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.
Friendly Fire
Citizen Cope Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say help is on it's way
They shot him down
And he was innocent today
They run for cover
They got no answer
Why they left him for dead
They say help is on its way
They shot him down
And he was innocent today
Help is comin
They say is help is on its way
They shot him down
And he was innocent today
They run for cover
They got no answer
Why they left him for dead
Help is comin
They say help is on its way
The lyrics of Citizen Cope's song Friendly Fire is politically charged and deeply emotional. The song talks about the unjust killing of an innocent man and the people's cry for help. The repeated line "They say help is comin, they say help is on it's way" highlights the need for justice and the hope that someday the change will come. The line "And he was innocent today" emphasizes the tragedy of the situation that an innocent life was taken away.
The chorus of the song, "Help is comin, they say is help is on its way" portrays the idea that the people's cry will eventually be heard and that help will come. The sense of urgency and desperation can be felt in the lines "They run for cover, they got no answer, why they left him for dead". The song serves as a powerful social commentary highlighting the systemic racial injustice that exists in society and the continuous fight for equality.
Line by Line Meaning
They say help is comin
People are saying that help is coming
They say help is on it's way
People are saying that assistance is arriving soon
They shot him down
The person was killed by a gunshot
And he was innocent today
The victim was not guilty of any wrongdoing at the time of the incident
They run for cover
Other people around the shooting sought protection
They got no answer
The people trying to help did not receive any response
Why they left him for dead
The song questions why the victim was abandoned without assistance
Help is comin
Assistance is expected to arrive
They say is help is on its way
People are reporting that help is en route
Help is comin
Help is anticipated to arrive soon
They shot him down
The victim was killed
And he was innocent today
The person was not guilty at the time of the shooting
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADAM WILSON KITTREDGE, ANTONIA ALANA FREYBE SMITH, JOCELYN GREENWOOD, LUCAS STEPHEN RENSHAW, PIERS HENWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind