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.
Songbirds
Michael Franks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
...across the years time travels
Disappeared songbird I hear
...you and my heart unravels
When I consider
...your absence then my smile erases
Sure the Creator creates
Songbirds as perfect as you
Songbird it's true.
Neighbors in Woodstock
...you played us Perry Como's cover
Of "Just When I Needed You Most"
...trophies aride as treasures.
When I consider
..Your absence then my smile erases
Sure the Creator creates
...but rarely He replaces
Songbirds as perfect as you
Songbird it's true.
Meadowlark's oriole,
Blackbirds and vireos
Warblers in stereo
All
It always saddens me,
...yielding to gravity,
When even one
...sparrow falls
(Interlude)
What Divine Musician tunes
...the heartbeat of each songbird
If depression deepens blue
...I listen to their songs.
What Divine Musician tunes
...the heartbeat of each songbird
If depression deepens blue
...I listen to their songs.
Though we can't explain why
...time conspires to still too soon some songbirds
Time can never tame the
...heart and gem-like beauty of each song.
Though we can't explain why
...time conspires to still too soon some songbirds
Time can never tame the
...heart and gem-like beauty of each song.
The lyrics to Michael Franks's "Songbirds" reflect the beauty and fleeting nature of life, as well as the profound impact that certain individuals can have on our lives, even after they're gone. The line "life read the grooves and your voice, across the years time travels" suggests that the singer is reflecting on a past love or lost friend, whose impact has stayed with them throughout time. This is further emphasized by the line "disappeared songbird I hear you and my heart unravels", which implies that even though the songbird is no longer present, the memories associated with them still hold a deep emotional resonance.
The chorus of the song speaks to the irreplaceable nature of certain individuals, specifically songbirds. The line "sure the Creator creates but rarely he replaces, songbirds as perfect as you" suggests that the person or people being referenced in the song were truly one-of-a-kind, and can never be replicated. This sentiment is echoed in the verse "meadowlark's oriole, blackbirds and vireos, warblers in stereo, all, it always saddens me, yielding to gravity, when even one sparrow falls", which emphasizes the preciousness of life and the beauty of the natural world.
Line by Line Meaning
Life read the grooves and your voice
Your voice is a recording of your life, traveling through time and representing your experiences.
Disappeared songbird I hear
Although you are no longer with us, your voice and songs continue to impact us deeply.
When I consider
Reflecting on the absence of your song and voice,
your absence then my smile erases
My joy becomes overshadowed by the sadness of your absence.
Sure the Creator creates
Although the universe is created by a higher power,
but rarely He replaces
It is a rare occurrence for one being to have the same perfection as the one that has left us.
Songbirds as perfect as you
Your voice and music were perfect and unmatched.
Songbird it's true.
It is a fact that your voice and songs were truly special and unique.
Neighbors in Woodstock
During your time in Woodstock,
you played us Perry Como's cover
You shared with us the music you loved and appreciated, specifically Perry Como's version.
Of "Just When I Needed You Most"
You shared a specific song that resonated with you and your emotions at the time.
trophies aride as treasures.
The ephemeral nature of physical trophies is less valuable than the intangible value of musical treasures.
Meadowlark's oriole,
Referring to different species of songbirds,
Blackbirds and vireos
Specifically including blackbirds and vireos,
Warblers in stereo
As well as warblers, all of which create a beautiful chorus of music.
All
Together, all of these songbirds create a symphony of music in nature.
It always saddens me,
Whenever we witness a bird falling
yielding to gravity,
as a result of the physical limitations of gravity,
When even one
even just one bird,
sparrow falls
it is a sad event that reminds us of the fragility of life.
What Divine Musician tunes
Asking a rhetorical question about a higher power who created the music of these songbirds,
the heartbeat of each songbird
As if these bird's voices are their heartbeats.
If depression deepens blue
In times of inner turmoil and sadness,
I listen to their songs.
The beauty and tranquility of the songbirds' music can bring comfort and peace in difficult times.
Though we can't explain why
Despite not being able to understand why,
time conspires to still too soon some songbirds
Time can end a songbird's life too soon, robbing the world of their music.
Time can never tame the
However, time cannot take away the
heart and gem-like beauty of each song.
The unique and special quality of each songbird's music remains unforgettable and precious for eternity.
Contributed by Daniel F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.