The Roots' original lineup included Black Thought (MC vocals) and Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson (drums), who were classmates at the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts. As they began to play at school and on the streets, they added another MC named Malik B., bassist Leonard Hubbardand keyboardist Scott Storch. Another MC, Dice Raw, frequently made album appearances with the group from 1995 to 1999 before leaving to record a solo album. Scott Storch also left to pursue career as a producer following the Do You Want More?!!!??! album, He produced songs such as Still D.R.E. by Dr Dre. The Roots filled his void with another keyboardist, Kamal who is still a member. A beatboxer named Rahzel also joined the group and contributed from 1995-1999. Alongside Rahzel was vocal turntablist, Scratch who greatly contributed to The Roots' sound, most notably in live concerts. He left the group in 2003. Malik B. left the group in 2000. A guitarist, Ben Kenney, enjoyed a short stint with the group and contributed to their Phrenology album, but left to join Incubus. A percussionist, Knuckles, was added in 2002 and guitarist, Kirk Douglas (a.k.a. "Captain Kirk") repleaced Kenney. A vocalist, Martin Luther toured with The Roots in 2003 and 2004 and contributed to their album The Tipping Point. The current members of The Roots are Black Thought (MC vocals), ?uestlove (drums), Hub (bass), Kamal (keyboard), Knuckles (percussion), and Captain Kirk (guitar).
The Roots' debut album, Organix released in 1993, was actually a live recording from a concert in Germany that the Roots sold at their shows. The album earned enough industry buzz to earn the Roots offers from major record labels, and they signed with DGC records, which at the time was better known for its grunge music releases.
The Roots' first album for DGC, Do You Want More?!!!??! (recorded live without the use of samples), was a moderate hit on alternative radio. Their 1996 release Illadelph Halflife was the group's first album to crack the Top 40 on Billboard's album chart, spurred in part by MTV's airplay of the video for "What They Do", a parody of rap video clichés such as the "beatdown shot," and "Clones" which was their first to single to reach the top five on the rap charts.
In 1999, The Roots released Things Fall Apart (named after a novel by Chinua Achebe), their breakthrough album. The track "You Got Me", duet with R'n'B singer Erykah Badu, earned them a Grammy award for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group.
In 2000, Dice Raw left the group to record his solo debut album, Reclaiming the Dead.
The Roots' reputation as a hip-hop live band made Jay-Z call on them for his MTV Unplugged album in 2002. The album featured good recreations of many of his great songs, played by the band with a little help from female vocalist Jaguar Wright.
2002's Phrenology introduced a more mainstream sound for the Roots, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. The album's sales were boosted by radio and TV airplay for two duets on the album, "Break You Off" (featuring Musiq Soulchild) and "The Seed 2.0" (featuring Cody ChestnuTT). The video for "The Seed 2.0" earned a nomination for the MTV2 Award at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. "The Seed" was also featured on the soundtrack to the Mandy Moore movie Chasing Liberty. Phrenology was certified gold (signifying U.S. sales of at least 500,000 units) in June 2003.
The Roots' 2004 release, The Tipping Point, took its name from a 2000 book by Malcolm Gladwell. The album earned two more Grammy nominations: one for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the track "Star", and another for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group for the track "Don't Say Nuthin'". The album was an immediate hit, debuting at #4 on the Billboard album chart and selling over 100,000 copies in its first week of release.
On November 15, 2005 The Roots released two compilation albums, Home Grown! The Beginner's Guide To Understanding The Roots, Volumes 1 & 2. These two separately sold discs are a compilation of past hits, live performances, and rare remixes compiled by ?uestlove himself. They also feature 70 pages of liner notes written by ?uestlove. These two albums marked the Roots' last releases on Geffen Records.
The Roots' album, Game Theory, was released on August 29, 2006. The album, which features a track that samples the song "You and Whose Army" by Radiohead, was released on Jay-Z's Def Jam.
The Roots next album 'Rising Down' was released on April 29th 2008. Features tracks with Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Saigon, and other greats.
The Make Me Songfacts reports that The Roots' eleventh album, undun, is their first concept album. It tells the story of a man called Redford Stephens who died in 1999 at the age of 25. We hear Redford retelling his life post-mortem and attempting to deconstruct what led to his undoing.
The Roots are also the house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon airing first on March 2nd, 2009.
The Day
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
脳裏過ぎることがあるんだ
意味なんかは無い "もしも"
違う人生選んでたら
君と会うこと無かっただろう
目の前にいるのに
『僕らがここに居る』
君無しではありえなかったキセキの時間
今日の日は good day 僕にこの景色を
そして今日という日を くれてありがとう
一秒一秒見逃せない
フィルムだけでできた 僕らのストーリー
歴史上類を見ないような oh oh oh oh
騒がしいカーテンコールで お別れをしよう
「はじめまして」の日から 他の誰よりも
笑顔が似合う 僕よりもだ
嫉妬しちゃうな
共に居る 時間全てをさ
ビンに閉じ込めたいんだ
『傍に居る日も 離れ離れな時も』
今日の日は good day 僕にこの景色を
そして今日という日を くれてありがとう
いつもいつも帰りたくない
そう思わせてくれる 大切な人だ
名残惜しいけど 次に oh oh oh oh
また僕ら会える時が近付いてるから
今日も君は 色んな一面でさ
僕を魅せてくれる ほら今もそうだ
Good day 僕にこの景色を
そして今日という日をくれてありがとう
二十何年続いた oh oh oh oh
僕の人生の続編も一緒に居て欲しい
It was a good day
I said "good day"!
The lyrics of "The Day" by The Roots describe the juxtaposition between the significance and insignificance of our everyday lives. When the singer meets the person they are addressing ("君" or "you"), they think about the infinite number of paths their lives could have taken if they hadn't crossed paths. However, despite the fact that their meeting was a mere coincidence, the time spent together is miraculous and irreplaceable. The character is grateful for the moments they have shared together and reflects on the fleeting nature of time, indicating an appreciation for even the most mundane of days. The singer desires to hold onto these memories and wishes they could bottle them up in a container labeled "キセキの時間," or "Miraculous Time."
The singer continues to express gratitude for the present moment, claiming that every second is precious, and that they feel as though they are living in a story. The construct of time within the song is notable: the multiple references to today, the fact that the character doesn't want to leave, and the repetition of "oh oh oh oh" near the end of the song all emphasize the momentous nature of the present tense. The singer views their daily life as cinematic, signifying that even the simplest moments hold value, and they are thankful for the person who makes these days special.
In conclusion, "The Day" is a song about the significance of the present moment, appreciating the people who make life worthwhile, and finding miracles in everyday life. The song's use of time and appreciation for small moments are consistent themes throughout the lyrics, making for a delicate and introspective perspective.
Line by Line Meaning
君とこうして会えるたびに
Every time I meet you like this
脳裏過ぎることがあるんだ
Memories run through my mind
意味なんかは無い "もしも"
"What if" has no meaning
違う人生選んでたら
If I had chosen a different life
君と会うこと無かっただろう
I would not have met you
目の前にいるのに
Even though you're right in front of me
"僕らがここに居る"
"We are here"
君無しではありえなかったキセキの時間
The miraculous time that wouldn't have been possible without you
今日の日は good day 僕にこの景色を
Today is a good day, thanks for this view
そして今日という日を くれてありがとう
Thank you for giving me this day
一秒一秒見逃せない
I can't miss a single second
フィルムだけでできた 僕らのストーリー
Our story, made entirely of film
歴史上類を見ないような oh oh oh oh
Unprecedented, oh oh oh oh
騒がしいカーテンコールで お別れをしよう
Let's say goodbye with a loud round of applause
「はじめまして」の日から 他の誰よりも
From the day we met, more than anyone else
笑顔が似合う 僕よりもだ
You look better with a smile, more than I do
嫉妬しちゃうな
I get jealous
共に居る 時間全てをさ
Every moment we spend together
ビンに閉じ込めたいんだ
I want to keep it in a bottle
『傍に居る日も 離れ離れな時も』
"The days we're together, the times we're apart"
今日の日は good day 僕にこの景色を
Today is a good day, thanks for this view
そして今日という日を くれてありがとう
Thank you for giving me this day
いつもいつも帰りたくない
I never want to leave
そう思わせてくれる 大切な人だ
You're an important person who makes me feel that way
名残惜しいけど 次に oh oh oh oh
As sad as it is to say goodbye, oh oh oh oh, next time
また僕ら会える時が近付いてるから
We'll be able to meet again soon
今日も君は 色んな一面でさ
Today, you're showing me different sides of you
僕を魅せてくれる ほら今もそうだ
You're captivating me, look, even now
Good day 僕にこの景色を
Good day, thanks for this view
そして今日という日をくれてありがとう
Thank you for giving me this day
二十何年続いた oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh, it's been over 20 years
僕の人生の続編も一緒に居て欲しい
I want you to be with me for the sequel of my life
It was a good day
It was a good day
I said "good day"!
I said "good day"!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Root, Toku, Matsu
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thekeishahustle
Blu will forever reign with these bars. Thankful!
@kalexpo336
This beat!!!
@MarvelousWesty
I have this album framed and hanging on my living room wall to remind me of this song and it's message. This track has helped me through some tough times, especially Phonte's verse.
@kimberlybush9087
MarvelousWesty yess! i agree phonte's verse is the best! he is so underrated.
@ellipsism42
Blu is quite frankly the most underrated rapper in the entire game. The connection he builds...
@jonathanbarnes7641
James Vane word!!!!
@89babay
Facts
@zinyle7618
Does anybody know what he’s up to these days has he released new projects lately? I found out about him back in 2011 and haven’t found any new stuff of his since then
@josukegappyhigashikata625
@Zinyle Tao if you’re still looking, listen to miles his newest album
@roaches23
He was great too bad he was a dickhead to Questlove and that ended his career at the mainstream