Southern Gul
Erykah Badu Lyrics

Shing a ling shing, shing a ling shong
The beginning is an invitation to party or to have a good time.

Shing a ling shing, shing a ling shong
The invitation is repeated again since it is a call to action.

Shing a ling shing, shing a ling shong
This line is repeated once more to create a fun rhythm and maintain the mood of the party invitation.

Twing twing dign ding dong
Another layer is added to the party invitation. The rhythm becomes more lively and upbeat.

I'm from the South
The singer is revealing that she is from the Southern United States.

I'm a Southern Girl
She is proud of her roots and her identity as a woman from the South.

Home of the burning church
The South is known for its tragic history of church burnings, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement.

Don't know much about the world
Despite being from the South and identifying with it, the singer admits that she may not know much about the rest of the world.

Home of the pocket stones
The South is known for its abundance of smooth, round rocks or pebbles that are perfect for skipping across water. These stones are also thought to bring good luck, and are often carried in pockets or purses.

Home of the booty songs
The South is known for its love of soulful, rhythmic music and dancing, particularly songs that focus on the 'booty' or butt.

Home of the finger wave that lasts
A finger wave is a way of styling hair that involves making waves with the fingers that hold in place. It is a signature look of many Southern women.

All night long
The finger wave is a hairstyle that can last all night, indicating a sense of endurance and dedication.

Home of the On & On
This is likely a reference to the singer's own song, 'On & On,' and how it reflects her identity as a Southern Girl.

Home of the dominoes
Dominoes is a popular game in the South and many communities have their own set of rules and variations.

Home of the two piece and a pepper
A two-piece refers to a meal of fried chicken, typically served with a biscuit or a piece of bread and seasoned with pepper. This is a classic Southern dish.

Home of the teeth is gold
Gold teeth are often seen as a symbol of success in many Southern communities, particularly in the hip-hop and rap music scene.

Home of the Never Miss
It is unclear what 'Never Miss' refers to, but it could be a nickname for a person or a place in the South.

Home of the platinum hits
The South is a hub for many successful musicians and music producers, leading to an abundance of 'platinum hits' that come out of the region.

Countrified
The singer is embracing her 'country' identity, indicating that she is unapologetically Southern and rural.

Everything I eat is fried
Fried food is a staple of Southern cuisine, and the singer is highlighting her love for it.

Got a Southern drawl
A Southern drawl is characterized by an elongation or softening of the vowels, making speech sound more relaxed and laid-back.

I'm so country, y'all
Reiterating her pride in being a Southern Girl, the singer is saying she is full of country charm and hospitality.

Well that's way down South
She is recognizing that the South is often seen as a distant or far-off place to people who live elsewhere in the country or the world.

Yeah it's way down low
The South is located in the southern half of the United States, and has a lower elevation than many other regions of the country as well.

Check my Southern-fried style
The singer is celebrating her unique style of dress and mannerisms, which reflect her Southern heritage.

And my Southern flow
In addition to her personal style, the singer also has a Southern way of speaking and thinking, which she is highlighting here.

I like my Tofu fried
Here, the singer is playfully subverting the expectation of fried foods, suggesting that even non-Southern foods can be made Southern by frying them.

Got about a hundred friends
Southern culture places a lot of importance on social connection and building networks, which can be reflected in having a large group of acquaintances.

That ain't caught on the trends
The singer's friends are not necessarily interested in following the latest fashion, music, or pop culture trends, which is a common feature of Southern attitudes toward cultural consumption.

Don't know about the Internet
Internet access and usage are not as widespread in the South as in other parts of the country, reflecting a sense of disconnection from global digital culture.

Don't know about the radio
While many Southern communities have their own local music scenes, they may not always be reflected on major commercial radio stations.

Don't know about the television
TV programming and entertainment may not be a high priority or interest for many people living in the South, reflecting a different set of values and interests.

All I know is 'bout my flow
The singer is saying that her primary area of interest or focus is her own music and creative output, rather than external culture or entertainment.

My kin folks sent me out
This suggests that the singer has left her Southern hometown to pursue a career or opportunity elsewhere in the world.

To make money for the house
The purpose of the singer's travel or work is to earn money that can support her family or community back home.

Hooked up with my boy, Rahzel
Rahzel is a musician and producer from New York City, suggesting that the singer has bridged the gap between Southern and Northern music culture through this collaboration.

I sure hope the record sells
The singer is expressing a hope that her music will be successful and well-received outside of her Southern community.

Southern Girl, and I'll rock your world
The singer is indicating that her Southern identity is not just something to be proud of, but also something that is powerful and captivating.

Fly as a bumble bee (Buzz)
The singer is saying that she is stylish and fashionable, comparing herself to a buzzing bee that is always on the go.

Can't nobody f*** with me
This line reflects bravado and confidence, saying that no one can rival or challenge the singer's abilities or reputation.

From way down South
Reaffirming her location and identity as a Southern Girl, the singer reminds listeners of where she comes from.

Got a dirty way
This may refer to the singer's unapologetic or provocative persona, as well as hinting at the stereotype of the South as a place of 'dirty' or unsophisticated people.

'Cause I got a dirty mouth, dirty South
Explicitly referencing the stereotype in the previous line, the singer is reclaiming it as a badge of honor and a way of asserting her toughness and resilience.

Big D, Lil' A, Double L.A.
It is unclear what this line refers to, but it may be a shoutout or reference to people or places the singer knows in the South.

Dey ding a ding ding ding ding
This line is a repetition of the 'shing a ling' rhythm from earlier in the song, now slightly modified with a different sound.

Ding a ding ding ding
Another example of the rhythm that the song started with, emphasizing the playful, fun tone of the song.

Ding a ding ding ding
The song ends with a repetition of the joyful, rhythmic call to dance and party from earlier in the song.