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.
D'Artagnan's Theme
Citizen Cope Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been livin'
I've been beaten
By Saturdays
On a diamond
I lay on a diamond
On a diamond
I lay awake
Good ol' D'Artagnan
He ain't got a thing on me
I've been minding
To my field of timing
Too bad your time in
It just never came
Well I don't know how else to say it
In a different way
But why don't you just fade away
'Cause there's a battle going on
Down south of Babylon
So why don't you just fade away
I've been dealing
I've been healing
I've been dealing
A crooked game
Thieving pirates
The lyrics of Citizen Cope's song D'Artagnan's Theme are incredibly poignant and powerful. The first few lines perfectly capture the feeling of a life that has been tainted by sin and struggle - "I've been sinning, I've been livin', I've been beaten by Saturdays." The reference to Saturdays could signify the end of the week, a time when the singer is given respite from their constant struggles.
The line "On a diamond I lay awake" is particularly interesting. It seems to suggest that the singer is lying awake and contemplating their life, perhaps on a baseball diamond. This makes the mention of D'Artagnan even more significant, as he is a legendary Musketeer who always fought for what was right. The singer seems to be comparing themselves to D'Artagnan and suggesting that they are just as worthy of admiration for their resilience and tenacity.
The chorus is incredibly powerful, with the singer telling their detractors to "just fade away" because there is a battle going on "down south of Babylon." This could be a reference to any number of struggles, from personal battles with addiction or trauma to larger societal issues such as racism or oppression. Whatever the specific struggle, the lyrics are a powerful reminder that sometimes the best thing one can do is push through the noise and the negativity, and just keep moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been sinning
I have been doing wrong by religious or moral standards.
I've been livin'
I have been experiencing life by doing things that are both right and wrong.
I've been beaten by Saturdays
I have been worn out by the mundane, yet inevitable, weekend routine.
On a diamond, I lay on a diamond
Metaphorically, I am resting on something that is both valuable and precious.
On a diamond, I lay awake
Although at rest or at peace, my mind is active and awake.
D'Artagnan, good ol' D'Artagnan, he ain't got a thing on me
I am just as brave and chivalrous as the fictional hero, D'Artagnan.
I've been minding to my field of timing
I focus on what is essential here and now.
Too bad your time in it just never came
It's a shame you didn't have the chance to experience or contribute to something important.
Well, I don't know how else to say it in a different way
I can't put it any other way or explain it more simply; this is it.
But why don't you just fade away
Why don't you disappear or cease to be important?
'Cause there's a battle going on down south of Babylon
There is an intense conflict happening in a distant land.
So why don't you just fade away
Again, why don't you disappear or cease to be important?
I've been dealing, I've been healing, I've been dealing a crooked game
I have been handling both ethical and unethical transactions.
Thieving pirates
The people with whom I transact are untrustworthy and a danger to me.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: CLARENCE GREENWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@iicapnjazzii6779
Citizen cope has always been underrated I am glad I have been listening to him for almost 10 years now, 10 more and more to go
@allisonewereweremurphy8831
Agree. Me too
@santeebandit3246
Def not enough air play
@melissaanderson7010
The truly best never get air play. This is why he started his own label. He wouldn't sell out.
@codyyakel3729
You ain't lying. My of my very very favorite songs for a long time now
@trumusereviews5195
This song always takes me back to the girl I fell in love with after my divorce. She was the love of my life and became my best friend. I chose to let her go knowing she hadn’t experienced much in life. She was only 20 and I was 23 at the time. I genuinely didn’t see much of a future for myself. Now I’ve healed a lot spiritually and my entire life is coming together. I just wish I could share it with her but now we’re just strangers with memories. I do wish she would just fade away from my memory at times but on the other hand I’m just happy to of met her.
@oppchoppashotta
I felt that
@nishayates3901
Cope rocks!! He makes music for the soul!
@melissaanderson7010
Started his own label to get stuff like this thru. This is how you get good stuff out.
@Shikamuu
Multiple eargasms! This is an ineffably beautiful and soulful song.