The band's sound started off more in the Fugazi-esque D.C. post-hardcore vein, which you can hear on 1996's Go Kid Go, released on defunct Canadian label Workshop Records. The album featured nine new songs as well as all of the band's early 7-inch and compilation appearances, making it a primer for any fans coming on-board in the mid-'90s.
But while the band were already showing promise, it was 1997's Building In A And E where the band really developed their own sound. Released by Chicago's File 13 Records, the seven-song EP (the first to feature Mills on bass) was produced by Hopeton "Scientist" Brown, the man who practically invented dub music. What the band came up with on that release was groundbreaking for the time, turning Franklin into sort of a post-hardcore version of Bad Brains - a band who could both be aggressive one minute and then lose themselves in the rhythm the next.
As the band's buzz was building, they signed to Tree Records, then a white-hot Chicago label which had released early work from Pinback, Urban Legends (pre-the Thermals) and others, and was responsible for the absolutely genius Post Marked Stamps 7-inch series, which featured Braid, the Get Up Kids, Rainer Maria, Tim Kinsella and many more. Franklin's first release on the label was the Major Taylor 7-inch, the A-side of which was the title track and also landed its way on a Tree/Southern/Polyvinyl Records sampler in early 1998.
But all of that was a precursor to the group's swan song, 1999's self-titled effort. The band had moved on from post-hardcore and fully embraced dub, but alternated between bass-heavy jams and energetic, lo-fi indie rock. The record opens with a wailing siren before "They Attack" slams itself into gear with thumping drums and oozing bass; a few minutes later, the band deliver "Inventor Of Loud," a positively brilliant piece of brainy indie rock that still sounds better than virtually anyone slogging it up on Pitchfork Music Festival's side stages.
After the band broke up in the early 2000s, Darden went onto found Jai-Alai Savant, who released an EP and LP before slipping into hibernation. He also DJs in Chicago frequently, going under the moniker Major Taylor. His other claim to fame? Atom And His Package wrote a song about him, called "Happy Birthday Ralph." (Sample lyric: "Happy birthday, Ralph/I love you/Even though you are fucking disgusting.") Sokel started up experimental indie-pop duo AM/FM in the wake of Franklin's dissolution; they are now defunct, as well.
2) Franklin is a Drum & Bass DJ/Producer from Bournemouth, United Kingdom.
Colours
Franklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don′t care no I don't care
Strip me off and useme
It′s not fair no it's not fair
I'm not needing help from someone else
Anybody that′s come straight offered help
Dropping out the force of closing ways
There′s a chapter to do that the other day
Anybody that′s come straight offered help
Dropping out the force of closing ways
There's a chapter to do that the other day
Now I′m black and I'm white
Found my colours to shine
Yes you left me, you left me you left me, whoa-o-o-o-oa
Now I′m black and I'm white
Found my colours to shine
Yes you left me, you left me you left me, whoa-o-o-o-oa
So strip me off and lose me
I don't care no I don′t care
So strip me off and use me
It′s not fair no it's not fair
There′s a chapter to do that the other day
I'm not needing help from someone else
Anybody that′s come straight offered help
Dropping out the force of closing ways
There's a chapter to do that
To lose me
Lose me
Lose me
Now I′m black and I'm white
Found my colours to shine
Yes you left me, you left me you left me, whoa-o-o-o-oa
Now I'm black and I′m white
Now I′m black and I'm white
So strip me off and lose me
I don′t care no I don't care
Strip me off and use me
It′s not fair no it's not fair
I′m not needing help from someone else
Anybody that's come straight offered help
Dropping out the force of closing ways
There's a chapter to do that the other day
I′m not needing help from someone else
Anybody that′s come straight offered help
Dropping out the force of closing ways
There's a chapter to do that the other day
Franklin's song "Colours" speaks to the idea of personal growth and becoming comfortable with oneself through shedding the past and finding one's own unique colors. The opening lyrics suggest a willingness to let go and move forward, regardless of what others may think or say. The repeated phrase "I'm not needing help from someone else" reinforces this message of self-sufficiency and independence.
As the song progresses, the chorus emphasizes the idea of finding one's own colors and shining brightly in one's own unique way. The repetition of "Now I'm black and I'm white, found my colors to shine" suggests a metamorphosis or transformation, as the singer has come to terms with their identity and found confidence in being themselves.
Overall, "Colours" is a powerful anthem for self-acceptance and personal growth. Through its message of shedding the past and embracing one's own colors, the song encourages listeners to be true to themselves and let their unique qualities shine.
Line by Line Meaning
Strip me off and lose me
I am willing to let go of any external identity or labels associated with me.
I don't care no I don't care
My sense of self-worth is not dependent on anyone's judgments or opinions of me.
Strip me off and use me
I am open to being used for a greater purpose, as long as it aligns with my beliefs and values.
It's not fair no it's not fair
I won't tolerate any injustice or exploitation, even if it benefits me in any way.
I'm not needing help from someone else
I am self-sufficient and capable of achieving my goals without any external assistance.
Anybody that's come straight offered help
I am cautious of people's intentions when they offer help, as it may come with strings attached.
Dropping out the force of closing ways
I am breaking free from societal norms and expectations that limit my personal growth and happiness.
There's a chapter to do that the other day
I am moving forward and embracing new opportunities, leaving behind any regrets or mistakes from the past.
Now I'm black and I'm white
I am embracing all facets of my identity, regardless of societal constructs or labels.
Found my colours to shine
I have discovered my unique talents and strengths, and am ready to showcase them to the world.
Yes you left me, you left me you left me, whoa-o-o-o-oa
Even though someone may have abandoned or hurt me in the past, I have moved on and become stronger because of it.
To lose me
I am willing to let go of anything and anyone that no longer serves my highest good and personal growth.
Writer(s): James Chilton, Melanie Sanson, Andrew Henry, Andrew Seabrook-harris, Sam Franklin
Contributed by Madison H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ryezizzle
Strip me off, and lose me,
i don't care no i don't care
strip me off, renew me
its not fair, its not fair,
i'm not me no i'm someone else, in a body that has come straight up from hell, try put out the fires i caused, no way, 'coz i tried to do that the other day. X2)
Now i'm black and i'm white, but my colours still shine.
'coz you left me you left me you left me woaaaahhh (X2)
Strip me off, and lose me,
i don't care no i don't care
strip me off, renew me
its not fair, its not fair,
i'm not me no i'm someone else, in a body that has come straight up from hell, try put out the fires i caused, no way, 'coz i tried to do that the other day. X2)
Now i'm black and i'm white, but my colours still shine.
'coz you left me you left me you left me woaaaahhh (X2)
so lose me, strip me of my colours (X4)
Now i'm black and i'm white, but my colours still shine.
'coz you left me you left me you left me ooooooh
@liq2029
I can't listen to this song without singing "hey commander can you unplug me" at a certain point :D thanks Maduk lol
@AfterMusic
xd
@DonCato96
same :D
@bobfox6896
@@AfterMusic 00 00
@calumb6062
Veeeeelaaaa
@ABCMeEFG
Same
@ramonzeraa1
still one of the best
@franciscotembe6739
7 years ago and it still on fire
@lukeysharp94
Checking in.. still going strong. Merry Christmas and happy new year!
@liquicitizenalexander5910
Best one on the album, really loving this