Tightrope
Janelle Monáe feat. B.o.B & Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
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Monáe and Leftfoot
Janelle Monáe
Whoaaa
(Yeah, yeah)
Another day
(Dab-a-dee Náe)
(Come on)
Some people talk about ya
Like they know all about ya
When you get down, they doubt ya
And when you tip it on the scene
Yeah, they talkin' bout it
'Cause they can't tip on the scene
Watcha talk about it
T-t-t-talkin' bout it
When you get elevated
They love it or they hate it
You dance up on them haters
Keep getting funky on the scene
Why they jumpin' round ya?
They trying to take all of your dreams
But you can't allow it
'Cause baby, whether you're high or low
Whether you're high or low
You got to tip on the tightrope (Tip-tip on it)
T-t-t-tip on the tightrope (Tip-tip on it)
Baby baby, whether you're high or low (High or low)
Baby, whether you're high or low (High or low)
You got to tip on the tightrope (Tip-tip on it)
Now let me see you do the tightrope (Tip-tip on it)
And I'm still tippin' on it
See I'm not walkin' on it
Or tryin' to run around it
This ain't no acrobatics
You either follow or you lead
Yeah, I'm talkin' 'bout you
I'll keep on blaming the machine
Yeah, I'm talkin' bout it
T-t-t-talkin' bout it
I can't complain about it
I gotta keep my balance
And just keep dancin' on it
We gettin' funky on the scene
And you know about it
Like a star on the screen
Watch me tip all on it
Now baby, whether I'm high or low (High or low)
Baby, whether you're high or low (High or low)
You got to tip on the tightrope (Tip-tip on it)
Yeah, tip on the tightrope (Tip-tip on it)
Baby baby, whether you're high or low (High or low)
Baby, whether you're high or low (High or low)
You got to tip on the tightrope (Tip-tip on it)
Baby, let me see ya tightrope (Tip-tip on it)
And I'm still tippin' on it
Big Boi
You gotta keep your balance
Or you fall into the gap
It's a challenge but I manage
'Cause I'm cautious with the strap
Do damage to your cameras damn I thought they cannot pass
See why you don't want no friction
Like the back of a matchbook
Daddy Fat Sax will fold you and your MacBook
Closed shows, shut you down
Before we go-go backwards
Act up, and whether we high or low
We gonna get back up
Like the Dow Jones and NASDAQ
Sorta like a thong in an ass crack
Come on
Janelle Monáe
I tip on alligators and little rattlesnakers
But I'm another flavor
Something like a Terminator
Ain't no equivocating
I fight for what I believe
Why you talkin' bout it?
Sh-sh-she's talkin' bout it
Some callin' me a sinner
Some callin' me a winner
I'm callin' you to dinner
And you know exactly what I mean
Yeah I'm talkin 'bout ya
You can rock or you can leave
Watch me tip without you
N-N-Now whether I'm high or low (High or low)
Whether I'm high or low (High or low)
I'm gonna tip on the tightrope (Tip-tip on it)
Mmmm (Tip-tip on it)
Baby baby, whether I'm high or low (High or low)
High or low (High or low)
I gotta tip on the tightrope (Tip-tip on it)
Now baby, tip on the tightrope (Tip-tip on it)
(Baa baa ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba)
You can get too high
(We can get too high)
I said you can get too low
(We can get too low)
'Cause you get too high
(You can get too high)
Now you'll surely be low
(Now you'll surely be low)
1, 2, 3, hello
Ha
Yeah (Huh)
Yeah
Now shut up! (Oww)
Yeah (Ok)
Yeah (Ok ok ok)
Now put some voodoo on it
Ladies and Gentlemen, the funkiest horn section in Metropolis
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh
We call that classy brass
(I gotta keep my balance)
Ooohhhhhhh
Ooohhhhhhh
(Now, there's a thin line)
OH!
(Now, there's a thin line)
Do ya'll mind
If I play the ukulele
Just like a little lady?
Do ya'll mind
If I play the ukulele
Just like a little lady?
As I play the ukulele
The lyrics to Janelle Monáe's song Tightrope ft. B.O.B. express the theme of perseverance in life. The song starts with Monáe introducing herself and stating that she takes away people's pain by inspiring them with her music. She then goes on to talk about people talking about someone, doubting them when they are down, and trying to take their dreams away. However, Monáe encourages to keep moving, dancing, and climbing higher, regardless of what others say or think. Big Boi adds his verse, encouraging the importance of balance and caution while navigating life's obstacles. Monáe comes back in the chorus, reminding people to stay on the tightrope, regardless of where they are in life, high or low, and to "tip" on the tightrope, which means to keep moving forward.
The song has a strong message of resilience and perseverance, encouraging the listener to continue to "tip on the tightrope" regardless of the situation or how others perceive them. It is a metaphor for navigating through the complexities of life, where every step is a risk, every move is a challenge, but the only way to keep going is to keep dancing on the tightrope.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people talk about ya
People gossip about you
Like they know all about ya
They think they know everything about you
When you get down, they doubt ya
When you're feeling low, they don't believe in you
And when you tip it on the scene, yeah they talkin' bout it
When you succeed, they start talking about you
'Cause they can't tip on the scene
They're jealous because they can't be successful too
Watcha talk about it, t-t-t-talkin' bout it
Why are you even talking about me?
When you get elevated, they love it or they hate it
When you achieve success, people either like you or don't
You dance up on them haters, keep getting funky on the scene
You ignore the negative people and keep achieving success
Why they jumpin' round ya? They trying to take all of your dreams
Jealous people want to ruin your success and happiness
But you can't allow it
You can't let them bring you down
'Cause baby, whether you're high or low
No matter how successful or unsuccessful you are
You got to tip on the tightrope (Tip-tip on it)
You have to keep going and keep your balance
And I'm still tippin' on it
I'm still succeeding despite the obstacles
This ain't no acrobatics
Success isn't about physical tricks, it's about perseverance
You either follow or you lead, yeah, I'm talkin' 'bout you
You either let others lead you, or you lead yourself
I'll keep on blaming the machine, yeah I'm talkin' bout it
I'll keep fighting against the oppressive system
I can't complain about it, I gotta keep my balance
I can't give up, I have to keep going
And just keep dancin' on it, we gettin' funky on the scene
I'll keep dancing and having fun despite the obstacles
And you know about it, like a star on the screen
Everyone knows about my success
I tip on alligators and little rattlesnakers
I can overcome any obstacle, no matter how small or big
But I'm another flavor, something like a Terminator
I'm unique and powerful like a machine
Ain't no equivocating, I fight for what I believe
I won't back down, I'll fight for what I believe in
Some callin' me a sinner, some callin' me a winner
People have different opinions about me
I'm callin' you to dinner, and you know exactly what I mean
I'm inviting you to join me and share in my success
You can rock or you can leave, watch me tip without you
Either support me or don't, I'll succeed without you anyway
Contributed by Logan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ChrisKooltv
Still a banger till this day
@chondele
Seven years later, this is STILL damned amazing.
@reaganibeh9443
YES!!!!!!!
@Jenayelle
The girl is so underrated...
@thewooflingdiva
Seriously! She is one sexy talented beast! Undoubtedly one of the most talented artists out there right now.
@AlexGargilisChannel
She is really one of the very greatest- its kind of hard to fully wrap your mind around it.
@HPSFRoadrunner
After delving deeper into her music tonight, I am convinced, without a doubt that she is the single most talented individual out there right now. She's the complete package.
@stephentaylor4296
Jenayelle Bad to the Bone!!!! And find
@chadhaas6183
For sure
@aflomoviefilm
this remix is criminally under rated (only a bit over 1 million views?!), excellent verses from B.o.B., Lupe Fiasco and Janelle Monae.