The song was premiered by Zane Lowe on his Beats 1 radio show. Regarding the track, Monae told Lowe: "I actually had this title on this concept before my first album The ArchAndroid, and it scared me because a lot of the things that I knew that I needed to say were very deep, very personal, from the heart. You know, this is an extremely vulnerable album and it took me a while to make it because I’m a self editor."
The song is vaguely reminiscent of “Kiss” by the late Prince who was both a friend to and a heavy influence on Janelle, appearing on her previous album The Electric Lady. Janelle also told The Guardian Prince was helping her with this album prior to his death. A music video for the song was released the same day as the single.
The song was an instant critical darling, with Pitchfork naming it a “Best New Track” mere hours after its release.
Make Me Feel
Janelle Monáe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All of the feelings that I've got for you
Can't be explained, but I can try for you
Yeah, baby, don't make me spell it out for you
You keep on asking me the same questions (why?)
And second guessing all my intentions
Should know by the way I use my compression
That you've got the answers to my confessions
It's like I'm powerful with a little bit of tender
An emotional, sexual bender
Mess me up, yeah, but no one does it better
There's nothin' better
That's just the way you make me feel
That's just the way you make me feel
So real, so good, so fuckin' real
That's just the way you make me feel
That's just the way you make me feel
You know I love it, so please don't stop it
You got me right here in your jean pocket (right now)
Laying your body on a shag carpet (oh)
You know I love it so please don't stop it
It's like I'm powerful with a little bit of tender
An emotional, sexual bender
Mess me up, yeah, but no one does it better
There's nothin' better
That's just the way you make me feel
That's just the way you make me feel
So real, so good, so fuckin' real
That's just the way you make me feel
That's just the way you make me feel
That's just the way that I feel now, baby
Good God! I can't help it! Agh!
That's just the way that I feel, yeah
Please! I can't help it
It's like I'm powerful with a little bit of tender
An emotional, sexual bender
Mess me up, yeah, but no one does it better (oh!)
There's nothin' better (better!) Damn
That's just the way you make me feel
That's just the way you make me feel
So real, so good, so fuckin' real
That's just the way you make me feel
That's just the way you make me feel
The lyrics to Janelle Monáe's "Make Me Feel" are an ode to the power of passion and chemistry between two people. The song is about a woman who is deeply infatuated with someone, and she can't quite explain the feelings and emotions that overwhelm her. Janelle sings, "All of the feelings that I've got for you can't be explained, but I can try for you." She is so drawn to this person that she doesn't even need to spell out her feelings for them, as they can feel it too.
Throughout the song, Janelle hints at the sexual tension between her and her love interest. She talks about being "powerful with a little bit of tender," and how this person messes her up but no one does it better. These lyrics are a nod to the idea that passion can be both explosive and tender at the same time.
Overall, the song is an uplifting celebration of the intoxicating power of love and desire. The lyrics capture the complex mix of emotions that come with infatuation, passion, and the thrill of being in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, don't make me spell it out for you
I have feelings for you that can't be put into words, but I'll try to explain them
All of the feelings that I've got for you
I have a lot of emotions for you
Can't be explained, but I can try for you
I'll do my best to describe my feelings even though they're indescribable
You keep on asking me the same questions (why?)
You keep doubting my intentions and questioning me
And second guessing all my intentions
You're unsure of what I'm trying to express to you
Should know by the way I use my compression
You should be able to understand my feelings by the way I express myself
That you've got the answers to my confessions
You have the key to understanding my true feelings
It's like I'm powerful with a little bit of tender
I have a strong and confident side, but also a vulnerable side
An emotional, sexual bender
I feel both emotionally and sexually attracted to you
Mess me up, yeah, but no one does it better
You have the power to both excite and unsettle me, but that's what makes it worth it
There's nothin' better
Nothing compares to the way you make me feel
You know I love it, so please don't stop it
I love the way you make me feel, so please don't stop
You got me right here in your jean pocket (right now)
I am completely at your mercy and under your control
Laying your body on a shag carpet (oh)
We are physically close and comfortable with each other
That's just the way that I feel now, baby
This is how I truly feel about you right now
Good God! I can't help it! Agh!
I am overwhelmed by my feelings for you
Please! I can't help it
I can't control the way I feel about you
Damn
You make me feel so good, it's almost unbearable
That's just the way you make me feel
You are the reason I am feeling this way
So real, so good, so fuckin' real
The feelings I have for you are genuine, intense, and overwhelming
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Janelle Monae Robinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@janellemonae
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@GameThrone20774
I LOVE U
@SW-ry3ni
You forgot Detroit?
@MichaelErnest666
Come Here Girl 🤨 I Got Something To Tell You... 🙃
@patrickjmt
I was able to work Janelle Monae into a Calculus example for an online course that I was hired to help develop. I am so proud of myself.
@leonessbutterfly8813
That's cool. What year?
@DabblingInAdulthood
That's awesome. Last years I referenced Beavis and Butthead in my MA dissertation. Not quite as cool, but I was pretty proud of that.
@aliyamoon80
You should be proud! I don't know you, and I'm fucking proud of you!
@shewhosdifferent7396
lol great way to get her name out more
@faustus2058
OMG it's patrickJMT! You're awesome!