Tightrope
067\x02Janelle Monae feat. Big Boi Lyrics


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(Monae and Leftfoot)
Whoaaa
Another day (adabadee, nigga)
I take your pain away

Some people talk about ya like they know all about ya
When you get down they doubt ya
And when you tip it on the scene, yeah they talkin' bout it
'Cause they can't tip on the scene
They just talk about it, t-t-t-talk bout it
When you get elevated
They love it or they hate it
You dance up on them haters
Keep getting funky on the scene
While they jumpin' round ya
They trying to take all of your dreams
But you can't allow it
'Cause baby whether you're high or low
Whether you're high or low
You gotta tip on the tightrope (tip, tip on it)
T-t-t-tip on the tightrope (tip, tip on it)
Baby, baby, baby, whether you're high or low (high or low)
Baby whether you're high or low (high or low)
You got to tip on the tightrope (tip, tip on it)
Now let me see you do the tightrope (tip, tip on it)
And I'm still tippin' on it

See I'm not walkin' on it
Or tryin to run around it
This ain't no acrobatics
You either follow or you lead, yeah
I'm talkin' bout ya
Keep on blaming the machine, yeah
I'm talkin' bout it
T-t-t-talkin' bout it
I can't complain about it
I gotta keep my balance
And just keep dancin on it
We gettin funky on the scene
Yeah you know about it
Like a star on the screen
Watch me tip all on it

Then baby whether I'm high or low (high or low)
Baby whether you're high or low (high or low)
You gotta tip on the tightrope (tip, tip on it)
Yeah, tip on the tightrope (tip, tip on it)
Baby, baby, baby
Whether you're high or low (high or low)
Baby whether you're high or low (high or low)
Tip on the tightrope (tip, tip on it)
Baby let me see you tight rope (tip, tip on it)
And I'm still tippin' on it

You gotta keep your balance
Or you fall into the gap
It's a challenge but I manage
Cause I'm cautious with the strap
Do damage to your cabbage that
A doctor cannot patch
Why you don't want no friction
Like the back of a matchbook
Daddy Fat Sax will fold you
And your MacBook
Close shows, shut you down
Before we go-go backwards
Act up, and whether we high or low
We gonna get back-up
Like the Dow Jones and NASDAQ
Sorta like a thong in an ass crack
Come on

I tip on alligators and little rattlesnakers
But I'm another flavor
Something like a terminator
Ain't no equivocating
I fight for what I believe
Why you talkin' 'bout it
J-j-just talkin' 'bout it
Some callin' me a sinner
Some callin' me a winner
I'm callin' you to dinner
And you know exactly what I mean
Yeah I'm talkin bout you
You can rock or you can leave
Watch me tip without you

N-n-now whether I'm high or low
(High or low)
Whether I'm high or low
(High or low)
I'm gonna tip on the tightrope
(Tip, tip on it)
Mmm
(Tip, tip on it)

Baby, baby, baby
Whether I'm high or low
(High or low)
High or low
(High or low)
I got to tip on the tightrope
(Tip, tip on it)
Now baby tip on the tightrope

You can't get too high
(You can't get too high)
I said you can't get too low
(We can't get too low)
Cause you get too high
(You can't get too high)
No, you'll surely be low
(No, you'll surely be low)
1, 2, 3, ho

Yeah, yeah
Now shut up, yeah
Yeah, now put some voodoo on it
Ladies and gentlemen, the funkiest horn section in Metropolis
Yeah, oh
We call that classy brass

Ohh ohh
Oh

Do you mind?
If I play the ukulele
Just like a little lady
Do you mind?




If I play the ukulele
Just like a little lady

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Tightrope" by Janelle Monae featuring Big Boi convey a message of resilience, confidence, and staying true to oneself despite challenges and scrutiny from others. The song begins with Monae and Big Boi emphasizing the need to rise above negativity and doubters by taking control of one's own narrative and not allowing others to dictate one's worth. They talk about how some people will talk about you without truly understanding you, and it's important to keep dancing and moving forward, regardless of others' opinions.


The chorus highlights the metaphor of walking a tightrope, symbolizing the delicate balance between success and failure, highs and lows. Monae and Big Boi stress the importance of maintaining that balance and not letting external forces disrupt your path. The repetition of "tip on the tightrope" signifies the continuous effort and focus required to navigate life's challenges and obstacles.


The second verse expands on the idea of staying true to oneself and not succumbing to external pressures or expectations. Monae talks about keeping her balance and dancing to her own rhythm, emphasizing the need to follow your own path rather than conforming to societal norms. Big Boi's verse adds a sense of assertiveness and resilience, highlighting the determination to overcome obstacles and stay true to one's beliefs.


The final verses bring the themes of resilience and determination full circle, with Monae and Big Boi reaffirming their commitment to pushing forward despite the highs and lows of life. The playful references to alligators, rattlesnakes, and terminators add a sense of confidence and strength to the narrative, reinforcing the message of standing tall in the face of adversity. The song concludes with a sense of empowerment and self-assurance, encouraging listeners to embrace their uniqueness and keep moving forward on their own tightrope, no matter the challenges they may face.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charles L Joseph, Janelle Monae Robinson, Nathaniel Irvin, Antwan Patton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@tatianaghaoui7428

Some people long for a life that is simple and planned
Tied with a ribbon
Some people won't sail the sea 'cause they're safer on land
To follow what's written
But I'd follow you to the great unknown
Off to a world we call our own

Hand in my hand and we promised to never let go
We're walking the tightrope
High in the sky
We can see the whole world down below
We're walking the tightrope
Never sure, never know how far we could fall
But it's all an adventure
That comes with a breathtaking view
Walking the tightrope

With you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
With you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
With you

Mountains and valleys, and all that will come in between
Desert and ocean
You pulled me in and together we're lost in a dream
Always in motion
So I risk it all just to be with you
And I risk it all for this life we choose

Hand in my hand and you promised to never let go
We're walking the tightrope
High in the sky
We can see the whole world down below
We're walking the tightrope
Never sure, will you catch me if I should fall?
Well, it's all an adventure
That comes with a breathtaking view
Walking the tightrope

With you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
With you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
With you
With you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

With you, ooh-ooh-ooh
With you

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Benj Pasek / Justin Paul

Tightrope lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Fox Music, Inc



@Yorkshire-Lass

@Is partisan zeal? I thought the sentiment behind Never Enough was that all those materialistic things (spotlights, towers of gold, etc) wouldn't be enough if she didn't have a certain someone (Barnum) in her life...

Will you share this with me?
'Cause darling without you
All the shine of a thousand spotlights
All the stars we steal from the nightsky
Will never be enough
Never be enough
Towers of gold are still too little
These hands could hold the world but it'll
Never be enough
Never be enough

I actually thought it was quite sweet, to say that fame and fortune meant nothing without being able to share it with him



@renfabian1098

Lyrics:
Some people long for a life that is simple and planned
Tied with a ribbon
Some people won't sail the sea 'cause they're safer on land
To follow what's written
But I'd follow you to the great unknown
Off to a world we call our own

Hand in my hand and we promised to never let go
We're walking the tightrope
High in the sky
We can see the whole world down below
We're walking the tightrope
Never sure, never know how far we could fall
But it's all an adventure
That comes with a breathtaking view
Walking the tightrope

With you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
With you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
With you

Mountains and valleys, and all that will come in between
Desert and ocean
You pulled me in and together we're lost in a dream
Always in motion
So I risk it all just to be with you
And I risk it all for this life we choose

Hand in my hand and you promised to never let go
We're walking the tightrope
High in the sky
We can see the whole world down below
We're walking the tightrope
Never sure, will you catch me if I should fall?
Well, it's all an adventure
That comes with a breathtaking view
Walking the tightrope

With you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
With you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
With you
With you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

With you, ooh-ooh-ooh
With you



All comments from YouTube:

@arialoaks9734

Did anyone else notice how the notes of this song drop off at odd times, so listening to it makes you feel like you are walking on a tightrope. Beautifully done

@sweetcupcakecutie8764

I didn’t notice that, but the way you interpret that is amazing and makes the song even more beautiful!

@kara4501

1:32 i interpret this as an almost-falling or breathtaking moment

@popdivas4lyfe977

@dancing crazy101 same thing with 2:44, as if he lets go and she falls.

@eliseworthen6558

Paul and Pasek are musical geniuses! 😌

@sofiaf7344

and here I wondered why it gave me that type of feeling

39 More Replies...

@eae_laura6731

Seeing her dancing by herself in the mansion.. That broke me into pieces💔

@signna

That part HURTS me

@whoami9613

stop😭

@oliviarettberg7173

When she's dancing with the shadow and the curtain falls and shows she's by herself, I was like 😰😢💔

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