Get all 6 Salim Nourallah releases available on Bandcamp and save 15%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of A Nuclear Winter, the World's Weakest Man (all the tracks), Your Birthday Without You, Good Sense and Safety EP, President Gas, and Somewhere South of Sane.
1. |
World's Weakest Man
03:17
|
|||
world’s weakest man (words & music by salim nourallah)
if you gave me a feather to carry
this morning
i’m afraid it might be too heavy
i’m the world’s weakest man
no kidding, just try me
let you down fast as i can
you’re heavy…
da, da, da, da, da, da
waking up with these thoughts all twisted
and churning
not exactly what you’d want
don’t make me stable or able
i’m the world’s weakest man
i know i said already
but i’ll let you down quick as i can
because love’s heavy…
so heavy
i’m the world’s weakest man
and i’ll let you down quick as i can
because love’s heavy…
so heavy
heavy, real heavy
|
||||
2. |
A Nuclear Winter
03:41
|
|||
a nuclear winter (words by salim nourallah and gaines greer/music by salim)
i take your hand in mine
it feels like ice but I don’t mind
you shiver and you shake
the sun is serious enough to bake
cinnamon buns on the hot concrete
the pavement freezes underneath your feet
but I always feel warm when you’re next to me
even if you’re minus 17 degrees
and you say,
”boy”
yeah, you say…”boy”
even a nuclear winter feels warm
you don’t usually say much
you don’t believe in compliments
I hang on to the handful I got
before we’d been together long enough to stop
you don’t act out but you don’t let in
I’m sweatin’ in my oversensitive skin
I told you once that you were dazzling
you told me “don’t ever do that again!”
and you say,
”boy”
yeah, you say…”boy”
when you’ve survived an emotional apocalypse
even a nuclear winter feels warm
do you look so cool ‘cause you’re frozen inside?
got refrigerated words and arctic alibis
I try to thaw you out, am I wasting my time?
if your igloo heart beats for me well, I feel fine
|
||||
3. |
Jesus of Sad
03:45
|
|||
jesus of sad (words & music by salim nourallah)
so you think you've suffered?
i sip the tears of the world from my coffee cup
there's always some poor sucker
who believes in all this peace and love
it's always my last supper
if betrayal is your game then come hit me with some pain
see those grown men weeping?
they're my disciples...
i'm the Jesus of Sad
the Jesus of Sad
give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free again
and have you seen my brother?
he's a nuisance to my creed he's bulletproof, he never bleeds
yeah he's so damn happy
gonna wipe that smile right off his face
now let me sing of virtue
if my melancholy wanes then i can always summon shame
it’s a dirty occupation
but somebody’s gotta do it, right?
i'm the Jesus of Sad
the Jesus of Sad
give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free again
my robe was sewn by the poor and downtrodden
every hair in my beard grown from an act of suffering
my sandals, my sandals the pièce de ré·sis·tance
handmade by some orphans in the worst of conditions
i cry, i cry, i cry rivers and oceans
misery, a temple of truth and devotion
i pray, i pray for relief, for an answer
would my life have been different if i'd been born a dancer?
i’m the Jesus of sad
the Jesus of Sad
give me your tired, your poor, your befuddled masses yearning to breathe free again
|
||||
4. |
||||
i was born with a broken heart (words & music by salim nourallah)
let me take you to the desert
to my humble start
mom, she had a halo and a green Datsun car
dad, he was an Arab, and a playboy too
always at the office, always in a suit
yeah, Karen was a housewife
that struggle was real
clipping all the coupons, cooking all our meals
i was born with a broken heart
i wish i’d learned karate
or kung fu too
‘cause you can’t win with poetry when they’re bullying you
why were all the grownups looking so damn old?
hamburgers and donuts for doing as you’re told
i was born with a broken heart
i learned about the Bible, i learned about the Koran too
my father in denial that all my closest friends were Jews
when i asked him about heaven and if mom was going too
he said, “heaven’s no place for Christians and hell’s the place for you”
it all seemed so messed up to me, it all seemed so messed up
but he didn’t make that stuff up, it’s what they taught him it’s what we’re taught
always people pointing fingers if you’re not on their religion’s team
diesel Cadillacs
polyester slacks
the Shah of Iran
all my time spent combing through the record stacks
Lee Chagra got shot
Brad Austin had pot
played our first gig strip mall parking lot
shady politicians
heavy metal musicians
all the bad guys had mustaches flash track suits and Santana
drug cartels, k-mart, k-tel
disco compilations in the 8-track wishing well
equal rights for women?
boy, you gotta be kidding
put the bright ones on their knees, let them cook, clean and breed
that’s how it was in the 70’s
that’s how it was in the big, bad ‘70s
|
||||
5. |
||||
this doesn’t feel like peace, love or understanding (words & music by salim nourallah)
this doesn't feel like peace, love or understanding
this doesn't feel like anything happy at all
i asked you for some peace, love and understanding
it feels more like you're building the Berlin Wall
maybe it’s the distant hidden in your voice
or maybe it's the way you treat me like a boy
and maybe it's the way you're looking at my prose
or maybe it's the way you criticize my clothes
oh no, i don't know
this doesn't feel like peace, love or understanding
it feels more like my life’s a ticking time-bomb
i thought i asked of you without coming off too demanding
the way you cut me down left me feeling three feet small
maybe there is really no such thing as peace
or maybe it's just never gonna come to me
and maybe all we need is love while we make war
but i'm so tired of fighting for God only knows what for
what's this all for?
this doesn't feel like peace, love or understanding
i think destruction is the one thing you’ve got on your mind
this doesn't feel like peace, love or understanding
it feels more like an execution of something sublime
|
||||
6. |
Misanthrope
04:36
|
|||
misanthrope (words & music by rhett miller & salim nourallah)
she's a lovely girl but she's a misanthrope
she's sick of the world, she's at the end of her rope
she's had it up to here with everyone but me
cowboys, bankers, bikers too
she hates 'em all and she might hate you
but when we're alone, she's as sweet as she can be
it's why it feels so good when she takes my hand
when she tells me I'm her man
so good when she holds me tenderly
I'm the only one that she don't mind
the one man out of all mankind
she hates everybody but me
it's hard sometimes with a misanthrope
I got grave concerns and it ain't no joke
I wake up wonderin' when she gonna turn on me
in a cold sweat in the dead of the night
I reach across and I turn on the light
there she is sleeping, as sweet as she can be
it was so hard to win her heart
it's hard as a rock except for one little part
that's why I don't sleep so easily
yeah, I'm so glad to be one of a kind
but I'm scared to death she might change her mind
she hates everybody but me
and I'll miss her when she's gone
my misanthrope
and I'll think of how it was
and I'll hold out hope
she'll think back on how it used to be
when she hated everybody but me
and how it felt so good when she took my hand
when she told me I was her man
so good when she held me tenderly
I was the only one that she didn't mind
the one man out of all mankind
she hates everybody but me
she hates everybody but me
she hates everybody but me
|
||||
7. |
||||
let’s be miserable together (words & music by salim nourallah)
misery loves company
maybe that’s why you love me?
let’s pour a drink and spin some tales
let me tell you how my marriage failed
are you on my side, do you empathize?
she was in the wrong, I was in the right
oh, you can’t believe I was cheated on?
you know I had this feeling all along
if we can’t be happy on our own…let’s be miserable together!
now build your case, I’m listening
with each sordid word, you’re more interesting
people love a good horror show
you’re center stage, I hope you know
I’m hanging on your every word
it’s a classic tale of boy meets girl
then love grows cold, it all goes to hell
it’s got plot twists and turns and broken hearts as well
if we can’t be happy on our own…let’s be miserable together!
oh, it feels so nice to commiserate
pour another glass, has it been 6 or 8?
could we still be friends if I told you now
I was well-adjusted and happy now?
had a post-divorce life epiphany
and my girlfriend, well, she’s pretty good to me
yeah, I hear you man, life’s a bitch, that’s right!
but I’ve been working out and sleeping sound at night
if I was happy on my own
if you were happy on your own
if I was happy on my own
if you were happy on your own
if we were happy on our own…
we couldn’t be miserable together
|
||||
8. |
Building A Case
03:06
|
|||
building a case (words & music by salim nourallah)
you've been to brunch a bunch lately with your best friend, Elaine
you call your mom to talk daily though it gives you migraines
you're looking down your nose and sighing at the way I dress
your body language shows i’m trying and you couldn't care less
have you been building a case, building a case against our love?
have you been building a case, building a case against our love?
are you dreaming of our breakup in some new yoga pants?
dreaming of a foreign boyfriend on a trip to France
why do you pat me on the shoulder when we kiss goodnight?
you’re like my mother leaning over as you shut off the light
have you been building a case, building a case against our love?
have you been building a case, building a case against our love?
do you think that I never notice all the little things you do?
do you think that I am oblivious, that I'm a tongue-tied, love-struck fool?
well, you know you're wrong, you’re wrong
all my friends they like to point out what you're putting me through
and how my life would be much better if I broke up with you
so I could stand around at parties ‘cause I hate to dance
yeah, I could throw back some Bacardi’s, start a new romance
have I been building a case, building a case against our love?
yeah, I’ve been building an case, building a case against our love
I’ve been building a case
|
||||
9. |
Assassins
04:09
|
|||
assassins (words & music by salim nourallah)
assassins come crashing in on you in the middle of the night
assassins back stabbing, dressed in black, begging for a fight
assassins all laughing, plant bad thoughts that fill you up with fright
assassins hi-jacking, attacking mind loop parasites
are you gonna make it out this time?
are you gonna make it out alive?
assassins, they’re greedy, so needy, always tugging at your sleeves
assassins, bang on eardrums, make conundrums, have fun messing up your life
are you gonna make it out this time?
yeah, are you gonna make it out alive?
they’re assassins, I told you, tell them to shut up and be quiet
assassins, they crave attention, just ignore 'em
that’s the only way they die!
am I gonna make it through the night?
are you gonna make it through the night?
are we gonna make it out this time?
yeah, are we gonna make it out alive?
|
||||
10. |
Winners
03:37
|
|||
winners (words by Salim Nourallah & Gaines Greer; music by Salim Nourallah)
it’s in the way they look down their noses at us
beneath them like rugs we’re hopelessly rough
it’s in the way they smile like the cat’s got their tongue
the shine of their teeth, conveniently smug
a look says it all,
it says that they’re winners
makes us feel small in front of the winners
we fell into the in-crowd for a minute or two
we did what they said, we followed the rules
but like some double agent in b-movie flick
my cover was blown, thrown out of their clique
a stiff upper lip in front of the winners
what I wouldn’t give to win over the winners
to be one the winners
you’re laughing at me (even in sleep you’re still laughing at me)
out on the street (you’re one of them and you’re laughing at me)
laugh like a winner
you laugh like a winner
I saw you in a bar but then you just turned away
you acted as though you’d forgotten my name
we can play strangers if you want it that way
lucky for you, you’re immune when I say,
“I knew you before you were one of the winners”
now I’ll mop the floors while you buy them dinner
yeah, for all of the winners
what I wouldn’t give (give to win over the winners)
what I wouldn’t give (give to be one the winners)
to win over the winners
to be one the winners
one of the winners
to win over the winners
|
||||
11. |
A Simple Love
03:51
|
|||
a simple love (words & music by salim nourallah)
my love is a simple love, my love is a simple love
she doesn’t know how else to be
she won’t be caught making a scene
my love is a simple love my, love is a simple love
not jealous or petty or cruel
or clutching a beer by the pool
she will not do what the others have done
some girls do nothing but run
sometime she don’t wanna have too much fun
she’s practiced in prudence, not dumb
my love is a simple love, my love is a simple love
she doesn’t need bows or chiffon
she’d much rather be up at dawn
she will not cower from what the faint of heart shun
she is a tower of sun
she’s not afraid, she’s afraid of no one
she unravels grim stories I’ve spun
my love is a simple love, my love is a simple love
some say that she’s just a fib
while others just say i’m just amiss
some say she cannot exist
but i know she’s real ‘cause we’ve kissed
and i know how simple love is
|
||||
12. |
Good Sense and Safety
03:16
|
|||
good sense and safety (words & music by salim nourallah)
when I was a kid my dad taught me the rules of life
yeah, when I was a kid my dad taught me these rules of life
he said, “son, number one…GOOD SENSE and SAFETY”
he said, “son, number one…always use GOOD SENSE and SAFETY”
when I was a boy my father said these rules of life
that's right
yeah, when I was a boy my father told the rules of life
he said, “son, number one…GOOD SENSE and SAFETY”
he said, “son, number one…always use GOOD SENSE and SAFETY”
avoid danger at all cost
GOOD SENSE and SAFETY
avoid risk at all cost
always use GOOD SENSE and SAFETY
follow the rules, polish your shoes, do your homework, go to school
follow the rules, polish your shoes, do your homework, go to school
do what your told, do what your told
never ask questions
do what your told, do what your told
he said, “son, number one…GOOD SENSE and SAFETY”
he said, “son, number one…always use GOOD SENSE and SAFETY”
avoid danger at all cost
GOOD SENSE and SAFETY
avoid risk at all cost
always use GOOD SENSE and SAFETY
follow the rules, polish your shoes, do your homework, go to school
follow the rules, polish your shoes, do your homework, go to school
do what your told, do what your told
yeah, never ask questions
do what your told
|
||||
13. |
I've Got a Job!
02:58
|
|||
i’ve got a job! (words by gaines greer & salim nourallah; music by salim nourallah)
when i was a boy my Grandma said
i think you’d make a good shoe salesman…”
i was thinking an Astronaut
so i’m pretty sure i undershot
now i’ve got a desk, a cubicle
a parking pass but the lot’s always full
instant oatmeal at 6am
sitting on the freeway in traffic again
don’t have a girl
don’t have much fun
i can’t remember my last vacation
i don’t work out
i don’t sleep in
can’t even stay awake past ten
i’ve got a job!
i’ve got a job!
so i’ve bought some pants with pleats in front
i like to wear ‘em with my blue button ups
my boss tells me that my work’s alright
but we’re not promoting anyone at this time
i try to talk to the new receptionist
work up the nerve to ask her to breakfast
but someone sent her flowers yesterday
i’m pretty sure she doesn’t like me anyway
i don’t eat right
why should i try?
frozen dinners are just fine
don’t see my friends
there’s never time
i’m always beat on Friday night
i’ve got a job!
|
||||
14. |
Donut Shop
02:35
|
|||
donut shop (words by salim nourallah & nicholas altobelli; music by nicholas altobelli)
i got a job i even bought a car
i cut my hair and sold all my guitars
i've dropped some weight and started working out
so why don’t you love me like you used to?
i told my mom you were the only one
i told my drinking buddy, Billy, “i’m done!”
i’m eating vegan, reading lots of books
so why don’t you love me like you used to?
you were the girl for me i was your man
now i'm living in a world that i don’t understand
i’d of never guessed, i’d of never guessed
that you'd cross me off your list
i thought i saw you in a donut shop
was it you i spotted at the bus stop?
i smiled and waved but your eyes stayed so blank
yeah, why don’t you love me like you used to?
when we were younger we would watch the stars
not wonder if we’d ever fall apart
i’d of never guessed, i’d of never guessed
that it’d ever come to this
you were the girl for me i was your man
now i'm living in a world that i don’t understand
i’d of never guessed, i’d of never guessed
that you'd cross me off your list
i haven’t heard from you since God knows when
i hope you haven’t found a new boyfriend
so would you like to have a picnic then go to the zoo?
'cause i think you could love me like you used to
i think you could love me like you used to
why don't you love me like you used to?
|
||||
15. |
Dreamsong
03:14
|
|||
dreamsong (words & music by salim nourallah)
warm breeze on the back of my neck
tall trees swaying from the deck
blue seas and we're headed West in a dreamsong
my baby smiles as she's coming to me
she takes my hand and i'm 17
it's just as good as i thought it would be in this dreamsong
island sand hot beneath my feet
she whispers softly inviting me
to a place i can only see in this dreamsong
follow signs taking us away
no shoes on, it's a holiday
no blues, everything's okay in this dreamsong
no way that i'll ever go home
i'll stay in the bath alone
long naps and i've got no phone in this dreamsong
taxi cab radio is on
turn the dial and they're playing my song
the driver smiles as he sings along and we're LONG GONE
slow hours walking on the beach
her fingers beckon just out of reach
her hand in mine now it all feels complete in this dreamsong
|
||||
16. |
If I Married You
03:08
|
|||
if i married you (words & music by salim nourallah)
if I married you, we could join the Olympics of love
if I married you, gold domestic bliss medals thereof
if you married me, maybe have matching his’n’her towels
if you married me, we could sit in our den and buy vowels
we’d both sip lemonade
by the pool, in our shades
if I married you
if I married you, most my crazy ideas you’d support
if I married you, could we watch PBS and not sports?
if you married me, I’d be quiet as a mouse while you slept
if you married me, we’d have a clutter free house - wanna bet?
I’d be kind and on time
write you songs, give you wine
if I married you
if you married me, I’d get tres leches when you’re sad
and to prove my love, go see Gordon Lightfoot with your dad
I might clean while you read
dust the plants, make our bed
if I married you…
we’d be friends ’til the end
on you I could depend
if I married you
if I married you
if you married me
if you married me
|
||||
17. |
||||
misanthrope (words & music by rhett miller & salim nourallah)
she's a lovely girl but she's a misanthrope
she's sick of the world, she's at the end of her rope
she's had it up to here with everyone but me
cowboys, bankers, bikers too
she hates 'em all and she might hate you
but when we're alone, she's as sweet as she can be
it's why it feels so good when she takes my hand
when she tells me I'm her man
so good when she holds me tenderly
I'm the only one that she don't mind
the one man out of all mankind
she hates everybody but me
yeah, it's hard sometimes with a misanthrope
I got grave concerns and it ain't no joke
I wake up wonderin' when she gonna turn on me
in a cold sweat in the dead of the night
I reach across and I turn on the light
there she is sleeping, as sweet as she can be
it was so hard to win her heart
it's hard as a rock except for one little part
that's why I don't sleep so easily
yeah, I'm so glad to be one of a kind
but I'm scared to death she might change her mind
she hates everybody but me
and I'll miss her when she's gone
my misanthrope
and I'll think of how it was
and I'll hold out hope
she'll think back on how it used to be
when she hated everybody but me
and how it felt so good when she took my hand
when she told me I was her man
so good when she held me tenderly
I was the only one that she didn't mind
the one man out of all mankind
she hates everybody but me
she hates everybody but me
she hates everybody but me
|
||||
18. |
||||
your birthday without you (words & music by salim nourallah)
i woke up at 6 to send a sweet birthday message
i hoped for it to be the very 1st thing you saw
you wrote, "you sound like a Hallmark card"
that was all you said but at least you'd read it
i went back to bed
then got up at 10
had some breakfast, listened to a song again
that i'd written the night before
i thought of changing all the words to make it yours
i started celebrating your birthday, you know i was celebrating your birthday
without you
i imagined how cute you must've looked
as a four year old girl with all those dark, dark curls
then i went out and bought you a book
i even to a look as i flipped through the pages
i picked up a cupcake, picked out some cards
bought you more than one because deciding was too hard
i might've checked my phone a couple of times
there was no word from you
i played it cool, stood in line
that's how i was celebrating your birthday, you know i was celebrating your birthday
without you
i had dinner at a restaurant that i eat at all the time
told myself, "she's doing yoga after work, everything's fine”
still had the cards to sign, still had to buy some candles
hit the grocery store with a bunch of guys in sandals
and now the sun's gone down, i'm sitting in my car
waiting for your call, thinking of visiting a bar
i think i had a pretty good attitude
that lasted all day long although your non-participation was rude
it would've been more fun to spend your birthday with you
a helluva lot more fun to spend your birthday with you
you were born today, you're a miracle! you were born today, you're a miracle!
that's all i have to say as i wrap up your birthday
|
||||
19. |
Good Enough
04:21
|
|||
good enough (words & music by salim nourallah)
you are so beautiful
i’m caught up in your sweet glow
as you’re lying there
hardly with a care you know
long brown hair, skin so fair
how i long to kiss you there
but you don’t respond, you say everything is wrong
guess i’m not good enough
i’m not good enough for you
what more can i do?
i’m not good enough
no, i’m not good enough
and i’ve got practice with this stuff
yeah, when will i be ever good enough?
other girls like me, why can’t you see?
they say i’m handsome, tall and neat
they tell me lot’s of things and ask me ‘bout this ring i wear
oh, but i love you and my heart's so true
you’re the only girl in the universe
so what am i to do if you don’t want me close to you?
if i’m not good enough
i’m not good enough for you
you should hit me with the truth
if i’m not good enough
i’m not good enough
i can take the news
if you don’t think i’m good enough for you…for you
well, hell i’m good enough,
yeah, i’m good enough for you
i’d go to war and fight for you
yeah, hell i’m good enough
that’s right i’m good enough for you
do anything, yeah, i'm that tough
you bet i’m good enough, i’m better than good enough
and i’ve got practice with this stuff
so trust me when i say i’m good enough for you
|
||||
20. |
||||
maybe you’d like me to love you (words & music by salim nourallah)
i pledge my unwavering devotion to you
stoic and bold as the ocean is blue
you say you need space - i'll clear out the garage
you say you need silence -we don't have to talk
you know a connection is all i want
i handle your feelings with conscience and care
the cooking and cleaning - i'll take on more than my share
you say you need sleep - i buy a bigger bed
you say you want peace - i kill the violence in my head
hey, maybe you'd like me to love you
maybe you'd like me to love
maybe you'd like me to love you a little bit less?
i hate when you're sad, whenever you're sick
i'd take on your pain, that'd be a neat trick
the sound of your name is like my favorite cassette
and if we parted ways you know i'd never forget
maybe you'd like me to love you
maybe you'd like me to love
maybe you'd like me to love you a little bit less?
you know we could make arrangements to help soothe our disengagement
patience could've been my middle name but sometimes i wanna hear you say
"hey...i just wanna see you
i wanna be near you today
maybe you’d like me to love you
maybe you like me to love..."
yeah, maybe i’d like you to love me a little bit more
a little bit
a little bit more
|
||||
21. |
Salim Nourallah Dallas, Texas
Salim Nourallah is a recording artist, producer, Happiness Records founder, and Texas indie music fixture. His 2018 release, Somewhere South of Sane, is a 21-song double LP. Popmatters recently wrote, "Nourallah manages both to surprise and to continue doing exactly what he's always done: turn a reflective life and a focus on family into unforgettable art." ... more
Streaming and Download help
If you like Salim Nourallah, you may also like:
Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp