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.
Tokyo
Michael Franks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Remember when
We met at the shrine
Your kimono looked so fine
Temple dancers swaying
Flutes playing then
I was yours and you were mine
Paul Desmond on the stereo
Kissing in the candleglow
That rainy night in Tokyo
We both got so hungry on the bullet train
Lugging our luggage through the station
Finding a taxi in the pouring rain
We must have made quite a sight
In love on a rainy night
And due for a little celebration
Safe from stormy weather
Together we
Stayed inside our room
Just admiring the typhoon
Heard the cats arrive
Nearly five but we
Were still making love in tune
The lyrics of "Rainy Night in Tokyo" by Michael Franks tell the story of a romantic encounter between two people in Japan. The song begins by recalling the day they met, on the Seventh of September, at a shrine with temple dancers and flutes playing. The scene is set with the image of the woman in a beautiful kimono, and the man is immediately smitten. The mood is evocative and sensual, set to the smooth jazz sounds of Paul Desmond on the stereo.
The couple's Japanese adventure continues as they take the bullet train and navigate through the station in the pouring rain, looking for a taxi. Despite the obstacles, their love persists and they take refuge in their hotel room, where they admire the typhoon from safety. The final verse is a tribute to their passion as time passes and the cats arrive in the morning. The couple is still making love in harmony, having found comfort and safety in each other on this rainy night in Tokyo.
Overall, the song suggests that love can be found in unexpected places and that it has the power to bring people together despite external obstacles. The imagery of the rain and typhoon in the city of Tokyo adds to the mood of intimacy and adventure that the song creates.
Line by Line Meaning
Seventh of September
The date that a particular event happened
Remember when
Asking the listener to recall a specific memory
We met at the shrine
Describing the location where two people first met
Your kimono looked so fine
Appreciating the appearance of the person's attire
Temple dancers swaying
Observing the movements of performers at the shrine
Flutes playing then
Noticing the music being played at the shrine
I was yours and you were mine
Expressing a strong emotional connection between two people
Paul Desmond on the stereo
Identifying the musician whose music is being played
We sipped the sake very slow
Enjoying a drink together at a leisurely pace
Kissing in the candleglow
Sharing an intimate moment in a softly lit room
That rainy night in Tokyo
Referring to a specific night and location
We both got so hungry on the bullet train
Feeling hungry during a ride on a specific type of train
Lugging our luggage through the station
Carrying heavy bags through a transportation hub
Finding a taxi in the pouring rain
Searching for transportation while it was raining heavily
We must have made quite a sight
Realizing that they stood out due to their appearance or behavior
In love on a rainy night
Feeling romantic during inclement weather
And due for a little celebration
Recognizing that an occasion calls for some type of festivity
Safe from stormy weather
Being in a secure place during bad weather
Together we
Acknowledging the unity of two people
Stayed inside our room
Choosing to remain in a specific indoor space
Just admiring the typhoon
Appreciating the power of a severe weather phenomenon
Heard the cats arrive
Noticing the sounds of animals entering the area
Nearly five but we
Referring to the time, but feeling unaffected by it
Were still making love in tune
Being intimate with one another, even while hearing music or other sounds around them
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MICHAEL P. FRANKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kryptomia Deathmetalizer
reminds me of my junior high .. best days of my life - no internet no gadgets no celphones , just playing MF cassette tapes and this is one of those remarkable songs.
Quix66 Hiya
Me too. My mom of all people introduced me to MF when I was a teenager. I’m 56 now and still listening.
patrice moses
I love michael's sound, it's such a souful sound and yet so melodic. It takes me to a place that is so peaceful
Poetmiester
Light some candles, pour a glass of wine, lay up on the couch and just listen to this......ah bliss!
FL8mileshigh1
This song is about to turn 30! It sounds like it was recorded this morning. Words to describe "Rainy Night In Tokyo." Brillant. Soothing. Fresh. Relaxing. Bittersweet. Haunting. Nostalgic. Good thoughts. Good Times. Excellent. There is not a bad song on PASSION FRUIT, possibly the best of Michael Franks albums. I have been a Michael Franks fan and listener for 25 years. His music is timeless.
dublinjazz1
I discovered Michael Franks when I was 18, many years ago. To this day his music brings back memories of that time like a sledgehammer to the gut, particularly this song. Oh to be able to go back, just for a day...
Julio Maza
Me too from 17 years old or so, The Lady Wants To Know....was a special one for me. I met Michael once in Orlando , it was a small audience and he came out to say hello to everyone.
LaDon Gibbs
💯‼️✌️👍
mcskipper
Me too at University, my roomate played this song when he wanted to take the stress out of studying
Rafael Yáñez
Thanks for expressing so perfect what I feel about this extraordinary composer and singer!