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.
Fame
Citizen Cope Lyrics
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Got the man at the premiere to 'Spider-Man'
Got the old man calling on the young man
Got the soul man trying to keep a hold man
I've seen the stars lookin' in her eyes
So many times I tried
Seen a man who caught the rainbow's end
For a name in the world today, for a little bit of fame today
For a name in the U.S.A., you want to fly high
You want to fly high, you want to fly
You want to fly, you want to fly high
Got this is your land man, this is my land man
Got the blood on the tracks man
Got the guilty man, got the innocent man
Got the buffalo soldier, the dread lock Rastaman
Seen the stars lookin' in her eyes
So many times I've tried
Talked to a man who caught the
Rainbow's end he found
That the pot of gold resided within
For a name in the world today, for a little bit of fame today
For a name in the U.S.A., you want to fly high
You want to fly high, you want to fly
You want to fly, you want to fly high
For a name in the world today, for a little bit of fame today
For a name in the U.S.A., you want to fly high
You want to fly high, you want to fly
You want to fly, you want to fly high
The lyrics to Citizen Cope's song "Fame" are a commentary on the societal obsession with fame and the lengths people will go to achieve it. The first stanza lists various types of men, including the lawman, con man, and liquor store man, who all have their own methods of trying to attain fame. The second and third stanzas describe the singer's observations of individuals who believe that attaining fame is the key to unlocking the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, only to find that they were mistaken.
The phrase "seen the stars lookin' in her eyes" suggests that the singer has witnessed individuals who are in the limelight but are ultimately not satisfied with the level of fame they have achieved. The repetition of the phrase "for a little bit of fame today" emphasizes the idea that the pursuit of fame is short-lived and ultimately unfulfilling.
The inclusion of the buffalo soldier and dreadlock Rastafarian in the list of men highlights the theme of cultural appropriation and the ways in which certain groups are exploited in the quest for fame.
Overall, "Fame" is a critique of the shallow values that underpin American culture and the empty promises of the American Dream.
Line by Line Meaning
Got the law man, the con man, the liquor store man
The singer is listing off different types of people who have power, from those who enforce the law to those who break it.
Got the man at the premiere to 'Spider-Man'
Even the person who controls who gets to see movies at premieres is someone who holds some level of power.
Got the old man calling on the young man
Older people may try to influence younger generations and steer them in certain directions.
Got the soul man trying to keep a hold man
The artist acknowledges that even people who preach peace and love may struggle to maintain control over their own lives.
I've seen the stars lookin' in her eyes
So many times I tried
The artist has been enamored with someone he sees as a star and has tried to connect with them.
Seen a man who caught the rainbow's end
He claimed that the pot of gold resided within
The singer has met someone who appears to have accomplished everything they've wanted, but they claim that true riches are found within oneself.
For a name in the world today, for a little bit of fame today
For a name in the U.S.A., you want to fly high
You want to fly high, you want to fly
You want to fly, you want to fly high
The chorus suggests that many people are willing to do whatever it takes to gain fame and notoriety, even if it means sacrificing their own values or morals.
Got this is your land man, this is my land man
Got the blood on the tracks man
The artist is referencing Woody Guthrie's song 'This Land is Your Land,' but acknowledges that America has a violent history.
Got the guilty man, got the innocent man
Got the buffalo soldier, the dread lock Rastaman
The artist acknowledges that people from all different backgrounds and experiences have their own levels of power and influence.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: CLARENCE GREENWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind