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.
Come Come Now
Sage Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me rub my back against the notches on your bedpost
scratch these afterthoughts off my flesh and shed ghosts
My head's close to your closet door.
I've got the glass to my ear. My nose is in your
business I smell something fishy here.
I hear bones rattling. Poems battling for space and time
Phones that'll ring when I make judgement calls with pick-up lines
It just gets aggrivating masterbatingto a dial tone.
I'm the home to run-away trains of thought
My one track mind is a collision inter-course where victim's cross,
Bedroom eyes...uncross their legs exposing inner thighs
I disrobe and show my most convincing disguise.
I've lived so many lives each death has left my face scarred
Hid so many lies under my breath that I can't face God
Dig into my mind deep enough you'll find a graveyard
I get nervous bodies will resurface every time it rains hard
"Don't cry, girl." Let me outline your short comings
While my world is full of them and they're all in the long runnings
It's all fun and games. It's all done in vain. It's all a ----ing shame
I ain't the one but I'm the one to complain?
I'm the one to come home.Compare.Contrast.Come fast
Make love to the present, fuck the past
Make love to the present, fuck the past.Nothing lasts
Don't you dare worry about the morning aftermath
(yeah!)
Don't you love how much you paid for your education? (yeah)
Don't you love your job and spending every day there? (yeah)
Don't you love your girl? You have such a healthy relationship. (yeah)
Don't you love having that break-up sex, that make-up sex? (yeah)
(verse)
Taking an acid bath, pissing on the shower curtain
The gal just laughs and starts dissing my towel turban
I had to ask if she knew how to listen now I'm certain
Now my task is just to get up in her like I was a surgeon!
I'm a virgin who makes exceptions at sunset
My dirty skin gets cleansed by the summer sweat
"Self, have some respect! I don't need you new and clean
But I don't want the procedure routine!"
A screw machine!with a few bolts loose.robot response touch tone
Hair trigger, happy-go-lucky emotion monger wants a love poem
Run home.dip into your closet and jump bones
Your secret admirer's stuck higher up and he's unknown.
Looking down on you.can you bare the burden?my ears are hurting
I found a few gears are turning
With squeaky wheels.they get the grease cuz its a damn nuisance
Understand the blueprints for our mechanical movements.
It never ran smooth since we abused the Earth
Grabbed a hand full of pubics and removed the turf
Refused its worth, we lose our shirts.she assumed the worst
And needed proof of birth? I'm leaving this universe.
It seems doomed and cursed.see if you come first then come fast
Come here.Come back.Compare.Contrast
Complain.Constrain.Constantly ask,
Complicated questions contain scientific answers in your flask
Condone.Condemn.Come home.Come friend
Confuse.Common issues.Condelude.Comprehend
Carma.Chameleon.Come again?
Continue to come in you.Come to daddy.Condescend
Come and bring us (Confidence).Curlding us (Compliments)
Come to thank us went from guilty conscienceness to common sense
Calm down.Complete.Compound.Come eat
Our Common ground meat from man-made concrete
Come to the street.Conquer the weak.Come to terms with coming last
Make love to the present, fuck the past
Make love to the present, fuck the past.Nothing lasts
Don't you dare worry about the morning aftermath. (yeah!)
Don't you wanna take a shower with me? Clean me up. (yeah)
Kill yourself...while you're still alive
(Kill yourself) while you're still alive while you're still alive. (3X)
See when you put a shell to your ear, it is not the sound of crashing waves
that you're hearing. It's the amplified current of your own bloodstream
It was your self-pulse that created that post-human illusion of me. Your
tireless heart pumping out an ocean of lies and I foolishly tried filling
impossible shoes resulting in my stumbling as I fell into the trap of making
a woman my element. Now I just can't get comfortable being out of you...
Sage Francis's "Come Come Now" is a rap song whose lyrics are highly metaphorical and surreal. The song talks about the singer's sexual experiences and insecurities, as well as society's general dissatisfaction with life. The singer seems to be exploring the sexuality of himself and of others, using vivid and often grotesque imagery to describe these experiences. He appears to be searching for something deeper and more meaningful through sex rather than just physical fulfillment.
The opening verse has the singer painting a picture of himself leaning against the notches on a bedpost, searching for something deeper, but instead finding only remnants of past experiences. The verse's lyrics reference a series of metaphorical images related to his experiences with sex, including phone calls and masturbation, before concluding with an image of the singer hidden beneath layers of lies and secrets. The chorus addresses the idea of "compare and contrast" regarding various aspects of one's life, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences and relationships. The second verse continues with the same surreal and metaphorical tone, with the singer drawing comparisons between sex and an "acid bath," proclaiming his virginity while still describing his experiences with sex, and again using vivid imagery to express his thoughts and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me rub my back against the notches on your bedpost
I want to feel close to you and be intimate with you.
scratch these afterthoughts off my flesh and shed ghosts
I want to forget my past and move on with you.
My head's close to your closet door.
I'm curious about you and want to know more about you.
I've got the glass to my ear. My nose is in your business I smell something fishy here.
I'm suspicious of you and don't trust you completely.
I hear bones rattling. Poems battling for space and time
I have so many conflicting thoughts and emotions that are hard to express.
Phones that'll ring when I make judgement calls with pick-up lines
I'm trying to connect with people, but I'm not always successful.
Sexual hang-ups leave me waiting nude and while alone
I have insecurities about sex that make it difficult to be intimate.
It just gets aggrivating masterbatingto a dial tone.
I'm frustrated with my lack of connection and intimacy with others.
I'm the home to run-away trains of thought
My mind is often racing and hard to control.
My one track mind is a collision inter-course where victim's cross,
I have a lot of conflicting thoughts and emotions that are hard to deal with.
Bedroom eyes...uncross their legs exposing inner thighs
I'm attracted to you and want to be intimate with you.
I disrobe and show my most convincing disguise.
I'm trying to be someone I'm not in order to impress you.
I've lived so many lives each death has left my face scarred
I've been through a lot of difficult experiences and it shows.
Hid so many lies under my breath that I can't face God
I've made a lot of mistakes and am ashamed of them.
Dig into my mind deep enough you'll find a graveyard
My mind is often dark and full of negative thoughts.
I get nervous bodies will resurface every time it rains hard
I'm afraid of my past coming back to haunt me.
"Don't cry, girl." Let me outline your short comings
I want to criticize and control you.
While my world is full of them and they're all in the long runnings
I'm aware of my own flaws but focus on yours instead.
It's all fun and games. It's all done in vain. It's all a ----ing shame
I'm disillusioned and cynical about life and relationships.
I ain't the one but I'm the one to complain?
I'm unhappy but don't know how to change things.
I'm the one to come home.Compare.Contrast.Come fast
I'm indecisive and don't know what I want.
Make love to the present, fuck the past
I want to move on from my past and focus on the present.
Nothing lasts
Everything is temporary and eventually comes to an end.
Don't you dare worry about the morning aftermath
Don't worry about the consequences of our actions.
Don't you love how much you paid for your education? (yeah)
Sarcastic comment about the cost of education.
Don't you love your job and spending every day there? (yeah)
Sarcastic comment about hating one's job.
Don't you love your girl? You have such a healthy relationship. (yeah)
Sarcastic comment about a dysfunctional relationship.
Don't you love having that break-up sex, that make-up sex? (yeah)
Sarcastic comment about the cycle of breaking up and making up in a relationship.
Taking an acid bath, pissing on the shower curtain
Random and nonsensical imagery.
The gal just laughs and starts dissing my towel turban
Someone is making fun of the singer's appearance or style.
I had to ask if she knew how to listen now I'm certain
The singer is frustrated with someone not listening to them.
Now my task is just to get up in her like I was a surgeon!
The artist wants to have sex with someone.
I'm a virgin who makes exceptions at sunset
The artist is inexperienced but willing to try new things.
My dirty skin gets cleansed by the summer sweat
The artist enjoys being outside and sweating in the sun.
"Self, have some respect! I don't need you new and clean
But I don't want the procedure routine!"
The singer is telling themselves to be themselves and not conform to others' expectations.
A screw machine!with a few bolts loose.robot response touch tone
The artist feels like they're just going through the motions and not being genuine.
Hair trigger, happy-go-lucky emotion monger wants a love poem
The singer is looking for love and affection.
Run home.dip into your closet and jump bones
The singer wants to have sex with someone.
Your secret admirer's stuck higher up and he's unknown.
Someone likes the singer but they don't know who it is.
Looking down on you.can you bare the burden?my ears are hurting
The artist feels like they're being judged and doesn't know how to handle it.
I found a few gears are turning
The artist has had a realization or revelation.
With squeaky wheels.they get the grease cuz its a damn nuisance
The singer wants to fix a problem that's bothering them.
Understand the blueprints for our mechanical movements.
The singer is contemplating the meaning of life and human behavior.
It never ran smooth since we abused the Earth
The artist is commenting on the state of the world and humanity's impact on it.
Grabbed a hand full of pubics and removed the turf
Graphic and vulgar imagery of destruction and violence.
Refused its worth, we lose our shirts.she assumed the worst
The artist is commenting on the negative consequences of greed and ignorance.
And needed proof of birth? I'm leaving this universe.
The singer is frustrated with the absurdity of life and wants to escape from it.
It seems doomed and cursed.see if you come first then come fast
The artist is pessimistic about life and wants to enjoy the present moment while they can.
Come here.Come back.Compare.Contrast
The singer is indecisive and doesn't know what they want.
Complain.Constrain.Constantly ask,
Complicated questions contain scientific answers in your flask
The singer is questioning life and trying to make sense of it all.
Condone.Condemn.Come home.Come friend
The singer is contemplating their values and beliefs.
Confuse.Common issues.Condelude.Comprehend
The artist is struggling to make sense of the world and their place in it.
Carma.Chameleon.Come again?
Random and nonsensical wordplay.
Continue to come in you.Come to daddy.Condescend
The singer is using sexual innuendo to assert their dominance.
Come and bring us (Confidence).Curlding us (Compliments)
The singer is looking for validation and affirmation from others.
Come to thank us went from guilty conscienceness to common sense
The artist is reflecting on their personal growth and evolution.
Calm down.Complete.Compound.Come eat
The artist is focusing on the present moment and enjoying simple pleasures.
Our Common ground meat from man-made concrete
The artist is reflecting on the artificiality and inauthenticity of modern life.
Come to the street.Conquer the weak.Come to terms with coming last
The singer is contemplating their place in the world and their own mortality.
Kill yourself...while you're still alive
The artist is being nihilistic and encouraging self-destruction.
(Kill yourself) while you're still alive while you're still alive. (3X)
Repetition of the same idea, emphasizing the singer's nihilistic beliefs.
See when you put a shell to your ear, it is not the sound of crashing waves
that you're hearing. It's the amplified current of your own bloodstream
It was your self-pulse that created that post-human illusion of me. Your
tireless heart pumping out an ocean of lies and I foolishly tried filling
impossible shoes resulting in my stumbling as I fell into the trap of making
a woman my element. Now I just can't get comfortable being out of you...
The singer is reflecting on their own identity and relationship with others, feeling overwhelmed and lost.
Contributed by Bailey S. 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