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.
Cold War
Janelle Monáe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But being alone's the only way to be
When you step outside
You spend life fighting for your sanity
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
This is a cold war
If you want to be free (if you want to be free)
Below the ground's the only place to be
'Cause in this life ('cause in this life)
You spend time running from depravity
This is a cold war
Do you know what you're fighting for?
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
This is a cold war
Do you know what you're fighting for?
Bring wings to the weak and bring grace to the strong
May all evil stumble as it flies in the world
All the tribes comes and the mighty will crumble
We must brave this night and have faith in love
I'm trying to find my peace (we're trying to find our peace)
I was made to believe
There's something wrong with me (there's nothing wrong with me)
And it hurts my heart (it really hurts my heart)
Lord have mercy, ain't it plain to see?
That this is a cold war
Do you know what you're fighting for?
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
This is a cold
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
Kellindo
(Ooh-ooh)
Na-na-na
Na-na-na
Na-na-na, oh, na-na-na (there's nothing wrong with me)
Ohh
(Na-na-na-na-na-na)
(Do you know what you're fighting for?)
Do you know it's a cold, cold war? (Na-na-na-na-na-na)
Do you? Do you? (Do you know what you're fighting for?)
Do you? (This is a cold)
(Na-na-na-na-na-na) ahh
(Do you know what you're fighting for?) Ahh
(This is a cold, na-na-na-na-na-na)
(Do you know what you're fighting for?) Oh
It's a cold, cold war (bye, bye, bye, bye, don't you cry when I say goodbye)
You better know what you're fighting for
Bye, bye, bye, bye, don't you cry when I say goodbye
Bye, bye, bye, bye, don't you cry when I say goodbye
Bye, bye, bye, bye, don't you cry when I say goodbye
In Janelle Monáe's song Cold War, the lyrics seem to be about the struggle of dealing with life's battles and trying to find one's place in the world. The opening lines imply that the singer is misunderstood and alone, but she believes that being alone is necessary for her to maintain her sanity. She warns that in the outside world, there is constant conflict and that the only way to survive is to know what you are fighting for.
The repeated refrain that "this is a cold war" further reinforces this theme of conflict and constant struggle. Janelle Monáe seems to be urging her listeners to understand that the world is a difficult place, and one should always prepare for battle to fight for what they believe in. The song is not about a conventional war but more about the internal battles that each person faces daily.
In the end, Monáe offers a message of hope and resilience. She stresses the importance of bringing grace to the strong and wings to the weak, suggesting that unity and empathy are necessary to overcome struggles. As the song ends, she reassures herself and others that they should not fear goodbyes or endings, as it is all part of overcoming the cold war that life can be.
Line by Line Meaning
So you think I'm alone?
Do you think I'm isolated?
But being alone's the only way to be
Sometimes being solitary is the only choice.
When you step outside
When you go out.
You spend life fighting for your sanity
We spend our lives fighting to stay sane amidst the chaos.
This is a cold war
Life is like a battle.
You better know what you're fighting for
You should be clear about your goals and intentions.
If you want to be free (if you want to be free)
If you want to be liberated.
Below the ground's the only place to be
You have to hide to stay safe.
Cause in this life ('cause in this life)
In this world.
You spend time running from depravity
We spend our lives escaping evil.
Bring wings to the weak and bring grace to the strong
Empower and uplift those in need while encouraging those who already have strength.
May all evil stumble as it flies in the world
May all wickedness be overcome as it exists in the world.
All the tribes comes and the mighty will crumble
Eventually, all powerful groups will fall to lesser tribes.
We must brave this night and have faith in love
We must be courageous in the darkness and believe in love.
I'm trying to find my peace (we're trying to find our peace)
I'm attempting to achieve inner harmony.
I was made to believe
I was told to believe.
There's something wrong with me (there's nothing wrong with me)
I was convinced that I was flawed when in reality, there's nothing wrong with me.
And it hurts my heart (it really hurts my heart)
It's painful and distressing.
Lord have mercy, ain't it plain to see?
Isn't it obvious dear God?
Kellindo
Allusion to the guitarist on this track.
Na-na-na
Untranslatable interjection used in music.
Ohh
Exclamation of exasperation or pleasure.
It's a cold, cold war (bye, bye, bye, bye, don't you cry when I say goodbye)
Life is a difficult conflict, but don't be upset when it's over.
You better know what you're fighting for
You should be clear about your goals and intentions.
Bye, bye, bye, bye, don't you cry when I say goodbye
Farewell, don't weep when I must depart.
Bye, bye, bye, bye, don't you cry when I say goodbye
Farewell, don't weep when I must depart.
Bye, bye, bye, bye, don't you cry when I say goodbye
Farewell, don't weep when I must depart.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles L Joseph, Janelle Monae Robinson, Nathaniel Irvin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@exclusivawiliclecia4100
So you think that I'm alone?
But being alone's the only way to be
When you step outside
You spend life fighting for your sanity
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
This is a cold war
Do you know what you're fighting for?
If you want to be free
Below the ground's the only place to be
'Cause in this life
You spend time running from depravity
This is a cold war
Do you know what you're fighting for?
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
This is a cold war
Do you know what you're fighting for?
Bring wings to the weak
And bring grace to the strong
Make all evil stumbles as it flies in the world
All the tribes come and the mighty will crumble
We must brave this night
And have faith in love.
I'm trying to find my peace
I was made to believe there's something wrong with me!
And it hurts my heart
Lord have mercy, ain't it plain to see?
This is a cold war
Do you know what you're fighting for?
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
This is a cold...
This is a cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
Do you know it's a cold, cold war?
Do you? Do you? Do you?
It's a cold, cold war
You better know what you're fighting for
Bye, bye, bye, bye
Don't you cry, when I say goodbye?
@jakiee
"I remember crying during ‘Cold War’ [on the] first take,” she said. “I didn’t know how that happened but it just did. I was very moved by that. It was really a special moment; then everybody else started to cry.”. She further elaborated, "[The video] deals with a psychosis—you’re in my mind and you get a chance to understand Metropolis, where it all stemmed [from] and my thoughts. It’s very psychedelic and trippy."
— Janelle Monáe on the concept of the video.
@2020raindrops
well said ;)
@marioluna697
Porm movies
@Nick-pb7pz
Boy shut yo sensitive ass up
@Nick-pb7pz
Nevermind I just cried
@TigerPrawn_
Black skin white mask
@sSOLOo
im holding back tears................. this video
is so powerful
@MuddyVision_
boy shut yo sensitive ass up
@MuddyVision_
nevermind i just cried
@TheAeroBarKid
Lmao