Just last Wednesday, Kelly Morris, the underground voice of the Carolinas, released his new video for NPR’s tiny desk contest. You can find “If You Had My Soul” alongside an archive of his past submissions on his YouTube: KELLY @ dukeofwhoknowswhere.
“KELLY is an indie artist, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and producer based in the Carolinas.”
This year’s submission has proven to be his most grandiose. The track darts between brooding and belting, telling a story of star-crossed love. As it blooms, different instrumentations take a hold of the track- featuring Charleston talents Drew Lewis on drums, Tommy Merritt on bass, Noah James on piano, and of course, Kelly Morris on vocals and guitar- shoutout to all of these awesome musicians as well as Wolfgang Zimmerman and The Space for helping bring this performance to life.
Kelly’s songwriting skills take center stage on “If You Had My Soul”- evolving through phases of breakaways, cyclical motifs, and chilling choruses. The song structure manages to feel both classic and original- leaving us with nothing less than a timeless track.
“One.. two.. three..”
The track kicks off with a soulful riff, followed closely by angelic vocals that have become a signature for the star songwriter. As KELLY winds around noir soundscapes, black and white images flash in the mindscape. In his opening lyrics, Kelly sets the stage for the auditory mansion that we’ll be wandering around in throughout this five minute fable.
“Is this your life?
A collection of old lies
A lavish decor of vanity
That blinds the eyes
You might hear
That you better notice
The checkered floor is everywhere you step
Until death”
Next, the track ascends with Kelly as he sings the track’s namesake,
“If you had my soul
How far would you go
Would you take it to the altar or take it to the grave
While they watch you as you fall in disarray”
These lines stand out as some of the most beautiful lyrics in the song, highlighting a question of devotion.
“If You Had My Soul” continues to unfold, with woven in classical elements that add a theatrical flair to the track. Everyone plays their part as if they were actors in a grand play- getting lost in the performance of it all.
The lyrics here paint the scene perfectly,
“Dark figures dance
Where once there was romance
In an empty room
where you’re consumed
About thoughts of your exit”
Before long, we’re struck by the namesake chorus- which comes back in full swing,
“If you had my soul
How far would you go
Would you take it to the altar or take it to the grave
While they watch you as you fall in disarray”
We descend further,
“Now that the doors have closed
This house is dark
I’m thinking about
Restarting it all
Juxtaposed to life
Everything’s a dream
When It’s not what it seems
To be anymore”
In a flash, Kelly tears away with a falsetto, “Is this what you want? / Then take what you want.”
Desperation follows as Kelly belts out, “I gave you my soul / everything and / if you want more / have all of my dreams! / Cause it’s painful yea / But it won’t be painful for long”
And with this, Kelly reaches his voice to the sky, serenading the track with heavenly vocals.
He then leads the track back down into the dark, singing,
“And live with doors that close around you
in a house will halls that lead you to nowhere
Call out to the dark
Is anyone listening?”
We’re taken back to that poignant picture with the lyrics,
“Dark figures dance
Where once there was romance
In a mirrored room
Where I’m consumed about thoughts of my exit”
The namesake chorus returns for one last victory lap as the track reaches its peak,
“If you had my soul
How far would you go
Would you take it to the altar or take it to the grave
While they watch you as you fall in disarray”
The highest highs of the track come crashing down into its lowest lows as 3 words bring the track to a close,
“It’s too late
It’s too late
It’s too late
It’s too late
It’s too late
It’s too late
It’s too late
It’s too late”
And that’s the conclusion of this soulful epic. Here at the end, I’m left in awe. Kelly’s songwriting does such an amazing job of framing his voice and guitarwork into grandiose musical moments- on top of this, his ability to craft vivid lyrics that linger long after the track ends makes his music unforgettable.
We’re wishing the very best of luck to KELLY on his entry into the Tiny Desk Contest. You can help by sharing the video or this article! I truly believe he’s making music that needs to be heard, so this contest would be the perfect path to that.
Check out these other videos from his YouTube too!
