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
Reminders
Radical Face Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I was raised not to lie
I'm either honest, or I'm an optimist
But never both at the same time
And everyone knows the deal
Gotta take what you can
'Cause anything I don't steal
There's only so much good a man can take
When he ain't so good himself
You remind me of what I could've been
But that reminder ain't much help
So it's better if you were on your way
If you were somewhere far from me
So you could dream I turned out well
And I, I could just go to sleep
I wish I had more nice things to say
But I was raised not to lie
I'm either honest, or I'm an optimist
But never both at the same time
In Radical Face's song "Reminders," the artist reflects on the idea of honesty versus optimism. He explains how he was raised to be honest and never to lie, but this often means he can't say positive things when they aren't true. He goes on to talk about how life can be tough and often, one has to take what they can get because anything they don't snatch up will end up in someone else's hands.
The artist then expresses how people can only take so much good when they aren't good themselves. He says that the person he is singing to reminds him of what he could've been, but that reminder isn't helpful as he can't change the past. So, he believes it's better if this person was away from him so they could dream about him turning out well, while he can just go to sleep.
Overall, the song explores the battle between being honest and being an optimist, the notion of taking what you can get, and how people's presence can either motivate or demotivate you. It's a reminder that life isn't always easy, but we can strive to be better versions of ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I had more nice things to say
I am struggling to find positive things to say about this situation.
But I was raised not to lie
My moral upbringing instilled a strong belief in honesty.
I'm either honest, or I'm an optimist
I believe that being truthful and being optimistic cannot coexist simultaneously.
But never both at the same time
I have never been able to balance these two characteristics together.
And everyone knows the deal
It is common knowledge that in life, you have to take what you can get.
Gotta take what you can
You have to seize the opportunities that come your way.
'Cause anything I don't steal
Anything I don't take for myself,
Just winds up in someone else's hands
ends up being taken by someone else
There's only so much good a man can take
I have a limited capacity for positivity.
When he ain't so good himself
Especially when my own situation or character is not ideal.
You remind me of what I could've been
Your presence serves as a reminder of the person I could have become.
But that reminder ain't much help
However, that thought does not provide any solace or upliftment.
So it's better if you were on your way
It will be better for both of us if you leave.
If you were somewhere far from me
If you were not in my immediate vicinity.
So you could dream I turned out well
You could imagine that I achieved my full potential.
And I, I could just go to sleep
And I could find peace and rest.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BENJAMIN PAUL COOPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Madhusudan Depawat
I wish I had more nice things to say
But I was raised not to lie
I'm either honest, or I'm an optimist
But never both at the same time
And everyone knows the deal
Gotta take what you can
'cause anything I don't steal
Just winds up in someone else's hands
There's only so much good a man can take
When he ain't so good himself
You remind me of what I could've been
But that reminder ain't much help
So it's better if you were on your way
If you were somewhere far from me
So you could dream I turned out well
And I... I could just go to sleep
I wish I had more nice things to say
But I was raised not to lie
I'm either honest, or I'm an optimist
But never both at the same time
Matthew Setlak
This song is why I'm buying this album. thanks Ben.
Radical Red Productions
I know this comment is 4 years old, but your profile pic is Neutral Milk Hotel, which I greatly appreciate
De wi
don't cry
don't let the pain win
just sing
just let the love in
Peter Walker
I love this guys all songs. Thanks buddy :)
Jen Burkholder
This had to be written about my dad. He was an abusive alcoholic and I felt this way. He's far away now and I am going to sleep.
Rodrigo Oliveira
a song so perfect, but anyone to talk about..crying here :(
Balık pjg
You are so good, i am crying :')
Thess OP
I used to get really scared at that sound at 0:01
Peter Walker
Lauti Cruz lol! Really? 😆