D'Angelo and The Vanguard - The Charade (Audio) 

Man i wish D'Angelo and Prince would've done a whole album together that would've been fire 🎸🎶

This is definitely his most authentically “Prince” song.

The Prince influence in D'Angelo's music is so strong. The unique harmonizing. The production. Man....just so good.

The production on this album was insane. He overdubbed his voice in different styles and with different singers. It's very rare to find such a mature and deep album. Hope he continues to put out content.

"All we wanted was a chance to talk. Stead, we only got outlined in chalk."

Some of you don't get it because youre not really listening which is his point and exactly why he released the lyrics. "Degredition so loud that you can't hear the sound of our cries". There's a powerful message behind the "muffled" sound if people would actually pay attention. '1000 Deaths', 'The Charade', 'Til It's Done', 'Prayer' are all somewhat indecipherable for a reason.

D'angelo has always been unintelligible, lol. Ya'll just now figuring that out? For me understanding his lyrics has been the icing on the cake. The harmonies, rhythm and melodies are what get me every time.

Prince is ALIVE AND WELL. in this mans music!!

Appreciate these artists making good music while they are still around. Don't wait until they have passed.

Life changing bassline. Pino Palladino you're a legend!

this is art on a high level....

This song was purified in the waters of Lake Minnetonka. You can hear "The Kid" all over this track. Grammy well deserved.

D'Angelo and Kendrick need an album togehter

This isn't a bassline this is a symphony.Groove that starts at 0:40 is a whole ass melody

The best track on the album. Its classic D! I play this track back to back at the workplace! .

He killed this on SNL! God bless D'angelo :)

Prince influence on D'Angelo is overstated a lot but you can hear it ALL OVER this track. still absolutely love it, production values on this album are just incredible

Few understand the meaning of this song... RIP Terrence Crutcher... Blacks have been living with an illusion of freedom for a good minute, it was all a #charade.... all we wanted was a chance to talk.. instead we only got outlined in chalk.

This album is changing my life.

Oh dear, I'm Asian and this song gives me chills. Love it.

My favorite song. I've had it on repeat for hours. D'Angelo and Questlove came with it on this one. The Prince vibe is amazing. Great job guys!!!!!

Honestly the best r&b album of the last 20 years

I am infatuated with this song

D'angelo is the most eloquent, unintelligible person that ever lived. For those who don't get that, fret not, you're not supposed to.

Why ain't this a hit single, or played on the radio?

I'm always busting into the Raseberry Beret moves to this song lol. I love this song.

I got TEARS in my eyes. I'm sooooo happy D came back and gave us this gift of music. Thank you D. I love this!

Beautiful words and music. Touches the soul.

I get a heavy Sly Stone vibe from this dope-ass track.

By far, the best song of 2014.

Listening to this album again and whew the synchronies hitting. D’Angelo’s voice and the melody can sometimes make you forget what the lyrics are saying, or the message being told 😮‍💨🔥

love this song!!!!! I get the Prince and sly and the family stone... they all up in through this song. but it also kind of reminds me of Van Hunt's song Dust. The melody.

I overstand him just fine! And, I love every word! SANG, D!

i love it...dont care what hes saying....the harmonies and the melody is good enuff for me.

Now all we need is D and Van Hunt to tour together. Monumental.

This song is crazy beautiful, I can't stop listening to it.

Great song. Reminds me "Money Don't Matter 2 Night".

sounds like something from Prince"s Vault. sometime D sounds just like him.

1:44 to 2:27 it's eargasm; I love this culmination (coolmination) and the bass pulsing under rising vocal, "The charade / With the veil off our eyes we'll truly see / And we'll march on / And it really won't take too long..." GREAT!

This is a deep song. Lyrically and musically. I'm so happy that we have musicians making real music like this. Thank you D'angelo. Beautifully written song.

After 10 years, I feel like I'm still digesting this record. Feels to me like one of those records that many people won't understand for another 40 years.

The bass work is top notch.

I don't care if its another 10+ years till his next album. It's always well worth the wait. Love it and The Vanguard is amazing!

Really can't believe no one is talking about the message of this album to our people, valley of dry bones.

The diversity of this album as a whole is ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!!!!!! #MusicHasBeenWaitingOnYourReturn Great song!

The spirit of Prince flows through...

I love this one. The lyrics, arrangement and engineering. Dissonance is just part of its' beauty.

This is SO heavily Prince influenced. Such a great tune

Love the (Rest Easy) Prince influence. Music like this is much needed today. Keep going strong D’Angelo.

this song, this album, they're impeccable beyond words

A glass of brandy,and im putting this on repeat,,My goodness!!

"Degradation so loud that you can't hear the sound of our cries"

Oh yeah,a dash of Purple all over the track

this is a track...sounds sooo much like prince would have written.....love it

What a beautiful song. It's got the brilliance of Prince, the serenity of Ravi Shankar, the soul of Stevie, and the heart of relief in the middle of a street festival, hearing something utterly different and feeling big speakers blast through your entire body.

As relevant today as it was when first released.

I wish I had 2 more hands so I could give this album 4 thumbs up. Bravo D'Angelo!

It's like Prince soul came from the grave and performed this thru D' Angelo.. this is beautifully haunting man. 🔥

I swear I can hear Rosie Gaines coming in on the chorus blasting. Wow, I am blown away

The song is perfectly tempo matched to 60bpm by the second. And it yet it feels as if it was free time recorded. It's mind blowing.

Great job to the song writers, Kendra Foster and D'Angelo. Lyrics are so profound. Melody is dazzling. Pure art. How do you drop such a heavy message, in a song that is perfect for either a long drive or a day at the beach. So dope. Lyrics "Crawling through a systematic maze And it pains to demise Pain in our eyes Strain of drownin', wading into your lies Degradation so loud that you can't hear the sound of our cries (doo, doo) All the dreamers have gone to the side of the road which we will lay on Inundated by media, virtual mind fucks in streams [CHORUS] All we wanted was a chance to talk 'Stead we only got outlined in chalk Feet have bled a million miles we've walked Revealing at the end of the day, the charade Perpetrators beware say a prayer if you dare for the believers With a faith at the size of a seed enough to be redeemed (doo doo) Relegated to savages bound by the way of the deceivers So anchors be sure that you're sure we ain't no amateurs [CHORUS] All we wanted was a chance to talk 'Stead we only got outlined in chalk Feet have bled a million miles we've walked Revealing at the end of the day, the charade [BRIDGE] With the veil off our eyes we'll truly see And we'll march on And it really won't take too long And it really won't take us very long Add song meaning ! Songwriters Foster, Kendra / Archer, Michael Eugene

I can hit the road listening to this. So groovy, I need D and Lenny to collaborate.

This has some of Prince all up IN this song! I'm feelin a bit of the Purple Rain sdtrk in this one...

This man is absolutely beautiful.

Thank you D'Angelo for stay true to yourself and Making this album an Mesmerizing and Historical experience. This song is a Masterpiece.

David Makes Man brought me here!

Seminal album and artist. With Prince gone now I firmly believe this dude is the only one capable to create truly enjoyable soul/rock/funk music.

This my damn album right here!

I love Prince, Kendrick Lamar & D'Angelo 🙏🏿

its an experience to listen to these songs

Those lyrics... a reflection of the current times!!!

What a masterpiece of a song. Brilliant.

This man and his team.. these words.... #blacklivesmatter

I had this on serious repeat in 3018 when I discovered it. Got me through! Thankyou. Sublime.

The Charade Lyrics: Crawling through a systematic maze And it pains to demise Pain in our eyes Strain of drownin', wading into your lies Degradation so loud that you can't hear the sound of our cries (doo, doo) All the dreamers have gone to the side of the road which we will lay on Inundated by media, virtual mind fucks in streams [CHORUS] All we wanted was a chance to talk 'Stead we only got outlined in chalk Feet have bled a million miles we've walked Revealing at the end of the day, the charade Perpetrators beware say a prayer if you dare for the believers With a faith at the size of a seed enough to be redeemed (doo doo) Relegated to savages bound by the way of the deceivers So anchors be sure that you're sure we ain't no amateurs [CHORUS] All we wanted was a chance to talk 'Stead we only got outlined in chalk Feet have bled a million miles we've walked Revealing at the end of the day, the charade [BRIDGE] With the veil off our eyes we'll truly see And we'll march on And it really won't take too long And it really won't take us very long...

genius

I just discovered this album... im so glad I did. Its great

This track gets better with each listen.

This is like the best martini plus the best sex plus the best weather on a good hair day all rolled into one!!!

Ready for the Revolution!

I don't hear no Prince here, I hear that holiday pay attention funk. Love it.

I never understand dangelos lyrics without reading them, doesn't matter who mixed the vocals lol still great nusic

phenomenal! sounds like jimmy was a rock star from commons electric circus album. also Imagine erykah badu vocals in this too!

Reminds me of when I fell in love with music, Like when I felt it for the first time!!!!!! Freakin Phenomenal!!!!

Beautiful My dream album D, Prince, Van Hunt , Lenny,

Remix with Kendrick Lamar and Andre 3000 is a must

So many would be proud

musical genius....

D to me, is another representation of Prince. He's not better NOR greater than him, but he DOES do good with how he is. If Prince is God, D is undoubtedly Jesus. Thats how i feel.

This song forever...

That heavy prince influence

My eyes well up every time.... beautiful song, powerful message

"The Charade"- lyrics Crawling through a systematic maze And it pains to demise Pain in our eyes Strain of drownin', wading into your lies Degradation so loud that you can't hear the sound of our cries (doo, doo) All the dreamers have gone to the side of the road which we will lay on Inundated by media, virtual mind fucks in streams [CHORUS] All we wanted was a chance to talk 'Stead we only got outlined in chalk Feet have bled a million miles we've walked Revealing at the end of the day, the charade Perpetrators beware say a prayer if you dare for the believers With a faith at the size of a seed enough to be redeemed (doo doo) Relegated to savages bound by the way of the deceivers So anchors be sure that you're sure we ain't no amateurs [CHORUS] All we wanted was a chance to talk 'Stead we only got outlined in chalk Feet have bled a million miles we've walked Revealing at the end of the day, the charade [BRIDGE] With the veil off our eyes we'll truly see And we'll march on And it really won't take too long And it really won't take us very long Read more: D'Angelo - The Charade Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Love D…Prince whole album💜💜💜

This album is an eargasm amidst an orgy with a choir of angels.

My fave song on the album! Very deep!

This is the best Prince song recorded in the past 15 years.

Pure Genius

amazing sound Prince like, the only issue i have with this is i barely can understand what D is saying...

Love love love this album you definitely hear the grown man....Philly loves you D please come back.