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.
Comin' Back
Citizen Cope Lyrics
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Put his bag in the back of his black Cadillac Coupe DeVille
He had a meeting at the crossroad
But he didn't know that his soul was about to get killed
You can leave me lonely,
You can take my riches,
You can take my life, but my soul been saved.
He felt the cut of a sword, but the pen's mightier
If anything... is happening...I'm comin' back
I'm comin' back
For your ass mother fuckin' fast
How you be running in the day?
Now you're gonna feel how,
How it feels to be running when you can't get away
You can leave me lonely,
You can take my riches,
You can take my life, but my soul been saved.
He felt the cut of a sword, but the pen's mightier
Then he spread his wings and he flew away.
If anything... is happening...I'm comin' back
I'm comin' back
If anything... is happening...I'm comin' back
I'm comin' back
I'm comin' back
I'm comin' back
I'm comin' back (yeah)
I'm comin' back
I'm comin' back
I'm comin' back (yeah)
Well he was down on his luck
Put his bag in the back of his black Cadillac Coupe DeVille
He had a meeting at the crossroad
But he didn't know that his soul was about to get killed
You can leave me lonely,
You can take my riches,
You can take my life, but my soul been saved.
He felt the cut of the sword, but the pen's mightier
Then he spread his wings and he flew away.
If anything... is happening...I'm comin' back
I'm comin' back
If anything... is happening...I'm comin' back
I'm comin' back
I'm comin' back (yeah)
I'm comin' back
I'm comin' back (yeah)
I'm comin' back
I'm comin' back
I'm comin' back (yeah)
I'm comin' back... I'm comin' back to stay
I'm comin' back... I'm comin' back to stay
I'm comin' back... I'm comin' back to stay
I'm comin' back... I'm comin' back to stay
I'm comin' back... I'm comin' back to stay
I'm comin' back... I'm comin' back to stay
I'm comin' back... I'm comin' back to stay
I'm comin' back... I'm comin' back to stay
The lyrics of Citizen Cope's song Comin' Back tell the story of a man who was down on his luck but still had faith and a willingness to fight for what is right. The song starts with him putting his bag in the back of his black Cadillac Coupe DeVille, which suggests that he was leaving a place he had been staying in. The man had a meeting at the crossroads, which could be interpreted as a metaphorical crossroad where he had to make a decision about his future.
The man then faces some kind of danger, as he didn't know that his soul was about to get killed. This could be interpreted figuratively, and it could mean that the man's spirit and sense of purpose were about to be destroyed. However, he shows courage and resilience by saying that while people can take everything from him, his soul has been saved. The following line, "He felt the cut of a sword, but the pen's mightier," suggests that he has faced some kind of verbal or written attack, but he is not defeated. He then decides to leave and fly away like a bird, leaving everything behind.
The song has a message of hope and resilience, telling the listener that no matter how bad things get, they can always bounce back. The line "If anything... is happening...I'm comin' back" reinforces this message, suggesting that the man is ready to face any challenge thrown his way and that he won't run away from it.
Line by Line Meaning
He was down on his luck
He was in a bad situation, facing difficulties and misfortunes.
Put his bag in the back of his black Cadillac Coupe DeVille
He loaded his belongings into his luxury vehicle.
He had a meeting at the crossroad
He came to the intersection with an important appointment.
But he didn't know that his soul was about to get killed
He was unaware that his deepest beliefs would be threatened in a deadly way.
You can leave me lonely,
It's possible to abandon me and make me feel alone,
You can take my riches,
You can steal my wealth and possessions,
You can take my life, but my soul been saved.
You can end my existence, but my inner self has been protected,
He felt the cut of a sword, but the pen's mightier
He experienced a severe wound, but the power of his words is stronger.
Then he spread his wings and he flew away.
He metaphorically transcended his situation, overcoming his circumstances and escaping.
If anything... is happening...I'm comin' back
If there's trouble, then he will return to face and overcome it.
For your ass mother fuckin' fast
He will come back quickly and powerfully to deal with the situation at hand.
How you be running in the day?
The person who caused his situation may have been confident in the past, but they will be afraid now.
Now you're gonna feel how, How it feels to be running when you can't get away
The person will understand the feeling of running when trapped and unable to escape.
I'm comin' back... I'm comin' back to stay
He will return and remain in control of his situation.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Clarence Greenwood
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind