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.
Every Time She Whispers
Michael Franks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've been together about a thousand years or so
Still almost instantly my love begins to show
Every time she whispers
It makes no difference if I'm down upon my luck
When she invites me in, my gloom becomes unstuck
I feel the barriers around me deconstruct
Tensions dissolve when we touch
In her arms the world is erased when it's too much
All of my deep blue disappears
As soon as I hear her whisper
Passion evolves when we touch
In her arms I measure success counting how much
Music she composes in sighs
And how many times she whispers my name
She whispers my name
Love is the weakness that we need to make us strong
How can a hundred million Frenchmen all be wrong?
And I'm completely at the mercy of her song
Every time she whispers
Tensions dissolve when we touch
In her arms the world is erased when it's too much
All of my deep blue disappears
As soon as I hear her whisper
Passion evolves when we touch
In her arms I measure success counting how much
Music she composes in sighs
And how many times she whispers my name
Tensions dissolve when we touch
In her arms the world is erased when it's too much
All of my deep blue disappears
As soon as I hear her whisper
Passion evolves when we touch
In her arms I measure success counting how much
Music she composes in sighs
And how many times she whispers my name
She whispers my name
Inside
Every time she whispers
High tide
Cannot be tamed
Of course
Every time she whispers
Love force
Rages unchained
Inside
Every time she whispers
High tide
Cannot be tamed
Of course
Every time she whispers
Love force
Rages unchained
The lyrics of Michael Franks's song "Every Time She Whispers" capture the deep connection between the singer and his lover. Despite spending years together, the love between them remains fresh and strong, making his emotions evident every time she whispers. The first verse suggests an intimate relationship where she knows every part of him, and he can't help but display his affection for her every time she whispers. The second verse recognizes the healing role his lover plays in his life. She can help him overcome any negativity in his life with the power of her love. The repeating line "Every time she whispers" strengthens the idea that her whispering voice is a symbol of his comfort and tranquility. The chorus describes the restorative and liberating effect of being in her arms, where all the world fades, making him feel soothed and composing "music she composes in sighs." The last verse advocates that, despite the strength it takes to love, he is entirely under the spell of her song. The bridge acknowledges that his emotions intensify and become uncontainable when they are together. Her whispers mark the start of an emotional high tide he cannot resist, where love, passion, and unbridled force take over.
This song has been interpreted in various ways, but a listener can relate to the lyrics on a personal level as a passionate portrayal of an individual's deep and complex emotional responses to their lover. The sensitivity and passion reflected in the lyrics of the song make it a classic for those who love to immerse themselves in emotional love songs.
Line by Line Meaning
There isn't any part of me she does not know
I am completely transparent to her, she knows everything about me.
We've been together about a thousand years or so
Our love has lasted a long time, it feels like forever.
Still almost instantly my love begins to show
I can't help but feel love for her, it's always there just beneath the surface.
Every time she whispers
Her gentle voice has the power to transform my mood and outlook.
It makes no difference if I'm down upon my luck
No matter how unlucky I feel, she has the ability to elevate my spirits.
When she invites me in, my gloom becomes unstuck
Her warm embrace removes all the negativity from my life.
I feel the barriers around me deconstruct
All the walls that I've built up around myself crumble when I'm with her.
Tensions dissolve when we touch
The touch of her skin immediately eases my mind and body.
In her arms the world is erased when it's too much
All the problems in the world fade away when I'm in her embrace.
All of my deep blue disappears
All of my sadness disappears when I hear her whispers and feel her touch.
As soon as I hear her whisper
The moment I hear her gentle voice, my heart begins to race with love and contentment.
Passion evolves when we touch
The intensity of our love and desire builds with every touch.
In her arms I measure success counting how much
My happiness and success in life is tied to the love she gives me.
Music she composes in sighs
The sound of her sighs and breaths fills me with peace, happiness and love.
And how many times she whispers my name
The number of times she whispers my name is a measure of how much she loves me.
Love is the weakness that we need to make us strong
Love is a powerful force that makes us feel strong and whole, even in our vulnerability.
How can a hundred million Frenchmen all be wrong?
Love is universal, and the fact that so many people feel it shows that it's a force to be reckoned with.
And I'm completely at the mercy of her song
I am totally entranced by her, her love has captured me completely.
Inside, every time she whispers
My innermost thoughts and feelings become exposed when she whispers to me.
High tide, cannot be tamed
The feelings of love we share cannot be controlled or contained, they are like a powerful ocean tide.
Of course, every time she whispers
It's only natural that I am so moved by her whispers, as she is the love of my life.
Love force, rages unchained
Our love is an unstoppable force that cannot be contained, it flows freely and powerfully between us.
Contributed by Christopher M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.