Don't Judge Me
Janelle Monáe Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Come, let me kiss you right there
Wake you up like sunrise
On the backs of your thighs
I'm gonna pray you this prayer
That I keep in my mind
As a lovely reminder

Even though you tell me you love me
I'm afraid that you just love my disguise
Taste my fears and light your candle to my raging fire
Of broken desire

But don't judge me
I know I got issues
But they drown when I kiss you
Don't judge me
Baptize me with ocean
Recognize my devotion

The water's perfectly good
Let's reintroduce ourselves
From a free point of view
If I'm gon' sin, it's with you
Tattoo your love on my heart
Let the rumors be true

Even though you tell me you love me
I'm afraid that you just love my disguise
Taste my fears and light your candle to my raging fire
The dirty desire

But don't judge me
I know I got issues
But they drown when I kiss you
Don't, don't judge me
Baptize me with ocean
Recognize my devotion

What if I, what if, what if I touched you right there?

Even though you say that you love me
Is it me or do you love my disguise?
If I missed you, would you think I was lonely
If I say what's on my mind?

Even though you say that you love me
Is it me or do you love my disguise?
If I kissed you, would you think I was lonely
If I let you inside?

Come, let me kiss you right there
What if I kissed you right there?
Would you tremble inside, or just call it a night?
What if I gave you a show?
You could touch if you like
Right there
If I kissed you would you think I was lonely?
If I

It feels so good




Come, let me kiss you right there
Just say that you love me (just tell me you love me)

Overall Meaning

In Janelle Monáe's song Don't Judge Me, she sings about the fear of being loved only for her outward appearance and not for who she is on the inside. She describes her anxieties of being vulnerable and seen for who she truly is, but finds solace in the intimacy of her lover, who she asks not to judge her for her flaws and insecurities. She hopes to be accepted and loved unconditionally, even with her imperfections. Monáe touches on themes of acceptance, vulnerability, and the struggle to be seen for one's true self. The lyrics are a plea to be understood and loved for who she is, rather than just the mask she wears to the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Come, let me kiss you right there
The singer is engaging in physical intimacy with someone and wants to express her desire for them.


Wake you up like sunrise
The singer wants to arouse the listener with her sexual attention, similar to how the sun brings energy to the day.


On the backs of your thighs
The singer is implying that she wants to explore the listener's body in an intimate way.


I'm gonna pray you this prayer
The singer is going to offer a prayer or message of love to the listener, as a way to express her deep feelings.


That I keep in my mind
The singer's prayer or message of love is something that she holds dear to her heart and values deeply.


As a lovely reminder
The singer's prayer or message of love is intended to remind the listener of her love for them.


Even though you tell me you love me
The singer is skeptical of the listener's love, questioning whether they are genuine in their affections.


I'm afraid that you just love my disguise
The singer is worried that the listener is only attracted to her outward appearance, rather than her true self or personality.


Taste my fears and light your candle to my raging fire
The singer wants the listener to understand her innermost fears or struggles, as this will help them connect more deeply.


Of broken desire
The singer may be struggling with unmet desires or needs that are preventing her from fully embracing the relationship.


But don't judge me
The singer asks the listener not to unfairly criticize her, even if she has faults or insecurities.


I know I got issues
The singer is acknowledging that she has personal problems or hangups that may affect the relationship.


But they drown when I kiss you
The singer finds reassurance and comfort in the physical act of kissing or being close to the listener.


Baptize me with ocean
The singer wants to be enveloped or cleansed by the listener's love and affection, like the purifying waters of an ocean.


Recognize my devotion
The singer wants the listener to appreciate her commitment and dedication to the relationship.


The water's perfectly good
The singer suggests that the listener should not be hesitant to pursue the relationship, as there is nothing wrong with their connection.


Let's reintroduce ourselves
The singer wants to start fresh and invite the listener to get to know her in a new way, without any previous expectations or assumptions.


From a free point of view
The singer wants the listener to approach the relationship without any restrictions or inhibitions, embracing new possibilities.


If I'm gon' sin, it's with you
The singer suggests that she is willing to take risks or make mistakes in the relationship, as long as they are together.


Tattoo your love on my heart
The singer wants the listener's affection and feelings to be permanent and indelible, just like a tattoo.


Let the rumors be true
The singer wants the world to know about their love and relationship, regardless of any negative gossip or speculation.


What if I, what if, what if I touched you right there?
The singer is continuing to flirt with the listener, suggesting that they explore their physical attraction even further.


If I missed you, would you think I was lonely
The singer worries that her feelings for the listener are one-sided, and that she would feel isolated or alone without them.


If I say what's on my mind?
The singer wants to express her honest thoughts or feelings to the listener, but is nervous about their reaction.


If I let you inside?
The singer wants to open up herself emotionally and physically to the listener, allowing them to see her true self.


It feels so good
The singer expresses pleasure and satisfaction in the physical connection with the listener.


Just say that you love me (just tell me you love me)
The singer wants the listener to explicitly express their love for her, so that she can feel secure and reassured in the relationship.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Janelle Monae Robinson, Joshua Dean, Nathaniel III Irvin, Roman Gianarthur Irvin, Taylor Monet Parks

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@makyralee7706

Come, let me kiss you right there
Wake you up like sunrise
On the backs of your thighs
I'm gonna pray you this prayer
That I keep in my mind
As a lovely reminder

Even though you tell me you love me
I'm afraid that you just love my disguise
Taste my fears and light your candle to my raging fire
Of broken desire

But don't judge me
I know I got issues
But they drown when I kiss you
Don't judge me
Baptize me with ocean
Recognize my devotion

The water's perfectly good
Let's reintroduce ourselves
From a free point of view
If I'm gon' sin, it's with you
Tattoo your love on my heart
Let the rumors be true

Even though you tell me you love me
I'm afraid that you just love my disguise
Taste my fears and light your candle to my raging fire
The dirty desire

But don't judge me
I know I got issues
But they drown when I kiss you
Don't, don't judge me
Baptize me with ocean
Recognize my devotion

What if I, what if, what if I touched you right there?

Even though you say that you love me
Is it me or do you love my disguise?
If I missed you, would you think I was lonely
If I say what's on my mind?

Even though you say that you love me
Is it me or do you love my disguise?
If I kissed you, would you think I was lonely
If I let you inside?

Come, let me kiss you right there
What if I kissed you right there?
Would you tremble inside, or just call it a night?
What if I gave you a show?
You could touch if you like
Right there
If I kissed you would you think I was lonely?
If I

It feels so good
Come, let me kiss you right there
Just say that you love me (just tell me you love me)



All comments from YouTube:

@jamievolosin2804

How does this song feel like a throwback and feel futuristic at the same time? I love it.

@billyretrogamer

Elena Volosin it’s called “timeless”

@EYELOVEMUSICSOUL

Also Tony Toni Tone- anniversary

@queenteireigns6212

It's our anniversary sample maybe?

@ChanellJWilson

Always

@luieluu

I don’t like to compare people, but even though they have a different sound, I believe Chloe x Halle have a very timeless sound as well

4 More Replies...

@crowndrip1892

Prince would be so proud! His spirit is definitely living throughout this album. ❤

@nikkidillard922

totally agree.

@MrsRight-pb2bz

Yesss💜💜💜

@zoecooke4082

This is one of the best, rawest, most evocative songs on the album. A throwback to early 90s r&b, lauryn hill, etc., but it incorporates some jazz and blues as well and blends them all symphonically. The mumbled lyrics at the end paired with the sensual jadedness of the refrain make the song both vulnerable and fierce. THIS. This is Janelle Monae at her peak. This song is music.

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