Cooper's sophomore album, "Family Tree: The Roots" was released in October 2011. It is the first of the trilogy record called "The Family Tree" which follows the story of a fictional family from 1800 to 1950. Following "The Roots" will be "The Branches" and "The Relatives" respectively.
In between his first two Radical Face records Ben released two EP's to fill the gap. The first was "Touch The Sky". In the summer of 2011 "The Bastards Volume 1" EP was released. Other volumes will compliment the fore-coming Family Tree trilogy.
Under his 'Radical Face' moniker his music features acoustic guitar, "found-sound" percussion, and many multi-layered tracks. The sound is incredibly unique, not only because of Cooper's originality and raw talent, but also because most of the music has traditionally been recorded in the shed in his backyard.
Website: www.radicalface.com
Glory
Radical Face Lyrics
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When the world turned wicked, when I joined their game
But I turned and fought them
Like you always knew I'd do
I sat and dreamed at the foot of your bed
You split my skull and reached inside my head
And pulled out the pictures I'd been wishing I'd forget
And wiped the blood from off my chin
Now I sit on the rooftop's edge
The muddy street beneath my swollen head
Trying to forget you
To believe we've never met
And the sky is wrecked, full of rotting clouds
From chimney mouths spewing smoke around
And I can't stop coughing
My lungs just won't calm down
But still I keep grinning
As the blood from my face stains the ground
A bird, caught in the wires
Bleating for help I can't provide, I'm not that big
I hope for the best but nothing changes, I'm sorry
But I was blessed with bad eyes
There's a lot that I miss but I don't mind, I'm not that old
I'll find out what broke me soon enough
The lyrics to Radical Face's song "Glory" are a reflection on the singer's life and their struggles in a world that has turned wicked. The singer indicates that they were born when their name was taken, which may symbolize a loss of identity or a forced conformity to societal norms. However, the singer also notes that they turned and fought those who tried to control them, indicating a defiance and a willingness to resist.
The second verse reflects a moment of vulnerability for the singer, as they sit and dream at the foot of someone's bed. This person splits their skull and pulls out pictures that the singer has been trying to forget. While this may represent a painful memory or experience, the person then stitches the singer up and wipes the blood from their chin, indicating a sense of care and compassion.
The final verse describes the current state of the world and the singer's physical condition. They are sitting on a rooftop, surveying a world that is wrecked with rotting clouds and smoke from factories. They are coughing uncontrollably and their lungs won't calm down, but they keep grinning despite the blood on the ground. The bird caught in the wires serves as a metaphor for the singer's own limitations in providing help, but they still hope for the best. The final line—"I'll find out what broke me soon enough"—suggests a sense of determination to understand oneself and the struggles that have led to this point.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born when they took my name
I came into this world in a time of confusion and chaos, when my identity had already been decided for me.
When the world turned wicked, when I joined their game
The world was a dark and unforgiving place, and I was forced to become a part of it.
But I turned and fought them
Despite the odds against me, I refused to be a victim.
Like you always knew I'd do
I fought back with a strength and determination that was always inside me, even if I didn't know it.
I sat and dreamed at the foot of your bed
I was lost in a world of my own, seeking refuge and peace wherever I could find it.
You split my skull and reached inside my head
You saw through my outer facade, and understood the thoughts that I was too afraid to express.
And pulled out the pictures I'd been wishing I'd forget
You helped me confront the painful memories that haunted me, and showed me how to move forward.
And you stitched me up then
You helped me heal from the wounds that were holding me back.
And wiped the blood from off my chin
You were there for me through the difficult times, offering comfort and support when I needed it most.
Now I sit on the rooftop's edge
I am isolated and alone, searching for a way to escape the chaos of the world.
The muddy street beneath my swollen head
The world is a harsh and unforgiving place, and I am still struggling to find my place in it.
Trying to forget you
I am trying to forget the pain and heartache that I associate with my past experiences.
To believe we've never met
I am trying to separate myself from the past, and move forward with a clean slate.
And the sky is wrecked, full of rotting clouds
The world is a dark and ominous place, and I see the suffering and decay around me wherever I go.
From chimney mouths spewing smoke around
The world is polluted and dirty, and there is little hope for a better future.
And I can't stop coughing
The world is literally choking me, and I struggle to find the breath I need to move on.
My lungs just won't calm down
I am always anxious and on edge, unable to find peace within myself.
But still I keep grinning
Despite the difficulties, I refuse to give in to despair and remain optimistic in the face of adversity.
As the blood from my face stains the ground
I am bleeding and wounded, but I refuse to give up the fight.
A bird, caught in the wires
I see the suffering of others around me, but feel powerless to help.
Bleating for help I can't provide, I'm not that big
Although I want to help, I am limited by my own smallness and inability to make a real difference.
I hope for the best but nothing changes, I'm sorry
Despite my best intentions, I am unable to make a meaningful impact on the world around me.
But I was blessed with bad eyes
I see the world differently than others, and am able to appreciate the beauty and wonder in even the darkest corners.
There's a lot that I miss but I don't mind, I'm not that old
Although I miss many things, I recognize that I still have much to learn and experience in life.
I'll find out what broke me soon enough
Although I am still struggling, I have faith that I will eventually discover the root of my pain and overcome it.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BENJAMIN COOPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind