… I know it… Gets so crazy
Oh, but this is what you can do:

[Hook]
The Melvin 
(You can do)
The Melvin 
(You can do)
The Melvin 
(You can do)
The Melvin 
(You can do)

[Breakdown]
Work it out, y'all 
Work it out, y'all
Work it out, y'all
Work it out, y'all

[Verse 2]
If you just can't take no more
If you think your heart is torn
If you feel a little freaked
If you feel you just might leap
Hold it, don't fall from the ledge 
Here's what you can do instead 
Call my name, I'll be there stat 
And we can fix it just like that 

[Bridge]

[Hook]

Smile For The Camera [1st Draft]

The Melvin [2018 Demo]

From the debut album, Unless We Meet Again, released 4/14/2017.

Produced by https://soundcloud.com/nadastrom.
*https://soundcloud.com/nadastrom/08-gettin-thanked

Lyrics: http://genius.com/Melvin-burch-garden-lyrics

Cover shot by https://www.instagram.com/itsvanburen/.
Cover edited by Moulz & Mel.

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For promotional use only.

Garden - Single

Garden [prod. by Nadastrom*]

Produced by https://soundcloud.com/home-2001.
*https://soundcloud.com/home-2001/home-before-the-night-05-above

Lyrics: http://genius.com/Melvin-burch-fuchsia-lyrics

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Fuchsia - Single

Fuchsia [prod. by HOME*]

From the debut album, Unless We Meet Again, released 4/14/2017.

Download: https://melvinburch.bandcamp.com/album/unless-we-meet-again

Lyrics: https://genius.com/albums/Melvin-burch/Unless-we-meet-again

*("Field")

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America [prod. by Four Tet*]

[Verse]
Hit me right up in my chest
Gave me what I can’t forget
Really something how you do it
Do it like nothing else
Touched me, and I got the feeling
I was so unprepared
Shocked me like snow in summer
Rocked me like a boat:

[Bridge]
I’m underneath the ocean
Yeah, you got me open
Fixed me like a potion
I thank you with devotion

[Hook]
Alive
You got me feeling so alive
Alive

-

From the debut album, Unless We Meet Again, released 4/14/2017.

Download: https://melvinburch.bandcamp.com/album/unless-we-meet-again

*("My Sweet Lowend")

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Devotion [prod. by Kayloo*]

[Verse 1]
13 years since I saw you
No sense in trying to make up the time
Just know I’ve been frozen in that moment
Trying to make up my mind
Make no mistake, I don’t see a chance
I don’t wanna interrupt what you’ve made
But it’s so wild how I’ve wished for this moment
And now that you’re in front of me, I can say...

[Verse 2]
I remember that way you’d charm me
Air quotes and sing-alongs
Your divinity disarming
Always there if anything was wrong
Things have changed so very much
We’ve grown farther than we were ever close
Now I stand here with a hurt in my soul
Because you’re in front of me again, and I know:

[Hook]
Oh, I can live without you
Oh, I’ll live without you

-

From the debut album, Unless We Meet Again, released 4/14/2017.

Download: https://melvinburch.bandcamp.com/album/unless-we-meet-again

*("Without You")

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Pastures [prod. by SOVATE*]

Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtjbwCbiPeU

-

[Intro]
You say I be, you say I be
You say I be, you say I be
You say I be, you say I be
You say I be, you say I be

[Verse]
Going nowhere with my eyes closed
‘Cause what I see, only I know
You’re a clown god; you’re a sideshow
You’re headed lightspeed… into a light pole… just to die slow
Enjoy the ride, though
This ain’t the high road, it’s just my road
This ain’t a high horse, it’s a rhino
Keep talking reckless, 'bet this horn make a sliced throat

[Bridge]
I don’t know who asked you for a couple cents
Cry, cry, cry; I watch how big the puddle gets
Saltwater baths while tiny violins play
Work my nerves; when will you take a sick day?

[Hook]
You say I be, you say I be
You say I be, you say I be
You say I be, you say I be
You say I be, you say I be
Shut up
I ain’t never cared what nobody say about me
I ain’t never cared what nobody think about me
It don’t really matter what nobody do about me
‘Cause it ain’t nothing you can really do about me

[Bridge]

-

From the album, Smile For The Camera, released 1/16/2019.

Download: https://melvinburch.com

Executive Produced by Lyle Horowitz.

Written by Melvin Burch.

Produced by https://soundcloud.com/und3add.
*["desolator"]

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For promotional use only.

U Say I Be [prod. by und3ad*]

[Verse 1] 
Back of your car, with your heart in my hands and my brain in my mouth 
All the slick talk from here to San Diego couldn't save us from doubt 
Now I see you smirkin', lookin' certain in that photo, but it's hard to tell 
All I do is wonder if I even really meant it when I wished you well 

[Hook] 
I’m afraid I haven’t changed, and maybe what they say is right 
But that can’t be the truth, ‘cause I see you fly over my head at night 
I’m still where we were when I told you to leave me... thinking you’d just move across the island 
But you took to the sky, and you made it look- 

[Verse 2] 
Easy to think I’m jerk in a rut I deserve for the past 
Feeding the hurt, reinforcing the hate, so I’m stuck in the trash 
Mercy, mercy, Albuquerque, I should've made that left turn back there somewhere 
But instead I went right, which was wrong all along, and it turns out here is the same as there 

[Hook]

-

Produced by Blanket Music (Podington Bear).
*("Insurrection")

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Albuquerque [prod. by Blanket Music*]

[Verse 1]
Said you need time
You said a week, I gave you two
In the meantime
I've been questioning your moves
Call me crazy
But I don't think I'm right for you
Hate me maybe
But I think that you know this too

[Bridge]
You say you can't do this alone
But that's you every night; I don’t know
Say goodbye, then you go where you go
Where do you go?

[Hook]
Shadow Honey
Hiding from me
Said you need me
Do you want me?
Hold you softly 
Keep my distance
‘Cause when it's dark out
You go missing
Shadow Honey
Hiding from me
Said you need me
Do you want me?
Shadow Honey…
Shadow Honey…

[Verse 2]
Said you need time
Now a month, I gave you two
In the meantime
I’ve been questioning your moves
Call me crazy
But I don't think I'm right for you
Hate me maybe
But I think that you know this too

[Bridge]
You say you can't do this alone
But that's you every night; I don’t know
Say goodbye, then you go where you go
Where do you go?

[Hook]

-

Produced by Ash Reynolds.
*("Never")

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Shadow Honey [prod. by Ash Reynolds*]

https://scattle.bandcamp.com/

[Verse 1] 
Baby Divine 
Here’s the fine you’re looking for 
They were telling you lies 
Saying to climb a little more 
Oh, isn’t it rich 
Every time, they knew it all 
So it’s coming to this 
All on the line, though you could fall 

[Hook] 
But I can’t let you drop, I’ve got your back, go on and rock 
‘Cause it’s been bad so long, the least I’ve got is this one song 
No, I can’t let you drop, I’ve got your back, go on and rock 
‘Cause it’s been bad so long, the least I’ve got is this one song 

[Verse 2] 
My friend 
I gotta see you grin 
You’ve been chasing for an eternity 
I gotta see you win 
They have to fight you fair now 
They have to face you here now 
It could be deadly 
Could be unsteady 

[Hook] 

-

From the album, Smile For The Camera, released 1/16/2019.

Download: https://melvinburch.com

Executive Produced by Lyle Horowitz.

Written by Melvin Burch.

Co-written by Lyle Horowitz.

Produced by Scattle.
*["Boardwalk"]

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For promotional use only.

Baby Divine [prod. by Scattle*]

[Verse 1]
If I don't reply, that is not an unspoken lie
Of these lovely things, one may only be sure with time
What you've done to me left a certain uncertain pride
Fell into your heart, but you see I’m still searching mine

[Hook]
I don’t wanna wind you up and take you for a ride
(You don’t wanna wind her up and take her for a ride)
She don’t wanna say she’s sorry she gave you a try
(You don’t want her saying sorry she gave you a try)

[Bridge]
And around we go, we go
Is it yes or no, or no?
And around we go, we go
Is it yes or no?

[Verse 2]
Even closer now, yet from you I still run and hide
Because, of lovely things, one may only be sure with time
But the time has passed, yes, I know, I’m just scared that I
Might mess all this up, leaving both of us here to cry

[Hook]

-

Produced by Eyeliner.
*("Windchimes")

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For promotional use only.

Lovely Things - Single

Lovely Things [prod. by Eyeliner*]

[Verse 1] 
No, I’m not breaking down 
All of this pressure, all of this tension 
Swear I’m gonna make ‘em proud 
One thing’s sure, I’m made for this mission 
Baby, I’ll find an out 
Even if it’s rocky, even if it’s distant 
At the end, I’ll take a bow 
Gotta let ‘em see me standing at the finish 

Now... 
I’m strapping in 
I’m flipping the switch 
I give it the kick 
Now... 
I’m feeling it slip 
I’m feeling it slip, slip 
Wait, wait, wait 

[Verse 2] 
Everybody watching now 
Give me that pressure, give me that tension 
Wanna see me bottom out 
Never gonna happen, they can keep wishing 
Tell me that it’s not allowed 
I’ve got an engine that breaks tradition 
You can hear it running loud 
Not much longer stuck in this position 

Now... 
I’m strapping in 
I’m flipping the switch 
I give it the kick, I said... 
I’m strapping in 
I’m flipping the switch 
I give it the kick, I said... 
I’m strapping in 
I’m flipping the switch 
I give it the kick, I said... 
I’m strapping in 
I’m flipping the switch 
I give it the kick 

[Bridge] 
4... 
3... 
2... 
1; now, now, now 

[Hook] 
I’m taking off, fired up 
Hyperdrive starship, lightning in the darkness 
Going fast, fired up 
Hyperdrive starship, flying through the darkness 
I’m taking off, fired up 
Hyperdrive starship, lightning in the darkness 
Going fast, fired up 
Hyperdrive starship, flying through the darkness 

[Verse 3] 
Now... 
I’m strapping in 
I’m flipping the switch 
I give it the kick, I said... 
I’m strapping in 
I’m flipping the switch 
I give it the kick, I said... 
I’m strapping in 
I’m flipping the switch 
I give it the kick, I said... 
I’m strapping in 
I’m flipping the switch 
I give it the kick, but... 
Don’t be fooled... 
I need fuel... 
I keep cool... 
But I need fuel… 

[Bridge] 

[Hook]

-

From the album, Smile For The Camera, released 1/16/2019.

Download: https://melvinburch.com

Executive Produced by Lyle Horowitz.

Written by Melvin Burch.

Produced by https://soundcloud.com/sellorekt.
*["On My Mind"]

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For promotional use only.

Smile For The Camera

Hyperdrive [prod. by SelloRekT / LA Dreams*]

[Verse 1] 
I got to make my way out 
(My way out, yeah) 
So get out of my way now 
(My way now, yeah) 

[Bridge] 
No, I cannot let you keep me here another day 
No, I cannot let the shadow keep a hold of me 
Yeah, you had it once, but you just lost control of me 
You lost control of me 
You lost control of me 

[Hook] 
Now I’m off it 
It killed me, so I had to drop it 
Now I’m poppin’ 
They’re watchin’ every time I drop it 

[Verse 2] 
Had to let it go… to pick myself up 
I told me grab my hand… ‘cause who else can help us? 
Whatever it takes… that’s what I’m givin’ 
You gave me fate... I changed it to decision 

[Bridge 2] 
No, I could not let you keep me there another day 
No, I could not let the shadow keep a hold of me 
Yeah, you had it once, but you just lost control of me 
You lost control of me 
You lost control of me 

[Hook] 

[Breakdown] 
It hurts… it kills… I will... 
(Drop it) 

[Hook]

-

From the album, Smile For The Camera, released 1/16/2019.

Download: https://melvinburch.com

Executive Produced by Lyle Horowitz.

Written by Melvin Burch.

Produced by https://soundcloud.com/iamlouislaroche.
*["Crusaders"]

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For promotional use only.

Drop It [prod. by Louis La Roche*]

[Verse] 
If I never see you again, what is my eyesight for? 
If you’re never in my life again, then what is my life for? 
I know better than to be so absolute 
I know better than to keep this attitude 
But you know better than the masquerade I show them with each passing day since... 

[Bridge] 
History... out the making… but we made it… and you’re behaving like we never gave each other something we can never get back… 
How could you… just replace me… with another… 
Did they erase me, or is something forcing you to tell the memory to get back? 

You won’t tell me, so I tell myself: 

[Hook] 
Smile for the camera, show them you’re okay now 
(Hey; I’m okay now! I’m okay now!) 
Smile for the camera, show them how it’s alright 
(Hey; It’s alright now! It’s alright now!) 
Smile for the camera, hoping that it looks true 
Hoping it shakes them, same way they shook you 
Hoping at the same time, they remember what a fake smile looks like on your face

-

From the album, Smile For The Camera, released 1/16/2019.

Download: https://melvinburch.com

Executive Produced by Lyle Horowitz.

Written by Melvin Burch.

Produced by https://soundcloud.com/galateemusic.
*["Track 3"]

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Smile For The Camera [prod. by Galatée*]

[Hook]
You are on my mind… everywhere I go…
All these things I’ve done… just so I could hope…
That I made you proud… oh, my home, sweet home…
I wanna play… I’m gonna play… I gotta play… I gotta play… in Peoria...

[Verse 1]
‘Cause ever since… way back… down at St. Francis where I got my name at..
I’ve found love that I gotta return
I gotta make good on the stuff I learned
Starting at Valeska, way before the pressure... you made sure I always gave an effort
The smart kid, yeah, there I was
Slipping on the playground ‘front of my first love
On the wintertime ice that we know so well; they thought it was a gag when I fell
Simple times; me and Rahmell
At five years old, man, you couldn’t tell me one day things would just up and change; Discovery Zone would turn into a bank
And Northwoods Mall would get the nickname of "the old mall" once the new mall came, but that’s life

[Bridge]
I reckon so… but I know this town… and I know it’s soul…
So time can pass… through young and old…
What stays the same… are streets of gold…

[Hook]

[Verse 2]
‘Cause I cannot… ever forget… coming into town across that bridge
Red brick buildings in the Harrison showed
And right across from it, my grandma’s home
Rest in peace, and one day, please, send down a little luck for the Par-A-Dice boat
Man, I wanted to be a Richwoods Knight
Instead, I had to wear dress shoes and tie, and that’s life
Like how I had to move away at 14
All the way in Cali, crying into my sheets, just praying I would have a P-Town dream
Of summer nights, fireflies, lighting up the dark
Or old field trips to Glen Oak Park
Or one day coming back to bring a concert to the Civic Center, where I’d sing:

[Hook]

-

From the album Will It Play In Peoria?, released 4/14/2020.

Download: https://melvinburch.com

Executive Produced by Lyle Horowitz.

Written by Melvin Burch.

Produced by https://soundcloud.com/duettmusic.
*["Afterglow"]

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For promotional use only.

Will It Play In Peoria?

Will It Play In Peoria? [prod. by Duett*]

Host of https://soundcloud.com/raprankings. Artist.

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