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Are You Sitting Comfortably?

by Ryan Mitchell-Smith

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1.
2.
Smiling Underneath There’s somethin’ hidden up my sleeve, I’m taking notes about the way I’d rather be, In perfect harmony, the roots don’t work out… Biting my lip through gritted teeth, Unstable dental health, disaster area, It’s much more scary, when the words don’t come out… All of a sudden see my soul descending, Somehow it feels just like a stone is sinking me, I’m punctuating through a life-long sentence, Despite what you see, I think I’m smiling underneath. There must be somethin’ in the air, I’m taking special care to find the reasoning, The rhyming treason is the truth won’t come out… There’s only so much I can bear, I’m breathing easier, it’s hard to swallow but, It’s much more shallow, when my breath won’t breathe out… All of a sudden see my soul descending, Somehow it feels just like a stone is sinking me, I’m punctuating through a life-long sentence, Despite what you see, I think I’m smiling underneath. I really hope it goes well, This is my version of hell, I’m passing control to the ones who I distrust the most. I guess it’s time to man up, But I’m scared as fuck, I’m hoping to wake up on Sunday but smiling a beam. I guess I’m smiling underneath… Is there something I need to sign? I’m taking all my time to read the smaller type, Extracting all the hype, the chair won’t go down. There’s only so much I can do, The rest is up to you, there’s just no doubting all the Screams and shouting will not stop this man now… All of a sudden see my soul descending, Somehow it feels just like a stone is sinking me, I’m punctuating through a life-long sentence, Despite what you see, I think I’m smiling underneath. Hold my head up high… Hold my head up high… Hold my head up high… Hold my head up high…
3.
Thirty-Something I think my back is playin’ up again, I’ve got the front to bring it down but then, Somebody might know, somebody might go… I think I’ve landed on my crow’s feet, My dancing lands before I hit the beat, Somebody might fall; somebody might call… I feel my body goin’ under, All the hopefulness I like to keep in place, I know my mind has gone asunder, I’m devoid of normal elegance and grace, But I’m askin’ of it one more time, Can you wait until the end of the line, There’s just one thing I’ve got to do, That’s try to be a daddy with you. I’m taking out more than I put back in, It hurts to eat without my Ritalin, Somebody might fear, somebody might hear… I’m taking longer just to heal a bruise, And even longer still to feel amused, Somebody might see, somebody might be… I feel my body goin’ under, All the hopefulness I like to keep in place, I know my mind has gone asunder, I’m devoid of normal elegance and grace, But I’m askin’ of it one more time, Can you wait until the end of the line, There’s just one thing I’ve got to do, That’s try to be a daddy with you. And I feel, thirty-something, Looking out on, (on) a perfect morning, And the thoughts that take my mind, Are the ones of a change in kind, When my blood’s in my head and my heart’s in the know, I’ll be ready for another go… I feel my body goin’ under, All the hopefulness I like to keep in place, I know my mind has gone asunder, I’m devoid of normal elegance and grace, But I’m askin’ of it one more time, Can you wait until the end of the line, There’s just one thing I’ve got to do, That’s try to be a daddy with you. I think it’s getting past my bedtime, I’ve got to put the blanket up to five, Somebody might feel, somebody like me…
4.
Complicated 05:00
Complicated I have to get up in the morning after ten o’ clock at night Before I go to bed. I work for peanuts every day but that’s the price I have to pay Because the suit man said. Cos there’s just so much going on but I just can’t get it wrong Or shit the fan will hit. Concurrent thinking’s quite a chore and conversation’s kind of flawed Among the thick of it… It’s getting far too complicated, It’s crossing over the line, I’m getting rather contemplated, I’m going out of my mind… Turn my attention to my twitter just to see if someone bitter Is as sad as me. I get an error message pop up, conversation window block up, So I hit delete. Can’t check my vital information cos despite my good intentions The connection drops. Disable basic bios options in the parsing table drive Before the router stops… It’s getting far too complicated, It’s crossing over the line, I’m getting rather contemplated, I’m going out of my mind… In terms of matters of the heart the point is stopping, where to start Before you’re falling in. Just say a word or three a day, or else the doctor signs away for half of All your things. Remember all the anniversaries and twice removing families At all the costs. A secret complimenting of each other with a whisper under cover In a parking lot… It’s getting far too complicated, It’s crossing over the line, I’m getting rather contemplated, I’m going out of my mind… Lose or win, There is no easy way around about it, Just a simple thing, Good conversation with the friends who found it out The easy way, Get to the point and let the truth hurt rationally, Some might say, Good nomenclatures but the words come naturally, As tempting as it is, I’d… I’d rather take another road. It’s getting far too complicated, It’s crossing over the line, I’m getting rather contemplated, I’m going out of my mind… Feelings that I’m missing, (I want to forget about it) Dealing hurtful kisses, (You want to forget about it) Picking at the loose ends, (We want to forget about it) Broken enough to mend, There is just no doubt about it, As tempting as it is, I’d… I’d rather take another road. It’s getting far too complicated, It’s crossing over the line, I’m getting rather contemplated, I’m going out of my mind…
5.
Diddly Dudi Yabadu Dadi Deydey As I wade, through the water, I can’t tell what’s rapidly approaching, Complicating the matter, I can see the tributary breaching, But I see, all the things I wanna see, And I hear, all the things I wanna hear, And I’ll be, all the things I wanna be, When I feel, something I just wanna sing… Diddly dudi yabadu dadi deydey, Diddly dudi yabadu dadi dey, Diddly dudi yabadu dadi deydey, Diddly dudi yabadu dadi dey... As I watch, the kerfuffle, I don’t tell a single soul about it, Take a five, knuckle-shuffle, I don’t see the harm in sticking with it, But I see, all the things I wanna see, And I hear, all the things I wanna hear, And I’ll be, all the things I wanna be, When I feel, something I just wanna sing… Diddly dudi yabadu dadi deydey, Diddly dudi yabadu dadi dey, Diddly dudi yabadu dadi deydey, Diddly dudi yabadu dadi dey... As I walk, up the river, I won’t see you stuck, without a paddle, Set your bow to the quiver, I won’t see you fight a losing battle, But I see, all the things I wanna see, And I hear, all the things I wanna hear, And I’ll be, all the things I wanna be, When I feel, something I just wanna sing… Diddly dudi yabadu dadi deydey, Diddly dudi yabadu dadi dey, Diddly dudi yabadu dadi deydey, Diddly dudi yabadu dadi dey...
6.
Wish 04:00
Wish Look around, look around, look around, It’s time to settle down now. You know just how, the story goes, The proof is in the reading alone, Once upon a time, Doesn’t have to be the opening line, So I’m weighing up the cons and the pro’s, And passing on the sentencing, To boldly go… Where I wanna be, Is meeting my potentially, Slightly better version of me, Happier essentially… Double down, double down, double down, It’s time to take a chance now. A luck of possibilities, The tale within my head is a dream, One of a kind, Is the kicker that nobody will mind, A call to raise the blinds unfolds, And checking on the river sees, A chance to go… Where I wanna be, Is meeting my potentially, Slightly better version of me, Happier essentially… Living for the moment, In deciding peace of mind, Setting all the plans in motion, Turning on the other side. It tries to run, when you take a risk, It tries to hit, when you never miss, It tries to breathe, as long as you live, It tries to hope, as long as you wish... As long as you wish… Close your eyes, close your eyes, close your eyes, It’s time to realize now. You know exactly what to do, A spoken secret never comes true, One starlit night, Exponential turning out of the lights, A fair breeze hands the lion a float, I’m crossing all my fingers so, That I can go… Where I wanna be, Is meeting my potentially, Slightly better version of me, Happier essentially… Living for the moment, In deciding peace of mind, Setting all the plans in motion, Turning on the other side.
7.
Save My Skin 04:33
Save My Skin I'm trying to grow a brand new skin, It's hard because its worn so thin, I'm trying to paint across the cracks, But it simply doesn't want to grow back... But it's out of my hands for now... And it's always bringing me down... If I'm too far stretched from within... Inner conflict, out for the win… I've got to save my skin. I'm crying to sleep on better days, I'm hanging on the doctors’ say, My knees are resting on my chest, Perennially, more or less... But it's out of my hands for now... And it's always bringing me down... If I'm too far stretched from within... Inner conflict, out for the win… I've got to save my skin. Are you sitting comfortably? Time to take a minute here, (Is there) somewhere that you'd rather be? Peeling back a different layer, (Can you) stick around the twist in life? Grounded by the span of my feet, Am I meeting with my own deadline? I've not to let my heart get beat... But it's out of my hands for now... And it's always bringing me down... If I'm too far stretched from within... Inner conflict, out for the win… I've got to save my skin... I've got to save my skin... I've got to save my skin... I've got to save my skin... But it's out of my hands for now...
8.
The Subject Line Is it something I said? Have you already filled the gaps and thought to mind your head? Is it something I did? Have you managed to keep the bees under your bonnet lid? Cos lately, you’ve been acting ever so strangely, Your levels are approaching their safety, To question is a healthy sign… It pains me, when you get a little bit crazy, It’s hard to know the reasons you blame me, The answer’s in the subject line… Is it something you read? Have I taken your words to mean that other thing you said? Is it time to retreat? Have I gotten the cotton wool from underneath your feet? Cos lately, you’ve been acting ever so strangely, Your levels are approaching their safety, To question is a healthy sign… It pains me, when you get a little bit crazy, It’s hard to know the reasons you blame me, The answer’s in the subject line… I’m guessing from the subject line, You’re not prepared to waste your time, Watching for the traps, minding all the gaps, Talking all the limelight… (I’m) tracking all your double takes, Despite a few of your mistakes, (I'm) loving you the same, taking all the blame, Lining up for goodness’ sake. Is it right to delete? Have you broken the family ties that fall from stronger trees? I’m with the family I love, I’m with the people I care about the most in all the world… (So take your best shot!) But lately, you’ve been acting ever so strangely, Your levels are approaching their safety, To question is a healthy sign… It pains me, when you get a little bit crazy, It’s hard to know the reasons you blame me, The answer’s in the subject line…
9.
Never Say Never Again Comin’ to the top of my mind, Feelings of the lovin' kind. Checkin’ on the route of my soul, Tempered with a cruise control. Can you take a piece of my heart..? And put it where no-one can find it. Can I take it back to the start..? Now i *think* I'm sure you'll mind it. Cos all my sources say, you're the one, A constant craving when, my heart goes numb... Never say, never say, never say, never again. (Oh I oh oh oh) (Oh oh Oh) Never say, never say, never say, never again. (Oh I oh oh.) Talkin' bout the meaning of life, Senses working overtime, Gettin' just a little too close, Shivers running to my toes. Can you hear the beat of my heart? (And) check my pulse before you take it. Can I hear the words from afar? Now's the time to contemplate it. Cos all my sources say, you're the one, A constant craving when, my heart goes numb... But something's stirring, way down inside, A yearning feeling, at the end of the night... (I'll) never say, never say, never say, never again. Never say, never say, never say, never again. We shall wait and see, what will be will be... We shall wait and see, what will be will be... We shall wait and see, what will be will be... We shall wait and see, what will be will be... Never say, never say, never say, never again. Never say, never say, never say, never again.
10.
The Pilot 05:01
The Pilot Flying down the runway, I’m trying not to suffocate, Breathing while my head is on the ground, My feet are somewhere soaring in the clouds… Am I that much different? Better check the instruments, Beating while my heart is in my mouth, My soul is searching somewhere further down… Navigate the misplaced, Is anybody listening? Lighting up the belt sign, I’m trying not to waste my time, Bracing for a second pass around, A single feeling far too often found… Am I that obvious? Stealthily oblivious, Waiting for the impact of the cold, Adding to the venture of my soul… Manoeuvring evasive, Is anybody listening? Is this the pilot? Is this the test run? Is this to check sound? Or just another barrier? Is this the run through? Is this the flight plan? Is this the right way round? Or just a little scarier…? Radio the silence… Is anybody listening? Coming in to land here, Crashing down to earth I fear, Braking an emergency stop, Surviving all the victims we have got, Am I just stalling? Examine Morse coding, Listening to the letters of the law, A message in a bottle on the floor… Calling for assistance, Is anybody listening? Are you ready to be my life? Are you ready to be my type? Are you ready to be my love? Are you ready to be the girl I dreamed of… Is this the pilot? Is this the test run? Is this to check sound? Or just another barrier? Is this the run through? Is this the flight plan? Is this the right way round? Or just a little scarier…? Radio the silence… Is anybody listening?
11.

about

Describing myself as a singer-songwriter is a little mis-leading, as that only really incorporates a small amount of what I do musically and with composition as a whole. This album is not a singer-songwriter album as such, it is more an album inspired and motivated by my recent health issues and therefore crosses many boundaries of topics from being scared of the dentist to losing my skin through having Crohn’s disease. It is because of the difficulties I had with operations and such that sitting down and walking were very painful for me for over a year... which inspired the title of this album. This is a deliberately planned entity from start to finish, where my main focus was very simple and specific… To make the catchiest album I could whilst making something that was inherently personal to me. The album has been made over two years almost completely by myself (apart from a gorgeous organ part from Ross Moore!), when I was confined to recording in tiny sections here and there, if and when I was well enough, and whenever I could muster the energy as fatigue has been such a major factor in my recent health scandal. Playing all the instrument parts like this actually helped my recovery by giving me something I was passionate about to aim for, playing parts that at the time were above my playing level and needed to be mastered. I wasn't going to stop practicing until I got everything spot on because I desperately wanted this album to be the best one I've ever done. Why? To pay my amazing friends and family back for all their unwavering support. :)

I’ve been influenced by many great and wonderful artists such as John Mayer and Dave Matthews... but choosing some “sound-a-likes” for this particular album is harder this time round. I would have to go with Donald Fagen, as his thick-textured vocal style and composition quirks really influence me and this album sees that influence coming out in abundance. Steely Dan with a touch of Ben Folds might be quite accurate too. This is the bravest and most adventurously textured album that I've made yet. It is funky yet treacly and is not scared to use an ear worm or two. That roughly gives you an insight of what to expect with this record. :D

RM-S

credits

released January 24, 2015

Vocals and instruments: Ryan Mitchell-Smith
Organ on Save My Skin: Ross Moore
Recorded and Engineered by: Ryan Mitchell-Smith
Mastered by: Brian Cohen

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Ryan Mitchell-Smith Wakefield, UK

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