Uploaded June 2023 | Updated September 2026, 18 hours ago

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"Guardian Angel" is the first single from Funky DL's new album, "I am Reuben" and tells the captivating and sentimental tale of the relationship he had with his now departed older brother Reuben.

The story sees DL explore occasions where Reuben was there to protect and guide him from harm, whilst providing encouragement and instilling a sense of confidence into the spirit of his younger sibling.

DL speaks directly to the relationship he had with his older brother and is the perfect introduction to "I am Reuben", the Funky DL album filled with a very high level of sincerity and sentiment, released on July 21st 2023.

LYRICS:

Verse One
Picture a guardian angel assigned to your protection,
the counsel and direction that you got from your conception,
stays awake when you asleep with no exception,
but you don’t know they your angel until your self-reflection kick in on another level,
my big bro was a rebel and did it his way,
just like any older sibling, he’d cause me dismay,
but that’s kids play, when he’s seven, I’m six
and gave me several licks, I could have sworn this kid got superpowers,
as we got older I would ask him all types of questions
about my first day in secondary and what kind of lessons I’d be learning,
“will my head get flushed down the toilet by older kids?”
He didn’t answer, like a pupil without his hand up, he was quiet,
likk’le yute try and send me out there, but don’t try it,
cos’ when I told him who my brother was, he left me be
and never in his life did say another word to me,
older kid called Keith punched me in my face, it was a case of false identity,
my brother found him after school and pinned him to a tree,
beat him like a father gives his kid a hiding with a cord,
just like Simon Peter with a sword, he stood tall,
see Reuben was my guardian angel
and we were very different, something like Bacardi and bagels,
but we were both the same, if one felt pain, the party was painful
and so to have this older brother, I am heartily grateful.


Chorus (fade in)
Guardian Angel,
la, la, la (x15)


Verse Two
Huh’, don’t spend your money buying drinks for strange women was his advice,
when he could tell they just loved the musician in me,
just want the perks, they only see what’s on the surface,
so the beverages you purchase are nothing but really worthless,
you do yourself a disservice, he was making sure I heard this,
so approaching women I just felt more nervous til’ I learned this in earnest,
I know they looking hot, but that’s the point of furnace,
it make you feel warm then burn you when you wasn’t concerned with all the finer details,
told me the downfall of man can often be a female,
so see the signs of the Jezebel Delilah,
there’s a beautiful woman out there for you, now all you gotta do is find her,
and he wouldn’t let me go where there’s trouble,
hold your corner bro, stay home and grow a little stubble,
do them beats bro, try to get a vision that is tunnel,
build a neat flow, I don’t wanna see you have to struggle,
you can make it bro, you one of the best ever do it,
put your head down, now all you gotta’ do is go and prove it,
when your older brother tells you this and gives you all the principles,
you can stand up and step into the world and feel invincible,
see Reuben was my guardian angel
and we were not the same, he would play Atari,
I’m painting and playing with crayons, but as a little bro I was faithful
and so to have this older brother, I am heartily grateful.


Chorus
credits
released June 22, 2023
Written by N. Newman.

Produced, Mixed and Arranged by Funky DL for Washington Classics 2023.

Keyboards and Synthesizers by Xantoné Blacq
Additional Keyboards and Synthesizers by Funky DL
Electric Guitar by Ed Riches
Electric Guitar by Miles James
Bass Guitar by Sean Allen

Executive Producer: N. Newman
Co Executive Producers: C. Boothe & J. Marcella