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.
Justice
Citizen Cope Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking for somebody to shareplay it with
I found this brand new light
Something within me all my life
There's so much trouble in the world
Surrounded by miracles
There's so much hatred undeserved
Cause still our love will be received
Better yet still my heart is in need of release
Yeah still my love will be received
Better yet still my heart is in need of release
When it ain't about justice
When It's not about what was what is
When it's not about what's left
When it's not about the next step
When it ain't about justice
When It's not about what was what is
When it's not about what's left
When it's not about the next step
The lyrics to Citizen Cope's song Justice speak to the need to find and share joy and light amidst the chaos and darkness of the world. The opening lines express a desire to connect with others and share in the experience of something new and beautiful, represented by the "giftriff" and "light" mentioned. However, the following lines acknowledge that the world is full of trouble, including hatred and injustice. Despite this, the lyrics suggest that love and connection are still possible and necessary, and that even in the midst of struggle, there is a need for release and healing.
The chorus brings a more explicit statement about justice, questioning what it means when it's "not about what was what is" and when it's "not about the next step." This could be interpreted as a critique of a justice system that is not truly just, or a call to focus on the present moment and the people around us rather than solely on future goals or past injustices. Whatever the meaning, the lyrics suggest that the ultimate focus should be on love and connection rather than on justice for its own sake.
Line by Line Meaning
I found this brand new giftriff
I discovered something special and valuable.
Looking for somebody to shareplay it with
Looking for someone to share and enjoy it with.
I found this brand new light
I found something that makes me feel alive and happy.
Something within me all my life
This feeling has been inside me my whole life.
There's so much trouble in the world
The world has so many problems and struggles.
Surrounded by miracles
But there are also amazing and wonderful things happening all around us.
There's so much hatred undeserved
Unfortunately, there is also a lot of unnecessary hate in the world.
But it will not work
However, all of that hate will not succeed in bringing us down.
Cause still our love will be received
Despite the hate, love will always be accepted and appreciated.
Better yet still my heart is in need of release
Even though love will prevail, the struggle and pain still exist within me.
Yeah still my love will be received
Once again, love will continue to be recognized and honored.
When it ain't about justice
When it's not about what is fair or right.
When It's not about what was what is
When it's not about the past or present situation.
When it's not about what's left
When it's not about what remains or what is lost.
When it's not about the next step
When it's not about planning or moving forward.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: CLARENCE COPELAND GREENWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
claudia
This song is so underrated. I love it so much :))
Dawn Rey
This is treasure beyond measure! 💞👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼🙌🏼
Stevie Leigh
Holy shit it's been a while!!! I love the new song!! I remember I first heard/ seen Citizens cope at a bar called rams head taverns in Baltimore Md. I believe it was around 2002 or 2003!! That was when I fell in love with their music!!!
❤😍🤘🏻🙌🏼🤟😘❤
1obx
My gf and I saw him, and met him at his bus, before the show in Jax Beach Fl. a few weeks ago.. Very mellow, chilled nice guy..
Tony Rosales
Thank you for dropping new material for us devoted fans. I will continue to support your beautiful music, much love respect and positive vibes from Los Angeles...
itsallabtme
With all that's going on in the world, I was getting weary and battle worn waiting for this new music! I needed this!!
zoë js
this is so good dude. love your stuff.
Crypto Friendly
Keep it coming man 🙌 your by far one of my favorite musicians ever ! Your originality and style is second non .
Allen Tovsen
This is excellent, incredible stuff!
Gregory Whaley II
great show in Miami Beach last night! Thank you! Was dope to hear some of your new records live before getting the album!!