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.
Faster
Janelle Monáe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Faster
Faster, faster
Faster, faster
You
Since that magic day
We've been like magnets in a play
Every day (every day)
You, you
You're a jet, a flying gun
You kill me softly with your sun
You melt, you melt my wings and call it fun
I should run (ohh)
Faster and faster I should run (faster, faster) (ohh)
Faster and faster from your arms (faster, faster) (ohh)
Faster and faster I should run (faster, faster) (ohh)
Faster and faster from your arms (faster, faster) (ohh)
I
Watch my powers die
Falling out of starry skies
(Out of starry skies)
You kryptonite my life
Every night (faster, faster)
Oh, the, the-the-the-the-the-the-the
Ending of the road
Dashing prince or horny toad?
Who really ever knows?
I-i should know (ohh)
Faster and faster I should run (faster, faster) (ohh)
Faster and faster from your arms (faster, faster) (ohh)
Faster and faster I should run (faster, faster) (ohh)
Faster and faster from your arms (faster, faster) (ohh)
Mmm, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(I'm running) I'm running
I'm running, running, running
(Shaking like a schizo')
I'm shaking like, shaking like a schizo'
('Lectric sheep)
'Lectric sheep, mh, all over my feet
(Are dancing in the window)
They dancing, dancing, dancing in the window
(My heart beats)
My heart beats, it beats for you and only you
(It's kicking like a kick drum)
And it's kicking like a kick drum (drum, drum)
(Am I a freak?) Am I a freak? Uh, am I a freak?
(Or just another weirdo)
Or just another little weirdo, yeah
(Call me weak) call me weak
Or better yet, you can call me
(Or just call me your hero)
You can call me your hero, baby
You can't zap down all my good times
I know right from wrong (I know right from wrong)
Kissing loving's feeling good
And not this feeling down (not this feeling down)
You hide your chainsaw deep in kisses
That don't make it quiet (whoa, whoa, whoa)
You got me running, muttering, screaming
Each and every night
Faster and faster I should run
Faster and faster from your arms
Faster and faster I should run
Faster and faster from your arms
Faster and faster I should run
Faster and faster from your arms
In "Faster," Janelle Monáe sings about a tumultuous relationship in which she struggles to maintain a balance between attraction and self-preservation. The first verse describes the push and pull of their magnetic attraction, with the enticing force pulling them together then abruptly pushing them away. Monáe acknowledges that her partner is like a jet, moving swiftly and with force - and yet, she cannot resist their 'sun', which could be interpreted as their charisma or charm. She mentions that her wings are melted by their heat, indicating that her attempts to keep things under control are jeopardized by the intense emotions that she feels. In the chorus, Monáe recognizes that she needs to run away, and repeats the phrase "Faster and faster" as she tries to build up the nerve to sever the connection.
In the second verse, Monáe seems to have come closer to recognizing the damage done to her by staying in the relationship. She notes that her powers are dying, referring to her personal strengths and agency being sapped by her partner's presence. The question of whether this partner is a "dashing prince or horny toad" shows how Monáe is grappling with the way in which they appear to be charming but are ultimately toxic for her. She repeats that she knows she should leave but is still uncertain about taking that step, as shown in the repeated chorus.
The bridge demonstrates the intensity of Monáe's emotions, with her "running shaking like a schizo." The reference to "horror movie" imagery - "electric sheep are dancing in the window" - could be interpreted as representing a sense that something dark or dangerous is lurking just beneath the surface. Despite this, Monáe remains defiant, asking whether she's a "freak" or just another "weirdo." She stands her ground when she declares that her partner cannot "zap down all my good times"; Monáe's highlighting her commitment to distinguishing between right and wrong and maintaining her ability to feel good. Ultimately, however, the chorus becomes a repeated plea to herself as much as to her partner - she needs to run away "faster and faster" before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
You, since that magic day
Ever since we met, there's been a special and powerful connection between us.
We've been like magnets in a play
Our attraction is constant and undeniable, like the pull between two magnets.
We smash in then pull away
Our interactions are intense and passionate, but then we need space from each other.
Every day
This cycle repeats constantly, every day.
You, you're a jet, a flying gun
You are fast-paced and dangerous, but also exciting and thrilling.
You kill me softly with your sun
Your warmth and light are irresistible, but also dangerous and potentially damaging.
You melt my wings and call it fun
You push me to my limits, making me vulnerable and helpless, but you enjoy it.
I should run
I know I need to distance myself from you for my own wellbeing, but it's difficult.
Faster and faster
The urgency to escape from this toxic relationship increases.
From your arms
I need to physically and emotionally distance myself from you.
I watch my powers die
My strength and ability to resist you are fading away.
Falling out of starry skies
I feel like I'm losing something magical and special in this relationship.
You kryptonite my life
Your presence in my life is weakening me and making me vulnerable, like Superman to kryptonite.
Every night
This struggle repeats itself every night.
The ending of this road
I'm starting to see that this relationship is headed towards its inevitable end.
Dashing prince or horny toad?
I'm questioning whether you're really the charming, romantic partner I thought you were, or something else entirely.
Who really ever knows?
It's hard to know someone's true intentions and feelings, especially when they're not always honest.
Mmm, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
An interjection expressing mixed emotions.
I'm running shaking like a schizo
The situation is making me feel unstable and insecure.
'Lectric sheep are dancing in the window
I'm hallucinating because of the stress and turmoil caused by this relationship.
My heart beats
I'm feeling intense emotions, especially fear and anxiety.
It's kicking like a kick drum
My heart is beating rapidly and forcefully, like a kick drum in a song.
Am I a freak?
I feel abnormal and isolated in this situation.
Or just another weirdo
Maybe I'm not that different after all, just like others who have struggled in relationships like this.
Call me weak
Admitting that I can't handle this relationship on my own is difficult, but necessary.
Or just call me your hero, baby
I want to rescue myself from this toxic relationship and become the hero of my own story.
You can't zap down all my good times
I won't let you ruin all of the happy moments in my life.
I know right from wrong
I know that this relationship is harmful and needs to end.
Kissing loving's feeling good
Being affectionate and intimate feels good in the moment.
And not this feeling down
But the negative emotions that come with this relationship outweigh any temporary positive feelings.
You hide your chainsaw deep in kisses
You hide your destructive behavior beneath a veneer of affection and love.
That don't make it quiet
Despite the outward appearance of love, the problems in this relationship are still present and loud.
You got me running, muttering, screaming, each and every night
This relationship is causing me to feel stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed, leading to sleeplessness and outbursts.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles L Joseph, Janelle Monae Robinson, Nathaniel Irvin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind