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.
Cindi
Janelle Monáe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a place to belong
I find it hard to fit in
I meet lots of pretty girls
In this fantasy world
Waiting for their turn to shine
So I try to be Cindi
But I wasn't their cup of tea
It's so lonely when I'm only being me
Who's that girl in the mirror
With hair like a rock star?
She wants to dance but she has cold feet
Her confidence is low
So much talent but who'll know?
When she's afraid to follow her dreams
So I talk to her heart and made up her mind
That I gotta except her for me
But it's so lonely when I'm only being me
Ooh, you gotta be you
And I've gotta be me
Only, only be me
The lyrics of Janelle Monáe's song "Cindi" express the feelings of someone who is searching for a place to belong. The singer feels like an outsider and struggles to fit in with the pretty girls in this fantastical world. She tries to be someone else, Cindi, in hopes that she would be noticed by the others. However, she finds out that she wasn't their cup of tea, and she is left feeling lonely when she is only being herself. She looks at herself in the mirror, and she sees a girl with hair like a rock star who wants to dance but has cold feet. This girl has so much talent, but she is afraid to follow her dreams. The singer talks to her heart and decides to accept herself for who she is because it is so lonely when she is only being herself.
The lyrics of "Cindi" can be seen as a reflection of Janelle Monáe's personal experiences. She has spoken about her struggles with fitting in and finding her identity. She has also talked about how her music is a way for her to express herself and connect with people. The name "Cindi" could be a reference to Lucinda, Janelle Monáe's middle name. The song is a reminder to be true to oneself and not to try to be someone else just to fit in.
Line by Line Meaning
As I search for a home
Looking for a place where I truly belong
And a place to belong
A place where I am accepted for who I am
I find it hard to fit in
It's difficult to feel like I belong in certain places
I meet lots of pretty girls
There are many attractive people around me
In this fantasy world
In this perceived perfect world
Waiting for their turn to shine
Waiting for their moment in the spotlight
So I try to be Cindi
I attempt to mimic the ideal/perfect version of myself
In hopes that they'd notice
In the hopes of receiving attention or recognition
But I wasn't their cup of tea
I wasn't what they were looking for or expecting
It's so lonely when I'm only being me
It's isolating when I'm not living up to others' expectations and not being my true self
Who's that girl in the mirror
Who is the person I see reflected in my own image?
With hair like a rock star?
With wildly impressive hair
She wants to dance but she has cold feet
She desires to take action but is apprehensive
Her confidence is low
She lacks self-assurance
So much talent but who'll know?
Despite possessing great ability, who will recognize it?
When she's afraid to follow her dreams
Her fear is holding her back from pursuing her aspirations
So I talk to her heart and made up her mind
I speak from the heart to reach a decision
That I gotta accept her for me
I must accept myself for who I truly am
But it's so lonely when I'm only being me
It's a lonely experience when I'm not living up to my full potential
Ooh, you gotta be you
It's important to be true to oneself
And I've gotta be me
I must be true to my own identity
Only, only be me
Being oneself and unique is the only way to truly find belonging
Contributed by Nolan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dominique Devereux
I love the lush orchestration in her work.
John Behnke
I love her with all my heart
Lafayette
This is a song that makes you wish youtube had a repeat button, real FUNK.
Ayana Johnson
Im singing this for my BSA audition tomorrow . Thankss Janlle !! <3 <3
@ace_cooks
love her!!
the Tri Stone Era
“It’s so lonely, when I’m only; being me...”
Maikerubusshu sail
Beautiful.....just that
gregew6
classic
achronos178
I'm just.....wow just wow
Rosandra Marie Davis
Where can I get this song.