His project Spearhead produced the critically acclaimed Home in 1994. The album contained his biggest single, "Hole in the Bucket," a thoughtful lament on the plight of the homeless, and "Positive," which addressed the growing AIDS epidemic. The album boasted adept funk samplings, sinuous guitar vamps, and soulful, melodic tracks about family and social injustice. 1997's Chocolate Supa Highway was not as pop-friendly as Home, but neither did its themes of kidnappings and police brutality lend themselves to such overt accessibility. Its mixture of harsher musical styles -- techno, rock, and funk -- was a step forward for Franti as his world view broadened and deepened. In 2001, Franti released Stay Human. In it he expresses his anger at the system, his advocacy of love, and his belief in freedom through individuality and self-expression through a set of songs that revolve around a fictitious death penalty case. In it, his embrace of the genres that inspired him is achieved with eloquence.
Earlier projects of Franti include The Beatnigs and The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, which had more of an experimental/industrial sound, but addressed many of the same social/political issues.
As a celebration of the Election of Barack Obama Franti recorded the Obama Song, offered as a free track on downloaded at their offical website, www.michaelfranti.com/.
Anytime You Need Me
Michael Franti & Spearhead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The whole world drives by with the speakers on
Concrete apartments and the windows
With a million other people but still you just feel alone
Everybody needs a friend just to listen to em
Everybody needs a friend who ain't tryna screw em
Everybody needs a friend to go through it with
When you need a friend, somebody to walk to
My friend, somebody to talk to
I'll wait right there waiting for you
[Chorus]
Anytime, anytime you want me
Anytime, anytime you need me
Anytime, anytime you want me
Ill walk right back over again
Right back over again
Right back over again
To you my friend, to you my friend, to you
Just like some kind of animal
I would run through a jungle of criminals
Through the valley of darkness or loneliness
Fly across the great abyss just to grant a single wish
I might trip, but I'm never stumbling
I'm right there when your whole worlds crumbling
I'll be the one to pick you up when you've had too much to drink
Bent over the sink
See when you need a friend
Somebody to walk to
My friend, somebody to talk to
I'll be right there waiting for you
[Chorus]
'Cause I watch the stars with a million other people
With a million other people
I watch the stars with a million other people
With a million other people
I watch the stars with a million other people
With a million other people
I watch the stars with a million other people
In a city that burns so loud you cant hear a sound,
The whole world drives by with the speakers on
Concrete apartments and the windows
With a million other people
[Chorus]
I watch the stars with a million other people
With a million other people
I watch the stars with a million other people
To you my friend, to you
Walk right over again
To you my friend
To you my friend
To you
The lyrics to Michael Franti & Spearhead's song "Anytime You Need Me" are about the importance of having a friend to turn to in life. The beginning of the song describes a bustling, noisy city where people are surrounded by crowds but still feel alone. The singer emphasizes that everyone needs a friend who will listen without judgment, who won't take advantage of them, and who will be there through all of life's ups and downs.
The chorus repeats the phrase "anytime you want me, anytime you need me" to emphasize that the singer will always be there for their friend, no matter what. The lyrics also express a deep loyalty and willingness to go to great lengths for their friend, such as running through a jungle of criminals or flying across a great abyss. The final lines of the song repeat the idea that the singer is watching the stars with a million other people, but ultimately they are there for their friend, walking right back over to them whenever they need support.
Overall, the song is a heartwarming tribute to the power of friendship and the importance of being there for the people we care about. The lyrics emphasize the value of listening, empathy, and loyalty, and remind listeners to cherish the special bonds that they have with their closest friends.
Line by Line Meaning
In a city that burns so loud you cant hear a sound,
The city is so noisy that no sound can be heard.
The whole world drives by with the speakers on
Everyone drives by playing loud music.
Concrete apartments and the windows
The buildings are made of concrete.
With a million other people but still you just feel alone
Despite being surrounded by many people, one still feels lonely.
Everybody needs a friend just to listen to em
Everyone needs someone who will listen to them.
Everybody needs a friend who ain't tryna screw em
Everyone needs a friend who won't take advantage of them.
Everybody needs a friend to go through it with
Everyone needs a person to go through life with.
When you wake up or when you're falling in love
Whether you're starting your day or falling in love, you need a friend.
When you need a friend, somebody to walk to
When you need someone to physically be there for you.
My friend, somebody to talk to
Someone to talk to when you need to express your thoughts and emotions.
I'll wait right there waiting for you
I'll stay and wait when you need me.
Anytime, anytime you want me
I'm always available for you whenever you need me.
Ill walk right back over again
I'll come back to you again and again.
Just like some kind of animal
I'll go to great lengths for you, even if it means risking my life.
I would run through a jungle of criminals
No obstacle is too great, not even running through a dangerous jungle filled with criminals.
Through the valley of darkness or loneliness
I'll be there for you through tough times like depression and loneliness.
Fly across the great abyss just to grant a single wish
I'll do everything in my power to make your wishes come true.
I might trip, but I'm never stumbling
While I may not be perfect, I'll always be there to help you regardless of my own struggles.
I'm right there when your whole worlds crumbling
When your world is falling apart, I'll be there by your side.
I'll be the one to pick you up when you've had too much to drink
I'll be the one to help you out when you're not in the right state of mind.
See when you need a friend
When you're in need of a friend.
I'll be right there waiting for you
I'll be waiting whenever you need me.
I watch the stars with a million other people
I'm one among many who admire the beauty of the stars.
To you my friend, to you
To you, specifically.
Walk right back over again
I'll come back to you again and again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: JASON BOWMAN, MICHAEL J. FRANTI, MARION HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind