Django Jane
Janelle Monae Lyrics


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Yeah, yeah this is my palace, champagne in my chalice
I got it all covered like a wedding band
Wonderland, so my alias is Alice
We gon' start a motherfuckin' pussy riot
Or we gon' have to put 'em on a pussy diet
Look at that, I guarantee I got 'em quiet
Look at that, I guarantee they all inspired
A-town, made it out there
Straight out of Kansas City, yeah we made it out there
Celebrated, graduated, made it pass/fail
Sassy, classy, Kool-Aid with the kale
Momma was a G, she was cleanin' hotels
Poppa was a driver, I was workin' retail
Kept us in the back of the store
We ain't hidden no more, moonlit nigga, lit nigga

Already got a Oscar for the casa
Runnin' down Grammys with the family
Prolly give a Tony to the homies
Prolly get a Emmy dedicated to the
Highly melanated, ArchAndroid orchestrated
Yeah, we highly melanated, ArchAndroid orchestrated

Yeah, Gemini they still jammin'
Box office numbers, and they doin' outstandin'
Runnin' outta space in my damn bandwagon
Remember when they used to say I look too mannish
Black girl magic, y'all can't stand it
Y'all can't ban it, made out like a bandit
They been trying hard just to make us all vanish
I suggest they put a flag on a whole 'nother planet

Jane Bond, never Jane Doe
And I Django, never Sambo
Black and white, yeah that's always been my camo
It's lookin' like y'all gon' need some more ammo
I cut 'em off, I cut 'em off, I cut 'em off like Van Gogh
Now, pan right for the angle
I got away with murder, no Scandal
Cue the violins and the violas

We gave you life, we gave you birth
We gave you God, we gave you Earth
We fem the future, don't make it worse
You want the world? Well, what's it worth?
Emoticons, Decepticons, and Autobots
Who twist the plot?
Who shot the sheriff, then fled to Paris
In the darkest hour, spoke truth to power?
Made a fandroid outta yo girlfriend
Let's get caught downtown in the whirlwind
And paint the city pink, paint the city pink
And tuck the pearls in, just in case the world end

And nigga, down dawg
Nigga move back, take a seat, you were not involved
And hit the mute button
Let the vagina have a monologue
Mansplaining, I fold em like origami
What's a wave, baby? This a tsunami
For the culture, I kamikaze
I put my life on a life line
If she the G.O.A.T. now, would anybody doubt it?
If she the G.O.A.T. now, would anybody doubt it?




Do anybody got it? Do anybody got it?
I say anybody got it?

Overall Meaning

"Django Jane" is a fierce song that features Janelle Monáe asserting her power and dominance. The opening lines - "Yeah, yeah this is my palace, champagne in my chalice, I got it all covered like a wedding band, Wonderland, so my alias is Alice" - makes it clear that she is not only a force to be reckoned with, but also that she is comfortable and confident in her own skin. She goes on to reference the Pussy Riot movement, hinting at her own ambitions for revolution and change, and demands that those who seek to suppress or control women be put on a "pussy diet." She also touches on her background, hailing from A-town (Atlanta) and Kansas City, making it out of poverty and making success of herself.


The song is a powerful feminist anthem that celebrates black girl magic, holding up women of color as potential leaders and game-changers. Monáe takes on the superhero persona of Jane Bond, never Jane Doe, and Django, never Sambo, embracing her blackness and leveraging it as a weapon. She flips the script on patriarchal norms and disrupts the status quo, calling for a new world order where women are equal players. The lyrics are full of wordplay, alliteration, and clever metaphors, highlighting Monáe's genius as a lyricist, and the powerful message she has to share with the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, yeah this is my palace, champagne in my chalice
I am in a position of power and luxury, with every need catered to.


I got it all covered like a wedding band
Everything is under control and well-managed, like a professional wedding band.


Wonderland, so my alias is Alice
This world is like a strange wonderland and I am navigating it with confidence and curiosity.


We gon' start a motherfuckin' pussy riot
We are going to shake things up and demand respect for women and marginalized groups.


Or we gon' have to put 'em on a pussy diet
Those who disrespect and oppress women will either have to change their ways or face consequences.


Look at that, I guarantee I got 'em quiet
My power and confidence are silencing my critics and making them pay attention.


Look at that, I guarantee they all inspired
My success and attitude are inspiring others to be confident and empowered.


A-town, made it out there
I am from Atlanta and have made a name for myself there.


Straight out of Kansas City, yeah we made it out there
I am also from Kansas City and have overcome obstacles to achieve success.


Celebrated, graduated, made it pass/fail
I have achieved success in my education and career despite facing challenges and setbacks.


Sassy, classy, Kool-Aid with the kale
I am confident and stylish, with a mix of tradition and modernity.


Momma was a G, she was cleanin' hotels
My mother was a strong woman who worked hard to support our family in low-paying jobs.


Poppa was a driver, I was workin' retail
My father was also a hardworking provider while I worked a less glamorous retail job.


Kept us in the back of the store
We faced discrimination and were often overlooked and marginalized.


We ain't hidden no more, moonlit nigga, lit nigga
Now, I am successful and visible, empowered and shining.


Already got a Oscar for the casa
I have already achieved success and recognition, such as winning an Academy Award.


Runnin' down Grammys with the family
I am on a path of continued success and recognition, accomplishing much with those closest to me.


Prolly give a Tony to the homies
I am confident that my friends and colleagues will achieve success and recognition in other fields.


Prolly get a Emmy dedicated to the highly melanated, ArchAndroid orchestrated
I am confident that my work and artistry will be recognized and celebrated, especially for its cultural significance and orchestration.


Yeah, we highly melanated, ArchAndroid orchestrated
My creativity is rooted in my cultural identity, and I am confident in my abilities as an artist and orchestrator of my projects.


Yeah, Gemini they still jammin'
I am confident in my versatility and adaptability in various situations, like a Gemini zodiac sign that is still highly successful.


Box office numbers, and they doin' outstandin'
My work and projects are highly successful and generate impressive revenue and engagement.


Runnin' outta space in my damn bandwagon
My success and popularity is overwhelming and I am outgrowing my current networks and fans.


Remember when they used to say I look too mannish
I faced criticism and misogyny for not fitting traditional feminine beauty standards.


Black girl magic, y'all can't stand it
I am proud of being a powerful and successful Black woman, despite facing opposition and discrimination.


Y'all can't ban it, made out like a bandit
No one can stop my success and I have thrived against the odds.


They been trying hard just to make us all vanish
Oppressors have been attempting to silence and erase minorities and marginalized groups.


I suggest they put a flag on a whole 'nother planet
We are powerful and deserve a space of our own, where we can be free and respected.


Jane Bond, never Jane Doe
I am a strong and powerful woman like James Bond, not an anonymous and insignificant victim.


And I Django, never Sambo
I am a strong and assertive Black person like Django Unchained, not a stereotypical and demeaning character like Sambo.


Black and white, yeah that's always been my camo
My identity is rooted in Blackness, but I am also capable of adapting and blending in when necessary.


It's lookin' like y'all gon' need some more ammo
Oppressors will need to try harder to silence me and others fighting for justice.


I cut 'em off, I cut 'em off, I cut 'em off like Van Gogh
I am not afraid to remove toxic or negative people from my life and work, like Van Gogh cutting off his own ear as a symbol of detachment.


Now, pan right for the angle
Take a wider view and understand the full picture.


I got away with murder, no Scandal
My success and power have not come at the expense of others or through scandalous means.


Cue the violins and the violas
It's time to celebrate my success and accomplishments with elegant and classy music.


We gave you life, we gave you birth
Women are the creators of life and have the power to give birth.


We gave you God, we gave you Earth
Women are divine and the givers of life and the planet.


We fem the future, don't make it worse
Women and femininity are the keys to the future, and we will not let anyone undermine that.


You want the world? Well, what's it worth?
Ambition and success come at a price, and one must be willing to pay it to achieve their goals.


Emoticons, Decepticons, and Autobots
Various symbols, façades, and stereotypes used to mask or reveal hidden intentions.


Who twist the plot?
Who is in control of the narrative and the story?


Who shot the sheriff, then fled to Paris
Who is responsible for crimes and injustice and who is escaping accountability?


In the darkest hour, spoke truth to power?
Did we have the courage to speak up and stand for what is right when it mattered the most?


Made a fandroid outta yo girlfriend
I am successful and influential enough to change people's opinions and preferences.


Let's get caught downtown in the whirlwind
Let's embrace the chaos and excitement of life and success.


And paint the city pink, paint the city pink
Let's leave our mark and make a statement with our success and power, especially as women.


And tuck the pearls in, just in case the world end
Let's be prepared for anything and have our defenses ready, even in times of uncertainty and chaos.


And nigga, down dawg
Calm down and chill out, my friend.


Nigga move back, take a seat, you were not involved
Step back and let those with experience and authority handle the situation.


And hit the mute button
Shut up and listen, especially to women and minorities who are often ignored and silenced.


Let the vagina have a monologue
Let women speak and be heard, without interruption or interference.


Mansplaining, I fold em like origami
I will not tolerate men belittling or condescending to me or others, and I will put them in their place.


What's a wave, baby? This a tsunami
I am a powerful force to be reckoned with, not just a small ripple or trend.


For the culture, I kamikaze
I am willing to sacrifice and take risks for the betterment and empowerment of my people and community.


I put my life on a life line
I have invested everything I have in my work and mission, and will risk everything for it.


If she the G.O.A.T. now, would anybody doubt it?
If I am the greatest of all time in my field and accomplishments, will anyone try to challenge that?


Do anybody got it? Do anybody got it?
Is there anyone who can match my abilities and success? I don't think so.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Axelrod, Janelle Monae Robinson, Nana Tuffuor, Nathaniel III Irvin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@faiththomas1749

Why in the world do we black folk have to fight EVERY DAMN BATTLE BY OURSELVES , I have to fight 4 battles :
1. My color (my peanut butter complexion )
2. My gender
3. My athleticism ( bcoz I’m a female society says it’s taboo for black women to be athletic )
Oh and I thought of a secret one

4. MY INTROVERTED INTELLECTUALISM ( just coz I’m quiet doesn’t mean I don’t HAVE A VOICE )

And those 4 are just the nice ones I CAN THINK OF



All comments from YouTube:

@CassandraDidoMedea

If Beyonce released this it would be all people talking about. Not shading on Beyonce she's amazing, but Janelle deserves so much recognition she's not getting.

@chenanigans

And she's been spitting bars like this since long before this. She has been and still is wayyyyyy toooooo slept on. She's been on this elevating and celebrating black women and black culture wave, Bey just hopped on the wave yet gets all the praise. Janelle deserves so much more recognition!!!!!

@reiyakali8995

Rochelle Holland truth

@LonesomeBanana

TRUE!!! She has so much talent, but she’s not getting enough credit for it though

@alginyes

Beyoncé celebrates blackness, black women hood and black family, something Mona’s can’t do. Family, black man and Black woman. Not this promotion of black lesbianism that is set out to destroy the black family.

@BeyondSideshow

alginyes
"Lesbianism" what??

59 More Replies...

@user-zj1st8tp4n

This song should have been included in the black panther soundtrack

@shannonsurjue-grant5037

Ella K hoodoo like frfr

@beejj6190

Nice to see her back (after that shit Yoga song chart attempt) but doesn't need to jump oin that fkin stupid N-word bandwagon...! SMH, learn from Black Panther!

@_Rhatsody

Beej J pop ten is totally "shit" indeed 🙄🙄🙄 https://www.billboard.com/music/janelle-monae/chart-history/r-and-b-songs/song/885725

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