Spellbound (Original / Inspired by Nina Simone)

[Intro – instrumental] [Verse 1] [Lead: female, smoky blues tone with Appalachian twang; intimate, controlled, slightly sultry.] I feel the night wrap 'round my soul Every shadow whispers, takes control Your eyes like fire, I'm caught inside No choice, no reason, can't run, can't hide I hear your name in the rustling trees Feel your memory moving through me I tell myself I ought to let you go But the harder I fight, the deeper I know [Rap 1] [Spoken-rap: female, low and rhythmic; seductive restraint, riding the swing.] Moonlight in my veins, heartbeat in the dark Every step I take, you've left your mark Chains of longing, rhythm in my chest Spellbound by your shadow, can't give it rest [Lead: soft, breathy.] Can't give it rest... [Verse 2] [Lead: smoky and increasingly intense; blues slides on sustained phrases.] The wind it whispers secrets through the pines Your name it calls me down these haunted lines I try to flee but the pull is strong Caught in your spell, I'm where I belong I walk the ridge beneath the moon Every road I take brings me back too soon There's something in the way you look at me Like a door I know I shouldn't open, but I need to see [Rap 2] [Spoken-rap: tighter rhythmic delivery; dark, hypnotic, building tension.] Eyes like midnight, pull me off the ground Every breath you take, I'm spellbound Mountains tremble, rivers turn to glass Time stands still, I'm trapped in your grasp [Lead: whispered.] Trapped in your grasp... [Chorus / Climax] [Lead: full smoky blues delivery; sultry, powerful, controlled rather than belted.] Dark spell upon me, can't break free Chains of desire, you've got the key Every shadow moves, every whisper calls Spellbound forever, until night falls [Harmony: low, restrained harmony on “can't break free” and “night falls.”] [Lead: intensifying.] I know this fire could burn me down Still I follow when you come around Every warning disappears from view Like the night itself is pulling me to you [Instrumental Break] [Fiddle and resonator trade dark blues phrases.] [Outro] [Lead: soft, intimate, almost whispered.] The wind still carries your name through the trees Your shadow follows wherever I breathe I could walk away, I could try to be free But some spells are stronger than the will to leave [Lead: fading, breathy.] Spellbound... Still spellbound... [Resonator: final descending slide.]