Franti was part of the industrial punk band The Beatnigs with DJ Rono Tse, which released a self-titled LP, and an EP Television on Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles records. His next project, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, found Franti continuing his collaboration with Tse, and working with jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter, and electronic musicians Mark Pistel (Consolidated) and Jack Dangers (Meat Beat Manifesto). The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy wrote biting, progressive lyrics that railed against the injustice of the world and yearned for democratic reform, set to a fusion of industrial and hip hop. Their first album won acclaim for its social commentary, and they were chosen by U2 to open for their Zoo TV Tour.
Franti and the Disposable Heroes put together another record of music accompanying novelist William Burroughs' readings for an album entitled Spare Ass Annie and Other Tales. This album diverged greatly from the style of the band's previous work, as they were largely providing musical background and accompaniment to Burroughs' spoken readings from several of his books.
In 1994, Franti formed a new band called Spearhead. While he continued to create politically and socially conscious lyrics, Spearhead's music drew more from funk and soul than the industrial sound of his previous groups. Spearhead released their first album, Home, in September of 1994. Their follow up album Chocolate Supa Highway was released in March of 1997. It should be noted that these two albums were released under the band name "Spearhead", while the name on all subsequent albums would be "Michael Franti & Spearhead".
In 1999, Franti retreated from the major-label grind to explore his music and politics. He returned the following year as an organizer and cultural worker tied to the rising movements against the death penalty, the prison-industrial complex and corporate globalization, voicing his observations through his music.
Stay Human was released in 2000 on his own indie label, Boo Boo Wax and Six Degrees. The album's themes are justice and survival, touching on issues like media monopolization and incarceration.
Everyone Deserves Music was released in 2003. Franti composed many of the songs from his guitar and, like fellow 21st century cultural globalists Manu Chao and Ozomatli, continues to synthesize his eclectic influences. In a departure from the noise of the Beatnigs and Disposable Heroes, and the minimalism of early Spearhead, Franti's affirming lyrics are now set to appropriately swelling rock chords, while keeping a world-wise groove nodding towards reggae, dancehall, bossa nova, Afrobeat, and funk.
On July 25, 2006, Michael Franti & Spearhead released their new album, entitled Yell Fire!, inspired by Franti's trip to war-torn Baghdad, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. Largely written during that trip and recorded in Jamaica, Yell Fire! contains contributions from Sly & Robby and has a more reggae-influenced vibe than previous work.
Michael Franti has been barefoot since 2000.
Oh My God
Michael Franti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh-my, oh-my God!
Out here mama they got us livin' suicide
Singin' oh-my, oh-my God!
Out here mama they got us livin' genocide
Slam bam I come unseen
But like gasoline you can tell I'm in the tank
I smell appealing, but I'm toxic, can send ya reeling
Without an inklin', keep ya thinkin'
'cause you gave cash to the feds, left your school district for dead
Fucked you up in the head, but still they sayin' nothin's wrong
Sellin' firewater but outlawing the bong
Still believing the system is workin'
While half of my people are still outta workin'
Anonymous notes left in the pockets and coats
Of judges and juries from 'Frisco to Jersey
Threats and protests politicians mob debts
Trumped up charges and phoney arrests
Stage a lethal injection, the night before the election
'cause he got donations from the prison guard's union
[Chorus]
Listen in to my stethoscope on a rope
International lullabies, human cries
Thumps and silence, the language of violence
Algorithmic, cataclysmic, seismic, biorhythmic
You can make a life longer, but you can't save it
You can make a clone an then you try to enslave it?
Stealin' DNA samples from the onborn
And then you comin' after us
'cause we sampled a James Brown horn?
Scientists who's God is progress
A four-headed sheep is their latest project
The CIA runnin' like that Jones from Indiana
But they still won't talk about that (Jim) Jones
(People's Temple mass suicide) in Guyana
This ain't no cartoon
No one slips on bananas
Do you really think that that car killed Diana
Hell I shot Ronald Reagan, I shot JFK,
I slept with Marilyn (Monroe) she sung me happy birthday
Singin'
[Chorus]
Well politicians got lipstick on the collar
The whole media started to holler
But I don't give a fuck who they screwin' in private
I want to know who they screwin' in public
Robbin', cheatin', stealin'
White collar criminal
McDonald eatin', you deserve a beatin'
Send you home a weepin', with a fat bill for your
Caribbean weekend
For just about anything they can bust us
False advertising sayin' "halls of Justice''
You tellin' the youth don't be so violent
Then you drop bombs on every single continent
Mandatory minimum sentencin'
'cause he got caught with a pocket fulla medicine
Do that again another ten up in the pen
I feel so mad I want to bomb an institution
Singin'
[Chorus]
The song "Oh My God" by Michael Franti is a powerful commentary on the state of society, specifically regarding the issues of social injustice and corruption. In the chorus, Franti mourns the fact that people are living in a world where suicide and genocide are prevalent. He questions why this is happening and wonders if anyone is doing anything to stop it. He notes how the "system" is supposed to work, but in reality, half the people are still out of work.
Franti then goes on to describe the corruption and injustices that are plaguing society. He talks about how people are being oppressed and marginalized by those in power. He mentions how the politicians are only interested in themselves and how the media tries to cover up their misdeeds. He talks about the false advertising of the "halls of Justice" and how the mandatory minimum sentencing only serves to further oppress and silence those who are already marginalized. He ends the song with the line "I feel so mad I want to bomb an institution," which emphasizes the frustration and anger that he feels towards the system.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh-my, oh-my God!
Expressing shock at the state of the world
Out here mama they got us livin' suicide
The world is so hard to live in, it's like we're killing ourselves
Out here mama they got us livin' genocide
The world is so hard to live in, it's like we're being wiped out
Slam bam I come unseen
I move fast and unnoticed
But like gasoline you can tell I'm in the tank
Although I'm unseen, I'm everywhere and my impact is felt
Like money in the bank
People rely on me and I have a lot of power and influence
I smell appealing, but I'm toxic, can send ya reeling
I may seem good, but I can be bad for you and cause harm
Without an inklin', keep ya thinkin'
I operate in ways that people don't even realize, but I still affect their thinking
'cause you gave cash to the feds, left your school district for dead
The government takes your money, but doesn't invest it in things that matter, like education
Fucked you up in the head, but still they sayin' nothin's wrong
The government's actions are messing with your mental health, but they deny there's a problem
Sellin' firewater but outlawing the bong
Alcohol is legal, but marijuana isn't, even though both can be harmful
Still believing the system is workin'
People have faith in the government and the system, but it's failing them
While half of my people are still outta workin'
The unemployment rate is high and it affects a lot of people
Anonymous notes left in the pockets and coats
People are trying to communicate secretly and anonymously
Of judges and juries from 'Frisco to Jersey
Even people in positions of power are getting notes, suggesting that something needs to change
Threats and protests politicians mob debts
People are threatening and protesting against politicians, who owe money to people that are part of criminal organizations
Trumped up charges and phoney arrests
People are being falsely accused and arrested
Stage a lethal injection, the night before the election
Put someone to death by lethal injection the night before the election, as a way to influence the outcome of the election
'cause he got donations from the prison guard's union
The prison guard's union is bribing politicians and trying to influence their decisions
Listen in to my stethoscope on a rope
Pay attention to the sounds of the world
International lullabies, human cries
The world can be soothing and peaceful, but it can also be full of pain and suffering
Thumps and silence, the language of violence
Violence doesn't always involve loud noises, sometimes it's quiet and unspoken
Algorithmic, cataclysmic, seismic, biorhythmic
There are patterns and rhythms in everything, including destruction and chaos
You can make a life longer, but you can't save it
Although we can prolong life, we can't prevent death
You can make a clone an then you try to enslave it?
We can create life, but we shouldn't treat it as property
Stealin' DNA samples from the onborn
Scientists are taking DNA samples from embryos and fetuses without their permission
And then you comin' after us
Scientists are doing something unethical and they will be held accountable
'cause we sampled a James Brown horn?
Sampling music is a controversial topic, even if it's for artistic purposes
Scientists who's God is progress
Some scientists are so focused on innovation and progress that they forget about ethics and morals
A four-headed sheep is their latest project
Scientists are experimenting with something that seems unnatural and could be dangerous
The CIA runnin' like that Jones from Indiana
The CIA is secretive and has a lot of power
But they still won't talk about that (Jim) Jones
The CIA is involved in things that they don't want to talk about
(People's Temple mass suicide) in Guyana
The CIA was involved in the mass suicide in Guyana, but they don't acknowledge it
This ain't no cartoon
The world is real and the problems are serious, it's not a joke
No one slips on bananas
It's not a silly or lighthearted world, it's serious and dangerous
Do you really think that that car killed Diana
People believe in conspiracy theories, even if they're not based in truth
Hell I shot Ronald Reagan, I shot JFK,
People believe in conspiracy theories, even ones that involve assassinating presidents
I slept with Marilyn (Monroe) she sung me happy birthday
People believe in conspiracy theories, even absurd ones
Well politicians got lipstick on the collar
Politicians are cheating and engaging in inappropriate behavior
The whole media started to holler
The media is making a big deal out of the politicians' behavior
But I don't give a fuck who they screwin' in private
People's private lives are their own business and not something we should care about
I want to know who they screwin' in public
We should care about how politicians act and behave in public, and who they're serving
Robbin', cheatin', stealin'
Politicians engage in corrupt behavior to benefit themselves
White collar criminal
Politicians engage in crimes that are typically associated with business and finance
McDonald eatin', you deserve a beatin'
People who support fast food and unhealthy lifestyles deserve to be punished
Send you home a weepin', with a fat bill for your
People who support fast food and unhealthy lifestyles should have to pay for the consequences
Caribbean weekend
People who support unhealthy lifestyles should have to pay for the healthcare costs
For just about anything they can bust us
The government is watching and trying to catch people doing something wrong
False advertising sayin' "halls of Justice''
The justice system isn't fair or just
You tellin' the youth don't be so violent
The government is telling young people not to be violent, but they're not providing any solutions to the problems
Then you drop bombs on every single continent
The government is being hypocritical by preaching nonviolence, but engaging in violent actions themselves
Mandatory minimum sentencin'
People are being locked up for long periods of time for minor offenses
'cause he got caught with a pocket fulla medicine
People are being punished for having medicine on them that they need for their health
Do that again another ten up in the pen
People who break the law are being punished excessively
I feel so mad I want to bomb an institution
People are frustrated and angry with the government and its institutions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MICHAEL FRANTI, RAMON ENRICO LAZO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind