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 Thing That Helps Me Get Through
Michael Franti & Spearhead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you come around
And my head feels heavy like its fifty pounds
Of a world gone crazy, but you tell me I'm not
I just got to release, but I'm tied up in knots
I'm feelin so darn tired, and I wanna let go
I wanna dive in the ocean and in your undertow
You pick me up when I need you cuz Im feelin low
Nobody knows what you doin when you do to me
The things you always do
Nobody knows what you doin when you do to me
The thing that helps me get through
Nobody knows what you doin when you do to me
The thing that feels so good
Nobody knows what you doin when you do to me
You do the thing that helps me get through
To you
It's a crazy world, a mixed up world
Involving politics and the underworld
You shake it up a little, you see another side
You see a flower grow, and then a suicide
But if you're all alone, you know you're not alone
There are plenty of people ready to take you home
One day you're cuttin class, and then you're buyin gas
And then you're out on your own and they kick you in the ass
Nobody knows what you doin when you do to me
The things you always do
Nobody knows what you doin when you do to me
The thing that helps me get through
Nobody knows what you doin when you do to me
The thing that feels so good
Nobody knows what you doin when you do to me
You do the thing that helps me get through
To you
Under the city lights, and when were on the phone
Even in the streets, and when were all alone
You do the thing that helps me get through
The thing that helps me get through
You do the thing that helps me get through
To you
Nobody knows what you doin when you do to me
The things you always do
Nobody knows what you doin when you do to me
The thing that helps me get through
Nobody knows what you doin when you do to me
The thing that feels so good
Nobody knows what you doin when you do to me
You do the thing that helps me get through
You do the thing that helps me get through
You do the thing that helps me get through
To you
In "The Thing That Helps Me Get Through," Michael Franti & Spearhead express their gratitude for a special someone who is always there for them. The song opens with Franti feeling down, weighed down by the stress and chaos of the world around him. But in the presence of this person, he begins to feel lighter and more able to let go of his worries. He describes feeling tired and wanting to escape, but this person lifts him up and provides a sense of comfort and support.
As the song progresses, Franti touches on the idea of feeling alone in a crowded world. He acknowledges that while the world can be difficult and confusing, there are always people who are ready and willing to help. The song ends on a hopeful note, with Franti acknowledging that no one knows the full extent of what this person does for him, but that their presence is a constant source of comfort and strength.
Overall, "The Thing That Helps Me Get Through" is a beautiful tribute to the power of love and human connection. In a world that can be overwhelming, it's important to have people who uplift us and remind us of the goodness around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I'm down on the ground
Occasionally, I feel very low and powerless
When you come around
But your presence uplifts me
And my head feels heavy like its fifty pounds
I feel too burdened with the complexities of life
Of a world gone crazy, but you tell me I'm not
This world is chaotic, but you help me see reason amidst it all
I just got to release, but I'm tied up in knots
I need to let go of my worries, but they consume me
I'm feelin so darn tired, and I wanna let go
I am exhausted, and I yearn to relinquish control
I wanna dive in the ocean and in your undertow
I want to be free like swimming in the ocean and in your loving embrace
You pick me up when I need you cuz Im feelin low
You support and comfort me when I am at my lowest
You pick me up when I need you cuz I, I, I
And you do it because of your love for me
Nobody knows what you doin when you do to me
People cannot understand what you mean to me
The things you always do
The consistent ways you show love and care towards me
The thing that helps me get through
The one thing that makes my life bearable
The thing that feels so good
The one thing that brings immense joy to my life
You do the thing that helps me get through
You are the one that makes life worthwhile
To you
And it is all because of your love
It's a crazy world, a mixed up world
This world is insane and confounding
Involving politics and the underworld
It is complicated, involving politics and crime
You shake it up a little, you see another side
However, your presence and love give me a more positive outlook
You see a flower grow, and then a suicide
But you are also aware of the good and bad, the beauty and sadness in life
But if you're all alone, you know you're not alone
And though I may feel alone, I know you are there for me
There are plenty of people ready to take you home
Indeed, there are many people who are willing to offer support
One day you're cuttin class, and then you're buyin gas
Life can be unpredictable, from cutting class to buying gas
And then you're out on your own and they kick you in the ass
But life can also be harsh and unforgiving
Under the city lights, and when were on the phone
Despite all the challenges, our love shines bright like a city light and even when we're apart, we talk on the phone
Even in the streets, and when were all alone
Our love remains strong in public and private situations
You do the thing that helps me get through
And through it all, your love remains the one constant that keeps me hopeful
To you
And I am eternally grateful to have you in my life
You do the thing that helps me get through
Your love and care sustain me through the ups and downs of life
You do the thing that helps me get through
Your presence brings me immense joy and evokes a sense of calm
To you
And for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JASON PATRICK BOWMAN, MICHAEL FRANTI, CARL ROGERS YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind