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.
We Were Rock & Roll
Janelle Monáe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I smell the breeze, I feel the sun
Old memories, come back to me
The way we used to dance, the way you clapped your hands
I remember, the smell of guns, war lived in me, but love finally won
I've been delayed, I've been denied
And then you came around and took the crown
We were unbreakable
We were like rock & roll
We were like a king and queen
I want you to know
No matter how the story's told
We were like rock & roll
We were like a king and queen
I want you to know
I remember, a time alone
Wanted to dance, locked in your arms
Your melody, stays on me
You were twenty-one, and thought we owned the sun
And I remember, our plan to run
My rebel ways, and your unadunce
We go insane, but it felt so fun
And now your queen is on to take the throne
We were unbreakable
We were like rock & roll
We were like a king and queen
I want you to know
No matter how the story's told
We were like rock and roll
We were unbreakable
I want you to know
Now let me say its alright
It's alright
Let me say its alright, it's alright
Say it's alright
Kalindo help me sing it louder!
So what do you wanna do
Down in Mexico
Off in Paris France
And back to Tokyo
Way too cold
And do anything for you
So what are you gonna do
'Cause I remember you
The lyrics of Janelle Monáe's song We Were Rock & Roll paint a vivid picture of a past romance that was both passionate and tumultuous. The singer remembers the relationship fondly, recalling the feeling of the autumn breeze and the warmth of the sun. Memories flood back to her of the way they used to dance and the sound of his clapping hands. She also remembers the difficult times during which war lived within her, but love ultimately conquered all. Despite experiencing delays and denials, the arrival of her lover seemed to give her the confidence to seize the figurative 'crown.' The couple was unbreakable like rock & roll and felt like royalty as king and queen.
In the second verse, Monáe reminisces of a specific moment when they were alone and dancing locked in each other's arms. She recalls the melody of the moment, and how they thought they owned the sun as young lovers do. The couple had a plan to run away together, as she described her rebel ways and her partner's unadulterated spirit. They sometimes went insane, but it was all worth it for the fun they had. The singer concludes the verse by stating that now her partner's queen is coming to take her place.
The chorus repeats the idea of the relationship being unbreakable like rock & roll, and again identifies the couple as king and queen. Monáe wants her former lover to know that no matter how the story is told, they were always like rock & roll and unbreakable. The song concludes with a final chorus, along with an outro featuring the singers' friend Kalindo.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember, around autumn time
During a fall season, I can recall past events
I smell the breeze, I feel the sun
The warm air and bright sun evoke certain feelings within me
Old memories, come back to me
Past recollections resurface in my mind
The way we used to dance, the way you clapped your hands
I reminisce about the specific dance moves and actions we used to perform
I remember, the smell of guns, war lived in me, but love finally won
I can recall the scent of weaponry, as well as the war I was faced with, but ultimately love emerged as the victor
I've been delayed, I've been denied
I have faced setbacks and rejection
And then you came around and took the crown
But then you appeared and became the champion
We were unbreakable
Together we were impervious to harm
We were like rock & roll
We embodied the freedom, spirit, and energy of rock and roll music
We were like a king and queen
We portrayed royalty, strength, and regality
I want you to know
I desire for you to acknowledge this and understand
No matter how the story's told
Despite how one may recount it
We were like rock & roll
We indeed personified rock and roll
We were unbreakable
We were untouchable and unbeatable
I remember, a time alone
There was a specific moment without anyone else present
Wanted to dance, locked in your arms
I very much longed to dance and be tightly held by you
Your melody, stays on me
Your music remains with me, always on my mind
You were twenty-one, and thought we owned the sun
At the age of twenty-one, you believed we had complete power
And I remember, our plan to run
I particularly recollect our scheme to escape
My rebel ways, and your unadunce
My rebellious tendencies along with your clumsiness
We go insane, but it felt so fun
We became wild and crazy but felt absolute ecstasy
And now your queen is on to take the throne
And now you have a woman who will rule along with you
Now let me say its alright
Allow me to declare that everything is fine
It's alright
Things will be okay
Say it's alright
I want you to express that everything is alright
Kalindo help me sing it louder!
Someone named Kalindo, please help me sing it at a greater volume!
So what do you wanna do
What is it that you would like to do?
Down in Mexico
Perhaps in Mexico
Off in Paris France
Or maybe even in Paris, France
And back to Tokyo
We could also return to Tokyo
Way too cold
It could be far too chilly for our liking
And do anything for you
I would be willing to try anything for you
So what are you gonna do
What is it that you will do?
Cause I remember you
Because I cannot forget about you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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