Two albums were released, Buckshot LeFonque (1994) (which featured mostly DJ Premier produced tracks) and the follow up Music Evolution (1997) (which featured mostly Frank McComb on the vocals). Other frequent collaborators were Branford Marsalis' brother, Delfeayo Marsalis and rapper Uptown (of Dope On Plastic fame) aka 50 The Unknown Soldier. Both albums displayed a very broad musical picture, which is probably the reason why they failed to be commercially successful.
The name Buckshot LeFonque was a pseudonym of the jazz saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley.
Live band members include:
* Branford Marsalis - MC as well as tenor, alto & soprano sax
* Frank McComb - keyboards & vocals
* 50 Styles:The Unknown Soldier, Ricky Dacosta - rapper
* Joey Calderazzo - keyboards / first tour
* Kermith Campbell - keyboards / until Frank was available
* Russell Gunn - trumpet
* John Touchy - Trombone - first tour
* Carl Burnett - acoustic & electric guitar
* Reggie Washington - upright & electric bass / first half of first tour
* Reginald Veal - upright & electric bass / second half of first tour
* Eric Revis - upright & electric bass / second tour
* DJ Apollo - turntables "Wheels O Steel"
* Rocky Bryant - drums & percussion & beat accurate sample triggering
* Mino Cinelu - percussion / first tour
* Black Heart the group - reggae rappers / first tour
Phoenix
Buckshot LeFonque Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of a heart that heals with time...
Still I see in you
Someone I once know
Way back in the past
When my song had words
And the words were meant for you
Now I see the truth staring out a window
At love gone astray
Running from herself
Trying to make believe
That it was just a dream
'Cause when love asks of you
More than you can give
You find a way to disappear
Don't you think it's strange
That love could make us strangers?
To be your friend
You ask too much of me
For now I need some time to be
Alone, yes alone
Isn't it strange to love alone
I know 'bout the future
Only time will tell
If you see in me
Someone you once know
A shadow in your life
Before your song had words
And your words will ring true
About love you left in the flames
Well when the smoke clears and I rise
You'll see pain deep in my eyes
But you won't see a tender heart afraid of breaking
The time for tears is yesterday
The time for my life is now
It's time to say
My heart will rise again
I will rise again
The Buckshot LeFonque song Phoenix is a soulful ballad about overcoming heartbreak and moving on from a past relationship. The lyrics speak of a love that has turned cold, and the pain of seeing someone you once knew turned into a stranger. The singer is clearly struggling with their emotions and trying to come to terms with the end of the relationship, but they also express hope for the future and the possibility of healing with time. The metaphor of the phoenix rising from the ashes is used to symbolize the singer’s own rebirth and resurgence following heartbreak.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics: “Tell you ‘bout the future of a heart that heals with time…” The singer is acknowledging that heartbreak is painful, but that time is a great healer. They go on to reminisce about the past, when their “song had words” and those words were meant for their former lover. The chorus speaks of the pain of realizing that love can make us strangers, and the FOMO that comes with letting go of someone you were close to. The second verse sees the singer finding it difficult to be friends with their ex, and needing time to heal and be alone. However, they also express a sense of hope for the future, and the possibility that the love they once shared may be rekindled in the future.
Overall, Phoenix is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the human experience of loss, heartbreak, and recovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell you 'bout the future
Of a heart that heals with time...
I'll talk to you about how a broken heart can heal over time.
Still I see in you
Someone I once know
Way back in the past
When my song had words
And the words were meant for you
I still recognize you as the person I used to know a long time ago, when I wrote love songs just for you.
Tell me when did our future end?
Can you tell me when our future together came to an end?
Now I see the truth staring out a window
At love gone astray
Running from herself
Trying to make believe
That it was just a dream
I realize now that our love went off track, and you're trying to convince yourself it didn't happen.
'Cause when love asks of you
More than you can give
You find a way to disappear
When love demands more than you're capable of giving, you often just run away.
Don't you think it's strange
That love could make us strangers?
Isn't it strange how love can cause us to become complete strangers?
To be your friend
You ask too much of me
For now I need some time to be
Alone, yes alone
You're asking too much of me to just be your friend, I need some time to be completely alone.
Isn't it strange to love alone
I know 'bout the future
Only time will tell
If you see in me
Someone you once know
It's odd to love by yourself. I'm aware of what could happen in the future, but only time will tell if you still see me as the person you once knew.
A shadow in your life
Before your song had words
And your words will ring true
About love you left in the flames
I was a small part of your life before you even started writing love songs, but your lyrics will still be accurate in describing the love that we lost.
Well when the smoke clears and I rise
You'll see pain deep in my eyes
But you won't see a tender heart afraid of breaking
When I finally move on, you'll see that I'm in pain but I won't be afraid of getting hurt again.
The time for tears is yesterday
The time for my life is now
It's time to say
My heart will rise again
I will rise again
I've cried enough and it's time for me to start living my life again. My heart will heal and I'll rise up stronger than before.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRANFORD MARSALIS, DELFEAYO MARSALIS, ELLIS MARSALIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind