In 2004 Joseph was selected by renaissance one, Decibel and the Arts Council of England as one of fifty Black and Asian writers who have made major contributions to contemporary British literature, appearing in the historic Great Day photo. In 2005 he was selected as the British Council’s first Poet in residence at California State University, Los Angeles.
Joseph lectures in creative writing at Birkbeck College, University of London. He is a AHRC scholar and doctoral candidate at Goldsmiths College.
As a musician he has released three critically acclaimed albums with his band the Spasm band; all released to coincide with book publications. His debut album with the band, Leggo de Lion was released in 2007, and featured lyrics taken from his novel The African Origins of UFOs. Bird Head Son followed in 2009, with lyrics from the Bird Head Son collection. The band’s third album Rubber Orchestras was released in 2011, alongside a new collection of poems with the same title.
Joseph has also collaborated with several artists including Archie Shepp, Joseph Bowie, Laurent Garnier, Othello Molineaux, Malcolm Catto, Mop Mop, Robert Aaron, Roger Raspail, Keziah Jones and Jerry Dammers of the Specials as part of the Spatial AKA Orchestra.
Botanique
Anthony Joseph Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Collide with me
Elucidate clearly
Hide me like a flute
That only you can play
Blow notes on my spine
Till you
Hallucinate with me
Rust with me
Deny for me
Be blood warm in wintertime.
Walk with me
From Morocco to Mali
Walk with me
Through the desert
Cut blight with jet black
Pin a broach, burn a bush
cgainst the evil eye of jealousy
Make juju with me
Delight in me, see me
Ethereally
Be luminous, and perpetual
Lift your eyes when I shine
Love my blackness even more
Be real, real black for me
But black is just a state of mind
Throw rice to those blackbirds
On the orange tree
cnd dust to dust shall be denied for us
Build a tough chapel of bliss for us
cnd let us be different
cnd let us sideways, indifferent and sly
When you knock on doors with me
Testify terrifyingly
Brew high numbers in the game for me
cnd lie like a one eyed cat deceptively
Invent new colours
Weave a new language
That only we can speak
Dig roots with me
Either dye your eye black and die with me
Like rivers outrun the earth
Be that space about the clouds
Stratospherically
Be bliss, butterfly
Be light
With me
Did you tell them what you told me?
That I would be
The prettiest flower in your garden
When you plant me among the trees?
The lyrics of Anthony Joseph's song "Botanique" are rich with imagery and emotion, delving into themes of love, unity, defiance, and self-discovery. The opening lines "Work with me, Collide with me" convey a sense of partnership and connection, suggesting a desire for a deep and meaningful interaction. The following lines "Elucidate clearly, Hide me like a flute" paint a picture of vulnerability and the desire to be understood and protected by someone special.
The recurring motif of music and sounds is evident throughout the lyrics, with references to playing a flute, blowing notes on the spine, and hallucinating together. This imagery adds a sense of whimsy and creativity to the lyrics, suggesting a bond that transcends the physical world and delves into a more spiritual and interconnected realm.
The mention of walking from Morocco to Mali through the desert conjures up images of a journey filled with challenges and adventures, symbolizing the ups and downs of a relationship. The line "Love my blackness even more, Be real, real black for me" speaks to a celebration of one's identity and uniqueness, urging the listener to embrace their true self and not be constrained by societal expectations.
The closing lines of the song touch upon themes of growth and transformation, likening the singer to a flower planted among the trees, symbolizing beauty, resilience, and the promise of new beginnings. The question posed at the end, "Did you tell them what you told me? That I would be The prettiest flower in your garden When you plant me among the trees?" hints at the power of words and the impact they can have on one's self-esteem and sense of worth.
Overall, "Botanique" is a lyrical journey that explores love, identity, and self-acceptance, inviting the listener to ponder on the complexities of human relationships and the beauty of embracing one's true self in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Work with me
Collaborate and cooperate with me
Collide with me
Come together with me in a powerful way
Elucidate clearly
Explain in a detailed and easily understandable manner
Hide me like a flute
Protect me in a delicate and gentle manner
That only you can play
That only you can truly understand and connect with
Blow notes on my spine
Send shivers down my back with your touch or words
Till you
Until you reach a certain point or feeling
Hallucinate with me
Experience a shared vision or feeling with me
Live in sin with me and dust will be our destiny
Embrace imperfection and accept the reality of our mortality together
Rust with me
Age and decay alongside me
Deny for me
Refrain from acknowledging or accepting something for my sake
Be blood warm in wintertime.
Provide comfort and warmth during cold and difficult times
Walk with me
Travel alongside me
From Morocco to Mali
Across different lands and cultures
Walk with me
Continue to journey with me
Through the desert
Even in challenging and desolate situations
Cut blight with jet black
Eliminate darkness and negativity with strength and determination
Pin a broach, burn a bush
Make a bold statement and stand out in the face of opposition
Against the evil eye of jealousy
In defiance of envy and negativity from others
Make juju with me
Create magic or special connections together
Delight in me, see me
Find joy and beauty in our connection
Ethereally
In a delicate and celestial manner
Be luminous, and perpetual
Radiate light and positivity endlessly
Lift your eyes when I shine
Recognize and appreciate my worth and brilliance
Love my blackness even more
Cherish all aspects of who I am, especially my darker qualities
Be real, real black for me
Be genuine and authentic in your connection with me
But black is just a state of mind
Physical attributes do not define the essence of a person
Throw rice to those blackbirds
Share blessings and abundance with those who may seem underrated or overlooked
On the orange tree
In a symbol of life and vitality
And dust to dust shall be denied for us
We will defy the cycle of decay and death
Build a tough chapel of bliss for us
Create a strong and lasting foundation of happiness together
And let us be different
Embrace uniqueness and individuality in our relationship
And let us sideways, indifferent and sly
Navigate through life with a sense of indifference and cleverness
When you knock on doors with me
Face challenges and obstacles together
Testify terrifyingly
Speak truthfully and boldly, even in intimidating situations
Brew high numbers in the game for me
Achieve great success and victories for our mutual benefit
And lie like a one eyed cat deceptively
Be cunning and strategic when necessary
Invent new colours
Create and explore new possibilities and perspectives
Weave a new language
Develop a unique and special way of communicating with each other
That only we can speak
Exclusive to our bond and connection
Dig roots with me
Establish a strong and deep foundation together
Either dye your eye black and die with me
Express solidarity and commitment in a dramatic way
Like rivers outrun the earth
Flow freely and take control of your destiny
Be that space about the clouds
Reach for higher aspirations and goals
Stratospherically
Towards the highest levels of achievement and greatness
Be bliss, butterfly
Experience pure joy and freedom like a butterfly
Be light
Bring positivity and brightness to the world
With me
In collaboration and companionship
Did you tell them what you told me?
Did you share our intimate conversations with others?
That I would be
How you envisioned my future role or purpose
The prettiest flower in your garden
A symbol of beauty and importance to you
When you plant me among the trees?
When you include me in your life and surroundings?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jebin bruni, Anthony Joseph, meshell Ndegeocello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@natureschild1
What a touching piece. Magical.
@margueritemboule8282
J'étais au newmorning hier soir c'était exceptionnel ! Je n'est jamais autant vibrée lors d'un concert! AMAZING ! 6 musiciens, 6 génies sur scènes, un chanteur envoûté, enjaillé! C'étais que du love!!!Thank you.Rendez-vous fin septembre pour le prochain concert à Gennevilliers avec le même crew j'espère! Love, love, love...
@ibrhoda
i love this...thank you