Cindi
Janelle Monae Lyrics


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As I search for a home
And a place to belong
I find it hard to fit in
I meet lots of pretty girls
In this fantasy world

Waiting for their turn to shine
So I try to be Cindi
In hopes that they'd notice
But I wasn't their cup of tea
It's so lonely when I'm only being me

Who's that girl in the mirror
With hair like a rock star?
She wants to dance but she has cold feet
Her confidence is low

So much talent but who'll know?
When she's afraid to follow her dreams
So I talk to her heart and made up her mind
That I gotta except her for me
But it's so lonely when I'm only being me

Ooh, you gotta be you




And I've gotta be me
Only, only be me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Janelle Monáe's song "Cindi" express the feelings of someone who is searching for a place to belong. The singer feels like an outsider and struggles to fit in with the pretty girls in this fantastical world. She tries to be someone else, Cindi, in hopes that she would be noticed by the others. However, she finds out that she wasn't their cup of tea, and she is left feeling lonely when she is only being herself. She looks at herself in the mirror, and she sees a girl with hair like a rock star who wants to dance but has cold feet. This girl has so much talent, but she is afraid to follow her dreams. The singer talks to her heart and decides to accept herself for who she is because it is so lonely when she is only being herself.


The lyrics of "Cindi" can be seen as a reflection of Janelle Monáe's personal experiences. She has spoken about her struggles with fitting in and finding her identity. She has also talked about how her music is a way for her to express herself and connect with people. The name "Cindi" could be a reference to Lucinda, Janelle Monáe's middle name. The song is a reminder to be true to oneself and not to try to be someone else just to fit in.


Line by Line Meaning

As I search for a home
Looking for a place where I truly belong


And a place to belong
A place where I am accepted for who I am


I find it hard to fit in
It's difficult to feel like I belong in certain places


I meet lots of pretty girls
There are many attractive people around me


In this fantasy world
In this perceived perfect world


Waiting for their turn to shine
Waiting for their moment in the spotlight


So I try to be Cindi
I attempt to mimic the ideal/perfect version of myself


In hopes that they'd notice
In the hopes of receiving attention or recognition


But I wasn't their cup of tea
I wasn't what they were looking for or expecting


It's so lonely when I'm only being me
It's isolating when I'm not living up to others' expectations and not being my true self


Who's that girl in the mirror
Who is the person I see reflected in my own image?


With hair like a rock star?
With wildly impressive hair


She wants to dance but she has cold feet
She desires to take action but is apprehensive


Her confidence is low
She lacks self-assurance


So much talent but who'll know?
Despite possessing great ability, who will recognize it?


When she's afraid to follow her dreams
Her fear is holding her back from pursuing her aspirations


So I talk to her heart and made up her mind
I speak from the heart to reach a decision


That I gotta accept her for me
I must accept myself for who I truly am


But it's so lonely when I'm only being me
It's a lonely experience when I'm not living up to my full potential


Ooh, you gotta be you
It's important to be true to oneself


And I've gotta be me
I must be true to my own identity


Only, only be me
Being oneself and unique is the only way to truly find belonging




Contributed by Nolan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Dominique Devereux

I love the lush orchestration in her work.

John Behnke

I love her with all my heart

Lafayette

This is a song that makes you wish youtube had a repeat button, real FUNK.

Ayana Johnson

Im singing this for my BSA audition tomorrow . Thankss Janlle !! <3 <3

@ace_cooks

love her!!

the Tri Stone Era

“It’s so lonely, when I’m only; being me...”

Maikerubusshu sail

Beautiful.....just that

gregew6

classic

achronos178

I'm just.....wow just wow

Rosandra Marie Davis

Where can I get this song.

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