Learning piano from age 11, Clementine left school at 16 after failing most of his examinations. Following this, he had a dispute with his family and ended up in Camden Town, London, homeless and in psychological and financial difficulties. He relocated to Paris at age 19, where he spent a number of years busking and playing in bars and hotels in Place de Clichy while sleeping on the streets. Discovered busking in the Paris Métro, he was signed to Matthieu Gazier and Lionel Bensemoun's label Behind.
Clementine's first EP, Cornerstone, was released in June 2013 with three studio tracks. It was re-issued in October 2013 with three additional acoustic tracks.
His debut album, "At Least for Now", was released across Europe in January 2015. The album won the 2015 Mercury Music Prize.
His second album, "I Tell a Fly", was released in 2017.
"And I Have Been" is Clementine's third studio album, announced on 30 August 2022, and released on 28 October 2022.
More info at facebook.com/benjaminclementine and twitter.com/MrBClementine
Genesis
Benjamin Clementine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Forever stuck with me
On a ride
Settling tides
Trapped in free
Whatever you do
Whichever way you choose
We are trapped in free
These are the days of our lives
No matter where we go
We're trapped in free
Crush my world
Sell it for $9.99
Cast a spell
In a place
We once dwelled
Whatever you do
Whichever way you choose
We are trapped in free
We are trapped in free
Whatever you do
Whichever way you choose
We are trapped in free
We are trapped in free
We are trapped in free
The lyrics of Benjamin Clementine's "Genesis" are complex and haunting. The repeated line, "Trapped in free," suggests a sense of confinement and limitation, despite the idea of being "free." The next line, "Forever stuck with me," grounds the singer in a sense of being trapped within themselves, perhaps unable to escape their own thoughts or internal struggles. The line "On a ride" could suggest that life is a journey that we cannot escape, no matter how hard we try.
The reference to "settling tides" implies a sense of stagnation, feeling trapped in a cycle that is hard to break. The repetition of "whatever you do" and "whichever way you choose" adds to the sense of being stuck without any clear path forward. The line "These are the days of our lives" suggests that this is a universal struggle, that all of us are trapped in some way or another.
The final verse, with its references to selling the world and casting spells, could represent the way in which we try to escape, albeit unsuccessfully. But the repetition of "We are trapped in free" reminds us that there is no escape, that we are all caught in the same cycle.
Line by Line Meaning
Trapped in free
Stuck in a state of having freedom but not being able to fully use it, unable to escape it
Forever stuck with me
This state of being trapped in freedom is permanent and unchangeable
On a ride
Life is like a journey, and we have no control over where it takes us
Settling tides
Life is constantly changing, but in a gradually predictable way
Whatever you do
No matter what actions we take
Whichever way you choose
No matter what path we follow
We are trapped in free
We are stuck in a state of having freedom but not being able to fully use it, unable to escape it
These are the days of our lives
This is our reality, this is the way things are
No matter where we go
No matter where we travel
Crush my world
Destroy everything I hold dear
Sell it for $9.99
Turn something valuable into a cheap commodity
Cast a spell
Do something magical or mysterious
In a place
In a location or situation
We once dwelled
We used to live or exist in that place or situation
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benjamin Sainte-Clementine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Riccardo Mazzaro
You sang this one at the end of your concert in the Fusine Lake in Italy. You made the crowd sing "We are trapped and free" for 50 times: it was an incredible moment, because as soon as you started counting down from 50 nobody thought you would actually make us sing that line 50 times, and yet you went there and it was an amazing moment, one I will never forget.
Victor Samuel
I love this album B. Much love from Nigeria. I want to appreciate Flo for the support and vocals.
This feels like you and Nina Simone having an interdimensional dialogue.
We are all trapped in free. Thanks
Pequita Sajec
hello benjamin, i've been listening to you since i saw you on an english tv show about 7 years ago when you didn't have that many followers. I am glad of your success, and to tell you that your songs fill my soul. hug from Argentina
Suzette Morgan
Absolutely gorgeous song and a beautiful video too. 💗
Tanjanika
Im not going to front. First look at the video, me and my sister was like HOLD UP he showing appreciation for his roots and we freak!!! I LOVE IT, I did doubt maybe I was jumping the gun but I read what it meant. This means a lot! As a fan and met you before plus to see this is like wild. LOVE the lyrics and video. Going to cry happy tears to sleep! Keep it up! Love from Charleston, South Carolina! No more denial please, ancestors do see all
Salim Patrick Ceayone
He's so real, I first heard his song at the last episode gang of London, London. I immediately picked interest and it was kinda difficult finding it but when I did I felt madly in love with him. Love your work Mr Clementine and keep the hard work
Dan Esp
The GOAT has returned. Can't wait to hear the album
Sarah Hirschmuller
So deeply inexplicably moving... with strange emotions never felt before
Márcio Sequesseque
Truly magnificent. Loving and support all the way from Angola 🇦🇴
Rui André
Boa música irmão angolano 👌🏾