Neon Valley Street
Janelle MonŠe Lyrics


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May this song reach your heart
May your ears love the sweet melody
Every note, every chord
I've arranged them for you and for me

May the sound of my voice be your guide
Bring you closer to me
Let us bathe in the noise
Let the love in your heart speak to me

Oh now, I'll pretend
I'm holding your hand

May this song reach your heart
May this song reach your heart
May this song reach your heart
May this song journey on to you

We met alone forbidden in the city
Running fast through time like Tubman and John Henry
But the time was wrong
Illegal aliens moaned
It's such a pity that the city's just a danger zone
Atomic blues bombing hearts like Iraqis in Babylon
The droid control will take your soul and rate it
Berate, slay it
You hate it and debate it but you don't get caught
And outlaw outrunning the law, ha

May the strings make you smile
May they always remind you of me

For now let's pretend
I'm holding your hand

May this song reach your heart
May this song reach your heart




May this song reach your heart
May this song journey on for you

Overall Meaning

In "Neon Valley Street," Janelle Monáe sings about the power of music as a means of connection, especially for two people who are separated by distance or circumstance. The opening verses express her hopes that the song will bring the listener closer to her, both literally and emotionally. She celebrates every note and chord in the song, which she has carefully arranged as a love letter to the listener. Through the sound of her voice and the music, she hopes to establish a deep connection that transcends physical distance, as if they are holding hands.


The second half of the song shifts to a more specific narrative, as Monáe sings about meeting someone in secret in the city. She draws a parallel between their risky rendezvous and the daring escapes of Harriet Tubman and John Henry, two figures known for their courage and resourcefulness in the face of oppression. Monáe suggests that they are similarly defying the odds by pursuing a forbidden connection in a dangerous environment.


The song's chorus returns, repeating the refrain "may this song reach your heart" several times, as if invoking a prayer. The final lines of the song affirm that the music is a way to keep their connection alive despite the obstacles they face.


Line by Line Meaning

May this song reach your heart
May the emotional essence of this song resonate deeply with you.


May your ears love the sweet melody
May you find the music in this song delightful and pleasant to listen to.


Every note, every chord
Every element of the music composition has been carefully considered and crafted.


I've arranged them for you and for me
The music has been created with the intention of bringing both the artist and listener together in a shared emotional experience.


May the sound of my voice be your guide
The artist hopes the listener can connect deeply with the emotions conveyed in the lyrics through the power of her voice.


Bring you closer to me
Through sharing this music, the artist hopes to create a special connection with her audience.


Let us bathe in the noise
The artist encourages the listener to immerse themselves fully in the music, allowing it to transport them to another place entirely.


Let the love in your heart speak to me
By allowing the music to speak to them in a meaningful way, the listener can connect with the artist and express their own emotions.


Oh now, I'll pretend
The artist imagines herself holding the listener's hand, creating a sense of intimacy and shared experience between them.


We met alone forbidden in the city
The artist and their lover had to meet in secret in a dangerous, hostile environment.


Running fast through time like Tubman and John Henry
The artist and their lover were determined to overcome the obstacles in their way, much like the heroic figures of Tubman and John Henry.


But the time was wrong
The circumstances surrounding their meeting were not ideal, and the relationship was ultimately doomed to fail.


Illegal aliens moaned
The people living in the city were oppressed and marginalized, creating an atmosphere of pain and sorrow.


It's such a pity that the city's just a danger zone
The city is a place of danger and risk, where people are forced to live on the edge of survival.


Atomic blues bombing hearts like Iraqis in Babylon
The harsh realities of war and political oppression weigh heavily on the hearts and minds of the people living in the city.


The droid control will take your soul and rate it
Technology and social structures are used to control and oppress the people living in the city.


Berate, slay it
The people in power are ruthless and cruel, treating those beneath them with disdain and hostility.


You hate it and debate it but you don't get caught
People are constantly struggling to resist this oppressive system, even though doing so can be dangerous and life-threatening.


And outlaw outrunning the law, ha
Despite the risks, some are brave enough to resist this system and fight for justice and freedom.


May the strings make you smile
The artist hopes that the melody of the song can bring some joy and happiness to the listener.


May they always remind you of me
The artist hopes that her music can create a lasting connection with her audience, even after the song has ended.


For now let's pretend
Once again, the artist imagines herself holding the listener's hand, creating a sense of closeness and intimacy between them.


May this song journey on for you
The artist hopes that this song can be a source of comfort and inspiration for the listener, even after they have parted ways.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES DELBERT JOSEPH, JANELLE MONAE ROBINSON, LORENZ HART, NATHANIEL IRVIN, RICHARD RODGERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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