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.
Party Girl
Janelle Monáe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(I'm getting ready)
Just got me a new outfit, so fresh, so clean
(I'm getting ready)
Jump in the shower
Grab my towel and put my V secrets on
(I'm getting ready)
(I'm getting ready)
I know I should focus on my school work
I shouldn't feel the way I do but I do
My friends all said that he would be there
And plus I look real cute
(I'm getting ready)
I heard the clubs in Atlanta are the sickest, the sickest
(I'm getting ready)
And now it's time for me to pay a visita visit
I know I won't wake up in time for Sunday
To be in Sunday school, in Sunday school
I really hope this boy is cool
It's time I fought for love
I know he'll be there waiting
Four hundred girls in the room
And I am all he sees
Enough debating
I'm sick and tired of waiting
I grab my petticoat and my ID
My friends are waiting
Eagerly anticipating
Gotta get there before midnight 'cause it's free
My heart starts beating fast as we pull closer
No turning back girl now you've gotta know
No turning back right now I've gotta know
(Know, oh, oh)
Well, girl there he is
There's your boy, can't you see?
I bet he's looking around tryna find you
I can't believe I'm here tonight
But wrong or right
I refuse to act scared and ignore you
My heart starts beating fast as you walk over
(Ooh)
You got me feeling tipsy but I'm sober
(Soberer)
It's time I fought for love
I know he'll be there waiting
Four hundred girls in the room
And I am all he sees
It's time I fought for love
I know he'll be there waiting
Four hundred girls in the room
And I am all he needs
Hello? Hey girl, I just woke up
Girl, naw, I had one of the craziest dreams
I know he's gonna be there
(I know I should focus on my school work)
Scandalous? Girl, I am not scandalous
(I shouldn't feel the way I do but I do)
I have a test Tuesday and I cannot miss church tomorrow
(My friends all said that he would be there)
No, I told everybody I was coming and I'm gon' be there
(And plus I look real cute)
Listen girl, bye, I love you, I will talk to you later
(I know I won't wake up in time for Sunday)
Have a good one, be careful
(To be in Sunday school, in Sunday school)
Bye girl, bye, call me tomorrow after church
(I really hope this boy is cool)
"Party Girl" by Janelle Monáe is a song about a young woman who is excited to go out and party on a Saturday night. She is getting ready, putting on a new outfit, and getting herself prepared to attend a club in Atlanta. Despite knowing that she should prioritize her school work, her excitement for the night ahead overrides this. She mentions that her friends have told her the boy she likes will be at the club that night, which adds to her eagerness to go out. As she arrives at the club, her heart starts beating fast in anticipation of running into him. When she spots him, she decides to fight for his love, even though there are 400 other girls in the room. Although she knows she should focus on her responsibilities, she cannot resist the urge to let loose and have fun. The song ends with her on the phone with a friend, discussing the events of the night before.
The lyrics are a commentary about seeking gratification and excitement, even though it may not be the best course of action. The song highlights the struggles of balance, the difficulties of choosing responsibilities, and the temptation of "living in the moment." The lyrics show the inner conflict in wanting to do what is right versus what is fun, and choosing the latter despite the potential consequences. Ultimately, the song speaks to the idea of letting oneself indulge in pleasures and desires, regardless of the potential fallout.
Line by Line Meaning
Woo, it's Saturday I'm 'bout to go out, oh, I cannot wait
I am excited to go out and party since it's Saturday
Just got me a new outfit, so fresh, so clean
I have a new outfit that I am super stoked to wear out
Jump in the shower
I'm stepping into the shower to clean myself up
Grab my towel and put my V secrets on
I'm putting on Victoria's Secret underwear to get ready
And brush my teeth 'cause I'm almost ready to roll
I brush my teeth to finalize getting ready
I know I should focus on my school work
I'm aware I have school work to prioritize
I shouldn't feel the way I do but I do
My feelings towards going out tonight are distracting
My friends all said that he would be there
My friends believe that the guy I am interested in will be at the party
And plus I look real cute
I'm also excited to dress up and look my best for the party
I heard the clubs in Atlanta are the sickest, the sickest
I've heard the Atlanta club scene is amazing
And now it's time for me to pay a visita visit
I'm excited to visit one of the clubs in Atlanta
I know I won't wake up in time for Sunday
I'm aware that I'll probably sleep in and miss church on Sunday
To be in Sunday school, in Sunday school
I won't be able to attend Sunday school
I really hope this boy is cool
I hope the boy I am interested in turns out to be a good guy
It's time I fought for love
I know he'll be there waiting
Four hundred girls in the room
And I am all he sees
I am determined to go all out for love and believe he is there waiting for me
Enough debating
I'm sick and tired of waiting
I'm done debating and I'm tired of waiting around for love
I grab my petticoat and my ID
My friends are waiting
Eagerly anticipating
Gotta get there before midnight 'cause it's free
I grab my petticoat and ID because my friends are waiting for me at the club and we want to get there before midnight for free entry
My heart starts beating fast as we pull closer
No turning back girl now you've gotta know
No turning back right now I've gotta know
(Know, oh, oh)
My heart races as we near the club, and I know I can't turn back now
Well, girl there he is
There's your boy, can't you see?
I see my love interest in the club
I bet he's looking around tryna find you
I feel confident that he's trying to find me too
I can't believe I'm here tonight
I'm grateful and in disbelief that I made it to the club tonight
But wrong or right
I refuse to act scared and ignore you
I'm determined to face him despite any potential risks or wrongs
My heart starts beating fast as you walk over
(Ooh)
You got me feeling tipsy but I'm sober
(Soberer)
My heart races as he approaches, and although I feel tipsy, I am still alert
It's time I fought for love
I know he'll be there waiting
Four hundred girls in the room
And I am all he sees
I am taking the leap to fight for my love and believe he is waiting for me
It's time I fought for love
I know he'll be there waiting
Four hundred girls in the room
And I am all he needs
I am taking a chance to pursue what I believe is love, and I hope to be all he needs
Hello? Hey girl, I just woke up
Girl, naw, I had one of the craziest dreams
I know he's gonna be there
(I know I should focus on my school work)
On the phone with my friend the morning after, I tell her about my dreams that came true and how I'm aware I should prioritize my studies
Scandalous? Girl, I am not scandalous
(I shouldn't feel the way I do but I do)
Defending myself against any accusations of being scandalous, even though I can't help how I feel
I have a test Tuesday and I cannot miss church tomorrow
(My friends all said that he would be there)
I can't afford to skip church for a guy, despite my friends' beliefs
No, I told everybody I was coming and I'm gon' be there
(And plus I look real cute)
I reassure my friend that I am committed to showing up at church and I'm also looking cute
Listen girl, bye, I love you, I will talk to you later
(I know I won't wake up in time for Sunday)
I'm saying goodbye to my friend and acknowledging that I won't make it to church
Have a good one, be careful
(To be in Sunday school, in Sunday school)
Wishing my friend a good day and advising her to be careful, especially in Sunday school
Bye girl, bye, call me tomorrow after church
(I really hope this boy is cool)
Saying goodbye to my friend and expressing my hope that my love interest is worth pursuing
Contributed by Violet J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Exit Pursued
The thing about Monae (apart from being a superb signer, composer, dancer and performer) is that she's a total sci-fi nerd at heart. She's had invented a new genre: Sci-fi hip-hop.
Michael Ashbrook
Yes! I love her Metropolis reference in her previous album
amerikansk
Hendrix was also a scifi nerd, carried a case of scifi books w him on tour. purple haze was inspired by a scifi book he read :)
deadstar44
She got the inspiration from Sun Ra and Parliament/Funkadelic. A lot of seventies funk bands were into scifi and afro-futurism.
deathnrosary
If yall want sci fi and different looks, she is a start, but look up nerd core hiphop
Cool Comic Creations
Afropunk/ Afrofuturism is not new... It's been around for a while. She is just a contributor to the genre. Though I'll admit she's a rare musical example of the genre.
Drew Thomas
I will never understand how this didn't become a huge hit. It's like people are morally opposed to buying great music these days.
FlammableDonkey
Drew Thomas It's a huge hit among people who like good music. Hell, I have never been an R&B fan and I immediately bought her albums after watching these videos. They'll be an interesting fit on the iPod with my Bad Religion records.
Jeffery Jones
Drew Thomas how is 3.5m views not a huge hit?
Drew Thomas
DesiredSounds for comparison, Katy Perry's song "Dark Horse" currently has over 900 million views. Usually at hit song has at least 100 million.