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.
...& On
Erykah Badu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On and on and on and on
Wake the fuck up 'cause it's been too long
Say wait a minute, Queen
What's your name
I be that gypsy
Flippin' life game from the right brain
Ascension maintained
Like a super nova star
She be the light
When they in the dark
Morning
The moon pass the sun
Four constellations start forming
Across up in the sky
But everybody wanna ask me why
What good do your words do
If they can't understand you
Don't go talkin' that shit Badu, Badu
What good do your words do
If they can't understand you
Don't go talkin' that shit Badu, Badu
Said I'm a Pisces
Zika deka del
Well well I'm raising hell
People always tryin' to find the world I'm in
I'm the envy of the women and I rule the men
Two fish, one swimmin' up stream
One swimmin' down livin' in a dream
But when she loves she tends to cling
When incense burns, smoke unfurls
Analog girl in a digital world
The rasta style flower child
Zip dip dow, zip dip dow
The gold tooth smile
Split them vowels
Bling bloom bling, melinated
I'm 'bout ta give birth to church
But everybody want to ask this earth
What'
What good do your words do
If they can't understand you
Don't go talkin' that shit Badu, Badu
What good do your words do
If they can't understand you
Don't go talkin' that shit Badu, Badu
Bridge!
I remember when I went
With Momma to the Washateria
Remember how I felt the day
I first started my period
Remember there in school one day
I learned I was inferior
Water in my cereal
Badu in your stereo
Holla if you hear me though
Remembering is good if you don't
Let it be the fear in you
Wrap ya head with this material
'Cause you did not do your math
My cipher keeps moving like a rolling stone
Mad props to God ja born
Things just ain't the same for singers
Gotta sing on the beat the bring us
But that's all I have ain't got no mo
But still the people really wanna to know
What good do your words do
If they can't understand you
Don't go talkin' that shit Badu, Badu
What good do your words do
If they can't understand you
Don't go talkin' that shit Badu, Badu
The song "On and On" by Erykah Badu is a statement about her life and artistic journey. The lyrics include both personal reflections and social commentary, exploring themes of identity, creativity, and spirituality. The opening lines of the song, "On and on and on and on/Wake the fuck up 'cause it's been too long," set the tone for a piece that is both urgent and introspective. Badu asserts her authenticity as an artist, declaring herself to be a "gypsy," an unconventional figure who lives life on her own terms. She describes her creative process as "flippin' life game from the right brain" and "rolling through like a burning flame."
Badu uses astrology as a metaphor for her identity, aligning herself with the sign of Pisces and describing herself as a "flower child" with a "gold tooth smile." She acknowledges the challenges of expressing herself in a world that doesn't always understand her, recognizing that her words might not be universally accepted. However, she embraces her uniqueness and refuses to compromise her message. The song concludes with a spoken-word bridge that recalls Badu's childhood and emphasizes the importance of remembering where we come from and who we are.
Line by Line Meaning
A one-one, two one two
Let's get started with some rhythm.
On and on and on and on
Keep the groove and the goodness of life.
Wake the fuck up 'cause it's been too long
It's time to take a stand, don't sleep through life.
Say wait a minute, Queen
Listen up and show respect to this wise woman.
What's your name
Let's get to know each other more intimately.
I be that gypsy
I'm a traveler, exploring and embracing life.
Flippin' life game from the right brain
Challenging the traditional way of thinking and perceiving life.
Ascension maintained
Moving forward and upward in spiritual growth.
Rolling through like a burning flame
Moving swiftly and passionately through life.
Like a super nova star
Shining brightly, full of energy and power.
She be the light
I am a source of light and inspiration for those in darkness.
When they in the dark
When others are lost and struggling.
Morning
The beginning of a new day.
The moon pass the sun
A new moon phase begins.
Four constellations start forming
The universe is constantly changing and evolving.
Across up in the sky
In the vast expanse of the sky and space.
But everybody wanna ask me why
But people still question and doubt my ways.
What good do your words do
What is the value of your speech?
If they can't understand you
If your words are not comprehended or respected.
Don't go talkin' that shit Badu, Badu
Don't disrespect me or my beliefs.
Said I'm a Pisces
I was born in the astrological sign of Pisces.
Zika deka del
A nonsensical sound or phrase expressing individuality.
Well well I'm raising hell
I'm challenging norms and expectations.
People always tryin' to find the world I'm in
I'm in my own unique world, unapologetically.
I'm the envy of the women and I rule the men
I am confident, respected and powerful among both genders.
Two fish, one swimmin' up stream
Two different aspects or directions in life journeying simultaneously.
One swimmin' down livin' in a dream
One may be more grounded in reality or a dreamer.
But when she loves she tends to cling
When feeling passionate, one may become possessive.
When incense burns, smoke unfurls
Using incense as a means of spiritual cleansing and grounding.
Analog girl in a digital world
Nostalgic for the past, in a world consumed by technology.
The rasta style flower child
Part of the hippie or rasta subculture, with emphasis on peace and love.
Zip dip dow, zip dip dow
A phrase expressing excitement or enthusiasm.
The gold tooth smile
A unique and distinguishing feature of one's appearance.
Split them vowels
Make yourself understood and communicate clearly.
Bling bloom bling, melinated
Expressing individuality and style with jewelry and dark skin tones.
I'm 'bout ta give birth to church
Creating something meaningful and spiritual from within oneself.
Bridge!
A shift in direction or tone.
I remember when I went
A nostalgic moment in time remembered.
With Momma to the Washateria
A memory of doing laundry with her mother.
Remember how I felt the day
A memory of a significant emotional experience.
I first started my period
Becoming a woman and experiencing physical changes.
Remember there in school one day
A memory of a negative experience in school.
I learned I was inferior
Feeling lesser or discriminated against.
Water in my cereal
A strange or unpleasant surprise.
Badu in your stereo
The singer's music and message providing inspiration and guidance.
Holla if you hear me though
Encouraging others to listen and engage with the message.
Remembering is good if you don't
Reflecting on the past is beneficial if it doesn't consume and control you.
Let it be the fear in you
Use fear as a motivator for change and growth.
Wrap ya head with this material
Apply the singer's message to your life and consciousness.
'Cause you did not do your math
If you didn't learn your lessons and prepare, you will face consequences.
My cipher keeps moving like a rolling stone
My community and creativity is always expanding and evolving like a rolling stone.
Mad props to God ja born
Gratefulness and humility for divine influence and creation.
Things just ain't the same for singers
The music industry has drastically changed for artists.
Gotta sing on the beat the bring us
Artists must adjust and conform to the new ways of making music and gaining fans.
But that's all I have ain't got no mo
The singer has shared all she can, nothing left to give in this particular moment.
But still the people really wanna to know
But audiences still yearn for guidance and answers, despite limitations.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Erica Wright, Jahmal D. Cantero, Shaun Martin, James Jason Poyser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind