Michael Franti isn’t a new sensation, he’s a veteran that’s finally beginning to get what is owed to him. Franti began his career in the late 80s as a member of the Beatnigs. The band combined industrial, hardcore punk and hip-hop influences. Later he joined a band called The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. This band gained substantial acclaim and even opened for U2 on their Zoo TV Tour.
In 1994 he formed a solo band called Michael Franti & The Spearheads. Since then he’s been touring relentlessly and releasing albums every few years. Oddly enough, the group never achieved much commercial success until 2009.
In 2009 the song “Say Hey (I Love You)” off his 2008 album All Rebel Rockers, peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song became very popular, even passing RIAA gold certification.
The song’s been featured extensively on television and movies. It was featured in the television series Weeds, in the movies Valentines Day, The Back-Up Plan and Ramona and Beezus. It was also featured in an Oprah commercial, a Corona Light commercial and the video game 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.
In 2010 Franti released a new album The Sound of Sunshine. The album failed to produce any hit singles, although the title track charted on the Billboard Rock and Adult Top 40 charts.
Now Franti’s released a new single “I’ll Be Waiting”. The video tells the song’s story through a number of viewpoints, including a soldier’s emotional return home. “I’ll Be Waiting” can be found on both iTunes and The Sound of Sunshine.
Franti made a behind-the-scenes video explaining the meaning behind the songs. The video can be viewed at this location.
The song’s lyrics are avaliable below.
“I’ll Be Waiting” lyrics
The best things in life are things To live in, to breathe in The best things in life are things That something you can believe in
Do you believe me? Do you believe me when I say Tonight won’t last for long? And 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 For you, for you, for you
The best things in life are things The laughing and crying The best things in life are things The frightened, they’re still fighting
Do you believe me? Do you believe me, yeah, when I say 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 For you, for you, for you
You said that you were leaving But it’s alright, it’s alright You said sorry But it’s alright, yes, it’s alright
The best things in life are things Broken and bleeding The best things in life are things They’re chosen to believe in
So 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 For you, for you, for you
And I say, eeoh, eeoh, eeoh, eeoh Eeoh, eeoh, eeoh, eeoh Eeoh, eeoh, eeoh, eeoh, eeoh
I say it’s alright, it’s alright It’s alright, it’s gonna be alright now
