Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Greenwood started his musical career as a DJ for the hip hop act Basehead, a group that would have a significant impact on his style as a solo-musician. Citizen Cope blends many genres of music, such as folk, blues, hip hop, rock, and R & B.
Greenwood first released a demo tape under the name Cope Citizen in the late '90s. He would follow up the release of the demo by donating songs to several independently issued compilations, movie soundtracks, as well as appearing on several fellow artist's albums.
In 2000 Greenwood signed with the DreamWorks Records label, which released his first album in September 2002, Citizen Cope. Greenwood toured to promote the record as an opener for Nelly Furtado. He performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, in 2002.
After the release of Citizen Cope, Greenwood felt the label "mishandled" the record, creating tension between the two. The tension prompted Greenwood to buy out his contract with the label, using the advance he received from his next label, Arista Records and RCA Records, to do so.
In September of 2004, Citizen Cope released his second record, The Clarence Greenwood Recordings, which earned him much critical success as well as minor touring success as an opening act for a popular touring band, Robert Randolph & the Family Band.
In 2005, Cope continued to tour the United States promoting his second major label record. In April, his song "Son's Gonna Rise" began appearing in a Pontiac commercial and was distributed as the album's second single.
The song "Bullet and a Target" was played in the end credits of the 2006 film The Sentinel, during a scene of the 2007 movie Alpha Dog, and also during a scene in the ski film Tangerine Dream.
The song "Let The Drummer Kick" was featured in the film Accepted and Coach Carter. It was also featured on the HBO series Entourage during the fourth season finale "The Cannes Kids." Entourage also featured the song "Awe" during the second part of the third season's (3B) episode "The Prince's Bride".The song "Son's Gonna Rise" was featured in the television series, One Tree Hill. The song "Sideways" was featured in the television series Scrubs.
On September 12, 2006, Citizen Cope released the new album, Every Waking Moment. He is also featured on the track "Bullet" on rapper Rhymefest's album Blue Collar, and is included on the compilation Radiodread with his cover of Radiohead's "Karma Police."
In 2008, Citizen Cope parted ways with RCA Records, but made an appearance that same year for Dido's album Safe Trip Home, in which he collaborated for a track titled "Burnin' Love."
His newest album, The Rainwater LP was released digitally in February 2010, with physical versions releasing a month later. This new set was released under his own label, RainWater Recordings. He is currently on tour promoting this new album.
Healing Hands
Citizen Cope Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought my heart had stopped
I swore I had given up
I will never forget your healing hands my love
You gave me daylight you gave me sunlight
Turn the tape recorder on
He just left Jackie O for Marilyn Monroe
For tobacco, firearms and alcohol
What's a pocket full of gold
Without a woman that you could hold
Can't afford to be on the back burner no more
Now I got a lot of places to go
Cause the actions of a few
Have put a world in harms way
And history has proven
That they killed our leaders dead
And I don't know about your right and wrong
I got a muse
From the east to the west
All I know is if I never said it before
I'm going to say it with my last breath
I will never forget your healing hands my love
I thought my heart had stopped
I swore I had given up
I will never forget your healing hands my love
You gave me daylight you gave me sunlight
Find something you can sell
Set you on a trail
Have a ball and a belle
Buy a ticket out of Hell
Not as far as I could tell
Very Well
Bubba I'm a bust your tail
My uncle Clarence hit
The hammer with nail
Wash your hand before
You come to the meal
Cut out the light
Cause it comes with a bill
Cause the violence of a few
Have put a World in harms way
And history has proven that they
Killed our leaders dead
Well I don't know about your right and wrong
I got a muse from the east to the west
All I know is if I never said it before
I'm going to say it with my last breath
I will never forget your healing hands my love
I thought my heart had stopped
I swore I had given up
I will never forget your healing hands my love
You gave me daylight you gave me sunlight
I will never forget your healing hands my love
I thought my heart had stopped
I swore I had given up
I will never forget your healing hands my love
You gave me daylight you gave me twilight
Never forget
Citizen Cope's song "Healing Hands" is a powerful and emotional tribute to the healing powers of love. The song opens with the singer expressing his undying gratitude towards his lover, stating that he will never forget their healing hands that saved him from a difficult time. In the chorus, the singer admits that he thought his heart had stopped and he had given up but the healing hands of his love gave him daylight and sunlight. This sentiment is revisited throughout the song, with the singer emphasizing the importance of love and companionship in life, particularly in difficult times.
The themes of the song become more complex as the verses continue, with Citizen Cope touching on issues surrounding societal corruption and violence. He sings about the world being put in harm's way by the actions of a few, and how history has proven that leaders have been killed. The lyrics suggest that there is a need for change and a yearning for justice, but the singer also challenges the notions of right and wrong, ultimately suggesting that love and healing supersedes political ideology.
Overall, "Healing Hands" offers a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. It showcases Citizen Cope's exceptional songwriting skills, as he weaves together personal and political themes into a deeply moving and thought-provoking piece.
Line by Line Meaning
I will never forget your healing hands my love
The singer won't forget his lover's comforting gestures
I thought my heart had stopped
The singer assumed that he can't feel emotions anymore
I swore I had given up
The singer thought he had quit struggling and lost hope
You gave me daylight you gave me sunlight
The singer's lover gave him hope and positivity during hard times
Turn the tape recorder on
The singer starts recording his thoughts and emotions
He just left Jackie O for Marilyn Monroe
The society is obsessed with scandalous news
We're all bought and sold
Everyone has a price, and it's easy to manipulate people
For tobacco, firearms and alcohol
These harmful things are driving the profit-driven system
What's a pocket full of gold
Money can't buy love or happiness
Without a woman that you could hold
Intimacy is more valuable than wealth
Can't afford to be on the back burner no more
It's time to take action instead of staying passive
Now I got a lot of places to go
The singer has a lot to achieve and see in life
Cause the actions of a few have put a world in harms way
Some people's wrong decisions affected the whole world negatively
And history has proven that they killed our leaders dead
Leaders who wanted to make a positive change were assassinated
And I don't know about your right and wrong
The singer questions the society's moral compass
I got a muse from the east to the west
The singer found inspiration across different cultures and regions
All I know is if I never said it before I'm going to say it with my last breath
The singer will share his thoughts and emotions until he passes away
Find something you can sell
The society is obsessed with consumerism
Set you on a trail
The singer encourages people to pursue their goals
Have a ball and a belle
Enjoy life with someone you love
Buy a ticket out of Hell
Escape from a difficult situation
Not as far as I could tell very well
The singer isn't sure about a decision
Bubba I'm a bust your tail
The singer intimidates someone named Bubba
My uncle Clarence hit the hammer with nail
The singer references a relative's skill
Wash your hand before you come to the meal
The singer reminds people to practice hygiene
Cut out the light cause it comes with a bill
Electricity fees are expensive
I will never forget your healing hands my love
The singer won't forget his lover's comforting gestures
You gave me daylight you gave me twilight
The singer's lover gave him hope and positivity during hard times
Never forget
An ending statement to emphasize the importance of remembering
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: CLARENCE COPELAND GREENWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@inbredjed07
Somehow I am glad that not everybody knows where to find good music for their soul...I guess it is because I know you have to be humble to truly receive love, and energy. There is no room for inflated egos, and lost sense of self. Character is who you are in the dark...what you do when nobody is watching.
@JamJam-dh3qq
<3
@pamelalink8122
+Rich Moore Well said Rich! You are a kind soul!
@rem4441
+Rich Moore as many entertainers will say, to succeed one has to sell ones soul. seem he is sticking to his guns so far...
@BrianCarnevaleB26
I will never forget. Live-learn-improve-persevere. Never give up-NEVER.
@WestHaddnin
Rich Moore Amen!
@purpleyurp
"The actions of a few have put the world in harms way" Truth
@annamccarty911
Bender Over especially true lately
@bravobear1844
Bender Over, cough Adam cough and cough Eve coughcough
@santeebandit3246
Word. With there was a ❤️button for this comment