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.
Lettin' Go
Janelle Monáe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was my boss to say, you know we like you a lot
But we don't need you J, you daydream too much,
Well man I'm glad ya'll let me go!
'Cause with no 9 to 5, it's a brand new day!
My rents due but I'm a party any way!
I feel so alive, stress just faded away!
So, I'm a let it go!
Gonna leave my worries behind!
Gotta take control!
I just came to have a good time!
I'm a let it go, no time for stress on my mind!
I'm a lettin go! Oooh I'm lettin go!
That's right, left right
I'm losing it to music, cameras, bright lights!
I'm staying out all night
Don't shove don't fight!
Well make a million memories - all incredible!
Cause with no 9 to 5 it's a brand new day!
Got bills due, but I'm a party anyway
I feel so alive! Stress just faded away
It's time I live my own life!
So, I'm a let it go!
Gonna leave my worries behind!
Gotta take control!
I just came to have a good time!
I'm a let it go, no time for stress on my mind!
I'm a lettin go! Oooh I'm lettin go!
(Dance away your rainy days)
Oh! Come on and dance with me right now!
(Just for a little while!)
Hey! Just, for a, just for a little while!
(I know it's hot but we gon keep it cool!)
I know it's hot ya'll, aye, but wait a minute, we gon keep it cool!
(One last chance, come on and dance!)
Come on and dance with me!
I'm a let it go!
I'm a let it go!
Gonna leave my worries behind!
Gotta take control!
I just came to have a good time!
I'm a let it go, no time for stress on my mind!
I'm a lettin go!
Oh, yeah, alright everybody!
Now, I see ya'll jammin out there!
But I want ya'll to do one more thing for me, one more thing!
Now, when I say L-E-T-T-I-N G-O!
I want everybody to repeat after me
On the count of 1-2-3! Unh!
(L-E-T-T-I-N G-O!)
Yeah! Come on we gotta let go!
Awww I see ya!
Now we gon break this down
Like this!
(L-E-T-T-I-N G-O!)
Clap ya hands! Unh!
(L-E-T-T-I-N G-O!)
If you wanna dance, I'm a make you dance
If you wanna groove, I'm a make you move
Congratulations to you,
You had to let it go
You finally let it go
I'm glad you let it go
Do do do do doo
Dance
Congratulations to you
You had to let it go
I'm glad you let it go
You finally let it go
Glad you let it go.
You keep dreamin,
Don't let your dreams die,
You know?
Life is not a rehearsal
You gotta live it out
You gotta do it baby
You gotta do what you're gonna do
Come on, somebodys gotta hear me
In Janelle Monae's song Lettin' Go, the singer shares her experience of being let go from her job, and how it provided her with the opportunity to live life on her own terms. The lyrics express the joy and freedom that came with shaking off the shackles of a 9 to 5 job and embracing the unknown. The upbeat tempo of the music is in sync with the theme of moving forward, letting go of the past, and experiencing the world in a new way. The lyrics encourage listeners to follow their dreams and take chances.
The song is a celebration of the human spirit and the potential for growth and change in every individual's life. The lyrics emphasize the need to let go of the past, old habits, and negative thinking that can hold us back. The singer's call to action is to live in the present, dance, and have a good time, even if life gets tough along the way. In essence, the song is an anthem for anyone who has ever felt lost or stuck and recognizes that there is always a path to new beginnings and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Oooh! I got a call today, from my job up the block
I received a phone call from my employer nearby
It was my boss to say, you know we like you a lot
My boss appreciated me
But we don't need you J, you daydream too much,
However, my boss thinks I daydream too often and can't keep the job position
Well man I'm glad ya'll let me go!
Despite that, I am happy my job terminated my employment
'Cause with no 9 to 5, it's a brand new day!
Without a regular work schedule, every day is a fresh start
My rents due but I'm a party any way!
Even if I have bills to pay, I'm going to enjoy myself regardless
I feel so alive, stress just faded away!
I feel invigorated and unburdened by stress
It's time to live my own life!
It's time for me to live on my own terms
So, I'm a let it go!
I'm letting everything go
Gonna leave my worries behind!
I am going to abandon my concerns
Gotta take control!
I have to manage my destiny now
I just came to have a good time!
I am here to enjoy myself
I'm a let it go, no time for stress on my mind!
I am abandoning my worries and stress from my mind
I'm a lettin go! Oooh I'm lettin go!
Letting go of everything!
That's right, left right
Doing everything the right way
I'm losing it to music, cameras, bright lights!
Getting lost in the music, cameras, and bright lights
I'm staying out all night
I'm staying awake all night
Don't shove don't fight!
I'm not going to push or fight with others
Well make a million memories - all incredible!
I'm going to create unforgettable memories
Cause with no 9 to 5 it's a brand new day!
Every day is a new beginning without a standard job schedule
Got bills due, but I'm a party anyway
Even though I have bills to pay, I'm still going to enjoy myself
I feel so alive! Stress just faded away
I feel alive and relieved of my stress
It's time I live my own life!
It's time for me to live my life as I choose
Oh! Come on and dance with me right now!
Join me in dancing right now
Hey! Just, for a, just for a little while!
Just for a brief moment
I know it's hot ya'll, aye, but wait a minute, we gon keep it cool!
Although it's hot, let's keep ourselves composed
Come on and dance with me!
Let's dance together
I'm a let it go!
I'm letting everything go
Congratulations to you
Congratulations on accomplishing this
You had to let it go
You had to abandon it
I'm glad you let it go
I'm glad you abandoned it
Do do do do doo
Simple melody
You keep dreamin
You always have ambitions
Don't let your dreams die
Don't let your aspirations fade away
Life is not a rehearsal
Life is not a practice run
You gotta live it out
You have to live your life to the fullest
You gotta do it baby
You do what you need to do, my friend
Come on, somebodys gotta hear me
Someone needs to listen to what I have to say
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Cloud9
Written by: CHARLES JOSEPH, JANELLE MONAE ROBINSON, NATHANIEL IRVIN, TERRENCE WILLIAM SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind