Friday Sessions #89: ‘I got the days for the stray far away’ – ‘Candle Flame’ Jungle
If you need a little extra energy this Friday, then this week’s track is for you. Jungle were originally formed in London, Shepherds Bush back in 2013, and are known for their smooth mix of many great music genres from soul, funk, dance and disco. A bit spoilt for choice, we are listening to ‘Candle Flame’ and focusing on the lyric:
‘I got the days for the stray far away’
In this particular context the verb ‘to stray’ describes the action when someone has an affair (or cheats on their partner,) in a relationship. But the lyrics are telling us that those days of cheating are gone. They are far away.
Sometimes the same verb simply means ‘to go away’ from something.
Example: “If you don’t want to get lost, don’t stray from the path.”
But we also use the same verb when referring to a conversation, maybe in a meeting. In this context, the meaning of ‘to stray,’ is more similar to the verb ‘to deviate,’ (ie. to start talking about something which is maybe not on the meeting agenda…)
Example: “Ok everyone, let’s go back to the main point. I think we’ve strayed away from the topic of discussion today.”
Did you also know that the word ‘stray’ is used to refer to an animal which doesn’t have a home? So for example, stray cats and dogs living on the streets are called ‘strays.’
So that should help you fully understand some of the track this week, (but good luck with the rap part!)
And in case Jungle are a new discovery for you, check this great full performance on KEXP (below.)
Enjoy your weekend and ‘stray’ as much as you want.
Lyrics:
I want you there
I want you there
I want you there
I want you there
You got me burning like a candle flame
You’re gonna hurt because you never change
Take me from the darkness, tryna heal my pain
Hear my prayer, hear my prayer
You (yes I did it for)
You (yes I did it for)
You (yes I did it for)
You (yes I did it for)
Feels like the first time I made time in a minute
Rock with it, I’m in attendance
How can we put these feelings aside
I gotta match the fires to the flame
The feelings just got attached
I got the days for the stray far away
Smoulder waves, we started dancing
Know we had to take you back home
Time movin’ slow, we fast-forward
You got me burning like a candle flame
You’re gonna hurt because you never change
Take me from the darkness tryna heal my pain
Hear my prayer, hear my prayer
Butterflies in her belly is sign it’s angelic
I ride the mic steady the most to try get it
Lover without limits, the message is all with it
Round and round with me, but baby don’t mind spinning, word
Put in work, and then we twirl, shawty could be my girl
Look at this little girl, she precious like little pearls, hair straighter than curls
Beautiful ’cause you earned it, making this thing worth it
You got me burning like a candle flame
You’re gonna hurt because you never change
Take me from the darkness tryna heal my pain
Hear my prayer, hear my prayer
You (yes I did it for)
You (yes I did it for) (okay, okay)
You (yes I did it for)
You (yes I did it for)
I want you there
I want you there
I want you there
I want you there (let’s go)
You got me burning like a candle flame
You’re gonna hurt because you never change
Take me from the darkness tryna heal my pain
Hear my prayer, hear my prayer
You (yes I did it for)
You (yes I did it for)
You (yes I did it for)
You (yes I did it for) (let’s go)