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/.
Say Goodbye
Michael Franti & Spearhead Lyrics
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I know that it was never perfect but we did not have the problems that we see, we see
Tell me why, tell me why, what is the reason people have to die, tonight
I could tell you all a lie, but I wish I didn't have to say goodbye, goodbye
Say goodbye
I keep hearin' more and more that they're shootin' teenagers in the street, oh no
My generation with every single nation is calling out, falling down
I could tell you all a lie, but I wish I didn't have to say goodbye, goodbye
Say goodbye
And all around the world you can hear them calling out, calling out and, sayin'
I wasn't born yesterday, but I remember the way things used to be, used to be
And I wish that I could lie, because a mother shouldn't have to say goodbye
Say goodbye
In Michael Franti & Spearhead's song "Say Goodbye," the lyrics reflect on the ways of the world and how it has changed from the past. The lyricist remembers how things used to be, acknowledging that it was never perfect. However, the issues faced in the present day are far more challenging and disruptive, leading to unnecessary deaths and resulting in people having to say goodbye.
The song highlights the violent world we live in, where teenagers are being shot in the streets and children being sent off to war, resulting in fathers not knowing their children. Franti asserts that his generation is uniting with every nation and calling out for change. Despite the difficult reality, he wishes that he could lie to avoid having to say goodbye, especially in situations where mothers have to bid farewell to their children.
Line by Line Meaning
I wasn't born yesterday, but I remember the way things used to be, used to be
I am experienced enough to know how things were in the past.
I know that it was never perfect but we did not have the problems that we see, we see
Even though the past had its own problems, the current issues we face are much worse.
Tell me why, tell me why, what is the reason people have to die, tonight
Asking for an explanation of why there is so much violence leading to deaths.
I could tell you all a lie, but I wish I didn't have to say goodbye, goodbye
The artist doesn't want to hide behind false information and is sad about having to say goodbye to something important.
Say goodbye
Repeating the phrase to emphasize the theme of parting ways.
I keep hearin' more and more that they're shootin' teenagers in the street, oh no
The singer is distressed by hearing about the increasing number of teens being shot on the streets.
Sendin' children off to war, turned into fathers their children would never meet
Being forced into war has resulted in some fathers never getting to see their children grow up.
My generation with every single nation is calling out, falling down
Multiple generations around the world are suffering and in distress.
And all around the world you can hear them calling out, calling out and, sayin'
The suffering is widespread and people are voicing their pain and concern.
And I wish that I could lie, because a mother shouldn't have to say goodbye
The artist wishes they could be dishonest because it's difficult to say goodbye to someone, especially a mother.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL FRANTI, ADRIAN SCOTT NEWMAN, JASON PATRICK BOWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind