Q.U.E.E.N.
Janelle Monáe Lyrics

Girl, this is craziness Let me tell you
The events that are taking place are unexpected and chaotic, and I want to share my experience with you.

I can't believe all of the things they say about me Walk in the room they throwing shade left to right They be like, "Ooh, she serving face" And I just tell 'em cut me up and get down They call us dirty 'cause we break all your rules down And we just came to act a fool, is that alright? (Girl, that's alright) They be like, "Ooh, let them eat cake" But we eat wings and throw them bones on the ground
People make negative comments about us because we don't follow their rules, we like to have fun, and we don't care about their opinions. We are proud of our unique style and don't conform to societal expectations.

Am I a freak for dancing around? (Queen) Am I a freak for getting down? (Don't judge me, oh) I'm cutting up, don't cut me down (don't cut me, no) And yeah I wanna be, wanna be queen (I just wanna be) (What you say, Jane? C'mon)
Do you think I'm weird for dancing and having fun? Don't criticize me. I'm a unique individual, and I aspire to be like a queen.

Is it peculiar that she twerk in the mirror? And am I weird to dance alone late at night? (Nah) And is it true we're all insane? (Yeah) And I just tell 'em, "No we ain't" and get down
Is it strange that we enjoy our own company and dance in front of mirrors? Are we crazy? People might call us insane, but we know we're not, so we just continue having fun.

I heard this life is just a play with no rehearsal I wonder will this be my final act tonight And tell me what's the price of fame? Am I a sinner with my skirt on the ground? (Queen)
We only have one life, and I wonder if this will be my last performance. What does it take to be famous? Also, is it wrong to dress the way I want to as a woman?

Hey brother can you save my soul from the devil? Say is it weird to like the way she wear her tights? (But I like it) And is it rude to wear my shades? Am I a freak because I love watching Mary? (Maybe) Hey sister am I good enough for your Heaven? Say will your God accept me in my black and white? Will he approve the way I'm made? Or should I reprogram, deprogram and get down? (Queen)
Am I a bad person if I like certain things like the way someone dresses, even if it's different from what society deems acceptable? Will God accept me for who I am and the choices I make, or should I change who I am to fit in? Regardless, I'll embrace who I am, as I am.

Even if it makes others uncomfortable I will love who I am Even if it makes other uncomfortable (cutting up) I will love who I am
I will always be true to who I am, even if people don't approve or aren't comfortable with it. I'm happy with myself, and that's all that matters.

Ohh, shake 'til the break of dawn Don't mean to sing so tough I can't take it no more Baby, me and tuxedo groove Pharaohs and E. Badu Crazy in the black and white We got the drums so tight Baby, here comes the freedom song Too strong, we moving on Baby, this melody Will show you another way Been 'droids for far too long Come home and sing your song (freedom, baby) But you gotta testify Because the booty don't lie No, no, no, the booty don't lie Oh no, the booty don't lie
Let's dance and have fun until the sun comes up. We're freethinkers who aren't afraid to express ourselves. We're in this together and will keep fighting until we get the freedom we deserve. And we'll do it with style and rhythm, never losing our groove or our confidence.

Yeah, let's flip it I don't think they understand what I'm trying to say Yeah, uh, I asked a question like this
Let's change the status quo. People don't get me, so let's try to explain in a different way.

Are we a lost generation of our people? Add us to equations but they'll never make us equal She who writes the movie owns the script and the sequel So why ain't the stealing of my rights made illegal? They keep us underground working hard for the greedy But when it's time pay they turn around and call us needy (needy) My crown too heavy like the Queen Nefertiti Gimme back my pyramid, I'm trying to free Kansas City (yup)
We feel like society has left us behind and ignores us. People try to quantify and solve our problems without realizing we shouldn't a part of their equation. We need to seize control of our narratives and stop letting others write our stories. They keep us down and don't want us to rise up, but I won't give up because I know that I deserve a better life.

Mixing masterminds like your name Bernie Grundman Well I'ma keep leading like a young Harriet Tubman You can take my wings but I'm still goin' fly And even when you edit me the booty don't lie (what?) Yeah, I'ma keep singing, I'ma keep writing songs I'm tired of Marvin asking me, "What's Going On? March to the streets 'cause I'm willing and I'm able (what?) Categorize me, I defy every label And while you're selling dope, we're gonna keep selling hope (uh) We rising up now, you gotta deal, you gotta cope Will you be electric sheep? Electric ladies, will you sleep? Or will you preach?
I'm shaking things up, innovating, and changing the course of our people's future. I value my independence above all else, and I won't allow you to silence me. I'll keep fighting, writing songs that tackle the hard-hitting issues of society. I'm proud of my work and won't back down, regardless of what people say. Will you stay asleep or speak up and fight for what's right like I am?