Thompson released two albums during the 1980s under his own name, and has been compared to a wide variety of musicians, including Tom Waits, Prince, Jeff Buckley, D'Angelo, Lenny Kravitz, and Terence Trent D'Arby.
He signed to V2 Records for Black Music, his 1998 debut under the name of Chocolate Genius. The album garnered a 9.0 rating from Pitchfork Media. In 2001, he released his next album, GodMusic, followed by, in 2005, a switch to Commotion Records and the release of Black Yankee Rock, produced by Craig Street. The album featured many prominent New York musicians, many of whom had appeared on his previous two records: Marc Ribot, Abe Laboriel Jr., David Stone, Glenn Patscha, Me'Shell NdegeOcello, Oren Bloedow, Yuka Honda, and the legendary Van Dyke Parks, among others.
Marc Anthony Thompson has also worked extensively in scoring film and theatre productions. He won an Obie award in sound design for A Huey P. Newton Story in 1997 and has written music for Rikers High (2005), Brother to Brother (2004), Colorvision (2004) (which he hosted in the same year), American Splendor (2003), Urbania (2000), and Twin Falls Idaho (1999). His version of The Beatles' "Julia" was included on the soundtrack to the film I Am Sam. He recently completed a month-long residency at the Largo club in Los Angeles.
In 2006, Marc Anthony Thompson was enrolled in the line-up for the Bruce Springsteen with The Seeger Sessions Band Tour, playing acoustic guitar, providing backing vocals and sharing the lead vocals on several songs, including "Eyes on the Prize" and "When The Saints Go Marching In".
In 2010, Marc Anthony Thompson released his fourth album as Chocolate Genius Incorporated, Swansongs.
Julia
Chocolate Genius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I say it just to reach you
Julia,
Julia, Julia
Ocean child calls me
So I sing a song of love
Julia
Seashell eyes, windy smile calls me
So I sing a song of love
Julia
Her hair of floating sky is shimmering
Glimmering in the sun
Julia, Julia
Morning moon touch me
So I sing a song of love
Julia
When I cannot sing my heart
I can only speak my mind
Julia
Julia
Sleeping sand, silent cloud touch me
So I sing a song of love
Julia
Hum, calls me
So I sing a song of love for
Julia, Julia, Julia
The lyrics to Chocolate Genius’s song “Julia” seem whimsical and disjointed at first glance, but upon closer inspection, they reveal a deeper meaning. The opening lines - “Half of what I say is meaningless, but I say it just to reach you” - reflect the singer’s struggle to communicate their true emotions to the titular character. They feel a sense of urgency to convey their love and affection for Julia, though they worry that their words are inadequate.
The singer then goes on to describe Julia’s various traits - her “seashell eyes,” “windy smile,” and “hair of floating sky.” There is a sense of near-reverence in the way the singer admires Julia’s beauty, and they use song to express their adoration. The image of an “ocean child” calling to the singer is also repeated throughout the lyrics, symbolizing a sort of primal, elemental force that draws the singer towards Julia.
Later on in the song, the singer confesses that they struggle to articulate their feelings at times, stating “when I cannot sing my heart, I can only speak my mind.” Yet, they still feel compelled to express themselves to Julia through song. The closing lines - “Hum, calls me, so I sing a song of love for Julia, Julia, Julia” - further emphasize the power of music and its ability to convey emotions that words alone cannot. Despite the unnamed struggles the singer faces in communicating with Julia effectively, they continue to use song as a means of reaching her.
Line by Line Meaning
Half of what I say is meaningless
I acknowledge that not everything I say is important or has meaning.
But I say it just to reach you
Despite the above acknowledgement, I still share my thoughts in hopes of connecting with you.
Julia,
The person I am addressing or referring to.
Ocean child calls me
I am drawn to the ocean and it makes me feel like a child.
So I sing a song of love
I express my feelings towards the person or the ocean through music.
Seashell eyes, windy smile calls me
The sight of this person's unique eyes and smile captivates me.
Her hair of floating sky is shimmering
I am entranced by the way the person's hair moves and shines.
Glimmering in the sun
This person's appearance shines and catches my attention when illuminated by sunlight.
Morning moon touch me
I feel the moon's energy and influence during the morning.
When I cannot sing my heart
Sometimes I am unable to express my emotions through music.
I can only speak my mind
In those moments, I communicate my thoughts and feelings verbally.
Sleeping sand, silent cloud touch me
Nature's elements have a calming and touching effect on me.
Hum, calls me
This person's humming sound gets my attention and makes me feel closer.
So I sing a song of love for
Julia, Julia, Julia
I use my voice to express my emotions towards this person with a repeated mention of their name.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BigBrianStormer
I really love this version. It's a great take on the original
@naldino1
What a voice and incredible cover. CG nailed this one. Marc has released the final CG CD, Swansongs, you can get it on amazon (of course)
@EyeshadowCult
I love this song! Puts me in a very chill mood every single time I hear it.
@pimpo8615
buena rola meagrada este cover!!!!! pocos cover de los beatles son tan buenos como este.... i like this very very much it best!!!!!!
@rlr50
I loved every note.
@castspeel
que buen cover , me encanta , i like this
@intheband2
GREAT SONG!!!!
@jessgillis4103
OH I love this! A date gave me this on a mix CD years ago <3
@PeekaPeep
If you're lucky, there should be some copies floating around E-Bay and several Amazon marketplace sellers. You can also download the album, via mp3 off Amazon as well since those tracks have finally been made available of late. ;-)
@MicPogoMusic
I love this so much