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/.
The Sound Of Sunshine Going Down
Michael Franti & Spearhead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And that's the sound of sunshine going down
I wake up in the morning at six o'clock
They say there may be rain but the sun is hot
I wish I had some time just to kill today
And I wish I had a dime for every bill I got to pay
And the waters as high as the times you're in
So I jump back into where I learned to swim
Try to keep my head above it as best I can that's why
Here I am
Just waiting for this storm to pass me by
That's the sound of sunshine going down
And that's the sound of sunshine going down
I saw my friend, Bobby, he said "What's up man?
You gotta little work or a twenty to lend?"
I opened up my hand, he said, "I'm glad to see
They can take away my job but not my friends, you see"
Here I am
Just waiting for this storm to pass me by
And that's the sound of sunshine going down
That's the sound of sunshine going down
And we say that's the sound of the sun going down
And the people of the world start to paint the town
The day that's long is a day complete
So kick of your shoes and relax your feet
They say that miracles are never ceasing
And every single soul needs a little release
They say that money makes the world go 'round
But only one thing will have the sun go down
Yes, sweet, sweet love will have sun go down
It's true, it's true, it's true
And that's the sound of sunshine going down
That's the sound of sunshine going down
And I say you're the one I want to be with
When the sun goes down
You're the one I want to be with
When the sun goes down
Singing hallelujah, hallelu'
Hallelujah, hallelu'
You're the one I want to be with
When the sun goes down
That's the sound of sunshine going down
And that's the sound of sunshine going down
And all the people say
That's the sound of sunshine going down
So the moon can shine on you
So the moon can shine on you
So the moon can shine on you
So the moon can shine on you
In Michael Franti & Spearhead's "The Sound Of Sunshine Going Down," the lyrics depict the daily struggles of life and how people cope with them. The song starts with the sound of the sun going down, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the end of a difficult day. The lyrics talk about waking up early in the morning, dealing with financial pressures and wishing for a break. The singer muses on the high tides of life and how he must keep his head above water, like he learned to swim. The song takes a positive turn when the singer meets his friend Bobby, who reminds him that although he may have lost his job, he still has his friends.
The chorus repeats the sound of the sun going down, and the people of the world start to paint the town, which is a reference to the positive spirit that comes with the end of a day. They say that miracles are never ceasing, and every soul needs a little release. The lyrics suggest that although money may make the world go 'round, it is love that has the power to make the sun go down. The song ends by declaring that the person the singer wants to be with when the sun goes down is the person he loves.
The song's meaning lies in the idea that life can be hard, but there is always a way to cope with it. The sound of the sun going down signals the end of a difficult day and the chance to relax, take stock of the good things in life and spend time with loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
That's the sound of sunshine going down
The pleasant, peaceful sounds of the sun setting.
And that's the sound of sunshine going down
The repetition of the sweet, gentle sounds of the sun setting.
I wake up in the morning at six o'clock
Waking up early and feeling uncertain about what the day will bring.
They say there may be rain but the sun is hot
There could be trouble ahead, but things seem to be going well.
I wish I had some time just to kill today
Having a desire to relax and not have any responsibilities for the day.
And I wish I had a dime for every bill I got to pay
The frustration of having to deal with financial responsibilities and obligations.
Some days you lose, you win
Life can be unpredictable, and some days are good while others are bad.
And the waters as high as the times you're in
The amount of trouble in your life is often relative to the times you live in.
So I jump back into where I learned to swim
Returning to something familiar and comfortable when dealing with tough times.
Try to keep my head above it as best I can that's why
Making an effort to stay positive and optimistic in difficult situations.
Here I am
The singer's realization and acceptance of their current situation.
Just waiting for this storm to pass me by
Enduring difficult times until they pass and better days come along.
I saw my friend, Bobby, he said 'What's up man?
Meeting with a friend during difficult times and discussing the struggles of life.
You gotta little work or a twenty to lend?'
Asking for help from a friend when in need.
I opened up my hand, he said, 'I'm glad to see
The joy of sharing and giving when times are hard.
They can take away my job but not my friends, you see'
The value and importance of friends during difficult times and the ability of friendship to endure.
And we say that's the sound of the sun going down
The communal and joyful celebration of the sun setting and the end of the day.
And the people of the world start to paint the town
People across the world becoming lively and celebratory as the day comes to a close.
The day that's long is a day complete
Despite its challenges, a long and productive day can be very satisfying and fulfilling.
So kick of your shoes and relax your feet
Taking a moment to relax and enjoy life at the end of a long day.
They say that miracles are never ceasing
Believing in the infinite possibilities and wonders of life.
And every single soul needs a little release
The idea that everyone needs to find ways to unwind and deal with the stresses of life.
They say that money makes the world go 'round
The belief that money is the driving force in the world.
But only one thing will have the sun go down
The realization that love and positivity are the true sources of happiness in life.
Yes, sweet, sweet love will have sun go down
Love and positivity being the cause of a peaceful and fulfilling life.
And I say you're the one I want to be with
The admiration and desire to be with someone at the end of a long day.
When the sun goes down
The moment when the day comes to a close and a sense of peace settles in.
Singing hallelujah, hallelu'
Celebrating and expressing joy in a communal and spiritual manner.
You're the one I want to be with
Reaffirming the desire to have someone special to share life with.
So the moon can shine on you
Wishing the best for the person you care about and love.
So the moon can shine on you
The repetition of the desire for positivity and good things to happen to the person being addressed.
So the moon can shine on you
The repetition of the desire for positivity and good things to happen to the person being addressed.
So the moon can shine on you
The repetition of the desire for positivity and good things to happen to the person being addressed.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARL ROGERS YOUNG, JASON PATRICK BOWMAN, MICHAEL FRANTI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind