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/.
What I Be
Michael Franti & Spearhead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would you believe me or leave me alone?
If I told you what I feel
Would you believe me or leave me alone?
Razor wire on the street every corner,
90 degree's at six in the morning,
Boilin' water for the tea of the nation,
Plantin' seeds for the next generation.
Pack what ya need for your own protection.
Dance to the rhythm of the wheels on the street,
Long, long strides on the hot concrete.
Hello? Hello?
Does anybody need a place to go?
Hello? Hello?
Does anybody need a place to go? To call your own?
Numbers go, and the numbers come,
Try your best make'n two out of one,
Work all day in the middays sun,
Break your back till the night time come,
Sing for your bread and sing for your water,
Sing for your sons and sing for your daughters,
Sing your pops and sing for your mommas,
Sing for your breakfast, pray for your suppa
Hello? hello?
Does anybody need a place to go? to call your own.
Hello? hello?
Does anybody need a place to go? To call your own?
To call your own, to call your own?
Yeah yeah, don't leave me here alone.
Don't leave me here alone. Yeah Yeah
Don't leave me alone. Don't leave me here alone.
Hello? Hello?
Does anybody need a place to go? To call your own?
Hello? Hello?
Does anybody need a place to go? To call your own?
To call your own?
I, I,Hello? Hello?
Does anybody need a place to go?
To call your own?
Hello? Hello?
Does anybody need a place to go?
Would you believe me?
Would you believe me?
Your not alone your not alone
Would you believe me?
No your not alone.
Would you believe me?
The lyrics of Michael Franti & Spearhead's "What I Be" convey a sense of vulnerability and the struggle to find acceptance and belonging. The artist questions whether or not others will believe him if he opens up about what he has seen and felt in his life. The imagery of razor wire, boiling water, and long strides on hot concrete suggests a harsh and oppressive environment. Despite this, the artist maintains a sense of hope, offering a place for anyone who needs it to call their own. The repetition of the lines "Does anybody need a place to go? To call your own?" underscores the importance of community and finding a sense of belonging, especially in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
If I told you what I'd seen,
If I shared with you what I've witnessed,
Would you believe me or leave me alone?
Would you trust me or ignore my words?
If I told you what I feel
If I revealed my emotions
Would you believe me or leave me alone?
Would you take me seriously or dismiss me?
Razor wire on the street every corner,
Sharp barriers on every corner
90 degree's at six in the morning,
High temperature at an early hour
Boilin' water for the tea of the nation,
Preparing hot water for the people
Plantin' seeds for the next generation.
Sowing the ground for future generations
Run like made just to make a connection,
Rushing to connect with someone/something important
Pack what ya need for your own protection.
Carrying essentials to ensure personal safety
Dance to the rhythm of the wheels on the street,
Moving to the beat of the wheels on the pavement
Long, long strides on the hot concrete.
Taking big steps on the heated ground
Hello? Hello?
Is anyone there?
Does anybody need a place to go?
Is there anyone in need of a place to seek refuge?
Hello? Hello?
Is anyone listening?
Does anybody need a place to go? To call your own?
Is there anyone who needs a safe and secure place to belong?
Numbers go, and the numbers come,
The quantities fluctuate
Try your best make'n two out of one,
Make the most out of what you have
Work all day in the middays sun,
Putting in hard labor under the high noon sun
Break your back till the night time come,
Working hard until it's time to rest
Sing for your bread and sing for your water,
Work hard to provide the basic necessities
Sing for your sons and sing for your daughters,
Provide for and take care of your children
Sing your pops and sing for your mommas,
Take care of and provide for your parents
Sing for your breakfast, pray for your suppa
Be grateful for what you have and ask for more blessings
To call your own, to call your own?
To have something that belongs only to oneself?
Yeah yeah, don't leave me here alone.
Please don't abandon me here all by myself.
Hello? Hello?
Is anyone out there?
Does anybody need a place to go? To call your own?
Is there someone in search of a space to call their own?
Would you believe me?
Do you trust me?
Would you believe me?
Do you take my words seriously?
You're not alone, you're not alone.
You have company, you're not by yourself.
Would you believe me?
Do you have confidence in me?
No, you're not alone.
No, you're not without companionship.
Would you believe me?
Can you trust me?
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JASON PATRICK BOWMAN, MICHAEL FRANTI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lorie Chell
My favorite song EVER!!!! Makes me just dance around the room and sing into my hairbrush!
SharksInTheGenePool
Even this old and crusty black metal fan can't deny how cool Franti is. Been into him since he did a cover of the Dead Kennedy's song California Uber Alles as Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, and I haven't stopped listening since.
Pohunta
SharksInTheGenePool damn you went back to DHH days.
B Norberg
Me too.
"Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury" is an awesome album.
Got to admit he just gets better and better though
vert
Been listening to you for atleast 15 years. Seen you live probably 100 times and been onstage with you a few times. Stay human..
vert
Rip power to the peaceful in golden gate park
the deeliciousplum
What a beautiful piece of music. Thanks for sharing this.
Jeans Stirling
Only just heard this track - have it on repeat love it
Pohunta
Damn I wish Franti made music like this again. :(
Romer Jusu
I know that ! Now his song I'm Alive is a vitamin commercial. 😢😨😓