Lorely's stage name was inspired by a tarot card reading she did with a friend: “The first card he pulled out was an Empress card and I was like, 'It's me, I am Empress.' [...] the Empress card is connected to fertility and mothering and strength. It's kind of nice to have those feelings.”
On April 2, 2013, her bilingual 4-track EP, "Systems" was released via Double Denim/Terrible Records in the UK & North America respectively. Since the release of her EP, she's showcased at SXSW, Iceland Airwaves and Pitchfork's Summer Music Festival and toured as a support act with the likes of Jamie Liddell, Jungle, Kimbra and Florence and The Machine.
"Water Water", the first single off her debut full-length Me was released on April 14, 2015. She has also released a Spanish-language version of the track, 'Agua Agua' "so that her mother listens to her music. Rodriguez's debut album Me, which she self-produced and recorded in Mexico was released on September 11, 2015 via XL Recordings/Terrible.
During 2017, Rodriguez released a standalone single, Go to Hell on July 12. 2017 via Terrible. She also featured on two singles for LA producers, DJDS with the billboard-charting "Why Don't You Come On" additionally featuring El Paso R&B singer, Khalid and a cover of Lana Del Rey's Lust for Life single, Love released August 29, 2017 and December 1, 2017 respectively through Loma Vista for their third studio album "Big Wave More Fire". On April 11, 2018, double single "Trust Me Baby / In Dreams" premiered on Zane Lowe's Apple Music "Beats 1" radio show and released via Terrible. The former was co-produced by Cole M.G.N.
Rodriguez's sophomore album, "Us" was officially released on October 19, 2018.
Everything is You
Empress Of Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't seem to be
All I want to be is you
You don't seem to be
All I want to be is you
Can I make it clear
You are everything, everything is you
You are everything, everything is you
Don't tell me who I am
You know the circles are running
Don't try to be this man
Let me stay, let me stay if I want to
Feeding form your hand like an automatic body
But you tryina be this man
Let me stay, let me stay if I want to
Should I be afraid?
Everything I do is because of you
Everything I do is because of you
Am I standing still?
I can feel my feet moving without me
I can feel my feet moving without me
Don't tell me who I am
You know the circles are running
Don't try to be this man
Let me stay, let me stay if I want to
Feeding form your hand like an automatic body
But you tryina be this man
Let me stay, let me stay if I want to
You are everything, everything is you you you-uuu
You are everything, everything is you you you-uuu
You are everything, everything is you you you-uuu
The lyrics of Empress Of's song "Everything Is You" explore themes of identity, dependency, and control. The first verse, "Should I be afraid? / You don't seem to be / All I want to be is you / You don't seem to be," highlights the singer's uncertainty and desire to emulate the person they are addressing. However, in the following lines, "Can I make it clear / You are everything, everything is you / You are everything, everything is you," it becomes clear that the singer's identity has become enmeshed with the person they are addressing, to the point where they can no longer separate themselves from that individual.
The chorus continues this theme of dependency and blurred identity, with the repetition of the line "Everything I do is because of you." The second verse, "Don't tell me who I am / You know the circles are running / Don't try to be this man / Let me stay, let me stay if I want to," suggests that the person being addressed has some level of control or even manipulation of the singer, but the singer still longs for the freedom to make their own choices.
The bridge, "Feeding from your hand like an automatic body / But you tryna be this man / Let me stay, let me stay if I want to," further emphasizes the singer's sense of being controlled and defined by the person they are addressing.
Line by Line Meaning
Should I be afraid?
I am feeling scared and uncertain about something.
You don't seem to be
You, the person I am addressing, appear to be fearless and confident.
All I want to be is you
I desire to be like you, to emulate your qualities or characteristics.
Can I make it clear
Let me explain myself more thoroughly and explicitly.
You are everything, everything is you
You are the most important person or thing in my life, and everything I feel or do is influenced by you.
Don't tell me who I am
Do not try to define me or my identity.
You know the circles are running
You understand the social patterns or expectations that surround us.
Let me stay, let me stay if I want to
Allow me to make my own choices and decisions, even if they differ from yours.
Feeding form your hand like an automatic body
I am following your lead or direction without thinking or questioning, like a machine.
But you tryina be this man
You are attempting to assert your authority or influence over me by acting a certain way.
Everything I do is because of you
My actions and decisions are based on my relationship or connection to you.
Am I standing still?
I am questioning whether or not I am making progress or moving forward in my life.
I can feel my feet moving without me
My body is in motion, but I am not consciously controlling it.
You are everything, everything is you you you-uuu
Repeating the earlier sentiment and emphasizing the importance of this person or thing in my life.
Writer(s): Lorely Rodriguez
Contributed by Charlie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.