Locked Inside
Janelle MonŠe Lyrics
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A land called foolish price
Where the man is always right
He hates to talk but loves to fight
Is that all right?
On real cold days
He loans us lots of hate
To take it all away
Is that okay?
But I'm asking you will you stay with me
In this land where we are free
And I know it's rough
And you've had enough
But one day we'll be happy
And when I look into the future I see danger in its eyes
Hearts of hatred rule the land while love is left aside
Killing plagues the citizens while music slowly dies
I get frightened, I - see, I get frightened, I...
Oh how, oh how I need you baby
To keep me from going crazy
I really need you baby
Need you to stay
Oh how, oh how I love you baby
These people are so crazy
I really need you baby
Need you to stay
She's quick to fight
For her man but not her rights
Even though it's 3005
When will we end this genocide?
And that's not right
Her children cry
No food to eat and her friends as flies
The color black means it's time to die
And nobody questions why
Cause they're too scared to stop the man
But I'm asking you will you stay with me
In this land where we are free
And I know it's rough
And you've had enough
But one day we'll be happy
And when I look into the future I see danger in its eyes
Hearts of hatred rule the land while love is left aside
Killing plagues the citizens while music slowly dies
I get frightened, I - see, I get frightened, I...
Oh how, oh how I need you baby
To keep me from going crazy
I really need you baby
Need you to stay
Oh how, oh how I love you baby
These people are so crazy
I really need you baby
Need you to stay
I can make a change
I can start a fire
Lord make me love again
Fill me with desire
I can make a change
I can start a fire
Make me love again
Lord thank You for desire
And when I look into your pretty eyes I almost want to cry
I think about my life and I don't want to live a lie
How I need you baby, I need you right by my side
I need you tonight, I need you tonight
Yeah! How I need you baby
See I can't let you go, I need you
On the other side
On the other side
I love you so and I'll never let you go
On the other side!
The lyrics of "Locked Inside" by Janelle Monae are an eye-opening critique of the social and political landscape of the United States. In the first two stanzas, the singer describes a dystopian world called 'foolish pride.' It is a place where the man is always right, although he is not one for conversation, but instead prefers fighting. He loans lots of hate on real cold days, and even though people must pay to take it all away, they still face discrimination and oppression. The chorus of the song questions the listener if they will stay with her in this land where they claim to be free, but it is clear they are not.
In the second section of the song, Monae implicates the subtle racism present in American society. She critiques how quick people are to fight for their man's rights but not their own. The songwriter adds that even with a year as advanced as 3005, genocide and racism are still rampant, and people are too afraid to stop the man. The singer implores her audience to stay with her until the time comes when they are genuinely free.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm locked inside
Trapped in a place called foolish price
Where the man is always right
Men here believe they are always correct
He hates to talk but loves to fight
Violence is preferred to peaceful discussions
Is that all right?
Is that acceptable behaviour?
On real cold days
During harsh times
He loans us lots of hate
Hatred is spread during difficult situations
But he says that we must pay
They must suffer negative treatment
To take it all away
To end the harsh treatment
Is that okay?
Is it acceptable behaviour?
But I'm asking you will you stay with me
Will you stand with me in this challenging place?
In this land where we are free
Although trapped, we still have the freedom to stand for what is right
And I know it's rough
I am aware that it is tough
And you've had enough
You are tired of what's happening
But one day we'll be happy
One day it will all be over, and we can be happy together
And when I look into the future I see danger in its eyes
Visualizing the future stands concern its precarious situations
Hearts of hatred rule the land while love is left aside
Hatred dominates the area, with love neglected
Killing plagues the citizens while music slowly dies
People are dying, and the art forms that reflect life are disappearing
I get frightened, I - see, I get frightened, I...
It's a scary landscape, and it scares me
Oh how, oh how I need you baby
I rely on you for support
To keep me from going crazy
To prevent me from losing my mind due to the hopelessness of the circumstance
Need you to stay
I need you to continue to endure this with me
These people are so crazy
The inhabitants of foolish price act in a deranged manner
She's quick to fight
The woman is ready to fight
For her man but not her rights
She will fight for him, but she won't fight for herself
Even though it's 3005
Even though the year is 3005
When will we end this genocide?
When will this mass murder end?
And that's not right
It's unjust
Her children cry
The woman's children are sad
No food to eat and her friends as flies
No food is available, and her friends are abandoning her
The color black means it's time to die
A black color signalizes it is time to die.
And nobody questions why
No one inquiries about why this is occurring.
Cause they're too scared to stop the man
Fear holds them back from standing up to the man.
I can make a change
I have the power to effect progress
I can start a fire
I have the capability to ignite a flame
Lord make me love again
God help me to love once more
Fill me with desire
Fill me with the will to change things.
Lord thank You for desire
I'm thankful for the desire and strength God has given me
And when I look into your pretty eyes I almost want to cry
When I gaze into your lovely eyes, I'm overcome with emotions.
I think about my life, and I don't want to live a lie
I reflect on my existence, and I don't desire to lead a false life.
How I need you baby, I need you right by my side
I require you near me
I love you so, and I'll never let you go
I care for you deeply and will never leave you
On the other side!
Once we're released from foolish price
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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