They moved to New York to study theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Their original plan was to pursue a career on Broadway, but they soon changed their mind and returned to music. After moving to Atlanta, Georgia in 2003, Monáe founded the Wondaland Arts Society with like-minded young artists, and made a couple of appearances on OutKast's 2006 album Idlewild, where they are featured on the songs "Call the Law" and "In Your Dreams".
By 2007, Monáe was ready to release her first solo work, titled Metropolis. It was originally conceived as a concept album in four parts, or suites, which were to be released through her website and mp3 download sites. After the release of the first part of the series, Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase in mid-2007, these plans were altered following them signing with Sean "Diddy" Combs' label, Bad Boy Records, later in the year. The label gave an official and physical release to the first suite in August 2008, which was retitled Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition) and included two new tracks. The EP was generally well-received by critics, gaining Monáe a 2009 Grammy nomination in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance for their single "Many Moons", festival appearances, and opening slots for the indie pop band Of Montreal. Monáe also toured as the opening act for band No Doubt on their summer 2009 tour.
In a November 2009 interview, Monáe revealed the title and concept behind her album The ArchAndroid. The second and third suites of Metropolis are combined into this full-length release, in which Monáe's alter-ego, Cindi Mayweather - also the protagonist of Metropolis: The Chase Suite - becomes a messiah-like figure to the android community of Metropolis.
57821
Janelle Monáe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Early each morning he searched for her
'Til his feet become bloody and tired
Her hologram photo stayed near to him
Buried deep in the pits of his heart
The lock of grey hair that she gave to him
Stayed clutched in his fist through the night
'Cause even in darkness there's light, oh and
One by one
It's your time lead them both back to one
The sun has come (sun has come)
May your light lead them both back to one
(May your light lead them both back to one)
Indivisible sum
Here's the book now the saga's begun
He wonders if she is the one (she wonders if he is the one)
(You're the one) you're the one
Cold in the cell, lost and shivering
Gunshots in hallways unknown
On the fifth floor, past the blue door
Sat a chained 57821
Sir Greendown told his dear Cindi
Fight like Achilles in Troy
"I will show you the ways that I love you
I saved you so you'd save the world
'Cause you're the
One by one (yes, I tell you, I said you're the one)
It's your time, lead us all back to one (lead us all back to one)
The sun has come
May your light lead us all back to one (I won't lose you now)
Indivisible sum
Here's the book now the saga's begun
I wonder if I am the one (I wonder if I am the one)
(You're the one) 'cause you're the
One by one (yes, I tell you, I said you're the one)
It's your time, lead us all back to one (lead us all back to one)
(You're the one, you're the one)
The sun has come (indivisible sum)
May your light lead them both back to me
(May your light lead them both back to one)
Indivisible sum (indivisible sum)
Here's the book now the saga's begun
I wonder if I am the one (I wonder if I am the one)
(You're the one) you're the one
Anthony Greendown (you're the one)
Your Cindi Mayweather (you're the one)
Will always be waiting for you your Cindi mayweather (you're the one)
(Yes, you're the one)
Just as sure as the sunlight
Keeps beaming on your eyes, she'll always be waiting for you
(You're the one)
The lyrics of Janelle Monáe’s song “57821” tell the story of two characters: Sir Greendown and Cindi Mayweather. Early each morning, Sir Greendown searches for Cindi, even though he is tired and his feet are bloody. He carries a lock of her gray hair with him and keeps her hologram photo close to his heart. The song suggests that Cindi is either dead or alive but still yearns for Sir Greendown, and there is hope in the darkness. Throughout the song, Sir Greendown thinks he might be the one, possibly indicating he feels responsible for finding Cindi.
The second verse of the song shifts the focus to Cindi, who is chained up on the fifth floor of a building. Sir Greendown advises her to fight like Achilles in Troy and tells her he saved her so she could save the world. The song ends with Sir Greendown and Cindi waiting for each other, with the hope of being reunited.
Overall, the song portrays a theme of hope and perseverance through difficult situations. Despite their struggles, both characters hold on to the hope of being reunited, and this hope helps them persevere.
Line by Line Meaning
Early each morning he searched for her
He woke up every day trying to find her.
Til his feet become bloody and tired
He kept looking for her until his feet were exhausted and bleeding.
Her hologram photo stayed near to him
He kept her hologram photo close to his heart.
Buried deep in the pits of his heart
The memory of her was buried deep inside him.
The lock of gray hair that she gave to him
He held the lock of gray hair that she gave him as if it was a precious thing.
Stayed clutched in his fist through the night
He held the lock of gray hair that she gave him tightly in his fist as he went to sleep.
Dead or alive, she still yearned for him
He still longed for her even though he wasn't sure if she was alive or dead.
'Cause even in darkness there's light, oh and
Even in the darkest of moments, there is hope.
One by one
Each one.
It's your time
It's your turn.
Lead them both back to me
Bring them both back to me.
The sun has come
The dawn has arrived.
May your light lead them both back to me
I hope your light will guide them back to me.
Indivisible sum
The total is indivisible.
Here's the book now the saga's begun
This is the beginning of a new story.
He wonders if he's the one
He is unsure if he is the one.
(You're the one)
You are the one.
Cold in the cell lost and shivering
He was cold, lost and shivering in his cell.
Gunshots in hallways unknown
Gunshots were being fired in the hallways, and he didn't know where they were coming from.
On the fifth floor, past the blue door
Beyond the blue door on the fifth floor.
Sat a chained 57821
57821 was sitting there chained.
Sir Greendown told his dear Cindi
Sir Greendown spoke to his dear Cindi.
Fight like Achilles in Troy
Fight like Achilles fought in the Trojan War.
"I will show you the ways that I love you
"I will show my love for you in many ways.
I saved you so you'd save the world
I saved you so that you could be the savior of the world.
'Cause you're the
Because you are the
Am I the one?
Could I be the one?
Anthony Greendown your Cindi Mayweather will always be waiting for you
Anthony Greendown, your Cindi Mayweather will always be waiting for you.
Just as sure as the sunlight keeps beaming on your eyes she'll always be waiting for you
She will always be waiting for you, just like the sun will always shine on your eyes.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles L Joseph, Janelle Monae Robinson, Nathaniel Irvin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind