Metropolis
Janelle Monae Lyrics

View a sky without any blue
Imagine a world that is devoid of beauty and color

Breakfast on incandescent, built to chew
Eating artificial, processed food that provides no real nourishment

Dream to find another world
Aspire for something better than the current reality

Where a cyborg can love and a cyber girl is still a queen
A world where people are accepted for who they are, regardless of their appearance or biology

Where there's no law
A world without rules and restrictions

Tying my heart from the start
Preventing me from following my desires and passions

Where there's no war
A world free from conflict and violence

If my dreams run a little wild
If my aspirations are unconventional or unconventional

But if there's no call from joy control
If no one tries to control my happiness or emotions

Warning me against this disease in my heart
Trying to stop me from pursuing what I truly desire

Freein' my soul
Allowing me to be true to myself and follow my own path

Population 10 zillion and six
A hyperbolic way of implying that there are a lot of people in this fantasy world

Where signs say, 'Welcome to the Star Core Metropolis'
An introduction to the futuristic city where this song is set

Me, I live on the wired side of town
The singer is from the part of town where technology and cyborgs are prevalent

Reaching and searching for a space called paradise found
Striving to find a utopian place where she can be happy and free

And it's a common thought
A prevailing belief about cyborgs and technology that the artist disagrees with

That wired folk can be sold and bought
The idea that cyborgs are commodities and don't have intrinsic value

That we have no feelings no memories or minds
The misconception that cyborgs don't have emotions or thoughts

That we're bionic strumpets only worth a dime
The idea that cyborgs are only good for sex work and nothing else

To some it's a surprise when I smile
The artist defies these misconceptions and is capable of happiness and joy

And when I hold your hand
Intimacy and connection are possible between cyborgs and humans

They say, "How can a wired thing understand?"
Society questions whether cyborgs are capable of empathy and love

Love is too deep, it's too wide to feel
But the singer knows that love is possible between all beings

When your soul is a button and your foot glows in heels
Even if part of you is mechanical, that doesn't mean you can't have a soul or wear heels

Program, program, reprogram
Technology can be changed and updated, just like people and society can evolve

One nation under a microchip
The idea that technology governs our lives and is omnipresent

Neon slaves, electric savages
The dangers of relying too heavily on technology and dehumanizing ourselves

Open your hearts, open your eyes
A call to be more accepting and empathetic to others

Your chariot will arrive
A metaphor for the promise of a better future

Hey, Anthony Greendown from sector nine
A reference to another character in this world

(From sector nine)
Further clarification about the character's backstory and occupation

With beautiful eyes
A description of the character's physical appearance

I've served you now about thirty eight times
The artist has interacted with this person many times before

You see me laughing
The artist is capable of experiencing happiness and joy despite being a cyborg

The love when I hold your hand
Intimacy and connection are possible between people regardless of their biology or appearance

I wanna take you
Desire for companionship and a deeper relationship with this person

Take you with me to another land
Escaping to a better, more accepting world together

No call, please go with me
Ignoring societal expectations and taking a risk for happiness and fulfillment

Oh, come with me, I need you
The singer desires this person's companionship and support

Let's leave, let's leave, come, come, come
A final plea to escape this world and find something better together