Neon Valley Street
Janelle Monae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
In "Neon Valley Street", Janelle Monáe sings about a forbidden love that takes place in a dangerous city, where the lovers must run and hide. Through this song, she expresses the hope that the melody and lyrics will reach the ears and heart of her lover, connecting them despite the city's dangers and their need to remain hidden. The song begins with Monáe's wish for the melody to be heard by her lover's heart, and she suggests that the notes and chords she has arranged will be equally pleasing to both of them. She also asks that the sound of her voice be a guide that brings them closer together. Throughout the song, Monáe uses metaphors and similes, comparing the dangers and hardships they face to historical figures and current events, such as Tubman and John Henry running fast through time, illegal aliens being moaned, and atomic blues bombing hearts like Iraqis in Babylon. She suggests that the city is a danger zone, and compares the droid control to the taking of one's soul. Despite these challenges, Monáe sings about her love for her partner and hopes that the melody and lyrics of the song will be a reminder of their love.
Monáe uses the chorus of the song to repeat her desire that the music will reach her lover's heart, and she encourages the listener to join her in pretending that they are holding their lover's hand. As the song ends, she repeats her wish for the song to travel and connect them. The song is a beautiful expression of love and a reminder of the power of music to bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
May this song reach your heart
I hope this song touches your soul
May your ears love the sweet melody
I hope you enjoy the music as much as you enjoy me
Every note, every chord
Every sound in this song comes from my heart
I've arranged them for you and for me
I created this song for both of us to enjoy
May the sound of my voice be your guide
Let my voice lead you to me
Bring you closer to me
I want us to be together
Let us bathe in the noise
Let us enjoy the music together
Let the love in your heart speak to me
Let your feelings for me be shown through the music
Oh now, I'll pretend
I'll imagine you're here with me
I'm holding your hand
I want to be close to you
May this song journey on to you
I hope this song reaches you
We met alone forbidden in the city
We fell in love secretly
Running fast through time like Tubman and John Henry
We were moving quickly like time travelers
But the time was wrong
Our love was forbidden
Illegal aliens moaned
We were ostracized and criticized for our love
It's such a pity that the city's just a danger zone
The city can be a dangerous place for those who love differently
Atomic blues bombing hearts like Iraqis in Babylon
The emotional pain of being rejected is like a violent attack
The droid control will take your soul and rate it
The pressure from society to conform can damage your spirit
Berate, slay it
Others will criticize you for being different
You hate it and debate it but you don't get caught
You may not like the criticism, but you won't let it stop you
And outlaw outrunning the law, ha
You'll continue to love who you want despite societal norms
May the strings make you smile
I hope the music brings you joy
May they always remind you of me
I hope you'll associate this music with our love
May this song journey on for you
May this song continue to touch your heart
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Nathaniel Irvin, Charles Delbert Joseph, Janelle Monae Robinson, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind