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.
Every Waking Moment
Citizen Cope Lyrics
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I've watched a city for a dollar get sold
I've watched a bella take off her clothes
I watched the miles through the car window
And every waking moment I'm alive
I'm searching for you whether I know it,
Or whether I'd realized
I'm searching for you whether I know it
Or whether I've realized
Every waking moment I'm alive
I've been to Paris
I've been to Rome
Never been too lost, but I lie and say I've gone
I've been touched by a woman that I lost
I've been real high
I've been real low
And every waking moment I'm alive
I'm searching for you whether I know it,
Or whether I'd realized
Well every waking moment I'm alive
I'm searching for you whether I know it
Or whether I'd realized
Every waking moment I'm alive
Every waking moment I'm alive
The lyrics of Citizen Cope's song Every Waking Moment reflect the artist's journey through life, as he observes and experiences the world around him. He starts by describing how he has witnessed the slow pace of a country, perhaps alluding to the struggles that society faces in progressing and adapting to change. He then talks about a city being sold out for the price of a dollar, which could be interpreted as a commentary on the pitfalls of capitalism and the loss of identity and culture that comes with rampant commercialization.
The mention of a bella taking off her clothes could be a reference to a stripper or a dancer, and could signify the allure of the temptations of life, as well as the fleeting nature of beauty and youth. Throughout the song, Citizen Cope makes it clear that he is constantly searching for someone or something that he may not fully understand or be aware of. He talks about his travels to Paris and Rome, but confesses that he has never been truly lost. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for his search for meaning and purpose, as he tries to find his place in the world.
The repeated line of every waking moment I'm alive acts as a reminder of the persistent yearning for something more, something deeper, that permeates the entire song. The artist acknowledges that he may not know what it is that he's searching for, but the search never ends.
Line by Line Meaning
I've watched a country move slow
I have observed a nation progress at a sluggish pace
I've watched a city for a dollar get sold
I have witnessed a bustling urban center being bought for a sum of money
I've watched a bella take off her clothes
I have seen a beautiful woman undress
I watched the miles through the car window
I gauged the distance travelled by looking out of the car window
And every waking moment I'm alive
At all times while I'm conscious and breathing
I'm searching for you whether I know it,
I am actively seeking you, regardless of whether I'm cognizant of it
Or whether I'd realized
Or if I have yet to come to the awareness of it
Well every waking moment I'm alive
Indeed, at every moment while I'm awake
I'm searching for you whether I know it
I am persistently looking for you, whether I'm consciously aware of it
Or whether I've realized
Or if I have not yet had the revelation of it
Every waking moment I'm alive
At any and every moment while I'm conscious and existing
I've been to Paris
I have visited the city of Paris
I've been to Rome
I have travelled to Rome
Never been too lost, but I lie and say I've gone
Although I've never been extremely bewildered, I falsely claim to have experienced it
I've been touched by a woman that I lost
I have had an intimate encounter with a woman whom I have since lost
I've been real high
I have been significantly euphoric
I've been real low
I have also experienced deep despair and tribulations
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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