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.
Be Still
Janelle Monáe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never will you fall apart
Be still young heart
Never will you fall apart
Be wise my dear, you must, learn to just be still
Until you really really know
Show me you're right, shine your light
I wonder when will I know
To hell if I don't pray
Like a mannequin in the window I don't say
A, word, I like to sit back, observe
My heart says do not disturb, and yours
Is like a doorknob, everybody get a turn (yeah)
Now that's a turnoff, girl, I'm not concerned
More like the early bird tryin' to get the worm worm
But not on those terms, you got on my nerves
Say I don't deserve you, you're gonna learn
Treat it like a perm, leave it be or let it burn (burn)
Eat 'em like an urr-ange, orange
So when they on the verge of leavin' it don't get borin'
Foreign trips are taken
Just to see your smiley faces, time's a-wastin'
And I don't like to waste no time
You can be down or, yeah
Be still young heart
Never will you fall apart
Be still young heart
Never will you fall apart
Be wise my dear, you must, learn to just be still
Until you really really know
Show me you're right, shine your light
I wonder when will I know
I love bein' in love (bein' in love)
Then you let me down, turned my heart around
Givin' up on love, makes my ocean drown
You lived in my heart
Secret melodies haunt me at night
Maybe lies and lullabies
This is my last farewell
You let me down
Be still young heart
Never will you fall apart
Be still young heart
Never will you fall apart
Be wise my dear, you must, learn to just be still
Until you really really know
Show me you're right, shine your light
I wonder when will I know'
Yeah
From behind the Cadillac do'
Grip this wood, slide around real slow
Just thinkin', mind blown
As I glare through the smoke tinted windows
And be still
Be still young heart
Never will you fall apart
Be still young heart
Never will you fall apart
Be wise my dear, you must, learn to just be still
Until you really really know
Show me you're right, shine your light
I wonder when will I know
In "Be Still" by Janelle Monáe, the lyrics convey a message of self-reflection and the importance of finding inner peace. The repeated line "Be still young heart, never will you fall apart" serves as a reminder to stay strong and resilient in the face of challenges. The song emphasizes the need to learn to be still and find clarity in order to truly understand oneself and others. The lyrics suggest that by remaining calm and reflective, one can navigate through life's complexities and discover their true purpose.
The verses touch on themes of love and vulnerability. The lines "To hell if I don't pray, like a mannequin in the window I don't say a word" suggest a sense of guardedness and a fear of expressing emotions. The lyrics go on to explore the dynamics of relationships and the struggles of balancing personal desires with the needs of others. Monáe's voice is both contemplative and vulnerable, expressing her longing for understanding and seeking clarity on when she will truly know and understand.
Overall, "Be Still" encourages listeners to take the time to reflect, find inner peace, and grow emotionally. It serves as a reminder that true understanding comes from stillness and self-reflection, allowing us to navigate through life with wisdom and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
Be still young heart
Remain calm, young heart
Never will you fall apart
You will never break down
Be wise my dear, you must, learn to just be still
My dear, it is important to gain wisdom by being patient and still
Until you really really know
Until you truly understand
Show me you're right, shine your light
Prove to me that you are correct, radiate your brilliance
I wonder when will I know
I am curious about when I will have the knowledge
To hell if I don't pray
I don't care if I don't pray
Like a mannequin in the window I don't say
Similar to a mannequin, I remain silent
A, word, I like to sit back, observe
Without saying a word, I prefer to observe
My heart says do not disturb, and yours
My heart advises me not to interrupt, and yours
Is like a doorknob, everybody get a turn (yeah)
Your heart is easily accessible, everyone has a chance with you
Now that's a turnoff, girl, I'm not concerned
That is unattractive, girl, I am not interested
More like the early bird tryin' to get the worm, worm
Similar to a bird trying to get the worm early in the morning
But not on those terms, you got on my nerves
Not in that way, you annoyed me
Say I don't deserve you, you're gonna learn
Claiming that I do not deserve you, you will eventually understand
Treat it like a perm, leave it be or let it burn (burn)
Handle it like a permanent hairstyle, either leave it alone or let it end
Eat 'em like an urr-ange, orange
Consume them rapidly, like an orange
So when they on the verge of leavin' it don't get borin'
So when they are about to leave, it does not become dull
Foreign trips are taken
Traveling to foreign places
Just to see your smiley faces, time's a-wastin'
Simply to see your joyful expressions, time is being wasted
And I don't like to waste no time
And I dislike wasting time
You can be down or, yeah
You can feel sad or, yeah
I love bein' in love
I enjoy the feeling of being in love
Then you let me down, turned my heart around
But then you disappointed me, completely changed my feelings
Givin' up on love, makes my ocean drown
Losing hope in love, causes my emotions to suffocate
You lived in my heart
You resided within my heart
Secret melodies haunt me at night
Hidden melodies torment me during the night
Maybe lies and lullabies
Perhaps lies disguised as soothing songs
This is my last farewell
This is my final goodbye
From behind the Cadillac do'
Behind the Cadillac car door
Grip this wood, slide around real slow
Hold onto this steering wheel, smoothly maneuver
Just thinkin', mind blown
Just thinking, my mind is blown
As I glare through the smoke tinted windows
As I stare through the windows with smoked glass
And be still
And remain calm
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Antwan Patton, Janelle Robinson, Jeron Ward, Nathaniel Irvin, Ricky Walker Jr., William White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Morgel666
Be still young heart never will you fall apart ...
Be one like here in us ...
Learned in love ...
Be still until you really really know ...
Show me your right ...
Shining like I wonder ...
When will I know ...
@LeanieSigel
This song was the shit. Underrated track
@WABBNMedia
One of my favorite songs still. I love Janelle's voice. She is beautiful and talented.
@dugebuwembo
Didn't realise that this track had a video! Very underrated little jam!
@FinessedAnalyzer
Janelle has such a beautiful voice. Loved this album, should be deemed a classic. Boi was crazy consistent with his rhymes.
@fernandommc9828
I dont even like hip hop but big boi is so smooth, universal. love it
@J2Fresh247
Still sounds good just as the first day I heard it years ago.... 💯🔥🔥🔥🔥
@seanwilliams3309
My thoughts Exactly ❤
@RiCH_926
This song is insane the production the sound big boy Janelle unbelievable that sounded just bring so many memories and it makes you think
@HoneZtyEyeZ
SHE KILLED THIS SONG! This song should have more views than this. True message is being said! Another album that is FIYAH!
@willieosler9259
Somewhere in heaven,Prince is smiling and giving this track a thumbs up 😎😎🙂🙂😊👍