Ohio-based Karma Chief Records (a subsidiary of rising soul label Colemine Records) released his debut LP "Changes" in September 2019. It provides connection between Francis’s childhood—his obsession with boogie woogie piano, his father’s gift of a dusty Dr. John LP—and the songs he’s created. The influences are the vocal stylings of Allen Toussaint and Leon Russell; the second line rhythms of The Meters and Dr. John; the barroom rock ‘n’ roll of The Rolling Stones; the gospel soul of Billy Preston; the roots music of The Band.
The piano prodigy found himself touring Europe by the age of 18 with Muddy Waters’ son and backing up other prominent blues artists coast-to-coast. In 2012, Francis joined popular instrumental funk band The Heard. With Francis at the creative helm, The Heard transformed into a national act, touring with boogaloo progenitors The New Mastersounds and chart toppers The Revivalists and appearing at Jazz Fest and Bear Creek. As The Heard’s star rose, however, Francis sunk deeper into addiction. Once a promising sideman, by 2015 he had been fired from his band, evicted from his apartment, and was perilously close to self-destruction. “When you get close to death like that you can feel it,” Francis recalls. An alcohol-induced seizure that year led to a broken femur, dislocated arm, and, finally, the realization that he needed to get clean.
The journey from a hospital bed to launching his solo career was neither predictable nor straightforward. There were musical fits and starts, relapses, and broken relationships. Yet the overwhelming passion driving Francis in this second act has been an abundance of creative energy. “Drinking held my music in a half-cocked slingshot. I was always so consumed by drugs and alcohol that I didn’t have the time, money, or creative energy to do it. Sobriety let it loose.”
Determined to realize the songs swirling in his head, Francis assembled a crack team of musicians, calling on bassist Mike Starr (The Heard) and drummer PJ Howard (The Revivalists, The Heard). He linked up with producer and analog-obsessive Sergio Rios (Orgone, Cee Lo Green, Alicia Keys) and self-funded a trip to Killion Sound in Los Angeles to record the initial batch of material. “I learned to trust my instincts in that room,” says Francis. Buoyed by classic horn arrangements and Rios’ fierce guitar work, the resulting tracks illuminate a lifetime spent studying the masters of rock and soul music.
From the RMI electra-piano riff that kicks off “She’s A Winner” to the screaming organ swells of “This Time,” Francis and company let it all hang out. This is fun music, dance music. Yet verse after verse and chorus after chorus, Francis wrestles with his past in a straightforward manner: “It’s 5 o’clock in the morning, but I’m not home/ I’m surrounded by people, but I’m really alone.” Like Toussaint and Russell before him he’s married the upbeat rhythms of New Orleans R&B with the lyrical approach of a confessional singer/songwriter. The refrain on “This Time” serves as a foxhole prayer for a better future: “Let me get it this time/I won’t let you down/Let me get it this time/I won’t fool around.”
Francis finished recording basic tracks for Changes in Los Angeles in February of 2018 and spent the following months doing overdubs in Chicago with engineer Mike Novak (who also recorded demos for the project). Soon after he was eager to begin his touring career. After signing with Paradigm Talent Agency, Neal played shows across North American supporting Australian band The Cat Empire. He has received praise on several notable radio outlets including KEXP, KCRW’s The Morning Becomes Eclectic, and BBC Radio 6. Francis and his four-piece band recently performed during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, sharing the stage with The Meters and other legends. In 2019 alone he hit the road with Black Pumas, Steel Pulse, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Dumpstaphunk and others. Francis pledges to tour relentlessly to promote his own music. “I’m doing this to fulfill a drive within myself, but also to pay tribute to the gifts I’ve been given. And it comes from a place of immense gratitude."
Problems
Neal Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They weren't fucking around
Feels so good I can finally say
I can show my face 'round town
But fate sent you here to me
With plans of tying me down
You know you got everything
Lord knows I've got enough problems
I don't need one more, one more, oh Lord
Lord knows I've got enough problems
I don't need one more, one more, oh
If you ask me to stay with you
Let's say I play along
Though there's nothing I'd rather do
With only half my heart it all just feels so wrong
Lord knows I've got enough problems
I don't need one more, one more, oh Lord
Lord knows I've got enough problems
I don't need one more, one more, oh
All this crazy talk
Kinda got me thinking
Maybe I'm the only one I've been cheating
What I need to do is open up my arms
Someone like you deep inside my heart
'Til I come to my senses and remember that
Lord knows I got enough problems
I don't need one more, one more, oh Lord
Lord knows I've got enough problems
I don't need one more, one more, oh Lord
Lord knows, yeah
I don't need one more, one more, oh Lord
Lord knows I got enough problems
I don't need one more, one more, oh
I don't need one more
I don't need one more of these problems
I don't need one more
I don't need one more of these problems
Ah yeah, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
In "Problems" by Neal Francis, the lyrics delve into the theme of personal struggles and the burdens they bring. The song begins with the acknowledgement that timing is a crucial factor in life, but despite this awareness, the singer feels a sense of relief in being able to show their face in town. However, the narrative takes a turn when fate introduces someone who plans to tie them down, despite having everything aligned in the right way. The singer admits to already having enough problems and declares that they don't need another one.
The lyrics express an internal conflict when the singer is asked to stay, even though they know it goes against their true desires. They admit that they would rather not participate with only half their heart, as it feels inherently wrong. The repetition of the line "Lord knows I've got enough problems" showcases a plea for understanding, as the singer beseeches a higher power to spare them from the additional burden.
As the song progresses, the singer starts to question their own actions and choices. They consider the possibility that they are the ones who have been cheating themselves, and realize that what they truly need is to open up their arms and allow someone like the person they are addressing into their heart. This momentary realization is coupled with the acknowledgment that they must come to their senses and remember that they don't need another problem.
The chorus serves as a reminder to the self and to a higher power that they don't need any more problems and that they have already been weighed down enough. The repetition of the line "I don't need one more" emphasizes the resolve to resist any additional troubles.
Overall, "Problems" is a song that delves into the complexities of personal struggles, the burden they bring, and the desire to free oneself from additional challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
They say timing is everything
The concept of perfect timing is often emphasized
They weren't fucking around
The importance of timing is not to be taken lightly
Feels so good I can finally say
I am now able to express my satisfaction
I can show my face 'round town
I can confidently be seen and recognized in public
But fate sent you here to me
However, destiny brought you into my life
With plans of tying me down
With the intention of restricting and limiting my freedom
You know you got everything
You possess all the desirable qualities
Going on just right it's just not right right now
Though everything appears to be perfect, the timing is currently unfavorable
Lord knows I've got enough problems
I am well aware that I already have a sufficient number of issues
I don't need one more, one more, oh Lord
I do not require an additional burden or complication
If you ask me to stay with you
In the event that you request me to remain by your side
Let's say I play along
Let's assume I agree and go along with your proposition
Though there's nothing I'd rather do
Despite there being no other activity I desire more
With only half my heart it all just feels so wrong
Engaging in this with only a fraction of my true emotions feels incredibly incorrect
All this crazy talk
All these nonsensical conversations
Kinda got me thinking
Sort of made me ponder
Maybe I'm the only one I've been cheating
Perhaps the only person I have deceived is myself
What I need to do is open up my arms
What I must do is embrace the opportunities before me
Someone like you deep inside my heart
Someone like you who truly resonates within my heart
'Til I come to my senses and remember that
Until I regain my rationality and recall
Lord knows I got enough problems
I am fully aware of the numerous challenges I already face
Lord knows, yeah
Indeed, the higher powers are aware
I don't need one more, one more, oh Lord
I have no need for an additional burden, oh Lord
I don't need one more
I do not require another one
I don't need one more of these problems
I am not in need of another one of these complications
Ah yeah, oh
Oh, yeah
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chris Gelbuda, Neal Francis O'Hara
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Travis George
This man is going to be an icon in the near future. Putting my money down right now.
professormacdeezy
yep knew it first time i heard him on kcrw a few years back
Neal Francis
Thanks Travis!
Aging strong with Rick and Ron
I feel myself thrown back into the 70’s every time I hear this song. Great stuff.
Statuskuo75
Music is awesome. I also really miss the days when music videos felt like this.
Alexander Stuart Peters
Such a sweet video and song!!! So honored to have been a part of it. Also, Neil is such a nice and considerate person.
paolo-n2000
Dude is ultra-modern!!! Blazin the musical trail... he's one of kind.....
Neal Francis
Thank you!
Alginojr
Vibes from a time when life was groovey ! Love it...heard it on the Spectrum XM radio channel.
Shuniku p
🌼 Great musicians, great songs... And man .. Neal.. on this one that 'if Jagger and Bowie had a baby' vibe, you guys are Awesome ! 🌼