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.
Lotus Blossom
Michael Franks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without any sun
Lotus Blossom, don't cry
You and I were meant to be one
And though we're apart
It won't be for long
I come to you
In my song
So happy we two
Like sparrows in spring
Lotus Blossom, it's true
Me and you like bow upon string
I live for the day
My journey will end
So I can touch you again
And in my dream
You are always there with me
A Tahitian fantasy...
But then the film just breaks
And I wake...
Lotus Blossom!
So empty like sky
Without any sun
Lotus Blossom, don't cry
You and I were meant to be one
And though we're apart
It won't be for long
I come to you
In my song
The song "Lotus Blossom" by Michael Franks speaks about the longing and yearning of a man for his lover, embodied in the image of a lotus blossom. The opening lines set a melancholic mood, describing an empty sky without the sun, a metaphor for a life without love. The singer then addresses the lotus blossom, urging her not to cry and reminding her that they were meant to be together. Despite their physical separation, he reassures her that they will be reunited soon, even if only in his imagination or song.
The second stanza shifts to a more joyful and hopeful tone, with the singer comparing himself and his lover to "sparrows in spring" and a "bow upon string." He proclaims that he lives for the day when they can be together again, emphasizing the intensity of his love and devotion. The song then takes a dreamlike turn, with the singer envisioning a Tahitian fantasy where he and his lover are always together. However, this fantasy is shattered when the film breaks, and he wakes up in the real world, addressing his lover once again as the lotus blossom, and promising to come to her in his song.
Overall, the lyrics of "Lotus Blossom" convey a sense of longing, hope, and imagination, as the singer yearns for his lover and imagines a future where they can be together again. The lotus blossom serves as a powerful symbol of love and longing, evoking the beauty and fragility of life and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
So empty like sky
Feeling lonely and abandoned, like the vast open sky has no source of light or warmth.
Without any sun
Devoid of hope or happiness, as if there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
Lotus Blossom, don't cry
Words of encouragement to someone who is feeling down, hoping to console and uplift them.
You and I were meant to be one
Assurance that two people are destined to be together in a close relationship.
And though we're apart
Although the two people are not physically together at the moment,
It won't be for long
Hopefully, the separation will be temporary and brief, implying the reunion is not too far away.
I come to you
Even if they are not physically present, the singer has a way of reaching out to their loved one.
In my song
The artist's music allows them to communicate with their loved one, even when they are not face to face.
So happy we two
The two people are filled with joy and contentment, glad to be together.
Like sparrows in spring
The artist compares the two people's happiness to that of birds rejoicing in the season of rebirth.
Lotus Blossom, it's true
Confirmation for the person called Lotus Blossom that their joy is real.
Me and you like bow upon string
The two people are a perfect match, like a bowstring and bow working in sync.
I live for the day
The singer's life has a purpose, which is to reunite with their loved one.
My journey will end
The singer's journey through life will eventually terminate, hopefully with a reunion with their beloved.
So I can touch you again
The desire to reconnect with their loved one on a physical and emotional plane i.e. to feel the satisfaction of being in each other's arms.
And in my dream
The artist's subconscious mind still thinks about their loved one.
You are always there with me
Even in dreams, the artist's beloved remains a prominent figure.
A Tahitian fantasy...
A vivid and tropical daydream of a life full of warmth and love awaits the two would-be reunited lovers.
But then the film just breaks
Unfortunately, this idyllic reverie is only temporary because the singer wakes up.
And I wake...
The artist abruptly leaves their dream and returns to reality, highlighting the separation between the two people in the real world.
Lotus Blossom!
A reiteration of the name of the person being addressed, accompanied by an exclamation to emphasize calling their attention to the following words said to them.
Contributed by Jason O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.