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 Together
Citizen Cope Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vendetta between
Me and myself
I sure could use a witness
But I just ain't found one yet
I sent a message in a bottle
Took another swallow
I heard that it had missed ya
Well, this is what it said
Too little things they go my way
I'm back together again
I'm staring in the middle
And it's been so long
Since I've seen you my friend
Too little things they go my way
I'm back together again
I'm staring in the middle
And it's been so long
Since I've seen you my friend
Yeah, yeah
Cheap rum, and cheap wine,
Cheap money, cheap time
These things do not exist
But what makes that temptation
Just so hard to resist?
That stolen Picasso,
The mess above your head
I wish that you could hear me
This is what I said
Too little things they go my way
I'm back together again
I'm staring in the middle
And it's been so long
Since I've seen you my friend
Too little things they go my way
I'm back together again
I'm staring in the middle
And it's been so long
Since I've seen you my friend
Yeah, yeah
Citizen Cope's Back Together is a raw and personal tune that explores themes of inner conflict, loss, and the search for redemption. The opening lines, "Been stuck in the middle of a vendetta between me and myself, I sure could use a witness but I just ain't found one yet," serves as a confession of sorts, revealing the artist's internal struggles. It seems that he is at war with himself, seeking some form of solace, but unable to find it.
As the song progresses, we hear of his attempt to communicate with someone who is no longer there. He sends a message in a bottle, takes another swallow, but unfortunately, his efforts are in vain. The lyrics "I heard it didn't get there, I heard that it had missed ya, well, this is what it said," illustrate the disconnect between the singer and those he is trying to reach. This is somewhat reminiscent of the classic Bob Dylan song, "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall," wherein the singer sends a message to someone who can't respond. It's a poignant and evocative depiction of the utter loneliness that one can feel in the midst of intense emotional turmoil.
However, despite the hardships, Back Together is ultimately a song of hope. The chorus repeats the phrase "Too little things they go my way, I'm back together again, I'm staring in the middle and it's been so long since I've seen you my friend," with a steady beat and a catchy tune. The infectious melody belies the fact that this is a deeply introspective song, but it does not detract from its meaning. Instead, it underscores the resilience of the human spirit, the possibility of redemption, and the power of music to bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Been stuck in the middle of a
I have been caught in a difficult situation
Vendetta between
A long-standing feud exist between
Me and myself
My internal conflict
I sure could use a witness
I need someone who can understand me
But I just ain't found one yet
I have not found that person yet
I sent a message in a bottle
I tried to communicate
Took another swallow
I turned to alcohol again
I heard it didn't get there
My message was not received
I heard that it had missed ya
My message did not reach you
Well, this is what it said
But this is what I wanted to say
Too little things they go my way
Life is not perfect
I'm back together again
I am feeling better now
I'm staring in the middle
I am in the same situation
And it's been so long
It has been a while
Since I've seen you my friend
Since we last talked
Cheap rum, and cheap wine,
Bad choices and regret
Cheap money, cheap time
Things that appear desirable but have no substance
These things do not exist
They are illusions
But what makes that temptation
Why do we still want them?
Just so hard to resist?
Why is it difficult to let go?
That stolen Picasso,
Material wealth
The mess above your head
The chaos and uncertainty of life
I wish that you could hear me
I wish you understood me
Too little things they go my way
Life can be tough
I'm back together again
But I am committed to overcome it
I'm staring in the middle
I am still in the same boat
And it's been so long
It has been a long journey
Since I've seen you my friend
since I last talked to you
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: CLARENCE COPELAND GREENWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Norwegianbandits
Been stuck in the middle of a
Vendetta between
Me and myself
I sure could use a witness
But I just ain't found one yet
I sent a message in a bottle
Took another swallow
I heard it didn't get there
I heard that it had missed ya
Well, this is what it said
Too little things they go my way
I'm back together again
I'm staring in the mirror
And it's been so long
Since I've seen you my friend
Too little things they go my way
I'm back together again
I'm staring in the mirror
And it's been so long
Since I've seen you my friend
Yeah, yeah
Cheap women, and cheap wine,
Cheap money, cheap time
These things do not exist
But what makes that temptation
Just so hard to resist?
That stolen Picasso,
The mess above your head
I wish that you could hear me
This is what I said
Too little things they go my way
I'm back together again
I'm staring in the mirror
And it's been so long
Since I've seen you my friend
Too little things they go my way
I'm back together again
I'm staring in the mirror
And it's been so long
Since I've seen you my friend
Yeah, yea
@Norwegianbandits
Been stuck in the middle of a
Vendetta between
Me and myself
I sure could use a witness
But I just ain't found one yet
I sent a message in a bottle
Took another swallow
I heard it didn't get there
I heard that it had missed ya
Well, this is what it said
Too little things they go my way
I'm back together again
I'm staring in the mirror
And it's been so long
Since I've seen you my friend
Too little things they go my way
I'm back together again
I'm staring in the mirror
And it's been so long
Since I've seen you my friend
Yeah, yeah
Cheap women, and cheap wine,
Cheap money, cheap time
These things do not exist
But what makes that temptation
Just so hard to resist?
That stolen Picasso,
The mess above your head
I wish that you could hear me
This is what I said
Too little things they go my way
I'm back together again
I'm staring in the mirror
And it's been so long
Since I've seen you my friend
Too little things they go my way
I'm back together again
I'm staring in the mirror
And it's been so long
Since I've seen you my friend
Yeah, yea
@chrisgere9259
Thanks a lot!
@pisteyou
Damn! I just can't explain this awesome feeling I'm having after listening to his songs. Helps me refresh!.. Kudos to you Sir Clarence..
@Gsouthal
Love this song!!!!
@ART2010TGOD
Citizen cope greatness !!!!!!!! he writes to my soul
@staceyoconnor9375
I freaking needed this song today!
@TheAdrian560
gotta love his music
@WizardOfCause
I so needed to listen to this today...and all week.
@henriquemessa5102
Soooooo underrated
@Ossamakilla
Best song evah!!