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.
Jealousy
Michael Franks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Til you got a hold of me
Now I feel like a fellow - dying of jealousy
Were you late last night, I passed your house I saw no light
I called you on the phone 100 times you weren't at home
Don't say just out with friends, I can't believe that line again
Don't tell me just be cool, you know I ain't that big a fool
Why don't you stay with me?
I'm in a difficult position
I don't mean to push and shove, I just want all your love
I'm sick and tired of the suspicion
You gave me that sweet look
You cast a spell on me
I swallowed a needle
Now I'm dying of jealousy
I cry when I should laugh at your old lovers photograph
You say no need to shout, well how come you never threw it out?
What did you do all day, your mind's a million miles away
You say just in my room, well I would like to know with whom
Why must you play with me?
Why don't you stay with me?
I'm in a difficult position
I don't mean to push and shove, I just want all your love
I'm sick and tired of the suspicion
My heart is burning up with jealousy
This jealous feeling has got a hold of me
My heart is burning up with jealousy
This jealous feeling has got a hold of me
My heart is burning up with jealousy
This jealous feeling has got a hold of me
My heart is burning up with jealousy
This jealous feeling has got a hold of me
The lyrics of Michael Franks's song "Jealousy" depict the internal struggle of a person who has been consumed by feelings of jealousy. The song begins by establishing the contrast between the singer's previous, calm demeanor and their current turmoil, brought on by the other person's infidelity. Through the verses, the singer reveals their attempts to seek answers that can soothe their suspicions, such as checking on the other person's whereabouts and trying to reach them through calls. However, their struggles to hold onto the other person are made more complicated by their own clinginess and insecurity, indicated in lines such as "I just want all your love" and "I'm sick and tired of the suspicion."
The powerlessness of the narrating character is expressed in the refrain, with the lines "Why must you play with me? / Why don't you stay with me?" juxtaposing the sense of being manipulated and the longing for someone to be there for them. The singer is trapped in the limbo of not being sure if their partner is being faithful, and not wanting to let go of them even if they are cheating. The final lines reinforce the emotion of the song's theme, with the repetition of the phrase "My heart is burning up with jealousy."
Line by Line Meaning
I used to be mellow
I used to be calm and carefree
'Til you got a hold of me
Until I became involved with you
Now I feel like a fellow - dying of jealousy
Now I feel like a person who is close to death due to their extreme jealousy
Were you late last night, I passed your house I saw no light
I noticed your absence last night when I went by your house and noticed no lights were on
I called you on the phone 100 times you weren't at home
I repeatedly called you, but you were not at home
Don't say just out with friends, I can't believe that line again
Do not use the excuse of being out with friends, as I do not believe it anymore
Don't tell me just be cool, you know I ain't that big a fool
Do not tell me to relax or be calm, as I am not that naive
Why must you play with me?
Why are you toying with my emotions?
Why don't you stay with me?
Why are you not committing to this relationship?
I'm in a difficult position
I am in a challenging situation in this relationship
I don't mean to push and shove, I just want all your love
I do not intend to be aggressive, but I desire all of your love
I'm sick and tired of the suspicion
I am exhausted from my anxious and mistrustful thoughts
You gave me that sweet look
You gave me a look of kindness and affection
You cast a spell on me
You captured my heart and mind with your charm and allure
I swallowed a needle
I experienced a painful and difficult situation
Now I'm dying of jealousy
Now I am experiencing fatal levels of jealousy
I cry when I should laugh at your old lovers photograph
I become upset by reminders of your past relationships
You say no need to shout, well how come you never threw it out?
You tell me to calm down, but why have you not gotten rid of reminders of your old relationships?
What did you do all day, your mind's a million miles away
What did you do all day, as your mind seems to be preoccupied with other things?
You say just in my room, well I would like to know with whom
You tell me you were just in your room, but I want to know who you were with
My heart is burning up with jealousy
My intense jealousy is causing me emotional pain
This jealous feeling has got a hold of me
These feelings of jealousy are consuming me
Contributed by Henry J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@THEMATRIXCORP
C’est devenu un classique depuis quelques années maintenant 🇫🇷
@raycewilliams3300
Michael Franks is a...... POET. I love his lyrics. He, in my opinion, transforms poetry into beautiful music. Thanks for posting this song. Take care.
@AmandaAvenue
Love this song and I'm 38. I play this type of song to my clients while I'm doing their nails and they love it lol
@santaolivia1339
Love the brass! This song is perfect.
@stephenmthompson272
Jason, let me be the first to congratulate you on your exceptional ears.
@jnadle1
I'm hearing three SNL band members on this song (Buddy Williams, Michael Brecker, Lawrence Feldman).
@THEMATRIXCORP
🖤⭕️
@XxLovefistxX
This is Yacht Rock.
@thierrykiss2814
Two Tahitian Women (1899) by Paul Gauguin.
@mjo5231
Dear Walid as you are aware I love what you do with Michael Franks music.. Can I ask you a favour, As a very English songwriter, could you share my youtune MJO music with anyone who might enjoy my heart felt and honest folk songs.. That would be a real gift.. If you cant do this for me no worries, I love what you do and will contimue to follow your amazing work.. thank you Michael