Artists: Khalil Ferreira, Brian Bodkin
[credited as Brian B.]Title: Halcyon
Genre: House, Dance
Length: 3:00
Written By: C.Hudson
Produced By: Khalil Ferreira
Label: Five Pesky Kids
From The Album: TBC
Halcyon is the official debut single from British-Turkish DJ, record producer and songwriter, Khalil Ferreira. The Manchester-based producer has already made a name for himself in the UK club scene with many of his House influenced remixes of popular chart hits and beats of his own becoming staples at nightclubs and providing the soundtrack to many party filled weekends. Ferreira's bootleg remixes that he uploaded onto his YouTube channel weekly caught the attention of Billy Khan, one fifth of pop giants Weekend and also co-owner and label executive of Five Pesky Kids Records. Ferreira was soon signed to the label as an in-house producer and has been working with many of the famous, well established artists on their roster since inking his deal in early 2014. Khalil's first officially released track was his remix of Weekend's #1 hit "Back In The Day", serving as the second track on the digital remix EP. Surprised yet totally ecstatic about the positive feedback on the remix, Khalil was encouraged and motivated to create and produce tracks of his own and become an artist in his own right rather than being stuck behind the scenes while others work the mass crowds on stage and have all the fun, something which Khalil has always dreamed of. This single is a taster of the House/Dance/Pop crossover "bangers" that will be featured on his upcoming debut album, set for release in the summer of 2016.
The song was written by Christopher Hudson - a member of The Stat Nerds, which Brian B is also a member of. Hudson initially created the "skeleton" of the song on his own, writing the song during his spare time and hoping that another artist would pick it up and record it. Christopher is a well respected songwriter and constantly submits songs to many well known artists. An act on the Pesky roster expressed interest in the track but wanted a lot of the song reworked so Hudson, now aided by writing partners Fiori and Wiseman, put pen to paper and rebuilt the song. "Halcyon" was ultimately rejected by the artist but soon caught the attention of Ferreira. He already had a beat in existence, a rather "light" and "simple" Dance track with influences of House music - the genre Khalil is best known for. The idea of having dark, meaningful and unusual lyrics contrasting greatly against a playful beat and ultimately resulting in the words becoming even more prominent is what Khalil was looking for throughout the creation of his debut album. After tweaking and adding to the song himself, the track was ready to go. All they needed was a vocalist.
The vocals on "Halcyon" are provided by the youngest member of pop boyband The Stat Nerds, Brian Bodkin - who is now professionally known as Brian B. Ferreira suggested from the start that he would prefer a male vocalist to feature on the record and more importantly, a relatively unknown one. While Brian is famous for being 1/4 of The Stat Nerds, he collectively has the least solo airtime on their records in comparison to the others and his celebrity profile is nothing compared to that of Christopher Hudson and Jerry Holmes. Khalil stated that he wanted the lyrics and production to be the reason why people sit up and listen to the song, taking it in and forming their own opinion rather than feeling like they have to like it or have to listen to it purely because a big name artist is singing. Christopher suggested that Brian should feature on the track as it would be "unexpected" and also a way of keeping their band's name out there as they still appear to be having issues regarding their album's release date behind the scenes. "Halcyon" marks Brian's first musical endeavour outside of the group.
"Halcyon" describes the story of two lovers who appear to be infatuated with one another to such a point where it is becoming dangerous with a clear obsession taking place; feeling the same things, stating that they will endure the most intense pain just to stay together and interpreting the controlling behaviour as real love. Although it is seen as "wrong", "twisted" and "unconventional" to everyone else surrounding them, the couple believe that they are the luckiest people in the world to have one another and are living in their halcyon days while everyone else is missing out. The song makes many references to blood and flesh, sometimes sounding a little harsh to the listener but also driving home the fact not everything is all roses and that pain and mortality is part of life and love whether we like it or not. At first, Brian sings about being controlled, giving the impression that his lover is the dominant one but as the track continues we learn that both parties are equally wrapped up in one another. This can also be backed up by the line, "
There's no fighting for a crown, no destination in sight", which tells us that neither of them are trying to become the "leader" in the relationship and that they have no hidden agendas, just wanting to live in the moment and play an equal part in this dark tale.
"Halcyon"I think that I'm addicted to the burns and friction,
Every time you rub me up the wrong way
I guess I'm so used to the puppet strings and constriction
The control you have is like God at play
Yet I've never felt more alive in this fragile condition
Under all the resistance, don't wanna be saved
You've felt it too, the astounding ache of the heart
The beats and the breaks as good as the soothe
Run away with me, let me hold you tight through the dark
I know that, sometimes, you like feeling helpless too
We'll play a game of cat and mouse until we tear right up
Loose lips will talk but can't love me like you
I know you want my heart in between your teeth
It's yours to protect, it's yours to make it bleed
Let it drip and bless this place that we dare call home
Let it be the water we swim in, like we're basking in gold
I breathe your smoke deep into my lungs, I hold on for dear life like I'm dying young
Standing in a crossfire for eternity, constant bullet in the muscle pressing into me
The pain we cause hurts down to the bone but it's a comfort, tells me I'm not alone
To the eyes in the woods it's just sick, twisted games yet for us, this is our halcyon days
This is our halcyon days
This is our halcyon days
This is our, this is our, this is our halcyon daysTake you to the edge and close our eyes while we accelerate
In the dark, nothing but the beating in our chest
Unconventional to say the least, both hurled from grace
The hard landing soon eased with a numbing kiss
We want so much more than these measly bodies can ever take
Forgetting that our armour is made of the softest flesh
You know I want your heart in between my teeth
It's mine to protect, it's all mine to make bleed
Let it drip and bless this place that we dare call home
Let it be the water we swim in, like we're basking in gold
I breathe your smoke deep into my lungs, I hold on for dear life like I'm dying young
Standing in a crossfire for eternity, constant bullet in the muscle pressing into me
The pain we cause hurts down to the bone but it's a comfort, tells me I'm not alone
To the eyes in the woods it's just sick, twisted games yet for us, this is our halcyon days
This is our halcyon days
This is our halcyon days
This is our, this is our, this is our halcyon daysThere's no fighting for a crown, no destination in sight
We just want to love until it hurts, no other goal in mind
We don't hang around to think, the lighting strikes and we're away
Some say we're insane but we're just caught in a halcyon daze
I breathe your smoke deep into my lungs, I hold on for dear life like I'm dying young
Standing in a crossfire for eternity, constant bullet in the muscle pressing into me
The pain we cause hurts down to the bone but it's a comfort, tells me I'm not alone
To the eyes in the woods it's just sick, twisted games yet for us, this is our halcyon days
This is our halcyon days
This is our halcyon days
This is our, this is our, this is our halcyon days
To the eyes in the woods it's just sick, twisted games yet for us, this is our halcyon days
This is our halcyon days
This is our halcyon days
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