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.
Isn't This the World
Janelle Monáe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just about all my life
Slept on park benches
Many many nights
Even remember the days
I had nothing to eat
But someone to love me
What we gotta do, me and you
We have to change our selfish ways
No matter who else does
We have to rise, rise above
Come together in love
But isn't this the world?
The place that we call home, home
But if this is the world
Then why do I feel alone?
On top of living this life
Of love without
I barely know
And talked about
It's not the riches
That I live to see
But someone to love me
Is all I need
What we gotta do, me and you
We have to change our selfish ways
No matter who else does
We have to rise, rise above
Come together in love
But isn't this the world, the world?
The place that we call home, home
But if this is the world
Then why do I feel alone?
(Why do I feel alone)
But isn't this the world? (Isn't this the world)
The world
The place that we call home (Isn't this the world)
Home
But if this is the world
If this is the world (Isn't this the world)
(Isn't this the world?)
Oh, what a wonderful world (Isn't this the world)
Isn't it...
Isn't it...
(Isn't this the world)
In "Isn't This the World" by Janelle Monáe, the lyrics convey a sense of longing and questioning about the state of the world. The singer reflects on their experiences of hardship, such as sleeping on park benches and going hungry. Despite these challenges, they emphasize that the most important thing they need is someone to love them. The lyrics then shift focus to a call for change and unity. The singer acknowledges that they and the listener must change their selfish ways and rise above the negativity around them. They implore for people to come together in love, as they express a feeling of loneliness despite being surrounded by the world that is considered their home.
Through these lyrics, Janelle Monáe explores the contradiction between the external world and the internal emotions one can experience. The world may offer material comforts, but without love and connection, it can still leave one feeling isolated. The song emphasizes the need for deeper relationships and a collective effort to overcome personal selfishness and create a more inclusive and loving society.
Line by Line Meaning
I've walked around
Throughout my entire life, I have experienced and observed
Just about all my life
Virtually for the entirety of my existence
Slept on park benches
I have found myself sleeping on benches in parks
Many many nights
Countless nights of enduring this situation
Even remember the days
I can vividly recall the times
I had nothing to eat
When I had absolutely no food
But someone to love me
However, the presence of a person who truly cares for me
Is all I need
Is genuinely all I require
What we gotta do, me and you
The necessary action we must take, both you and I
We have to change our selfish ways
We must transform our self-centered behavior
No matter who else does
Regardless of what others might do
We have to rise, rise above
We must elevate ourselves, surpassing limitations
Come together in love
Unite as one, driven by love
But isn't this the world?
Yet, isn't this the very world we inhabit?
The place that we call home, home
The very location we label as our abode, our sanctuary
But if this is the world
However, if this is indeed the reality
Then why do I feel alone?
Then why do I experience profound loneliness?
On top of living this life
In addition to leading this existence
Of love without
Devoid of genuine affection
I barely know
I scarcely comprehend
And talked about
Yet, so often discussed
It's not the riches
Material wealth is not what I aspire for
That I live to see
The things I strive to witness
But someone to love me
But rather, the presence of an individual who genuinely loves me
Is all I need
Is sincerely all that satisfies my soul
Oh, what a wonderful world
Ah, what an extraordinary world
Isn't it...
Doesn't it make you wonder...
Isn't it...
Doesn't it make you question...
(Isn't this the world?)
(Isn't this the very world we inhabit?)
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN T. WILLIAMS, PHARRELL L WILLIAMS, CHAD HUGO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind