Franks grew up in southern California with his father Gerald, his mother Betty and younger sister Christine who is the mother of Connor Sullivan (The lead singer of The Royal Nonesuch). Although no one in his family played music, his parents loved swing music and his early influences included Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Johnny Mercer. At age 14 Franks bought his first guitar, a Japanese Marco Polo for $29.95 with six private lessons included - the only music education that he received.
At University High in Irvine, Franks discovered the poetry of Theodore Roethke with his off-rhymes and hidden meter. In high school, he began singing folk-rock, accompanying himself on guitar. Studying English at UCLA Michael discovered Dave Brubeck, Patti Page, Stan Getz, João Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Miles Davis. He never studied music in college or later, but earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA in comparative literature in 1966 and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Oregon in 1968. He had a teaching assistantship in a Ph.D. program in American literature at the University of Montreal before returning to teach part-time at UCLA.
During this time Franks started writing songs, starting with the antiwar musical Anthems in E-flat starring Mark Hamill. He also composed music for the films Count Your Bullets, Cockfighter, and Zandy's Bride, starring Liv Ullmann and Gene Hackman. Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee recorded three of his songs, including "White Boy Lost in the Blues" on their album Sonny & Brownie. Franks played guitar, banjo and mandolin on the album and joined them in touring. In 1973, he recorded an eponymous album, later reissued as Previously Unavailable, which included the minor hit "Can't Seem to Shake This Rock 'n Roll".
In 1975 Franks released his second album The Art of Tea, beginning a long relationship with Warner Brothers Music. The Art of Tea featured Joe Sample, Larry Carlton and Wilton Felder of The Crusaders and included the hit song "Popsicle Toes". His third album, Sleeping Gypsy (1977), which includes the song "The Lady Wants to Know", was partially recorded in Brazil. Around this time, percussionist Ray Armando gave Franks a cabasa, which became a signature instrument for him to play on stage when he was not playing guitar. Burchfield Nines (1978), which includes the song "When the Cookie Jar Is Empty", reflects his move to New York City and features more of an East Coast sound. Since then, Franks has recorded more than 15 albums.
His best known works include "When I Give My Love to You", "Popsicle Toes", "Monkey See, Monkey Do", "Tiger in the Rain", "Rainy Night in Tokyo", and "Tell Me All About It". His biggest hit came in 1983 with "When Sly Calls (Don't Touch That Phone)" from the album Passionfruit. Radio hits include "Your Secret's Safe With Me" from 1985's Skin Dive, and "Island Life" from 1987s The Camera Never Lies.
Antonio's Song
Michael Franks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Antonio prays for truth
Antonio says our friendship
Is a hundred-proof
The vulture that circles Rio
Hangs in this L.A. sky
The blankets they give the Indians
Only make them die
Forgotten for so long
And let the Music flow
Like Light into the Rainbow
We know the Dance, we have
We still have the chance
To break these chains and flow
Like Light into the Rainbow
Antonio loves the desert
Antonio prays for rain
Antonio knows that Pleasure
Is the child of Pain
And lost in La Califusa*
When most of my hope was gone
Antonio's samba led me
To the Amazon
We sing the Song
Forgotten for so long
And let the music flow
Like Light into the Rainbow
We know the Dance, we have
We still have the chance
To break these chains and flow
Like Light into the Rainbow.
The song Antonio's Song by Michael Franks is a contemplative piece of music that speaks to the idea of breaking free from societal constraints and finding one's own path in life. The lyrics start by introducing the character of Antonio, who is described as someone who lives life to the fullest and seeks the truth. The reference to the vulture circling Rio and the blankets given to the Indians, only to make them die, highlight the harsh realities faced by many people in the world. Despite this, Antonio believes that their friendship is a hundred-proof, emphasizing his strong connection to the singer.
The chorus of the song talks about singing the forgotten song and letting the music flow like light into the rainbow. This can be interpreted as a call to embrace one's true self and allow oneself to become fully immersed in creativity, passion, and joy. The idea of breaking free from chains and flowing like light into the rainbow is a powerful image that suggests the possibility of transcendence and liberation.
As the song progresses, Antonio's love for the desert and the idea that pleasure is the child of pain are introduced. The phrase "La Califusa" is used to describe a place where hope was lost, but Antonio's samba leads the singer to the Amazon, a symbol of renewal and revitalization. Overall, the song is a poetic reflection on the human desire to escape limitations, find meaning, and connect with something greater than oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Antonio lives life's frevo
Antonio embraces life with exuberance and vitality, living it to the fullest like the fast-paced Brazilian dance known as frevo.
Antonio prays for truth
Antonio seeks honesty and clarity in all aspects of life, praying for the truth to be revealed.
Antonio says our friendship / Is a hundred-proof
Antonio believes that their friendship is strong and trustworthy, like an alcoholic beverage that has a high alcohol content and is undiluted.
The vulture that circles Rio / Hangs in this L.A. sky
The predatory bird that famously circles over Rio de Janeiro as a symbol of death and decay is now present in Los Angeles, suggesting that death and decay are universal and can be found anywhere.
The blankets they give the Indians / Only make them die
The gifts and aid that are meant to help Native American communities end up hurting them instead, causing more harm than good.
But sing the Song / Forgotten for so long
Despite the struggles and obstacles they face, they still have the ability to sing and make music, reviving and celebrating a song that has been forgotten for a long time.
And let the Music flow / Like Light into the Rainbow
Allow the music to flow freely and openly, like a spectrum of light that shines and illuminates a rainbow.
We know the Dance, we have / We still have the chance / To break these chains and flow / Like Light into the Rainbow
They are familiar with the dance of life and still have the opportunity to break free from whatever is holding them back, allowing themselves to shine and thrive once again.
Antonio loves the desert / Antonio prays for rain
Antonio appreciates the desert and its beauty, but also understands the importance and necessity of water.
Antonio knows that Pleasure / Is the child of Pain
Antonio recognizes that true pleasure and happiness often come after a period of difficulty and suffering.
And lost in La Califusa* / When most of my hope was gone / Antonio's samba led me / To the Amazon
Feeling lost in Los Angeles, Antonio's samba music guided the singer to the Amazon rainforest, offering a sense of hope and rejuvenation.
Contributed by Jeremiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.