Song of the Day: Michael Franti & Spearhead – Say Hey (I Love You)

Mike Schreiber

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Afternoon Show host Kevin Cole, is Say Hey (I Love You) by Michael Franti & Spearhead from the 2008 album All Rebel Rockers on Anti-.

Michael Franti & Spearhead – Say Hey (I Love You) (MP3)

San Francisco’s Michael Franti got his musical start with the Beatnigs, a San Fran punk band, before working the hip-hop crowds with The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. Through several reincarnations, Franti’s current backing band, Spearhead, has been helping bring his reggae/soul and hip-hop inventions to the masses since 1994. Spearhead is back again on the upcoming and highly-anticipated All Rebel Rockers, hitting shelves 9/9. Recorded in Jamaica, the new album — particularly the track Say Hey (I Love You) — has lots of hand claps, unforgettable choruses and that easy listenability that’s synonymous with Franti’s work. Even though the guy has been spitting venom about bad government policies and social issues since his musical beginnings, he does it in a way that doesn’t distract from the music and doesn’t come across as preaching. Judge for yourself by checking out the extensive list of streaming tracks on the band’s MySpace page. There you’ll also find upcoming tour dates, including a 9/12 performance at Redmond’s Marymoor Amphitheater. And anyone who has seen Franti & Spearhead live will be familiar with the following sing-along version of Say Hey (I Love You) from this year’s Sasquatch Festival: