Party Girl
Janelle Monáe Lyrics


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Woo, it's Saturday I'm 'bout to go out, oh, I cannot wait
(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)
And brush my teeth 'cause I'm almost ready to roll
(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)

Overall Meaning

"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.
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Comments from YouTube:

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.

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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.

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