She is best known for her singles You Got Me her collaboration with The Roots, as well as her own songs Tyrone, Love of My Life, On & On, Bag Lady, The Healer, Honey and Soldier. Her lyrics are highly personal urban philosophy which throw emotional challenges in the face of the listener. She weaves unusual musical influences together creating a rich texture of sound.
Some music journalists have labeled her Nu soul, nouvelle-soul or neo soul, often comparing her to Billie Holiday in lyrical delivery and grouping her with Maxwell and D'Angelo in musical genre.
Baduizm, Badu's highly acclaimed debut album, was released in early 1997 and debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts. Lead single On & On reached #12 on the singles charts in both the U.S. and UK. Badu received notice for her introspective lyrics and jazzy, bass-heavy sound, and was hailed as one of the leading lights of the burgeoning neo soul genre. Her sophisticated style of singing drew many comparisons to Billie Holiday. Baduizm eventually went triple platinum and, along with On & On, won Grammy Awards at the 1998 ceremonies.
During that year, Badu became involved with rapper André 3000 of OutKast, with whom she had a child, Seven, who was born in 1997. Their relationship ended sometime in the late 90s. Badu recorded her first live album, Live, while pregnant with Seven, and the release of the recording coincided with the birth to her child. Live reached #4 on the Billboard charts, selling double platinum, and spawned another R&B hit single in Tyrone a song chiding a selfish, cheap, and inattentive boyfriend. Badu also collaborated with The Roots (who had previously handled production duties on a number of tracks on Baduizm) on their breakthrough 1999 release, Things Fall Apart. She was featured on the song You Got Me co-written by Jill Scott, which hit the top 40 and won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
After taking some time off to raise her child, Badu returned in 2000 with Mama's Gun, an album more organic in sound than her previous studio album, and primarily produced by the Soulquarians and noted bassist Pino Palladino. A remix of one of the album's songs, Bag Lady was issued as the first single and topped the R&B charts for seven weeks. The album was well-received, with the lyrical content winning notices from many publications who found some of her lyrics hard to decipher on her initial releases. Despite not charting as high as her first two albums, Mama's Gun was another platinum-selling success, and Bag Lady was nominated for a Grammy.
By 2000, Badu was in a romantic relationship with fellow Soulquarian Common, and Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop) was released as a collaboration between the two on the Brown Sugar soundtrack. Love of My Life hit #9 on the pop charts, topped the R&B listings, and Badu was awarded her fourth Grammy for the song in 2003.
After the release of Mama's Gun and Love of My Life, Badu went through a period of writer's block. She hit the road throughout 2002 and much of 2003 on what she dubbed the "Frustrated Artist Tour," in search of inspiration to write and perform new material. The conclusion of the tour saw Badu head back to the studio with new material, and in September of 2003, the Worldwide Underground was released. More jam-oriented than any of her prior releases, Badu was quoted as saying that the release was designed to serve as one continuous groove. Worldwide Underground reached #3 on the Billboard charts and was certified gold not long after its release, and Badu received four further Grammy nominations for the EP.
After almost four years and the birth of a daughter, Puma, it was revealed in 2007 that Badu had three albums in the works over the course of 2007 and 2008. Honey, a new single produced by 9th Wonder, was leaked online in November 2007, and the new album, titled New Amerykah Part One (4th World War), was released on February 26, 2008.
On August 23, 2008, Badu joined the rock band My Morning Jacket on stage at their show in Dallas, Texas to perform her song Tyrone. Her surprise appearance was met with an enthusiastic reaction from the audience.
On February 1, 2009 Badu gave birth to her third child, a girl named Mars Merkaba with her boyfriend Jay Electronica.
Her album New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) was released on March 30, 2010.
Window Seat
Erykah Badu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, oh, oh
Fell in love
So, presently I'm standing
Here right now
You're so demanding
Tell me what you want from me
Concluding
Concentrating on my music, lover, and my babies
Makes me wanna ask the lady for a ticket outta town
So can I get a window seat? (Hey)
Don't want nobody next to me
I just want a ticket outta town
A look around
And a safe touch down
Can I get a window seat? (oh oh)
Don't want nobody next to me
I just want a chance to fly
A chance to cry
And a long bye bye (oh-oh, oh-oh)
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh
But I, I need you to want me
I need you to miss me
I, I need your attention, yes
I need you next me
Oh I, I need someone to clap for me
I need your direction
Somebody say come back
Come back, baby, come back
I want you to need me
Come back (hey), come back, baby (oh), come back (need me)
Come back, come back, baby, come back (want you to)
Come back, come back, baby, come back (need me)
So, in my mind I'm tusslin'
Back and forth 'tween here and hustlin'
I don't wanna time travel no mo'
I wanna be here
I'm thinking
See, on this porch I'm rockin'
Back and forth light Lightning Hopkins
If anybody speak to Scotty
Tell him beam me up (beam me up)
So can I get a window seat? (hey)
Don't want nobody next to me
I just want a ticket outta town
A look around
And a safe touch down
Can I get a window seat
Don't want nobody next to me
I just want a chance to fly
A chance to cry
And a long bye bye
Oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh
But I, I need you to miss me (need)
I need somebody come get me (ooh)
Ah, see, I need your attention, yes and
Need your energy, yes I do
I need someone to clap for me
And I need your direction
Somebody say come back
Come back, baby, come back
I want you to need me
Come back, come back, baby, come back
Come back, come back, baby, come back
Come back, come back, baby, come back
But can I get a window seat?
Don't want nobody next to me
I just want a ticket outta town
A look around
And a safe touch down
Oh-oh, oh (hey)
I just want a chance to fly
A chance to cry
And a long bye bye
The lyrics of Erykah Badu's "Window Seat" showcase her desire for freedom and independence. The song opens with a few lines about falling in love before transitioning to present day where Badu feels constricted and overwhelmed with life's demands. She wants to escape from her current situation and seeks refuge in music, her children, and her art. Badu indicates that she feels suffocated and needs to escape, asking for a "ticket outta town" to get a "window seat" on a plane. She wants to be alone and not have anyone sitting next to her so she can have some privacy and time to herself.
The song's chorus is a repetition of this desire for escape, emphasizing the need for space to breathe and recharge. Badu then expresses her need for attention, saying she wants someone to miss her and clap for her. She wants recognition and direction, and the chorus repeats the need to come back.
The second verse is a continuous narrative of Badu's internal struggles, constantly torn between wanting to be present and wanting to escape. She makes a reference to being "on this porch rockin'" and listening to Lightnin' Hopkins, a famous blues musician, before requesting Scotty to beam her up - a reference to Star Trek. The song ends with another repetition of the chorus, as Badu desires a chance to fly, cry, and say goodbye.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey
Beginning of the song with interjection expressing excitement or greeting.
Oh, oh, oh
Repetition of interjection with emphasis expressing excitement or anticipation.
Fell in love
Acknowledgement of current state of being in love.
So, presently I'm standing
Introduction to location and present situation.
Here right now
Reiteration of present location.
You're so demanding
Addressing someone or something as requiring attention or effort to meet expectations or requirements.
Tell me what you want from me
Request for clarification on desired expectations or needs.
Concluding
Transition in thought and focus.
Concentrating on my music, lover, and my babies
Focusing on priorities of music, partner, and children.
Makes me wanna ask the lady for a ticket outta town
Feeling of desire to escape current location or situation.
So can I get a window seat? (Hey)
Asking for the opportunity to travel with a window seat in a conversational tone.
Don't want nobody next to me
Expressing desire for solitude or privacy during travel.
I just want a ticket outta town
Reiteration of desire to leave current location.
A look around
Desire to explore and observe new surroundings.
And a safe touch down
Hope for arrival and return with safety and security.
Can I get a window seat? (oh oh)
Reiteration of desire for a window seat with heightened anticipation.
I just want a chance to fly
Expressing desire for freedom or change and opportunity to experience a new feeling or situation.
A chance to cry
Desire to express emotions and release feelings of sadness or pain.
And a long bye bye (oh-oh, oh-oh)
Suggesting a farewell or goodbye that may take a long time with emphasis through repetition.
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh
Repetition of interjection with emphasis expressing excitement or anticipation leading to the next thought.
But I, I need you to want me
Expressing desire for affection or seeking validation from someone else.
I need you to miss me
Desire for attention and longing to be thought of positively by someone else.
I, I need your attention, yes
Reiteration of need for attention or recognition from someone else.
I need you next me
Desire for proximity and companionship from someone else.
Oh I, I need someone to clap for me
Desire for support and recognition from others for talent or skill.
I need your direction
Desire for guidance or instruction from someone else.
Somebody say come back
Suggestion or plea for someone to return or come back.
Come back, baby, come back
Repetition of request for someone to return or come back in a familiar, affectionate tone.
I want you to need me
Expressing desire for emotional dependency and need in a relationship.
So, in my mind I'm tusslin'
Introduction of personal conflict or struggle within one's thoughts.
Back and forth 'tween here and hustlin'
Internal debate between present situation and the hustle or desire for success.
I don't wanna time travel no mo'
Desire to live in the present and avoid dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
I wanna be here
Reiteration of desire to live in the present moment and appreciate the current surroundings.
I'm thinking
Introduction to a new thought or idea.
See, on this porch I'm rockin'
Visualizing a relaxing setting and presence on a porch or outside area.
Back and forth light Lightning Hopkins
Repetition of the relaxed and rhythmic back and forth motion and comparison to the musical style of blues artist Lightning Hopkins.
If anybody speak to Scotty
Introducing hypothetical situation involving communication through technology or science fiction reference.
Tell him beam me up (beam me up)
Expression of desire to be transported or teleported away like in science fiction TV show Star Trek, specifically referring to transporter chief Scotty's command to beam someone to a new location.
But can I get a window seat? (hey)
Reiteration of desire for a window seat with renewed anticipation and excitement.
I need somebody come get me (ooh)
Desire for assistance or rescue from someone else, possibly indicating a feeling of being lost or stranded.
Ah, see, I need your attention, yes and
Reiteration of desire for attention and recognition from someone else with added emphasis through interjection.
Need your energy, yes I do
Desire for someone else's dynamic and positive influence or motivation.
I need someone to clap for me
Reiteration of desire for recognition and support for talent or skill, a desire for validation and acceptance.
And I need your direction
Reiteration of desire for guidance or instruction from someone else with added emphasis through interjection.
Somebody say come back
Reiteration of plea from earlier in the song.
Come back, come back, baby, come back
Repetition of request in a desperate or pleading tone for someone to return or come back.
But can I get a window seat?
Final reiteration of desire for a window seat with emphasis and intensity leading to the end of the song.
Don't want nobody next to me
Final reiteration of desire for solitude or privacy during travel.
I just want a ticket outta town
Final reiteration of desire to leave current location.
A look around
Final desire to explore and observe new surroundings.
And a safe touch down
Final hope for arrival and return with safety and security.
Oh-oh, oh (hey)
Final repetition of interjection with emphasis expressing excitement or anticipation leading to the end of the song.
I just want a chance to fly
Final reiteration of desire for freedom or change and opportunity to experience a new feeling or situation.
A chance to cry
Final desire to express emotions and release feelings of sadness or pain.
And a long bye bye
Final expression of farewell or goodbye that may take a long time with emphasis on elongated delivery.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: James Jason Poyser, Erica Wright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind