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.
The Fountain Of Youth
Michael Franks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Required a drink of gasoline
I swerved to a city names St. Augustine
In Upper Florine
I drove through the town and quite
By chance
Hooked up with a lady circumstance
True romance
Which she did indeed
She lives around the corner from the
Fountain of Youth
Around the corner form the Fountain
Love is around the corner from the Fountain
The Fountain of Youth
What gives around the corner from the
Fountain of Youth?
Around the corner form the Fountain
Love lives around the corner
From the Fountain
The Fountain of Youth
If music be the food of love
She's an etude of love
And all I have to say is "play on"
Her shapes' perfect symmetry
Which I observe with three
Hip and three hoorays
For Mr. Ponce de Leon
What conquistador could turn his back,
As if home-sweet-home count counteract
The honey-concocted aphrodisiac
That simply is she?
In the song "The Fountain of Youth," Michael Franks tells a story of stumbling upon love while driving through St. Augustine, Florida. His car required gasoline, and he happened to meet a woman who renewed his heart with true romance. She lives around the corner from the Fountain of Youth, and Franks is amazed at how love can be found so close to a place where people search for youth and vitality. He compares his lover's beauty to an "etude of love," and describes her perfect symmetry which he observes with three "hip and three hoorays." Franks also pays homage to Juan Ponce de Leon, the famous Spanish explorer who sought the Fountain of Youth, and wonders how any explorer could turn his back on such a honey-concocted aphrodisiac.
Overall, Franks' lyrics touch on the themes of love, youth, and the search for vitality. The Fountain of Youth serves as a backdrop to the story, highlighting the idea that love is the true source of youth and renewal. The story also shows how love can be found in unexpected places and how even the most famous explorers of the past might have overlooked the true secrets of vitality.
Line by Line Meaning
My purring Bavarian machine
Refers to the singer's car, which is running smoothly and efficiently.
Required a drink of gasoline
Needs fuel to keep running.
I swerved to a city named St. Augustine
The singer changed course and headed towards a town called St. Augustine.
In Upper Florine
Refers to the location of St. Augustine, which is in the northern part of the state of Florida.
I drove through the town and quite by chance
The artist drove through St. Augustine and happened upon something unexpected.
Hooked up with a lady circumstance
Met a woman by chance.
Produced to renew my heart with true romance
The relationship with the woman is renewing the singer's sense of romance and passion.
Which she did indeed
The woman succeeded in renewing the artist's romance and passion.
She lives around the corner from the Fountain of Youth
The woman lives close to a famous landmark called the Fountain of Youth.
Around the corner from the Fountain
Reiterates the fact that the woman's house is located near the Fountain of Youth.
Love is around the corner from the Fountain
The singer is suggesting that love can also be found near the Fountain of Youth.
What gives around the corner from the Fountain of Youth?
What else can be found near the Fountain of Youth?
Around the corner form the Fountain
Reiterates the location of the Fountain of Youth.
Love lives around the corner from the Fountain
The singer is emphasizing that love can be found near the Fountain of Youth.
The Fountain of Youth
Refers to a mythical fountain that was believed to have restorative powers.
If music be the food of love
Refers to a Shakespearean quote that states love is nourished by music.
She's an etude of love
The woman is like a musical composition that expresses love.
And all I have to say is 'play on'
The singer is encouraging the woman to continue expressing her love like music.
Her shape's perfect symmetry
The woman's body is perfectly proportioned and symmetrical.
Which I observe with three
The artist is admiring the woman's body from three different angles.
Hip and three hoorays
A lighthearted exclamation of admiration for the woman's body.
For Mr. Ponce de Leon
Refers to the Spanish explorer who is said to have searched for the Fountain of Youth in Florida.
What conquistador could turn his back
The singer is suggesting that no explorer could resist the lure of the woman he has met.
As if home-sweet-home count counteract
Even the comfort of home cannot counteract the attraction of the woman.
The honey-concocted aphrodisiac
The woman is described as a sweet and irresistible aphrodisiac.
That simply is she?
The singer is affirming that the woman really is as attractive and alluring as he has described.
Contributed by Bailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.