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.
Contact
Citizen Cope Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've got this white Chevy Lumina undercover
Checking you to see
They're checking your I.D.
'Cause it's a fine time
It's a fine time
It's a fine time
Say just to run a name
As the dude with the rebel in his veins
But while you're checking me
You've got them crooked politicians
Eating up the treasury
And taking our cash
To spend on the prisons
While the youth they fast
Now I'm waiting on the day
When we can all bring
Like Martin Luther King
This is why I sing
I want some contact contact
I want some contact contact
I want some contact contact
Contact contact
Only because my life depends on it
The opening lines of Citizen Cope's song Contact describe the experience of being watched and monitored by authorities, symbolized by a white Chevy Lumina undercover. The singer is being checked, likely questioned about their identity, as the lyrics state "They're checking your I.D." The overall mood is one of surveillance, paranoia, and a sense of being scrutinized by those in power.
The song then shifts to a critique of corrupt politicians who are taking advantage of their positions of authority, siphoning money from the public treasury and using it to fund prisons instead of investing in the future of the youth. The mention of "fasting youth" could be interpreted as a metaphor for a generation that is deprived of resources and opportunities. Citizen Cope expresses hope that one day, we can come together like Martin Luther King to push for change and a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
You're walking down the street
You are moving along the sidewalk
You've got this white Chevy Lumina undercover
There is a hidden vehicle, like a white Chevy Lumina, following you
Checking you to see
They are observing you closely
They're checking your I.D.
They are verifying your identity
'Cause it's a fine time
It's a good opportunity
It's a fine time
It's a good opportunity
It's a fine time
It's a good opportunity
Say just to run a name
They are investigating to gather information
'Cause you look the same
They think you resemble a person of interest
As the dude with the rebel in his veins
The person they are looking for has a rebellious spirit like you
But while you're checking me
While you are scrutinizing me
You've got them crooked politicians
There are dishonest politicians in power
Eating up the treasury
They are squandering public funds
And taking our cash
They are stealing our money
To spend on the prisons
They are investing in incarceration
While the youth they fast
Meanwhile, young people are struggling
Now I'm waiting on the day
I am looking forward to a specific day
When we can all bring
When we can unite
Like Martin Luther King
Similar to the way Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for unity and civil rights
This is why I sing
This is why I am singing
I want some contact contact
I desire human connection
I want some contact contact
I desire human connection
I want some contact contact
I desire human connection
Contact contact
Human connection
Only because my life depends on it
It is important to me for my well-being
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CLARENCE GREENWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Litetorture
Man look, this is the most rebellious album of Cope's whole collection! I LOVE and Live for his works but this whole album makes me wanna get up and make shit happen for the greater good, of course! Love and Light to Cope and Baby Cope and Alice
LaVenia Jones
I LOVE CITIZEN C O P E'S MUSIC EVERY RECORD IS A MESSAGE! ENOUGH SAID!!
Going Through
I was doing some projects with Con-tact Paper and this song kept going through my head so I had to look it up after all these years and listen. Sounds even better than it did in my head.
rashon Myles jr
Here in 2020! Citizen cope just hits different. My favorite song by far !
Creative Nothingness
Samesies
Lee Barry
This comes up in the rotation on my phone. It's a good-sounding record overall.
boudicaa storm
I saw him open for Live a bunch of years ago, he was awesome. he came down in the audience and signed some autographs and stuff after he played too, he seemed like a really cool guy, friendly and down to earth. I think this one and Appetite for Lightin Dynamite are some of his best.
Bret Pritzlaff
Had the same experience seeing him open for LIVE. Been a fan since then. Bought his first record right after that.
bbroome62
This is one of those songs that you can't get out of your head.
Madeline McGrath
bbroome62 seriously haven't listened to this song in years but here I am randomly