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
In the song ... & On, Erykah Badu tackles the issue of being misunderstood by her audience. The first verse describes her as a gypsy who flips the game of life from the right brain, maintaining her ascension, rolling through like a burning flame and becoming the light when they are in the dark. Badu's Piscean nature makes her an enigma, with people always trying to find the world she is in, and her struggle is to get people to understand her. The chorus echoes the sentiments of those questioning her words, asking what good her words will do if people can't understand her. Badu seems to be frustrated that people focus too much on what she says rather than trying to understand the meaning behind her words.
Line by Line Meaning
A one-one, two one two
Counting off a rhythm to begin the song.
On and on and on and on
The cyclical nature of life and the need to keep moving forward.
Wake the fuck up 'cause it's been too long
Encouraging listeners to break out of their routines and start living fully.
Say wait a minute, Queen
Addressing a woman with respect and reverence.
What's your name
Asking for her identity and recognizing her as a unique individual.
I be that gypsy
Identifying herself as someone who wanders and follows her own path.
Flippin' life game from the right brain
Using her creative and intuitive side to navigate through life.
Ascension maintained
Keeping her spiritual growth and evolution on track.
Rolling through like a burning flame
Moving through life with energy and passion.
Like a super nova star
Shining brightly and powerfully.
She be the light
A source of guidance and inspiration in a dark world.
When they in the dark
Offering light and illumination to those who lack understanding and clarity.
Morning
A time of new beginnings and fresh starts.
The moon pass the sun
A symbol of cosmic harmony and balance.
Four constellations start forming
The emergence of new possibilities and pathways in life.
Across up in the sky
The vastness and wonder of the universe above us.
But everybody wanna ask me why
People are curious about her unique perspective and life experiences.
What good do your words do
Questioning the effectiveness and impact of her message.
If they can't understand you
Recognizing the importance of clear communication and connection with others.
Don't go talkin' that shit Badu, Badu
A playful reminder not to take herself too seriously.
Said I'm a Pisces
Revealing a bit of personal information about herself.
Zika deka del
An obscure phrase that adds to the mystique of the song.
Well well I'm raising hell
Taking charge and making waves in her own way.
People always tryin' to find the world I'm in
Recognizing that she is often misunderstood or viewed as eccentric.
I'm the envy of the women and I rule the men
Acknowledging her magnetic energy and powerful presence.
Two fish, one swimmin' up stream
A metaphor for her inner conflict and journey.
One swimmin' down livin' in a dream
Another aspect of her identity that is more passive and dreamlike.
But when she loves she tends to cling
Acknowledging her tendency to become emotionally attached to others.
When incense burns, smoke unfurls
Another evocative detail that adds to the sensory experience of the song.
Analog girl in a digital world
Feeling out of step with the technological age and relying on more traditional methods.
The rasta style flower child
A nod to her Jamaican heritage and free-spirited nature.
Zip dip dow, zip dip dow
Another playful, rhythmic phrase that emphasizes the musicality of the song.
The gold tooth smile
A visual detail that adds to the image of her unique and attractive persona.
Split them vowels
Encouraging expression and exploration of language.
Bling bloom bling, melinated
Another phrase that celebrates the richness and diversity of her identity.
I'm 'bout ta give birth to church
Creating something profound and meaningful through her artistry.
Bridge!
A cue for the musical interlude before the next section of lyrics.
I remember when I went
Reflecting on her past and life experiences.
With Momma to the Washateria
A specific memory that adds to the nostalgic tone of the section.
Remember how I felt the day
Capturing the emotional impact of certain events in her life.
I first started my period
A universal experience for many women that lends a personal touch to the song.
Remember there in school one day
Another moment from her past that holds significance.
I learned I was inferior
Coming to terms with societal pressures and expectations.
Water in my cereal
A detail that adds a touch of humor and absurdity to the scene.
Badu in your stereo
A reference to her music and its impact on listeners.
Holla if you hear me though
Asking for audience participation and engagement.
Remembering is good if you don't
Reflecting on the importance of memory and nostalgia.
Let it be the fear in you
Encouraging listeners to confront their fears and insecurities.
Wrap ya head with this material
Offering her words and music as a form of guidance and inspiration.
'Cause you did not do your math
A playful jab at those who underestimate her skills or talent.
My cipher keeps moving like a rolling stone
A metaphor for the constant evolution and growth of her artistry.
Mad props to God ja born
Giving credit to a higher power for her abilities and blessings.
Things just ain't the same for singers
Commenting on the changing landscape of the music industry and its impact on artists.
Gotta sing on the beat the bring us
Adapting to new trends and styles in order to remain relevant.
But that's all I have ain't got no mo
Acknowledging her limitations and the end of the song.
But still the people really wanna to know
A humorous teaser that leaves listeners wanting more.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JEFFREY LORBER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind