Music
The Sound of Sunshine
“The Sound Of Sunshine” is about wanting to bottle that experience of waking up in the morning, pulling the blinds and seeing that there’s a sunny day in front of us. It’s about finding the sunshine in some cloudy times. There are a lot of people out there waiting for a storm to pass, and I want to try to acknowledge that and bring them a little sunshine.
THE SOUND OF SUNSHINE
Written by Michael Franti, Carl Young and Jason Bowman
I wake up in the morning at six o’clock
They say there may be rain, but the sun is hot
I wish I had some time just to kill today
And I wish I had a dime for every bill I got to pay
Some days you lose, you win and the water’s as high as the times you’re in
So I jump back in where I learned to swim
Try to keep my head above it the best I can
That’s why
CHORUS
Here I am, just waiting for this storm to pass me by
And that’s the sound of sunshine coming down
And that’s the sound of sunshine, coming down
I saw my friend Bobby, he said ‘what’s up man, you got a little work or a twenty to lend?’
I opened up my hand he said, ‘I’m glad to see, they can take away my job but not my friends, you see’
CHORUS
That’s the sound of the sun goin’ down
When the people of the world start to paint the town
A day that’s long is a day complete
So kick off ya shoes and relax ya feet
They say that miracles are never ceasing
And every single soul needs a little releasing
They say that money makes the world go round
But only one thing’ll help the sun go down
Sweet sweet love’ll help the sun go down-it’s true, it’s true, it’s true
CHORUS
You’re the one I wanna be with, when the sun goes down
CHORUS
Michael Franti Vocals, Guitar I J Bowman Guitar I Carl Young Bass I Dave Shul
Guitar I Raleigh Neal Keyboards I Jolene Rust Background Vocals
© 2010 Franticsoulutions/Universal Music (ASCAP). Additional Publishing J Bowman
Music/Bug Music (BMI) and Carl Young/C-Ya-Later-Sounds (BMI). All Rights
Reserved. Used By Permission.
“Shake It’ is a fun song that we noticed people respond to pretty instantly. But if you listen closely, I think it’s also makes a deeper point about finding beauty in imperfection. I admit I really like the last line, “It’s not about the way that you look. It’s about the way that you shook.”
Shake It feat. Lady Saw
Written by Michael Franti, Marion Marie Hall and Jason Bowman
The Queen of dancehall representing
If you don’t know Michael
They ready for shake their thing like a tambourine you know?
What you say?
I’m ready Lady Saw
Uh uh
You’re perfect just the way you are (I know) just the way you are
CHORUS
Shake it, shake it, shake it, like a tambourine
Come ma
Shake it, shake it, shake it, you’re the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it
Come on ma
Shake it, shake it, shake it, you’re the dancehall queen
Shake it, shake it mama, you the one for me
I’m realizin’ you the only one that’s meant to be
And when I wake up in the morning all I wanna see
Is the sun that is shinin’ on you next to me
You got a little broken nail, got a hair outta place
You got a little bit of extra middle right around the waist
With all of them things I never ever hesitate
‘Cuz the thing about you baby is the smile on your face
I’m blowin’ kisses at you girl and I hope they didn’t miss
The way you move your body made it hard for them to hit you
I wish you would come a little closer
Rub a little closer
Mama sey, mama kosa saying
CHORUS
Shake it, shake it, shake it, like a tambourine
Shake it, shake it, shake it, you’re the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it
Come on ma
Shake it, shake it, shake it, you’re the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it, and we run the scene
Shake it, shake it, shake it, you the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it, I like that
Come mama
Shake it, shake it, shake, you the dancehall Queen
I got love for you baby, never givin’ it up
And I love the way you love me, never getting enough
I love the way you shake that little extra bit of butter
When I see you move your body, girl it makes my heart a flutter
When I see you dancin’ on the living room floor, on the kitchen table
BETTER open up the door
Bring the party to the street because the street will love it more
And if the people love the beat, then the beat will love them more
With the music blastin’, the people clappin’, the speakers shakin’, the kids’ll take it
You’re perfect, just the way you are - you’re perfect just the way you are
CHORUS
(LADY SAW VERSE) Hey gyal them a bubble like a pot pon fire
Waist a move like it make out a wire
Firm and sturdy like a truck tire
When we shake man bowl fire
When Jamaican gyal them a shake you know say a heat in a di place
Sly pon the drum and robby pon di bass
Watch it make me wine up me waist
Mi say when wi shake wi out of control
Fling it up and heng on pon the pole
You see deh man deh hem need console
Hem so hypnotize to how me bumper a roll
We shake it like we got no bones
Shake it like we ooh so stone
When we shake it man gather round
That's how we get down
CHORUS
Shake it on the beach girl, vamos a la playa
Hotter than the sun, you know you set this soul on fire
A bird in the sky, you make me feel like a flyer - higher, higher, higher, higher
I got love for you baby, like every single day
I got love for you baby, in every single way
I got love for you, in everything that I cook
It’s not the way that you look, it’s the way that you shook
CHORUS
Shake it, shake it, shake it, I like that
Shake it, shake it, shake it, you’re the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it, you the dancehall Queen
Come on ma
Shake it, shake it, shake it, you’re the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake uh c’mon
Shake it, shake it, shake it, you the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it, uh c’mon
You’re the one for me
Michael Franti Vocals, Guitar I Lady Saw Vocals I J Bowman Guitar, Keyboards I
Sly Dunbar Drum Machine I Robbie Shakespeare Bass I Uzziah ‘Sticky’ Thompson
Percussion I Robbie Lyn Keyboards I Dwight Richards Trumpet I Dean ‘Cannon’
Fraser Barritone & Alto Sax I Ronald ‘Nambo’ Robinson Trombone
Lady Saw appears courtesy of Diva Records
© 2010 Franticsoulutions/Universal Music (ASCAP). Additional Publishing Marion
Marie Hall Music (ASCAP) and J Bowman Music/Bug Music (BMI). All Rights
Reserved. Used By Permission.
With “Say Hey” and “Hey World and now this, I guess “Hey” is becoming a big word with me. At first this song was called, “No Matter How Life Is Today.” But every time we walked offstage after having played it, people would say, “Hey, where can we find that `Hey, Hey, Hey’ song. So we actually did a vote online on our website about what we should call this. So the people have spoken, and they say, “Hey.”
Hey Hey Hey
Written by Michael Franti
It’s been a long time comin’ that I had to say
When I wake up in the morning all I do is pray
For some guidance and protection on the streets today
And an answer to the questions I ask every day
Tell me why do the birds that use to fly here
Tell me why do they come to die here
And all the kids that use to run here
Tell me why do they load their guns here
I remember, in the days when we were one heart
No need to defend
I just wrap my arms around you
Don’t give up, this song is for you
CHORUS
Hey hey hey, no matter how life is today
There’s just one thing that I got to say
I won’t let another moment slip away
I say hey hey hey, no matter how life is today
There’s just one thing that I got to say
I won’t let another moment slip away
I hold on, I’m tryin’ to hold on From the top of the buildings to the streets below
Between the Wall Street banks and the empty homes
Between the lines of the people standing all in a row
There’s a crack in the gutter where a flower grows
Reminding me that everything is possible
Reminding me that nothing is impossible
You gotta live for the one you love, you know
You gotta love for the life that you live, you know
CHORUS
Until the morning comes again
I will remain with you, my friend
And we will ride until the sun goes to the place where it begun
And we will live to laugh and cry another day
Don’t let nobody ever tell you that it couldn’t be done
Don’t let nobody ever tell you that we couldn’t be one
Don’t let nobody ever tell you that it shouldn’t be sung
Don’t let nobody ever tell you you’re the only one
CHORUS
Michael Franti Vocals, Guitar I J Bowman Guitar I Carl Young Bass, Background
Vocals I Manas Itene Drums I Jolene Rust Background Vocals I Strings Arranged
and Conducted by Randy Miller
© 2010 Franticsoulutions/Universal Music (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved. Used By
Permission.
That’s a song about the importance of being there for someone else. I wrote it for my former girlfriend who’s still my best friend for life, when her mother was passing away. It was for her, and now it’s for everybody.
ANYTIME YOU NEED ME
Written by Michael Franti, Carl Young and Jason Bowman
In a city that burns so loud, you can’t hear a sound
The whole world drives by with the speakers on
Concrete apartments and their windows with a million other people
But still you just feel alone
Everyone’s got a story but it’s never told
Everyone needs warm when it’s always cold
Everyone needs an ear just to hear their soul
Heart shaped headphones to somebody you love
When you need a friend, somebody to walk to
My friend, somebody to talk to
I’ll be right there waiting for you
CHORUS
Anytime, anytime you want me
Anytime, anytime you need me
Anytime, anytime you want me
I’ll walk right back over again
Anytime, anytime you want me
Anytime, anytime you need me
Anytime, anytime you want me
I’ll walk right back over again
Right back over again, to you my friend -to you
Like an animal, I would run through a jungle of criminals
Through the valley of darkness and loneliness
Fly across the great abyss, just to grant a single wish
I might trip but I’m never stumblin’
I’m right there when your whole world’s crumblin’
Swimmin’ with the sharks just to find the sunken treasure
But I’d give it all away just to hold you in my arms
When you need a friend, somebody to walk to
My friend, somebody to talk to
I’ll be right there waiting for you
CHORUS
I watch the stars with a million other people
Oh oh oh oh, with a million other people
I watch the stars with a million other people
Oh oh oh oh, with a million other people
I watch the stars with a million other people
Oh oh oh oh, with a million other people
I watch the stars with a million other people
With a million other people
In a city that burns so loud you can’t hear a sound
The whole world drives by with the speakers on
Concrete apartments and their windows with a million other people singing
CHORUS
I watch the stars with a million other people
I walk right over again, to you my friend - to you
Michael Franti Vocals, Guitar, Drums I J Bowman Guitar I Carl Young Bass I Jolene
Rust Background Vocals
© 2010 Franticsoulutions/Universal Music (ASCAP). Additional Publishing Carl Young/
C-Ya-Later-Sounds (BMI) and J Bowman Music/Bug Music (BMI). All Rights Reserved.
Used By Permission.
Many years ago, I opened for U2, and I was so impressed by the way they can write something big and yet intimate. Coming out of hip-hop, it was a lesson to me and I started to aspire to blend the eloquence of great hip-hop with the melody and power of great rock. With this song, I wanted to write something that was the kind of powerful anthem that people in an arena could sing. The point of the song is right in the lyric, “The best things in life aren’t things/They’re living, they’re breathing.” It’s a song about being there for other people, ready to catch them when they fall.
I’ll Be Waiting
Written by Michael FrantI and Jason Bowman
The best things in life aren’t things
They’re living and breathing
The best things in life aren’t things
They’re something you can believe in
Well, do you believe me
Well, do you believe me when I say
CHORUS
Tonight won’t last for long
Soon it will be gone
But I won’t leave you alone - no, no
Whenever you call me, whenever you need me
Wherever you wander until you see me
I’ll be waiting, I’ll be waiting for you
The best things in life aren’t things
They’re laughing and crying
The best things in life aren’t things
They’re frightened, but they’re still fighting
Well, do you believe me
Well, do you believe me when I say
CHORUS
You said that you were leaving
But it’s alright, it’s alright
You said that you were sorry
But it’s alright, yes, it’s alright
The best things in life aren’t things
They’re broken and bleeding
The best things in life aren’t things
They’re chosen to believe in
CHORUS
Michael Franti Vocals, Guitar I J Bowman Guitar, Keyboards I
Carl Young Bass, Background Vocals I Manas Itene Drums, Background Vocals I
Jolene Rust Background Vocals
© 2010 Franticsoulutions/Universal Music (ASCAP). Additional Publishing J Bowman
Music/Bug Music (BMI). All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
That’s another love song. Wow, I guess there are a lot of love songs on this album. You spend your whole feeling there’s a void, and then you find another person somehow coming out of nowhere and somehow fills what it missing.
Only Thing Missing Was You
Written by Michael Franti and Jason Bowman
I was rocking, like a lonely man
Drifting on the sea
And you came along, and you threw a line to me - to me
CHORUS
But how was I to know, when I thought I had it all alone
The only thing missing was you - only thing missing was you
The only thing missing was you - only thing missing was you
You, you, you, you, you, you
Many moons have passed and I’m still here at sea
And I’m searchin’ for an island in the stars the size of you and me
You and me
CHORUS
I been waiting all along for a woman like you
To come along and bring the sunshine to my blues
Wake me in the morning with a kiss upon my cheek
And when we makin’ love, you make it so unique!
You rock my boat with a shake of your thighs
My whole world changed from a look in your eyes
It’s been a long time, but now I realize
CHORUS
Come back to me
Come back to me
Michael Franti Vocals, Guitar, Bass I J Bowman Guitar, Keyboards I Carl Young
Keyboards, Background Vocals I Manas Itene Drums, Background Vocals I Raleigh
Neal Background Vocals I Dave Shul Background Vocals I Jolene Rust Background
Vocals
© 2010 Franticsoulutions/Universal Music (ASCAP). Additional Publishing J Bowman
Music/Bug Music (BMI). All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
This is a song about the urgency of love, and how we can’t wait for perfect scenarios and perfect people to come along – because they don’t really exist.
Love Don't Wait
Written by Michael Franti and Jason Bowman
Tell me the truth one time
Is there a chance that more than a dance could come from you
And tell me the truth one time
Is there a chance that a little romance could come from you
I’m goin’ crazy
I’m goin’ crazy crazy crazy thinkin’ about your sweet lovin’
So tell me the truth one time
Is there a chance that more than a dance could come from you
CHORUS
‘Cuz it’s so easy, it’s easy to be with you
Just to be with you
And it’s so easy, it’s easy
To be with you, Just to be with you
And I say, love don’t wait for nobody
You know love, you know love is a precious thing true
Love don’t wait for nobody
But love can break your heart in two
Love don’t wait for nobody
But I be waiting right here for you
On and on and on -On and on and on - we say on and on and on-we say on and on and on
I like the way you dance - the way you do what you do what you do what you do
If you look in my eye and you tell me that, love, it ain’t never a part of your life again
Then I tell you you’re wrong
And if you look in my heart and you tell me, my love, it ain’t never a part of your life again
Then I tell you I’m gone
CHORUS
I wanna see you rock - see you dance
See you rock - see you dance
I wanna see you rock - see you dance
See you rock and dance
So tell me the truth one time
Is there a chance that more than a dance could come from you
CHORUS
Michael Franti Vocals I J Bowman Guitar I Carl Young Bass, Keyboards I Manas
Itene Drums I Jolene Rust Background Vocals
© 2010 Franticsoulutions/Universal Music (ASCAP). Additional Publishing J Bowman
Music/Bug Music (BMI). All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission..
In this song, I’m saying to a friend that just by being yourself and being there, you help get me through the difficult times. It’s very up-tempo kind of rocker -- almost like an old Tina Turner song. This song’s got some heavy rock guitar, so we wanted a beat danceable too.
The Thing That Helps Me Get Through
Written by Michael Franti, Carl Young and Jason Bowman
Sometimes I’m down on the ground
When you come around
And my head feels heavy like it’s fifty pounds
Of a world gone crazy, but you tell me I’m not
I just got to release, but I’m tied up in knots
I’m feelin’ so darn tired, and I wanna let go
I wanna dive in the ocean and in your undertow
You pick me up when I need you cuz I’m feelin’ low
You pick me up when I need you cuz I, I, I
CHORUS
Nobody knows what you doin’ when you do to me
The things you always do
Nobody knows what you doin’ when you do to me
The thing that helps me get through
Nobody knows what you doin’ when you do to me
The thing that feels so good
Nobody knows what you doin’ when you do to me
You do the thing that helps me get thrOUGH...to you
It’s a crazy world, a mixed up world
Involving politics and the underworld
You shake it up a little, you see another side
You see a flower grow, and then a suicide
But if you’re all alone, you know you’re not alone
There are plenty of people ready to take you home
One day you’re cuttin’ class, and then you’re buyin’ gas
And then you’re out on your own and they kick you in the ass
CHORUS
Under the city lights, and when we’re on the phone
Even in the streets, and when we’re all alone
You do the thing that helps me get through
The thing that helps me get through
You do the thing that helps me get through
To you
CHORUS
Michael Franti Vocals I J Bowman Guitar I Carl Young Bass, Keyboards I Manas
Itene Drums I Jolene Rust Background Vocals
© 2010 Franticsoulutions/Universal Music (ASCAP). Additional Publishing Carl Young/
C-Ya-Later-Sounds (BMI) and J Bowman Music/Bug Music (BMI). All Rights Reserved.
Used By Permission.
I wrote “Gloria” in the hospital. They brought me the cheapest acoustic guitar from a nearby Guitar Center, and it had this sticker on it with a paper backing. As we were peeling it off, there was a silhouette of an angel that I noticed. I wanted to write a song about the angels that appear in this life. It’s for the angels who got me through that time. I used to sing in church growing up, and all those songs had “Gloria” in them, so mine does too.
Gloria feat. Cherine
Written by Michael Franti, Cherine Anderson and Courtney Morrison
When many little people in many little places do many little things
Then the whole world changes, but sometimes not fast enough for me
You see I’m just a little man tryin’ hard just to understand
What kind livin’ is a life if I can’t stand on my own two feet
You see, we all lookin’ for the same things
And we all tryin’ to survive
But I know each day in life don’t get much easier than the last
So today I’m just glad to be alive
And I’m singin’
CHORUS
Gloria, Gloria, Gloria stay by my side
Gloria, Gloria, Gloria I’m glad to be alive
(Cherine verse)
I think that life is blessing
And every step every lesson
You offer love and protection
To those in need
To all my mothers and fathers
And all the angels who saved me
I'm so glad to be alive
Seems like there’s never enough time to do the things I wanna do
And it never ends
But at the end of the day I might not have no money to count or spend
But I know I can count on all my friends
We all lookin’ for the same things
And we all tryin’ to survive
And I know each day in life with you gets better than the last
So today I’m just glad to be alive
And I’m singin’
CHORUS
I’m just tryin’ to find a way to say
I’m just tryin’ to find a way to say
Don’t you ever ever, ever, ever go away
When many little people in many little places do many little things
Then the whole world changes
But I just want you next to me
And I’m singin’
CHORUS
Michael Franti Vocals, Guitar I Cherine Anderson Vocals I J Bowman Guitar,
Keyboards I Carl Young Bass I Manas Itene Drums I Uzziah ‘Sticky’ Thompson
Percussion I Courtney John Background Vocals
Cherine Anderson appears courtesy of Dancehall Soul/Zlink Entertainment / Courtney
John appears courtesy of Calabash Productions
© 2010 Franticsoulutions/Universal Music (ASCAP).
Additional Publishing Cherine Anderson Publishing/Zlink Publishing (ASCAP) and
Courtney Morrision/Yogsta Music (SOCAN). All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
When I was in the hospital I wanted to write a song to be played at my funeral. “Plug your headphones into my heart” was the line that came to me while I was on an I.V. drip and heart monitor. Thankfully it won’t need to be played for at least 50 years!
Headphones
Written by Michael Franti and Jason Bowman
Plug your headphones straight into my heart
‘Cause I want you to know what I’m talking about
I’ve been your solo lover now for quite awhile
You’ve been my God sent angel and you make me smile
I know I’m complicated like a spray painted maze
And I hope we can learn to weather all these days
I’m singin’, please, don’t go breakin’ my heart,
I only have one, I only have one
Don’t go breakin’ my...
CHORUS
Plug your headphones straight into my heart
Plug your headphones straight into my heart
Plug your headphones straight into my heart
Plug your headphones straight into my heart
Plug your headphones baby into my sound
I know I’m not always easiest to be around
But I try and I try to keep up with your beat
You turn my drum machine on
With the move of your heat
You make me feel alright in the middle of the night
When I’m tossing and turning you’re holding me tight
I’m singin’, please, don’t go breakin’ my heart
I only have one, I only have one
Don’t go breakin’ my...
CHORUS
So plug your headphones baby into my heart
‘Cause I want you to know what I been talking about
You’ve been my heaven sent angel now for quite awhile
Make me laugh make me cry and you really make me smile
I’m singin’, please, don’t go breakin’ my heart
I only have one, I only have one
Don’t go breakin’ my...
CHORUS
Michael Franti Vocals, Guitar I J Bowman Guitar, Keyboards I Carl Young Bass,
Background Vocals I Manas Itene Drums I Jolene Rust Background Vocals
© 2010 Franticsoulutions/Universal Music (ASCAP). Additional Publishing J Bowman
Music/Bug Music (BMI). All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission
The “Sound Of Sunshine Going Down” is the sunset version of “The Sound Of Sunshine.” It’s for the time of day when you’ve had a busy and rough, difficult day and you watch the sun going down, you’re there with some friends and you have something to drink or eat and you watch the sun going down and it washes all your troubles away.
The Sound Of Sunshine Going Down
Written by Michael Franti, Carl Young and Jason Bowman
That’s the sound of sunshine going down
And that’s the sound of sunshine going down
I wake up in the morning at six o’clock
They say there may be rain, but the sun is hot
I wish I had some time just to kill today
And I wish I had a dime for every bill I got to pay
Some days you lose, you win and the water’s as high as the times you’re in
So I jump back in where I learned to swim
Try to keep my head above it the best I can
That’s why
CHORUS
Here I am, just waiting for this storm to pass me by
And that’s the sound of sunshine going down
That’s the sound of sunshine, going down
I saw my friend Bobby, he said ‘what’s up man, you got a little work or a twenty to lend?’
I opened up my hand, he said I’m glad to see, they can take away my job but not my friends, you see’
CHORUS
That’s the sound of the sun goin’ down
When the people of the world start to paint the town
A day that’s long is a day complete
So kick off ya shoes and relax ya feet
They say that miracles are never ceasing
And every single soul needs a little releasing They say that money makes the world go round
But only one thing’ll help the sun go down
Sweet sweet love’ll help the sun go down - it’s true, it’s true, it’s true
CHORUS
You’re the one I wanna be with, when the sun goes down
Singin’ Hallelujah, hallelujah
CHORUS
So the moon can shine on you
Michael Franti Vocals, Guitar I J Bowman Guitar I Carl Young Bass, Keyboards I
Manas Itene Drums I Jolene Rust Background Vocals I Jose Neto Guitar
© 2010 Franticsoulutions/Universal Music (ASCAP). Additional Publishing Carl Young/
C-Ya-Later-Sounds (BMI) and J Bowman Music/Bug Music (BMI). All Rights Reserved.
Used By Permission.
Best, Capitol Records
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