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.
The Chrome Shoppe
Janelle Monáe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm here at the Dark Park Metal Shoppe getting my chrome polished
Y'all here know why we're getting our chrome right?
('Cause it won't shine by itself)
It won't shine by itself, right, it won't shine by itself is right
Well tonight, we've got the Electrified Betas throwing an end-of-the-world cyber freak festival
Lookie here, we got the sisters looking good
Shining bright, here to tell y'all about it
Yeah, this is Melanie 45221
And Asada 8550
With the new, new chapter of the Electrified Betas!
We will be at the youth auditorium tonight
Along with DJ Crash Crash, and the Wondaland Jam Authority
Female alpha platinums are in for free
Clones and humans welcome after midnight
We're gonna have a bouncing electro-booty contest
An atomic kissing contest and much, much more!
No bounty hunters allowed
Bring your punk ass up here looking for Cyndi Mayweather, and you might get hurt!
Woo! That's right, sisters, power up, power up! Now take us to our next song
This is Cindy's newest jam, "Dance Apocalyptic", here at 105,5 WDRD
The above lyrics are the introduction to Janelle Monáe's song The Chrome Shoppe. The song captures the spirit and energy of a cyborg club in a dystopian world. DJ Crash Crash opens with Good morning, midnight, this is DJ Crash Crash, and I'm here at the Dark Park Metal Shoppe getting my chrome polished. He then asks why they're getting their chrome polished, and the crowd responds, "It won't shine by itself." The song portrays the theme of perfection and the need for self-improvement. The chrome represents the cyborg's outer layer, which is polished to perfection, symbolizing how the cyborgs want to present themselves, with no blemishes or flaws.
The following lyrics introduce the Electrified Betas who have organized an end-of-the-world cyber-freak festival. Melanie 45221 and Asada 8550, the sisters, encourage the audience to join them at the youth auditorium along with DJ Crash Crash and the Wondaland Jam Authority. The festival will have lots of fun activities, including a bouncing electro-booty contest, an atomic kissing contest, and much more. The festival offers an escape from the mundane realities of the world and is a safe haven for the cyborg community, where they can unite, celebrate their uniqueness and let their hair down.
In conclusion, the song The Chrome Shoppe is an elaborate depiction of a cyborg's lifestyle, where their outer appearance must reflect an impeccable, flawless image. The Electrified Betas festival is a way to celebrate their existence, embrace their identity, and encourage participation in the cyborg community.
Line by Line Meaning
Good morning, midnight, this is DJ Crash Crash
DJ Crash Crash introduces himself and sets the tone for the announcement.
And I'm here at the Dark Park Metal Shoppe getting my chrome polished
DJ Crash Crash is at the Dark Park Metal Shoppe getting his chrome polished and preparing for the end-of-the-world cyber freak festival.
Y'all here know why we're getting our chrome right?
DJ Crash Crash asks the audience if they know why they're getting their chrome polished.
('Cause it won't shine by itself)
The audience responds with the obvious statement that chrome won't shine by itself, emphasizing the importance of taking action.
It won't shine by itself, right, it won't shine by itself is right
DJ Crash Crash agrees with the audience and reiterates the importance of taking action.
Well tonight, we've got the Electrified Betas throwing an end-of-the-world cyber freak festival
DJ Crash Crash announces the Electrified Betas' end-of-the-world cyber freak festival happening that night.
Some funny subsistence for y'all to do, don't let it break you now
DJ Crash Crash encourages the audience to participate in the festival and not let it break them.
Lookie here, we got the sisters looking good
DJ Crash Crash highlights the appearance of the sisters at the festival.
Shining bright, here to tell y'all about it
The sisters are shining bright and ready to tell the audience about the Electrified Betas' new chapter.
Yeah, this is Melanie 45221
Melanie 45221 introduces herself as one of the sisters from the Electrified Betas.
And Asada 8550
Asada 8550 introduces herself as another sister from the Electrified Betas.
With the new, new chapter of the Electrified Betas!
The sisters introduce the Electrified Betas' new chapter.
We will be at the youth auditorium tonight
The Electrified Betas will be at the youth auditorium that night.
Along with DJ Crash Crash, and the Wondaland Jam Authority
DJ Crash Crash and the Wondaland Jam Authority will also be at the youth auditorium that night.
Female alpha platinums are in for free
Female alpha platinums can attend the festival for free.
Clones and humans welcome after midnight
Clones and humans are welcome to attend the festival after midnight.
We're gonna have a bouncing electro-booty contest
The festival will feature a bouncing electro-booty contest.
An atomic kissing contest and much, much more!
There will be an atomic kissing contest and other festivities at the festival.
No bounty hunters allowed
Bounty hunters are not allowed at the festival.
Bring your punk ass up here looking for Cyndi Mayweather, and you might get hurt!
DJ Crash Crash warns anyone looking for Cyndi Mayweather to beware of the consequences.
Woo! That's right, sisters, power up, power up! Now take us to our next song
The sisters exclaim and encourage each other to power up, and DJ Crash Crash introduces the next song.
This is Cindy's newest jam, "Dance Apocalyptic", here at 105,5 WDRD
DJ Crash Crash plays Cyndi Mayweather's newest jam "Dance Apocalyptic" on the radio station WDRD.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Chuck Lighting
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind