On & on
Erykah Badu - On & On Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh my my my
I'm feeling high
My moneys gone
I'm all alone
The world is turnin'
Oh what a day
What a day what a day
Peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learn,
If your knowledge were your wealth then it will be well earn
If we were made in his image then call us by our names
Most intellects do not believe in god but they fear us just the same
Oh on and on and on and on
Whew on and on and on and on
I go on and on and on and on
Ohh on and on and on and on
I was born under water with three dollars and six dimes
Yeah you might laugh 'cause you did not do your math
Na qua two...three...
Damn, y'all feel that? Oh...
Qua two...three...
The world keeps turning
Oh what a day what a day what a day
The man that knows something knows that he knows nothing at all
Does it seem colder in your summertime and hotter in your fall
If we were made in his image then call us by our names
Most intellects do not believe in god but they fear us just the same
Oh on and on and on and on
On and on and on and on
I go on and on and on and on
On and on and on and on
I am feeling kinda hungry 'cause my high is coming down
Don't feed me yours 'cause your food does not endure
I think I need a cup of tea, the world keeps burnin'
Oh what a day, what a day what a day
You rush into destruction 'cause you don't have nothin' left
The mother ship can't save you so your ass is goin' get it
If we were made in his image then call us by our names
Most intellects do not believe in god but they fear us just the same
Oh on and on and on and on
On and on and on and on




Ooh ooh wee on and on and on and on
On and on and on and on

Overall Meaning

Erykah Badu's On & On is a song about self-reflection, introspection, and seeking knowledge. The opening verse sees the singer feeling high but also feeling the absence of money and being alone, with the world turning regardless of how she feels. The chorus speaks to the importance of learning, referencing blessings that manifest with every lesson learned. The second verse references the notion that if we are made in God's image, we must be called by our true names, but that many intellectuals who do not believe in God still fear us. The verse ends with the words "the world keeps turning," reminding us that life goes on regardless of our struggles, and that introspection can help us navigate the chaos of the world around us.


The bridge references the idea that the singer was born underwater with only three dollars and six dimes, and that most people don't understand the significance of numbers and math. The line "damn, y'all feel that?" is likely a reference to the sensation of feeling something deep and meaningful that others might not understand. The bridge ends with the words "the world keeps turning," further emphasizing the idea that, even though we may not understand everything, life goes on anyway.


The song ends with a final verse that speaks to the idea that rushing into destruction is a result of having nothing left, and that no one can save us from our own recklessness. The chorus repeats, expressing the idea that if we were created in God's image, we must be called by our true names, regardless of whether or not we believe in God.


Overall, On & On is a reflection on the human experience, the search for enlightenment and understanding, and the inevitability of life's ups and downs. Through introspection, we can learn and grow, even in the face of chaos and uncertainty.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh my my my
Expressing feeling of euphoria or excitement


I'm feeling high
Feeling elevated, possibly due to drugs or an emotional high


My moneys gone
Running out of money, possibly due to reckless spending


I'm all alone
Feeling lonely and isolated


The world is turnin'
Acknowledgement of the constant movement and change of the world


Oh what a day
Exclamation of amazement, possibly due to a good day


What a day what a day
Repeated expression of amazement about the day


Peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learn,
Acknowledging that wisdom and good things can come from difficult experiences


If your knowledge were your wealth then it will be well earn
The value of knowledge and its positive effects on life


If we were made in his image then call us by our names
Recognition of humanity's divine origin and worth


Most intellects do not believe in god but they fear us just the same
Acknowledging the power of intellectual individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs


Oh on and on and on and on
Repetition of the song's title phrase, possibly indicating the cyclical nature of life


Whew on and on and on and on
Another repetition of the song's title phrase with added emphasis


I go on and on and on and on
Persevering through life's challenges and remaining resilient


Ohh on and on and on and on
Emphasizing the previous line's message of persistence


I was born under water with three dollars and six dimes
Starting from humble beginnings, possibly with little money


Yeah you might laugh 'cause you did not do your math
Others may underestimate the capabilities of the artist because of their humble beginnings


Na qua two...three...
Unintelligible lyrics, possibly meant to evoke a feeling or emotion


Damn, y'all feel that? Oh...
Expressing a feeling of something profound or intense happening


Qua two...three...
Continuation of unintelligible lyrics


The world keeps turning
Reinforcement of the earlier acknowledgment of the constant movement of the world


Oh what a day what a day what a day
Another repetition of the previous exclamation of amazement about the day


The man that knows something knows that he knows nothing at all
Recognizing the limitations of knowledge and the ability to learn more


Does it seem colder in your summertime and hotter in your fall
Questioning changes in the climate and environment


I am feeling kinda hungry 'cause my high is coming down
Feeling the effects of drug use and possibly experiencing a physical need for food


Don't feed me yours 'cause your food does not endure
Rejecting the sustenance offered by others because it does not satisfy in the long-term


I think I need a cup of tea, the world keeps burnin'
Seeking a calming influence in a world that is chaotic


You rush into destruction 'cause you don't have nothin' left
Acting recklessly due to a lack of resources or options


The mother ship can't save you so your ass is goin' get it
The idea that salvation is not coming and the necessity to take action to survive


Ooh ooh wee on and on and on and on
Another repetition of the song's title phrase with added vocal embellishment




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GREG KURSTIN, SHAZNAY LEWIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@amandac9894

This isn’t music, this is poetry mixed with a psychedelic trip.

@NasaLamode

a vibe fashoo

@karenc.6029

yes ma'am!!!! :)

@causti9744

I discovered this on an acid trip on a hot summer day and the shit was magical

@richardbryant1174

Which is MUSIC

@jacqulineturner1424

@@causti9744 pp

98 More Replies...

@jonesyh123

"If we were made in his image then call us by our names. Most intellects do not believe in God but they fear us just the same" This shit is poetry

@imaanbintasiyah6791

Pure

@aaronjaben7913

+Helena Jones how do interpret that line? some lyrics say "the fear is just the same"

@crzyrdr

so she believes she's a God??

More Comments

More Versions