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.
Woman Is a Word
Empress Of Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm only an image of what you see
I'm only an image of what you see
you don't know me
you don't know me
you don't know me
I'm only an image of what you see
I'm only an image of what you see
you don't know me
you don't know me
you don't know me
I'm only a woman if woman is a word
Im only a woman if woman is a word
i'm only a woman if woman is a word
bird to a bee
bird to a bee
bird to a bee
I'm only coming in the inside
I'm only coming in the inside
I'm only coming in the inside
when you come
when you come
on the outside
I'm only a figure if you can see my frame
I'm only a figure if you can see my frame
I'm only a figure if you can see my frame
fire with no
fire with no
fire with no flame
I'm only a struggle if I get in your way
I'm only a struggle if I get in your way
i'm only a struggle if I get in your way
you made the road one way
I'm only a woman if woman is a word
I'm only a woman if woman is a word
I'm only a woman if woman is a word
bird to a bee
bird to a bee
bird to a bee
I'm always coming on the inside
I'm always coming on the inside
I'm always coming on the inside
when I'm coming on the outside
The lyrics of "Woman Is a Word" by Empress Of express the struggle of a woman who feels trapped by society’s expectations and stereotypes. She feels like she is only seen as an image of what others want or expect her to be, rather than as her true self. The repetition of the line "I'm only an image of what you see" emphasizes her frustration with feeling like others don't truly know her.
The second stanza further emphasizes this theme by stating "I'm only a woman if woman is a word." The singer is questioning what it means to be a woman and if that definition is even accurate. She feels like she is only seen as a bird to a bee - a simplified, pre-defined role in society.
The third stanza seems to talk about intimacy and how the singer is only comfortable revealing her true self when she's already connected with the other person. She is only coming in the inside, while the other person is on the outside, showing her hesitancy to reveal her true self.
The fourth stanza talks about the pressure to fit into a certain figure or frame, and how this can make someone feel like they're only seen as a struggle if they don't fit that mold. The line "you made the road one way" expresses the frustration of feeling like there is only one path to follow and not feeling free to be true to oneself.
Overall, the song highlights the struggle of feeling trapped by society's expectations and stereotypes, and feeling like it's difficult to be seen for one's true self.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm only an image of what you see
I am just a representation of what you perceive me to be
you don't know me
You do not truly know who I am
I'm only a woman if woman is a word
My identity as a woman is only existent in the construct of its label
bird to a bee
Comparing my identity as a woman to the way a bird is associated to a bee, often without any real understanding of their connection
I'm only coming in the inside
I am only seen for who I am on the inside when you allow yourself to really know me
when you come
When you come out of your own perspective and try to understand me for who I am
on the outside
Seeing me only for what I appear to be on the surface
I'm only a figure if you can see my frame
I am reduced to just a physical manifestation if you only recognize me for my body
fire with no flame
My existence may seem lacking or insignificant without something 'showy' like a flame, but I am still present and important
I'm only a struggle if I get in your way
If my presence or actions conflict with your desires or expectations, my identity as a woman becomes a burden or obstacle
you made the road one way
Society has constructed the expectations of women to fit into specific and limited roles, leaving little room for individuality and self-expression
I'm always coming on the inside
No matter how others perceive me, I will always know who I truly am on the inside
when I'm coming on the outside
Despite the pressure to conform to societal expectations, I will continue to express myself as a woman on the outside
Contributed by Lincoln B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@a007z1908
I'm only an image of what you see
I'm only an image of what you see
I'm only an image of what you see
You don't know me
You don't know me
You don't know me
I'm only an image of what you see
I'm only an image of what you see
I'm only an image of what you see
You don't know me
You don't know me
You don't know me
I'm only a woman if woman is a word
Im only a woman if woman is a word
I'm only a woman if woman is a word
Bird to a bee
Bird to a bee
Bird to a bee
I'm only coming in the inside
I'm only coming in the inside
I'm only coming in the inside
When you come
When you come
On the outside
I'm only a figure if you can see my frame
I'm only a figure if you can see my frame
I'm only a figure if you can see my frame
Fire with no
Fire with no
Fire with no flame
I'm only a struggle if I get in your way
I'm only a struggle if I get in your way
I'm only a struggle if I get in your way
You made the road one way
I'm only a woman if woman is a word
I'm only a woman if woman is a word
I'm only a woman if woman is a word
Bird to a bee
Bird to a bee
Bird to a bee
I'm always coming on the inside
I'm always coming on the inside
I'm always coming on the inside
When I'm coming on the outside
@paulsidney77
This song for me is a power march for a friend who was battling cancer. Sadly she lost. I still listen and remember.
@cyclonedes4417
paulsidney77 sorry for your loss❤️ God bless you
@iguess2739
She could've easily beat cancer
@hamdisoudous4954
This song gives the mood that comes when you’re alone in a room thinking of doing a thing that will change the world. Love it 😍
@marcosrendonreyes340
Esta canción se quedó permanente en mi mente ❤️
@nitrobeatzinstrumentals930
Discovered you and this song last night on the festival in Brooklyn. You're a living proof on how to be really good, and not to get on the top. Some music won't ever be discovered by those managers or whoever is responsible for pushing the music to the radio. I believe you will make it one day anyway. Big up. Btw. Who did produce this track?
@gothkiwi
She wrote and produced the song herself
@ailynherrera1668
She has an amazing voice and The world has to hear it
@beverlyscott3741
jaslene herrera yassss!
@AdorableStuff
Empress Of is one fantastic musician 😍