What Is Love
Janelle Monáe Lyrics


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I am sharper than a razor
Eyes made of lasers
Bolder than the truth
They want me locked up in the system
'Cuz I'm on a mission
Blame it on my youth
Too long I've been out here on my own
Now I'm bout to bring it home
Like a rolling stone
I ain't never been afraid to die
Look a man in the eye

I come to give you what you love
It's time to give you what you love
I'mma give you what you love
Givin' you what you love

I am sharper than a switchblade
First and last of what God made and that's the truth
But man, keep on tryna' hold me back
While another chicken head come home to roost
Too strong, tryna do me wrong
And the last one standing will order to my dance
Ohhodance!

Run tell your preacher and your teacher

I come to give you what you love
It's time to give you what you love
I'mma give you what you love
Givin' you what you love

I say to take your time!
Take what you love
Baby, just enough
But never too much

I say to take your time!
Take what you love
Baby, just enough
But never too much
Take your time!

Would you give me what you love!

Two dimes walked up in the building
Tall and concealing, wearing fancy things
Chopped up with a knife, hammered like a screw
When they walked in the room we didn't know what to do
One looked at me and I looked back
She said, "Can you tell me where the party's at?"




She followed me back to the lobby
Yeah, she was looking at me for some undercover love

Overall Meaning

The song "Givin Em What They Love" by Janelle Monáe featuring Prince is a powerful declaration of confidence and liberation. The opening lines, "I am sharper than a razor, eyes made of lasers, bolder than the truth," immediately set the tone for the rest of the song, as Monáe asserts her strength and fearlessness in the face of society's attempts to hold her back. She expresses disdain for systems of oppression ("They want me locked up in the system") and the judgment of those who don't understand her mission ("Blame it on my youth"). But she refuses to be defeated, declaring that she's finally "bout to bring it home" and "give you what you love."


Throughout the song, Monáe uses various metaphors to assert her power and strength. She compares herself to a rolling stone and a switchblade, both objects that are sharp and unstoppable. She encourages listeners to embrace what they love, but to also be mindful not to indulge in excess ("Take what you love, baby, just enough, but never too much"). The song ends with a playful reference to a flirtation with another woman, reinforcing Monáe's confidence in her sexuality and her willingness to be open and adventurous.


Overall, "Givin Em What They Love" is a bold and unapologetic anthem of self-love and empowerment. It's a call to others to embrace their own strength and to stand up against oppression and injustice.


Line by Line Meaning

I am sharper than a razor
I am extremely quick-witted and intelligent


Eyes made of lasers
My gaze is intense and focused, like a laser beam


Bolder than the truth
I am not afraid to speak the truth, even if it may be controversial or unpopular


They want me locked up in the system
The establishment is threatened by my message and wants to silence me


'Cuz I'm on a mission
I have a specific purpose and goal I am working towards


Blame it on my youth
My passion and rebellious spirit comes from my youth and life experiences


Too long I've been out here on my own
I have been fighting this battle alone for too long


Now I'm bout to bring it home
I am coming close to achieving my goal


Like a rolling stone
I am constantly moving forward and making progress


I ain't never been afraid to die
I am willing to risk everything for my cause


Look a man in the eye
I am not afraid to confront anyone or anything that stands in my way


I come to give you what you love
I am here to give you what you truly desire and need


It's time to give you what you love
It is long overdue to give you what you deserve


I'mma give you what you love
I am going to deliver what you need


Givin' you what you love
I am giving you everything you have been longing for


I say to take your time!
I advise you to slow down and enjoy the moment


Take what you love
Take what truly matters to you


Baby, just enough
Take what is essential and not excessive


But never too much
Avoid taking more than what is necessary or could harm you


Would you give me what you love!
Will you reciprocate my love and support?




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Janelle Monae Robinson, Nathaniel Irvin III, Terrence Brown, Charles Joseph

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

NiKikko aka Alpaca Llama

What is love
If it's not with you,
I know when you're alone you feel it too.
In your arms is where I long to be,
'Cause being with you gives me sanity. (Hey!)

(Oohh)

Listen to me darling,
I wake up every morning
Thinking 'bout the way you feel.

(Oohh)

I wonder if you know it,
And what good is the party
If you're not around?
Listen to me now.

What good is love (This is a crazy love)
If it's not your love (It's an amazing love)
What good is love (It's an amazing love)
If it's not your love (It's an amazing love)

What's a song,
If you can't hear it too?
Can't imagine dancing without you.
A shooting star ain't really nothing to see,
If you're not right here standing next to me. (Hey!)

(Oohh)

Listen to me darling,
I wake up every morning
Thinking 'bout the way you feel.

(Oohh)

I wonder if you know it,
And what good is the party
If you're not around?
Listen to me now.

What good is love (This is a crazy love)
If it's not your love (It's an amazing love)
What good is love (It's an amazing love)
If it's not your love (It's an amazing love)

(Whoaa)

What is love
If it's not with you,
I know when you're alone you feel it too.
In your arms is where I long to be,
'Cause being with you gives me sanity. (Hey!)

(Oohh)

Listen to me darling,
I wake up every morning
Thinking 'bout the way you feel.

(Oohh)

I wonder if you know it,
And what good is the party
If you're not around?
Listen to me now.

What good is love (This is a crazy love)
If it's not your love (It's an amazing love)
What good is love
If it's not your love

What's the song?
What's the word?
In this love with you? (It's an amazing love)
If it is not with you, (It's an amazing love)
If you came here too. (It's an amazing love)

(Oohh)

I know when you're alone,
You've got to feel it too!
Ho, yeah, oh, yeah
What is love!
Listen to me darling!
What is love if it's not with you?



Volkanımsı Gacha

and its translation into Turkish:


Aşk nedir
Seninle değilse
Biliyorum yalnızken sen de hissediyorsun.
Kollarında, uzun süredir olduğum yer
Çünkü seninle olmak bana akıl veriyor. (Hey!)

(Oohh)

Beni dinle sevgilim
Her sabah uyanırım
Nasıl hissettiğini düşünüyorsun.

(Oohh)

Merak ediyorum biliyor musun
Ve parti ne güzel
Eğer etrafta değilsen
Şimdi beni dinle.

Aşk ne kadar iyi (Bu çılgın bir aşk)
Aşkın değilse (Bu inanılmaz bir aşk)
Aşk ne kadar iyi (Bu inanılmaz bir aşk)
Aşkın değilse (Bu inanılmaz bir aşk)

Şarkı nedir
Sen de duyamıyorsan?
Sensiz dans etmeyi hayal bile edemiyorum.
Kayan bir yıldız gerçekten görülecek bir şey değil
Eğer tam burada yanımda değilsen. (Hey!)

(Oohh)

Beni dinle sevgilim
Her sabah uyanırım
Nasıl hissettiğini düşünüyorsun.

(Oohh)

Merak ediyorum biliyor musun
Ve parti ne güzel
Eğer etrafta değilsen
Şimdi beni dinle.

Aşk ne kadar iyi (Bu çılgın bir aşk)
Aşkın değilse (Bu inanılmaz bir aşk)
Aşk ne kadar iyi (Bu inanılmaz bir aşk)
Aşkın değilse (Bu inanılmaz bir aşk)
(Whoaa)

Aşk nedir
Seninle değilse
Biliyorum yalnızken sen de hissediyorsun.
Kollarında, uzun süredir olduğum yer
Çünkü seninle olmak bana akıl veriyor. (Hey!)

(Oohh)

Beni dinle sevgilim
Her sabah uyanırım
Nasıl hissettiğini düşünüyorsun.

(Oohh)

Merak ediyorum biliyor musun
Ve parti ne güzel
Eğer etrafta değilsen
Şimdi beni dinle.

Aşk ne kadar iyi (Bu çılgın bir aşk)
Aşkın değilse (Bu inanılmaz bir aşk)
Aşk ne kadar iyi
Senin aşkın değilse

Şarkı ne
Kelime nedir?
Bu aşkta seninle (Bu inanılmaz bir aşk)
Seninle değilse (Bu inanılmaz bir aşk)
Sen de buraya geldiysen. (Bu inanılmaz bir aşk)

(Oohh)

Biliyorum ne zaman yalnızsın
Siz de hissetmelisiniz!
Ho, evet, oh, evet
Aşk nedir!
Beni dinle sevgilim
Seninle değilse aşk nedir?



Marian Sosa Mendoza

What is love
If it's not with you
I know when you're alone you feel it too
In your arms is where I long to be
Cause being with you gives me sanity

Listen to me darling
I wake up every morning
Thinking bout the way you feel
I wonder if you know it
And what good is the party
If you're not around
Listen to me now

What good is love
If it's not your love
What good is love
If it's not your love
What good is love
If it's not your love


What's a song
I know when you're alone
You've got to feel it too
Oh, yeah, oh, yeah
What is love
Listen to me darling
What is love if it's not with you
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Gloria Is Here

Hey Janelle will this make you happy?
♪ What is love if it's not with you?
I know when you're alone, you feel it too
In your arms is where I long to be
'Cause being with you gives me sanity

♪ Oh-oh... listen to me, darling
I wake up every morning thinkin' 'bout the way you feel
Oh-oh... I wonder if you know it
And what good is the party if you're not around?
Listen to me now ♪

♪ What good is love (Is it a crazy love?)
If it's not your love? (Is it a crazy love?)
What good is love (Nico: Am I your baby love?)
If it's not your love? (Nico: Is it a crazy love?) ♪

Pedro:
♪ This is a crazy party
I'm so glad I'm here with everybody
Baby, move your body, shake it to the ground
Break it, break it, break it, break it, break it down, Blu! ♪

Blu:
Me? ♪ What's a song if you can't hear it too? ♪

Jewel:
♪ Can't imagine dancing without you ♪ (Blu: Ooh)

Blu:
♪ A shooting star ain't really nothin' to see ♪

Jewel:
♪ If you're not right here standing next to me ♪ (Blu: Oh!)

♪ Oh-oh... Listen to me, darling
I wake up every morning thinkin' 'bout the way you feel (Jewel: Hey, hey!)
Oh-oh... I wonder if you know it
And what good is the party if you're not around?
Listen to me now
What good is love (Is it a crazy love?)
If it's not your love? (Is it amazing love?) ♪



All comments from YouTube:

jacqueline ajucum

it’s been 5 years and I’m STILL listening but no regrets

𝑋𝑂 Family

jacqueline ajucum yeah I love the film too

Dream Kettle2

Samee

XXJAYMXX 12

Same

Matheus Rodrigues

same

J and N Plushies

6 years and same

10 More Replies...

Cooking with Daniel

I love the sounds of the Brazilian instruments and the samba!

Daniel Guedes

americanos/ingleses que gostam da nossa cultura = <3

Vandoir Trochi

Daniel Guedes Politicos/Empresarios que gostam do nosso dinheiro (Infelizmente). Mas a cultura nossa não peca. Alguns não valorizam.

Daniel E Cavalcanti

DanielzeFourth We Brazilians We were very happy to know that Our Culture Is Admired, Thanks !!

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