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.
Oh Maker
Janelle Monáe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's falling from my window
And in the corners of my mind
I hope that I'll get to see you again
La-da-di-da-di-da-di-da-di
My friend, I hear the colors in the flowers, ooh
Just like the candle snuffed at dawn
You're hear, you're near, you're there and then you're gone
Suffering in sinking sand
All the hurt
See, I'm really lost, baby
We suffered a rare, rare blue
So much hurt
On this Earth
But you loved me
And I really dared to love you too
Perhaps what I mean to say is
Is that it's amazing that your love was mine
Oh, Maker, tell me did you know
This love would burn so yellow?
Becoming orange and in its time
Explode from grey to black then bloody wine
La-da-di-da-di-da-di-da-di (da-di)
Oh, Maker, have you ever loved (ooh)
Or known just what it was?
I can't imagine the bitter end
Of all the beauty that we're living in? (I hope that I get to see you again)
Ohh, no
Suffering in sinking sand
All the hurt
See, I'm really lost, baby
We suffered a rare, rare blue
So much hurt
On this Earth
But you loved me
And I really dared to love you too
Perhaps what I mean to say
Is that it's amazing that your love was mine
Lost inside a lonely world where lovers pay the price
Barely get the sound of music to love and go dance to
Now it's time for us to go
And no one ever has to know (now it's time for us to go)
Your love's in my pocket and your eyes, eyes are in my
Eyes in my soul, no one will know it but me
The first verse of Janelle Monáe's "Oh Maker" sets a melancholic tone, as raindrops are heard amidst the hope for reunion. This is juxtaposed with the joyful and carefree "la-da-di-da-di-da-di-da" that highlights the beauty of nature's colors. The candle snuffed at dawn signifies the brevity of life and the fragility of happiness. The second verse delves deeper into the human emotion of suffering and loss, and how the pain that comes with love is worth it. The chorus asks the maker if this love was intended to burn so brightly and fiercely, only to become dark and bloody in its final act. The outro speaks of secrets and love as personal and private experiences that can never be fully expressed or shared.
Overall, the song reflects on the bittersweet nature of love and how it is worth all of the pain and sacrifice that come with it. The lyrics are introspective and contemplative, urging the listener to appreciate the beauty in the world and the people who make it so, but also acknowledging the suffering and losses that inevitably arise.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the drizzle of the rain
I hear the sound of the rain falling outside my window
It's falling from my window
The rain is falling on the window where I am standing
And in the corners of my mind
In my thoughts and imagination
I hope that I'll get to see you again
I am hoping that I will see you again soon
La-da-di-da-di-da-di-da-di
Nonsensical repetition of sounds for emphasis
My friend, I hear the colors in the flowers, ooh
I associate sounds with the colors of flowers
Just like the candle snuffed at dawn
The love between us ended suddenly like a candle that is snuffed out in the morning
You're here, you're near, you're there and then you're gone
Sometimes you are with me, sometimes you are not
Suffering in sinking sand
Feeling trapped and overwhelmed
All the hurt
All the pain and suffering
See, I'm really lost, baby
I am feeling lost and confused
We suffered a rare, rare blue
We experienced a difficult and rare situation
So much hurt
There was so much pain and suffering
On this Earth
In this world
But you loved me
You loved me despite everything
And I really dared to love you too
I took a risk and loved you with all my heart
Perhaps what I mean to say is
Maybe what I am trying to say is
Is that it's amazing that your love was mine
It is incredible that I had your love in my life
Oh, Maker, tell me did you know
Directing a question to God or a higher power
This love would burn so yellow?
Did you know that this love would be so intense and passionate?
Becoming orange and in its time
The love evolved and changed over time
Explode from grey to black then bloody wine
The love intensified from dull to dark to passionate
Oh, Maker, have you ever loved (ooh)
A rhetorical question asking if God or a higher power has ever experienced love
Or known just what it was?
Or understood what love truly is?
I can't imagine the bitter end
I can't bear to think of the sad and difficult ending
Of all the beauty that we're living in? (I hope that I get to see you again)
How can such beauty end? I hope to see you again
Lost inside a lonely world where lovers pay the price
Feeling alone in a world where love can be painful and costly
Barely get the sound of music to love and go dance to
There is barely any music to dance to and enjoy love
Now it's time for us to go
It is time for us to leave
And no one ever has to know (now it's time for us to go)
We can keep our love secret and leave without anyone knowing
Your love's in my pocket and your eyes, eyes are in my soul, no one will know it but me
I carry your love with me and it is a secret between us only
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles L Joseph, Janelle Monae Robinson, Nathaniel Irvin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind