In 1984 he formed the band Soundgarden with bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Throughout the late 1980s and 90s, Soundgarden experienced major success as one of the major grunge bands (along with groups such as Alice in Chains, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam).
In 1990, Chris Cornell worked together with the (then) Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron, and Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament and Mike McCready (who would later form Pearl Jam) in a project named Temple of the Dog. They wrote a 10 song album as a tribute to Andrew Wood, the singer of Mother Love Bone who had died the year before of a heroin overdose.
In 1997 Soundgarden split at the zenith of their popularity due to tensions in the group and Chris began a solo career. He released the sucessful album Euphoria Morning. Out of this album came the single Can't Change Me.
When Zack De La Rocha left Rage Against The Machine in 2001, Chris Cornell joined the instrumentalists of Rage Against the Machine to form the band Audioslave.
In 2006 Chris recorded a theme song for the James Bond 007 movie, "Casino Royale", titled You Know My Name, which is used as the opening song.
In the fall of 2006, Cornell started recording his second solo album Carry On, with producer Steve Lillywhite. Among some fellow artists who are expected to accompany him on his second solo release is friend and legendary musician Gary Lucas, who has contributed acoustic guitar to some of the tracks. Cornell has stated that he is always writing, and that there are some songs that he was not able to put into an Audioslave album. Carry On was released in the summer of 2007.
On February 15, 2007, Chris Cornell issued a statement that he was leaving Audioslave, shortly after Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk reunited with their former vocalist Zack de la Rocha to reform Rage Against the Machine.
Chris Cornell released his third solo album, Scream, with American rapper and record producer Timbaland on February 3rd, 2009. This album was a critical failure, and sold poorly. It is rumored that he is going to try and "De-Timbalandize" the tracks.
On January 1st, 2010, Chris Cornell announced the reunion of Soundgarden after a 12 year hiatus.
Chris Cornell was extremely revered among the music listeners for his powerful multi-octave singing and gritty, soulful vocal style. He was a baritone with an ability to sing extremely high in the tenor range, as well as in the lower register of a baritone voice. He showcased this in various songs, most notably the studio and the demo versions of "Beyond the Wheel", where he can be heard spanning three octaves. He has also experimented with various different vocal styles, ranging from light falsetto to brutal screams and chants.
On May 17, 2017, Cornell died in Detroit after performing at a show with Soundgarden. He committed suicide by hanging himself in his hotel room. Footage of his final concert was posted to YouTube.
Josephine
Chris Cornell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Again the sun is rising on my troubled heart
Don't deny you know you and I
Are the making of what fate
Just can't pull apart
My sweet Josephine
Won't you come and marry me?
Dying here on bended knees
Sheets of rain
Cold and gray
Run down the page
Just about your name
With just the weight of your silent smile
Crashing all around me while i screamed it out loud
My sweet Josephine
Won't you come and marry me?
I got every kind of love that you would ever need
Dying here on bended knees
Like a raven in a cage
Blood on my birth
Just won't wash away
Like a stitched together doll
My feet to the flame
As I follow the blame
For someone else's pain
For someone else's pain
Rivers of black ink flood
A tapestry of flesh and blood around my frame
A living shrine just for you of human mind
Golden pen upon your hand
Leave this endless winter behind
My sweet josephine
Won't you come and marry me?
I got every single kind of love that you would ever need
Dying here on bended knees
Dying here on bended knees
Dying here on bended knees
My Josephine
The lyrics of Chris Cornell's song "Josephine" depict a longing and yearning for a woman named Josephine. The singer is desperately searching for her, asking where she could be. The rising sun symbolizes a new day dawning on his troubled heart, indicating that he is hopeful for a connection with Josephine.
The lyrics suggest that Josephine and the singer are tied together by fate and cannot be separated. The phrase "the making of what fate just can't pull apart" implies that their connection is destined and unbreakable. It seems that the singer is aware of this deep bond between them and urges Josephine not to deny it.
The second paragraph portrays a sense of longing and desperation. The singer pleads for Josephine to marry him, claiming to have an abundance of love that she would ever need. The imagery of "dying here on bended knees" portrays the vulnerability and intensity of the singer's emotions. It conveys how much he wants to be with Josephine, willing to surrender himself completely.
The third paragraph introduces more vivid imagery. The rain symbolizes sadness and melancholy, which run down the page just about Josephine's name. The weight of Josephine's silent smile is powerful, enveloping the singer while he screams his emotions out loud. The use of contrasting images highlights the impact that Josephine has on the singer's life and emotions.
The final paragraph explores the theme of sacrifice and self-blame. The singer compares himself to a raven in a cage, trapped and consumed by inner turmoil. The mention of blood on his birth that won't wash away implies a deep-seated pain or guilt that he cannot escape. He sees himself as a stitched together doll, controlled by external forces and taking the blame for someone else's pain.
The lyrics conclude with the singer envisioning a brighter future with Josephine. The floods of black ink and the tapestry of flesh and blood around him represent the heavy burdens he carries. He creates a living shrine, depicting his dedication to Josephine. The golden pen in her hand represents her ability to bring warmth and light, and he pleads for them to leave the endless winter behind.
In summary, "Josephine" symbolizes a deep longing and yearning for a woman named Josephine. The lyrics convey a profound connection between the singer and Josephine, emphasized by the unbreakable nature of their bond. The song portrays the singer's desperation and eagerness for Josephine's love. It delves into themes of sacrifice, self-blame, and the hope for a brighter future together.
Line by Line Meaning
Josephine where can you be now?
I am desperately searching for you, Josephine. Where are you at this moment?
Again the sun is rising on my troubled heart
Once again, I find myself facing a new day with a heavy heart filled with troubles.
Don't deny you know you and I
Please don't deny the deep connection and understanding that exists between us.
Are the making of what fate just can't pull apart
We are destined to be together, even fate itself cannot separate us.
My sweet Josephine, won't you come and marry me?
My dear Josephine, please consider marrying me and becoming my partner in life.
I got every kind of love that you would ever need
I possess an abundance of every type of love that you could ever require.
Dying here on bended knees
I am desperately pleading and longing for your love and acceptance.
Sheets of rain, cold and gray, run down the page just about your name
Like rain pouring down, my emotions cascade down the written page, all connected to your name.
With just the weight of your silent smile, crashing all around me while I screamed it out loud
Your silent smile holds so much power and impact, overwhelming me as I express my emotions loudly.
Like a raven in a cage, blood on my birth just won't wash away
I feel trapped and imprisoned like a raven, stained with the blood of my past, unable to erase its mark.
Like a stitched together doll, my feet to the flame as I follow the blame for someone else's pain
I am akin to a doll made of various pieces, willingly exposing myself to the fire of guilt for the suffering of others.
Rivers of black ink flood a tapestry of flesh and blood around my frame
My emotions overflow like cascading black ink, creating a vivid and intricate display of human experiences around me.
A living shrine just for you of human mind, golden pen upon your hand
I am a living tribute solely dedicated to you, Josephine, created by the imagination of a human mind. You hold the power to write our destiny.
Leave this endless winter behind
Let us escape from this perpetual state of coldness and darkness, leaving behind the sadness and despair.
Dying here on bended knees
Once again, I express my desperate longing and willingness to sacrifice everything for your love.
My Josephine
You, Josephine, are the focus of my affection and desires.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Chris Cornell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lorivig
I have been privileged enough to see Chis perform solo on numerous occasions. He is unbelievable. Last night I saw Brian perform with him and it elevated Chris's already phenomenal solo show to a level I could not have imagined. Gorgeous, amazingly beautiful renditions of a stellar musical catalog, both new and old. I thank God for Chris Cornell
@baldnett
This should be the next single !! This album sticks with you long after you listen to it !!
@blendstudiomixedcreativity
One of the best songs in the album! Excellent Performance
@skyguy5587
Awesome,great rhyme an rhythm
@normandetrinidad1637
BRAVO MAESTRO!
@drewfuss2006
Amazing!
@jakejones2413
Awesome!
@deniseinbuffalo4229
Excellent! Thank You for sharing
@sergiosetzer
Simple and beautiful music
@cschramm1
Brilliant!