Janelle Monáe (born Janelle Monáe Robinson on December 1, 1985 in Kansas Ci… Read Full Bio ↴Janelle Monáe (born Janelle Monáe Robinson on December 1, 1985 in Kansas City, Kansas) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, actor and performer.

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.

Heroes
Janelle Monáe Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I, I wish I could swim
Like the dolphins
Like dolphins can swim

Though, nothing
Nothing will keep us together
We can be them
Forever, ever and ever

Oh, we can be heroes
Just for one day
Yeah

I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen

Though, nothing
Nothing will drive in my way

We can be heroes
Just for one day
We can be heroes
Just for one day

I, I, I, I can remember
Standin' by the wall
And the guns, oh the guns
Shout above our head
As we kissed, I felt nothing could fall
And the shade was on the other side

Oh, we can be them
Forever and ever
We can be heroes
Just for one day

We, we can be heroes
We, we can be heroes
We, we can be heroes

Just for one day
We can be heroes

Overall Meaning

In Janelle Monáe's song "Heroes," the lyrics convey a yearning for a sense of freedom and unity. The mention of swimming like dolphins symbolizes the desire to move fluidly through life and experience a deep connection with others. Dolphins are known for their grace and agility in the water, so this line suggests a longing for a similar level of freedom and fluidity in the human experience.

The repeated phrase "Nothing will keep us together" reflects a recognition that external forces or circumstances may try to separate people, but the sentiment is that these barriers can be overcome. The idea of being heroes just for one day implies that individuals have the power to rise above challenges and transcend the limitations imposed by society, if only temporarily.

The lyrics also touch on the theme of power dynamics and the desire to overcome them. The lines "I, I will be king" and "You, you will be queen" represent a longing for equality and a rejection of hierarchical structures. The assertion that nothing will drive in their way implies a determination to overcome any obstacles that stand in the path of unity and equality.

The song takes a personal turn in the third paragraph, describing a vivid memory of standing by a wall as the sound of guns echo above. This imagery suggests a political or social conflict, possibly referring to a period of unrest or oppression. However, in the moment of intimacy and connection described as a kiss, the singer feels invincible. The shade on the other side symbolizes the possibility of moving beyond conflict and finding peace and unity.

Overall, "Heroes" speaks to the universal longing for freedom and unity, particularly in the face of adversity. It celebrates the power of human connection and suggests that individuals have the capacity to be heroes, if only for a brief moment, in their quest for a more just and equal world.

Line by Line Meaning

I, I wish I could swim
I desire the freedom and grace of dolphins, to navigate effortlessly through life

Like the dolphins
Similar to the way dolphins can swim

Like dolphins can swim
With the same skill and ease that dolphins possess in swimming

Though, nothing
Despite any obstacles or challenges

Nothing will keep us together
No force can separate us from one another

We can be them
We have the ability to embody the qualities of heroes

Forever, ever and ever
For an indefinite amount of time, without end

Oh, we can be heroes
Oh, we have the potential to be extraordinary individuals

Just for one day
Even if it's just for a brief moment in time

Yeah
An expression of affirmation or agreement

I, I will be king
I will assume the role of a ruler or leader

And you, you will be queen
And you will take the position of a dignified and powerful female figure

Though, nothing
Notwithstanding any obstacles or opposition

Nothing will drive in my way
No hindrance will impede my progress

I, I, I, I can remember
I can vividly recall

Standin' by the wall
Being positioned next to a barrier or obstacle

And the guns, oh the guns
And the firearms, oh the firearms

Shout above our head
Emitting loud and overpowering sounds from above us

As we kissed, I felt nothing could fall
When we embraced and kissed, I felt invincible, as if nothing could go wrong

And the shade was on the other side
The darkness or negativity was present on the opposing side or in a different situation

We, we can be heroes
We, both of us, have the potential to become heroes

Just for one day
Even if only for a single day

We can be heroes
We have the capability to be heroic

We, we can be heroes
We, both of us, possess the capacity to be heroes

We, we can be heroes
We, both of us, can assume the role of heroes

Just for one day
Even for just a brief period of time

We can be heroes
We have the ability to be heroic

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Peter George Eno, David Bowie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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