Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Greenwood started his musical career as a DJ for the hip hop act Basehead, a group that would have a significant impact on his style as a solo-musician. Citizen Cope blends many genres of music, such as folk, blues, hip hop, rock, and R & B.
Greenwood first released a demo tape under the name Cope Citizen in the late '90s. He would follow up the release of the demo by donating songs to several independently issued compilations, movie soundtracks, as well as appearing on several fellow artist's albums.
In 2000 Greenwood signed with the DreamWorks Records label, which released his first album in September 2002, Citizen Cope. Greenwood toured to promote the record as an opener for Nelly Furtado. He performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, in 2002.
After the release of Citizen Cope, Greenwood felt the label "mishandled" the record, creating tension between the two. The tension prompted Greenwood to buy out his contract with the label, using the advance he received from his next label, Arista Records and RCA Records, to do so.
In September of 2004, Citizen Cope released his second record, The Clarence Greenwood Recordings, which earned him much critical success as well as minor touring success as an opening act for a popular touring band, Robert Randolph & the Family Band.
In 2005, Cope continued to tour the United States promoting his second major label record. In April, his song "Son's Gonna Rise" began appearing in a Pontiac commercial and was distributed as the album's second single.
The song "Bullet and a Target" was played in the end credits of the 2006 film The Sentinel, during a scene of the 2007 movie Alpha Dog, and also during a scene in the ski film Tangerine Dream.
The song "Let The Drummer Kick" was featured in the film Accepted and Coach Carter. It was also featured on the HBO series Entourage during the fourth season finale "The Cannes Kids." Entourage also featured the song "Awe" during the second part of the third season's (3B) episode "The Prince's Bride".The song "Son's Gonna Rise" was featured in the television series, One Tree Hill. The song "Sideways" was featured in the television series Scrubs.
On September 12, 2006, Citizen Cope released the new album, Every Waking Moment. He is also featured on the track "Bullet" on rapper Rhymefest's album Blue Collar, and is included on the compilation Radiodread with his cover of Radiohead's "Karma Police."
In 2008, Citizen Cope parted ways with RCA Records, but made an appearance that same year for Dido's album Safe Trip Home, in which he collaborated for a track titled "Burnin' Love."
His newest album, The Rainwater LP was released digitally in February 2010, with physical versions releasing a month later. This new set was released under his own label, RainWater Recordings. He is currently on tour promoting this new album.
Back Then
Citizen Cope Lyrics
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Before the calls of the lieutenant's order
Before the rise of pop culture
Before the guards at the borders
Before the expectations
Led to life's frustrations
Before the path to salvation was clouded
Back then
It was alright to pretend
But all we really have is within
And we disguised expected
Back then
Love had a place to stay
It wasn’t getting turned away
It took my whole life just to realize
This has to make a way to back then
Back then
Back then
Back then
Well holy sons, holy daughters, holy sisters, holy brothers
Holy skies, holy waters
For those who came before us
But on the way to work come before us
Before the expectations
Led to life's frustrations
Before the path to salvation was clouded
By the deep depths of temptation
Back then
It was alright to pretend
But all we really have is within
And we disguised expected
Back then
Love had a place to stay
It wasn’t getting turned away
It took my whole life just to realize
This has to make a way to back then
Back then
Back then
Back then
Back then
Back then
The song "Back Then" by Citizen Cope is a poignant reflection on a simpler time, before the constraints of society and expectations weighed heavily on our lives. The first verse highlights a time before laws and social orders, before the call of authority figures, and before pop culture took over. It was a time when borders were open, and expectations didn't lead to frustration. The path to salvation wasn't clouded by temptation, and it seemed like it was easier to be oneself. The chorus affirms that it was alright to pretend and that we had all we needed within ourselves, without the pressure of societal norms. At that time, love had a place to stay and wasn't turned away. The singer acknowledges that it took a lifetime to realize that we need to get back to that state of being.
The second verse brings the spiritual aspect to the forefront, referring to "holy sons, holy daughters, holy sisters, holy brothers, holy skies, holy waters" and respecting those who came before us. However, it then turns to the mundane with the mention of "on the way to work." Once again, the chorus reaffirms the sentiment that it used to be easier to be ourselves and to love.
The song's lyrics serve as a reminder of how society's expectations and norms can be a burden on individuals, leading to frustration and a loss of identity. The singer yearns for a return to a simpler time when love was a priority and when societal expectations didn't overshadow personal growth and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Before the laws and the social orders
Before society had created formal rules and systems
Before the calls of the lieutenant's order
Before orders from authority were common
Before the rise of pop culture
Before popular culture became mainstream
Before the guards at the borders
Before strict border control measures
Before the expectations
Before societal expectations were set
Led to life's frustrations
Resulting in the dissatisfaction with life
Before the path to salvation was clouded
Before the journey towards redemption became obscured
By the deep depths of temptation
By the powerful influence of temptation
Back then
In the past when things were different
It was alright to pretend
It was acceptable to hide one's true feelings
But all we really have is within
In reality, everything we need is already inside us
And we disguised expected
We hid what was really expected of us
Love had a place to stay
Love was easy to find
It wasn’t getting turned away
Nobody rejected love
It took my whole life just to realize
It took a long time to understand
This has to make a way to back then
We need to find a way to go back to how things used to be
Well holy sons, holy daughters, holy sisters, holy brothers
Referring to all the people who have come before us
Holy skies, holy waters
Referring to natural elements that are revered
For those who came before us
For the people who lived before our time
But on the way to work come before us
But the thought of work comes first
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: CLARENCE COPELAND GREENWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jonathan Litz
Clarence is a unique, talented and inspirational. When I'm having a tough day, he brightens my spirits up. I love his music very deeply, it takes me to a different place, another level on consiousness. Keep being beautiful Clarence.
Sorokin Stepan
8 years ago...
Ben Lewis
I cant stop vibing with this song.... my head wont stop knocking...."before the path to salvation was clouded by the deep depths of temptation"
Carrie Robinson
there is nothing in the world of music like the cope..beautifully unique. amazing cure for a bad day. makes all the pain fade away. makes a good mood even better. love it keep er coming fill me up cope
jennifer sansone
Always warms my soul, and fills my heart before the path to salvation got clouded...with temptation... he always takes me to back then...
Joe Yakich
Citizen Cope is a true artist.
Lone Wolf
Simply Amazing!...there's no other artist like Citizen Cope...I want nothing more than to see him be successful. Love your work man
ecvrock
Taking it to a whole new level with this one .. Great job !!
carolyn holland
Song brings me to tears. Saw him in Aspen and Vail (2017) and he was amazing.
Sandy B
Citizen Cope= Pure MAGIC !!! 24/7 :)