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.
Wondaland
Janelle Monáe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La la la la la la
Early late at night
I wander off into a land
You can go, but you mustn't tell a soul
There's a world inside
Where dreamers meet each other
Let me paint your canvas as you dance
Dance in the trees
Paint mysteries
The magnificent droid plays there
Your magic mind
Makes love to mine
I think I'm in love, angel
Take me back to Wondaland
I gotta get back to Wondaland
Take me back to Wondaland
She thinks she left her underpants
Take me back to Wondaland
I gotta get back to Wondaland
Take me back to Wondaland
She thinks she left her underpants
The grass grows inside
The music floats you gently on your toes
Touch the nose, he'll change our clothes to tuxedos
Don't you freak and hide
I'll be your secret Santa, do you mind?
Don't resist
The fairy gods will have a fit
We should dance
Dance in the trees
Paint mysteries
The magnificent droid plays there
Your magic mind
Makes love to mine
I think I'm in love, angel
Take me back to Wondaland
I gotta get back to Wondaland
Take me back to Wondaland
She thinks she left her underpants
Take me back to Wondaland
I gotta get back to Wondaland
Take me back to Wondaland
She thinks she left her underpants
This is your land
This is my land
We belong here
Stay the night
I am so inspired
You touched my wires
My supernova shining bright
Take me back to Wondaland
I gotta get back to Wondaland
Take me back to Wondaland
She thinks she left her underpants
Take me back to Wondaland
I gotta get back to Wondaland
Take me back to Wondaland
She thinks she left her underpants
Take me back to Wondaland
I gotta get back to Wondaland
Take me back to Wondaland
La, la, la, la, la, la, la
Take me back to Wondaland
I gotta get back to Wondaland
Take me back to Wondaland
She thinks she left her underpants
You know love you, baby
Yes I need ya
Guess I want to know a love
Take me back I want to stay the night
I'm so inspired (I'm so inspired)
You touch my wires
My supernova shining bright (I want to know, I know you want to go)
Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah
Janelle Monáe's song "Wondaland" is a whimsical tribute to a fantastical, dreamlike world where anything is possible. The opening lyrics describe the singer wandering off into a land where dreamers meet each other in secret, and the world is full of mysterious wonders. The singer encourages the listener to let them paint their canvas as they dance, and to surrender themselves to the magic of the world. The chorus repeats the desire to return to Wondaland and the comical reference to someone thinking they left their underpants behind.
Through the lyrics, Monáe creates a utopian land where everyone is free to express themselves. The grass grows inside, the music floats you gently, and droids play there. The singer wants to share this experience with the listener and says they belong here. The line "I am so inspired, you touched my wires" further emphasizes the message of the song, which is to embrace creativity and inspiration.
Overall, "Wondaland" is a reminder to let go of inhibitions and embrace a world full of imagination and wonder. It is a celebration of creativity and the power of inspiration.
Line by Line Meaning
La la la la la la
Repetitive, whimsical introduction to the song
Early late at night
A suggestion that the events of the song may take place during a dream
I wander off into a land
The singer is embarking on a journey, either real or imagined, to a fantastical place
You can go, but you mustn't tell a soul
The journey is secret, and perhaps only meant for certain people
There's a world inside
The fantastical place has its own unique characteristics and culture
Where dreamers meet each other
The people who visit the fantastical place share a common trait: they are dreamers
Once you go it's hard to come back
The journey is transformative and may be difficult to leave behind
Let me paint your canvas as you dance
The artist wants to capture an image of the journey and the person experiencing it
Dance in the trees
An invitation to partake in the fantastical place's unique activities
Paint mysteries
An invitation to explore and discover the fantastical place's secrets
The magnificent droid plays there
A hint at the fantastical place's futuristic or science-fiction elements
Your magic mind
A suggestion that the person experiencing the journey possesses a unique, imaginative mind
Makes love to mine
A suggestion of a deep emotional or intellectual connection between the singer and the person experiencing the journey
I think I'm in love, angel
An expression of the singer's strong emotions, perhaps due to the transformative nature of the journey and the connection with the person experiencing it
Take me back to Wondaland
An expression of a desire to return to the fantastical place
She thinks she left her underpants
A playful, nonsensical line that could add to the whimsy of the song or hint at deeper meanings
The grass grows inside
A hint at the fantastical place's unique and unusual landscape
The music floats you gently on your toes
The music in the fantastical place has a magical quality
Touch the nose, he'll change our clothes to tuxedos
Another hint at the fantastical place's unconventional nature, where even minor actions can have unusual consequences
Don't you freak and hide
A reassurance to the person experiencing the journey that they should not be afraid or uncomfortable
I'll be your secret Santa, do you mind?
The artist is offering to provide guidance, perhaps in a playful or secretive way
Don't resist
The artist is urging the person experiencing the journey to embrace the fantastical place's transformative nature
The fairy gods will have a fit
Another hint at the fantastical place's magical or supernatural elements
We should dance
The artist is encouraging the person experiencing the journey to participate actively in the fantastical place's unique activities
This is your land
An expression that the fantastical place belongs to the person experiencing the journey
This is my land
An expression that the singer, too, belongs to the fantastical place, and may have arrived there via their own transformative journey
We belong here
An expression of the deep connection and mutual understanding between the person experiencing the journey and the singer
Stay the night
An invitation to further experience the fantastical place's unique qualities, perhaps for a longer time
I am so inspired
The artist is deeply moved by the experience of the fantastical place and the person experiencing the journey
You touched my wires
An expression of the deep connection between the singer and the person experiencing the journey, perhaps with a hint of technological or futuristic elements
Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah
A celebratory exclamation, perhaps suggesting that the transformative journey has had a positive spiritual or emotional impact
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles L Joseph, Janelle Monae Robinson, Nathaniel Irvin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind