Noted for his intense flow and sharp wit, Francis has won acclaim both as a freestyle battler and as an unapologetic, intellectual lyricist. Francis uses a broad emotional palette to address a wide range of personal, cultural, and political issues. His unconventional style and persona have given him crossover appeal, but at the same time alienated some hip-hop listeners.
Prior to embarking on a full-time career as an MC, Francis displayed his skills in slam poetry. During the late 1990s, he recorded his first demo tape (1996), fronted the now defunct Providence hip-hop band Art Official Intelligence, and hosted a weekly slot on independent radio station WRIU (the "True School Session"). He also formed the Non-Prophets and released a 12” (Drop Bass/Bounce/I Keep Calling, Emerge Records, 1999), following up in 2003 with their first full-length offering, Hope. Francis is a contemporary of underground hip-hop artists such as Slug, Eyedea, Sole and the anticon. collective. He is also loosely affiliated with the vague underground hip-hop super-group The Orphanage.
As a solo performer, Francis won the MC battle at the 2000 Scribble Jam, and in 2001 he came close to repeating as champion (semi-finalist) while performing as his "metal" alter ego, "Xaul Zan". Francis released his first proper solo album, Personal Journals, on Anticon. in 2002. He toured with a live band on the Live Band Dead Poet Tour to support it. Francis subsequently became the first hip-hop artist to sign with Punk label Epitaph, agreeing to a three-album deal. His first album for Epitaph, A Healthy Distrust, was released in early 2005 and was followed up with Human the Death Dance in 2007.
One of Francis' best-known tracks is "Makeshift Patriot", a commentary on the American media recorded one month after the September 11, 2001 attacks which he released on the internet as an MP3 as well as a limited edition 7" single.
In February 2005 Sage dropped his second full length album on the originally punk label Epitaph, it was widely regarded as the best underground hip hop album of the year by critics and fans alike and featured heavily political tracks such as "The Buzz Kill" and "Slow Down Gandhi" and more personal material like that more similar to that of his debut 'Personal Journals' such as 'Bridle' and a few heavily satirical comments on the modern day rap and urban scene such as the satirical comment on youth gun culture 'Gunz Yo'.
Sage has helped to set up the Wiki KnowMore.org which is described as a 'way to keep tabs on the some of the biggest and most dangerous businesses in the world'. He is a vegetarian and also chooses to abstain from drugs and drinking, though doesn't label himself as "straight-edge" because he believes "you shouldn't define yourself by what you don't do."
Sage has set up his own label and signed some of who he claims to be his favorite artists of the moment such as Buck 65 and Proplyphic and Reanimator named Strange Famous (which shares his initials) with which he released his most recent work 'Human the Death Dance'
This album was released in May 2007 and takes a step away from the heavily political 'Healthy Distrust' and heads back to the more personal lyrics of 'Personal Journals' and comments on modern culture. The album features cameos from many Strange Famous artists such as Buddy Wakefield, Buck 65 and Reanimator.
In 2010 Sage released his fourth full length album Li(f)e (the title coming from the famous quote from 'The Cure' on the Non-Prophets album Hope "Life is just a lie with an f in it and death is definite"). The album was extremely well received and one particular single off of the album 'The Best Of Times' received extensive air play on the popular British radio station Radio 1. After Sages Li(f)e tour Sage has stated that he will no longer be doing tours but will still be releasing albums and other materials, instead he will be doing select gigs throughout each year.
On 3 June 2014, Sage released his fifth studio album 'Copper Gone'. It is the first official studio album after Sage Francis announced his hiatus, which lasted for four years.
Civil Obedience
Sage Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can't kill me, motherfucker
You can't kill me, motherfucker
You may try, but you will die
You can't kill me, motherfucker!
Go to bed late, then I have to wake
Get to work, keep it goin', can't stop, can't take a break
But by the time I finished it, it's time for me to talk to you
And then explain what I do in my day, well
It's complicated and you say, "Pray tell"
And I will try, if I miss any details
Think about it later and then send it in an e-mail
'Cause my brain is on a loop, but there's a buzz
That I need to troubleshoot, not now
Gotta-gotta get the work done
Last night, some other day is turnin' to the first one
I, never gonna never gonna
I, am never gonna never gonna
I, ain't never gonna ever gonna die
Huh, pedal to the medal, gonna get ahead
Gonna run another red light in the dead of the night
Lettin' the light from my cellphone distract my eyes
Sexual text messagin' to my mind
Fingers are busy, but now I'm lookin' in the mirror
Cause the people behind me, they're givin' me the middle finger
I'll kill 'em if they pull up any closer to my bumper
Short-tempered mother… shut your mouth!
Drinkin' the coffee, now I'm dumpin' it out
He's honkin' his horn like "You wanna throw down?!?"
He thinks, "Oh boy, you wanna go now? I'm ready (I'm ready)"
For the typically cyclical simple civil obedience
Typically cyclical simple civil obedience
Typically cyclical simple civil obedience
(di-di-di-difficult isn't it?)
I'm just a man, with a company van
And a supervisor who just does a summary scan
And a coworker who's always like "Just cover me man"
In the morning we all get into the huddle again
Like "Can we even make more money?"
I wonder what the luxury is really taken from me
I don't even have to worry (ha-ha-ha-ha-hiiii)
Typically cyclical simple civil obedience
Typically cyclical simple civil obedience
Typically cyclical simple civil obedience
Typically cyclical simple civil obedient people…
Are gonna die…
'Cause they can't live…
My life…
All eyes on the small guys makin' small noise
In a small town with the small music men
You're just fall guys, in the law's eyes
Your voice is worth more than you know and you're not foolin' anyone
I'm not a con-artist, your pencil and promises eroding eraser tips
I'm sick of your colleges
Expensive taste-tester: "Spit that wine"
Excessive waist, chest, butt; it's that time
For me to get randomly checked again
Bored until you're marked with a blood-red pen
Water bottle sittin' in my pocket and I'm walkin' with a grin
'Cause the liquid isn't permitted,
I'm rippin' up the ticket
For the lady at the counter as confetti in her face!
Shoulda never let me in this place
Fly, fly boy in the brownest state
I got a feeling that I'm never gonna get let out the gate 'cause I'm the BOMB
Yeah I said it; cool, collected, and calm
Maneuver through the computer to do a little song
My music got the charm
Smoother than a cougar, attack the mic and get on the intercom
"Hello passengers, fellow activists,
Whether you're masochists, mellow pacifists
Tell those faxin' it is no accident
By the end of this record, you're gonna knowwwww"
Typically cyclical simple civil obedience
Typically cyclical simple civil obedience
Typically cyclical simple civil obedience
Typically cyclical simple civil obedient people
Are you listenin', Love? I got a theory for us
Can you hear me enough, can you hand me my stuff?
'Bout to move out this scary cemetery you trust
Livin' just a little bit, it isn't nearly enough
Livin' just a little bit, it isn't nearly justified
Because ah-ah-ah-I, ah-ah-ah-I am
Never gonna never gonna never gonna never gonna die
[Sage Speaking:]
I wanna kee—I wanna keep making things an-and death really is-is uh not to be part of my eh-everyday activities.
It's not to be in my music anymore, I don't want it there.
It'll-it'll sneak its way in and out, but that's that's, we're beyond that.
I mean de-de-death only as a concept is what matters and-and God as a concept is-is-is one of those huge things to me.
Um, and to you, I know you, I know you much better than you think I do uhh…
I hope we meet sometime, I wouldd love to shake your hand and um maybe get a kiss, uh right there, on my face.
And uh, I don't know, maybe have sex a little bit.
The song Civil Obedience by Sage Francis deals with themes of routine, monotony, and rebellion. The lyrics explore the idea of being caught up in a perpetual cycle of work, sleep, and social obligations, to the point that one's true self becomes lost in the process. Francis argues that this "typical cyclical simple civil obedience" only serves to deaden the spirit and limit our potential, leaving us longing for a life that is truly our own. He encourages listeners to rebel against this conformity, to embrace their individuality, and to live their lives on their own terms. The repetition of the phrase "You can't kill me, motherfucker" serves as an anthem of defiance, a rallying cry for those who refuse to be silenced.
Throughout the song, Francis employs vivid imagery to illustrate the mundane details of everyday life, from sex texting while driving to sharing coffee with colleagues. He contrasts this with moments of surrealism, such as tearing up a traffic ticket and throwing it in someone's face like confetti. The song builds to a climax, with Francis breaking into spoken word as he urges listeners to embrace life to the fullest, in all its messy, unpredictable glory. He acknowledges that death is inevitable, but argues that the quality of life we lead should not be defined by this fact - we should focus on living while we can.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't kill me, motherfucker
Asserting that the singer is beyond death's reach.
You may try, but you will die
Warning anyone who tries to kill the singer of their own doom.
Go to bed late, then I have to wake
Describing a busy lifestyle with little time for rest.
Get to work, keep it goin', can't stop, can't take a break
Working hard with no breaks or downtime.
Gotta get it done, in time for me to do the things I wanna do
Working to enjoy free time outside of work.
But by the time I finished it, it's time for me to talk to you
No time to enjoy free time due to other responsibilities.
And then explain what I do in my day, well
Discussing one's busy life with others.
It's complicated and you say, "Pray tell"
Others find the artist's life confusing and difficult to understand.
And I will try, if I miss any details
Making an attempt to describe one's life to others.
Think about it later and then send it in an e-mail
Following up with further details via email at a later time.
'Cause my brain is on a loop, but there's a buzz
Finding it difficult to focus due to a distracting thought.
That I need to troubleshoot, not now
Needing to solve a problem, but can't do so immediately.
Gotta-gotta get the work done
Feeling pressure to finish work in a timely manner.
Last night, some other day is turnin' to the first one
Losing track of time and feeling like days blend together.
I, never gonna never gonna
Repeating the phrase 'never gonna' for emphasis.
I, am never gonna never gonna
Further emphasis on the phrase 'never gonna'.
I, ain't never gonna ever gonna die
Asserting once again that the artist cannot die.
Huh, pedal to the medal, gonna get ahead
Driving recklessly to gain an advantage.
Lettin' the light from my cellphone distract my eyes
Engaging in dangerous behavior while driving.
Sexual text messagin' to my mind
Distracted by sexually explicit text messages.
Fingers are busy, but now I'm lookin' in the mirror
Checking oneself out in the mirror instead of paying attention to driving.
Drinkin' the coffee, now I'm dumpin' it out
Wasting a beverage due to anger while driving.
Typically cyclical simple civil obedience
Describing a monotonous and predictable lifestyle of following laws and societal norms.
(di-di-di-difficult isn't it?)
Asking rhetorically if the cycle is difficult to break out of.
I'm just a man, with a company van
Describing oneself as an ordinary worker with a company vehicle.
And a supervisor who just does a summary scan
Working under a boss who only briefly reviews their work.
And a coworker who's always like "Just cover me man"
Working with a coworker who seeks to avoid work responsibilities.
In the morning we all get into the huddle again
Describing a cyclical work routine with coworkers.
Like "Can we even make more money?"
Discussing the limited financial opportunities at work.
Typically cyclical simple civil obedience
Re-emphasizing the monotonous, predictable lifestyle of following laws and societal norms.
Typically cyclical simple civil obedient people...
Describing people who follow the predictable cycle of society.
Are gonna die...
Suggesting that the repetitive cycle can lead to death.
'Cause they can't live...
Implying that such a life isn't worth living.
My life...
Contrasting one's own life with the cyclical monotony of others.
All eyes on the small guys makin' small noise
Suggesting that those who speak up are often ignored.
In a small town with the small music men
Describing those who create music in a small town, using the metaphor of smallness to suggest insignificance.
You're just fall guys, in the law's eyes
Describing those who break the law as merely easy targets for punishment.
Your voice is worth more than you know and you're not foolin' anyone
Encouraging those who speak up to continue, as their voice has more value than they realize.
I'm not a con-artist, your pencil and promises eroding eraser tips
Claiming honesty while at the same time suggesting that promises made by others aren't worth much.
I'm sick of your colleges
Expressing frustration with institutions that perpetuate the cyclical monotony the artist is criticizing.
Expensive taste-tester: "Spit that wine"
Describing the wastefulness of those who spend money on luxuries.
Excessive waist, chest, butt; it's that time
Suggesting that society encourages excessive body focus and objectification.
For me to get randomly checked again
Referring to racial profiling or unjust searches by authorities.
Bored until you're marked with a blood-red pen
Implying that those who follow societal norms are boring and marked with symbolic death.
Water bottle sittin' in my pocket and I'm walkin' with a grin
Breaking a small societal norm (carrying water in a bottle) and feeling good about it.
'Cause the liquid isn't permitted, I'm rippin' up the ticket
Rebelling against small societal restrictions and ignoring consequences.
For the lady at the counter as confetti in her face!
Expressing anger towards those enforcing societal norms and rebelling in a small way.
Shoulda never let me in this place
Suggesting that society brought this rebellion upon itself.
Fly, fly boy in the brownest state
Asserting a sense of freedom and individuality despite living in a conservative state.
I got a feeling that I'm never gonna get let out the gate 'cause I'm the BOMB
Feeling powerful and in control, refusing to let societal norms hold them back.
Yeah I said it; cool, collected, and calm
Asserting confidence and control.
Maneuver through the computer to do a little song
Using technology to create art and express oneself outside of societal norms.
My music got the charm
Believing in the quality and power of one's art.
Smoother than a cougar, attack the mic and get on the intercom
Comparing oneself favorably to a cougar and asserting control over a microphone to speak out and express oneself.
"Hello passengers, fellow activists, Whether you're masochists, mellow pacifists
Addressing the audience as like-minded people who might share the singer's sense of rebellion against societal norms.
Tell those faxin' it is no accident
Encouraging others to speak their minds, rather than simply accepting the monotony of society.
By the end of this record, you're gonna knowwwww
Promising that by the end of the song, the audience will understand something important about the themes being presented.
Are you listenin', Love? I got a theory for us
Addressing an individual, suggesting that the theory being presented might apply particularly to them.
Can you hear me enough, can you hand me my stuff?
Asking for the individual's attention and things they are holding.
'Bout to move out this scary cemetery you trust
Suggesting a desire to break free from the confinement of societal norms.
Livin' just a little bit, it isn't nearly enough
Believing that life should be lived more fully than the monotony of typical civil obedience.
Livin' just a little bit, it isn't nearly justified
Not feeling as though the small level of freedom typically allowed within societal norms is enough to justify living at all.
Because ah-ah-ah-I, ah-ah-ah-I am
Re-emphasizing once again that the singer cannot die or be held back by societal norms.
[Sage Speaking:]
Sage speaking directly to the audience in the style of an interlude or brief monologue.
I wanna kee—I wanna keep making things an-and death really is-is uh not to be part of my eh-everyday activities.
Discussing a desire to create outside of societal norms and remove death imagery from their work.
It's not to be in my music anymore, I don't want it there.
Asserting a desire to move away from death imagery in their art.
It'll-it'll sneak its way in and out, but that's that's, we're beyond that.
Acknowledging that death imagery may appear in their work despite their intentions.
I mean de-de-death only as a concept is what matters and-and God as a concept is-is-is one of those huge things to me.
Discussing the importance of abstract concepts such as death and God in their art and life.
Um, and to you, I know you, I know you much better than you think I do uhh…
Addressing an individual directly in the context of the monologue.
I hope we meet sometime, I wouldd love to shake your hand and um maybe get a kiss, uh right there, on my face.
Expressing a desire to meet and connect with the individual.
And uh, I don't know, maybe have sex a little bit.
Expressing a desire for intimacy and connection with the individual.
Contributed by Zoe L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cheche Garcia
on Buckets Of Silence
I never held a funeral for that big part of me that died.
I need to put these thoughts to rest. i need to find a peace of mind.
I need to piece my mind, find a piece of mind to rest in.
need to find someone to confide in, and with the rest i need to start restin'.
needless to say, i couldn't hide.
fifteen grown men shouldn't cry.
Cheche Garcia
on Message Sent
I've got some letters inside of my drawer
that should have been stamped and delivered
One is addressed to my ex
it says I'm the type of kid who can't be lived with
One is addressed to my friends
it says I'm a mess so y'all can't visit
One is addressed to myself
but I don't know what personality or hand to give it