Take a Byte
Janelle Monae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I tell you no lies (I tell no lies)
Your code is programmed not to love me but you can't pretend
Oh, what a surprise
Maybe it's lust maybe it's love maybe it never ends
Ooh, say your goodbyes (say 'em now)
Play in my hair and nibble there all on my mocha skin
Yeah, just take a byte
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Help yourself (help yourself)
It's alright (it's alright)
I won't tell (it feels so good when you nibble on it)
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Help yourself (you look so good just help yourself)
Don't think twice (don't think twice)
I won't tell
My random access memory wants you to come again
No, don't say goodbye (don't say goodbye)
I saw my therapist, she thinks you are my magic sin
Oh, maybe she's right (maybe she's right)
Well I'll just lick an angel just to purify again
Ooh, angels are fun (they're so fun)
So dress me up I'll like it better if we both pretend
Yeah, make love 'til we're numb
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Help yourself (just go ahead and help yourself)
It's alright (it's alright)
I won't tell (just take a byte)
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Help yourself (it feels so good just help yourself)
Don't think twice (don't think twice)
I won't tell
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Help yourself (help yourself)
It's alright (it's alright)
I won't tell (it's alright, it's alright, it's alright)
Take a byte (oh won't you just take a byte)
Help yourself (go on and help yourself)
It's alright
I won't tell
Just take a byte
You look so good just help yourself
It's alright
Take a little byte
Take a little byte
Take a little byte
The lyrics of Janelle Monáe's "Take a Byte" are about a relationship that is initially seen as taboo, as the singer describes herself as "not the kind of girl you take home to your mama." Despite this, she and her partner engage in a physical relationship where she encourages him to "take a byte" of her body. She is aware that their relationship is not socially acceptable, and she mentions that his "code is programmed not to love" her. However, she is also aware of their attraction and seems to be enjoying the moment by "play[ing] in [his] hair and nibbl[ing] there all on [her] mocha skin."
The song's lyrics can be interpreted in various ways. One possible meaning is that it is about accepting and enjoying a forbidden love, regardless of what society may say. The singer seems confident in her own skin and is not afraid to show her sexual prowess. The lyrics can also be interpreted as a commentary on the challenges faced by interracial couples, as the phrase "mocha skin" can be seen as a reference to the color of her skin.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not the kind of girl you take home to your mama now
I'm not the kind of girl you can proudly introduce to your mother as your girlfriend
I tell you no lies (I tell no lies)
I'm being truthful with you
Your code is programmed not to love me but you can't pretend
You may not have feelings for me, but you can't fake it
Oh, what a surprise
You're not fooling me
Maybe it's lust maybe it's love maybe it never ends
Our relationship may just be physical, or it could turn into something more, or it may not last long
Ooh, say your goodbyes (say 'em now)
If you plan on leaving, do it now
Play in my hair and nibble there all on my mocha skin
Touch me and kiss me all over my body
Yeah, just take a byte
Go ahead and indulge in me
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Enjoy me
Help yourself (help yourself)
Feel free to take what you want
It's alright (it's alright)
I'm okay with it
I won't tell (it feels so good when you nibble on it)
I won't reveal our secrets, but it feels good when you're intimate with me
Don't think twice (don't think twice)
Don't hesitate
My random access memory wants you to come again
I want to see you again
No, don't say goodbye (don't say goodbye)
Stay with me
I saw my therapist, she thinks you are my magic sin
My therapist believes that you're my guilty pleasure
Oh, maybe she's right (maybe she's right)
Perhaps she's correct
Well I'll just lick an angel just to purify again
I'll try to do something virtuous to cleanse myself
Ooh, angels are fun (they're so fun)
Doing good deeds can be enjoyable
So dress me up I'll like it better if we both pretend
Let's pretend to be someone else to enhance the experience
Yeah, make love 'til we're numb
Let's have sex until we're completely satisfied
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Enjoy me
Help yourself (just go ahead and help yourself)
Take what you want
It's alright
I'm fine with it
I won't tell (just take a byte)
I won't snitch, just go ahead and enjoy yourself
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Indulge in me
Help yourself (it feels so good just help yourself)
Take whatever makes you feel good
Don't think twice (don't think twice)
Don't hesitate
I won't tell
I won't reveal our secrets
Just take a byte
Indulge in me
You look so good just help yourself
You're attractive, so take what you want
Take a little byte
Take a taste of me
Take a little byte
Take a taste of me
Take a little byte
Take a taste of me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Janelle Monae Robinson, Jon Webb, Kellis Earl Jr. Parker, Nana Kwabena Tuffuor, Nathaniel III Irvin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cuervito
[Verse 1]
I'm not the kind of girl you take home to your mama now
I tell you no lies (I tell no lies)
Your code is programmed not to love me, but you can't pretend
Oh, what a surprise
Maybe it's lust, maybe it's love, maybe it never ends
Ooh, say your goodbyes (say 'em now)
Play in my hair and nibble there all on my mocha skin
Yeah, just take a byte
[Chorus]
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Help yourself (help yourself)
It's alright (it's alright)
I won't tell (it feels so good when you nibble on it)
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Help yourself (you look so good just help yourself)
Don't think twice (don't think twice)
I won't tell
[Verse 2]
My random access memory wants you to come again
No, don't say goodbye (don't say goodbye)
I saw my therapist she thinks you are my magic sin
Oh, maybe she's right (maybe she's right)
Well I'll just lick an angel just to purify again
Ooh, angels are fun (they're so fun)
So dress me up I'll like it better if we both pretend
Yeah, make love 'til we're numb
[Chorus]
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Help yourself (just go ahead and help yourself)
It's alright (it's alright)
I won't tell (take a byte)
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Help yourself (you look so good just help yourself)
Don't think twice (don't think twice)
I won't tell
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Help yourself (help yourself)
It's alright (it's alright)
I won't tell
Take a byte (oh won't you just take a byte)
Help yourself (go on and help yourself)
It's alright
I won't tell
[Outro]
Just take a byte
You look so good just help yourself
It's alright
Take a little byte
Take a little byte
Take a little byte
Zac S
If it's Janelle Monáe, listening to it in order of the tracklist is a necessity.
1. Dirty Computer (Ft. Brian Wilson)
2. Crazy, Classic, Life
3. Take a Byte
4. Jane’s Dream
5. Screwed (Ft. Zoë Kravitz)
6. Django Jane
7. PYNK (Ft. Grimes)
8. Make Me Feel
9. I Got the Juice (Ft. Pharrell Williams)
10. I Like That
11. Don’t Judge Me
12. Stevie’s Dream
13. So Afraid
14. Americans
Marlene Valdezxzxz
I'm not the kind of girl you take home to your mama now
I tell you no lies (I tell no lies)
Your code is programmed not to love me but you can't pretend
Oh, what a surprise
Maybe it's lust maybe it's love maybe it never ends
Ooh, say your goodbyes (say 'em now)
Play in my hair and nibble there all on my mocha skin
Yeah, just take a byte
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Help yourself (help yourself)
It's alright (it's alright)
I won't tell (it feels so good when you nibble on it)
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Help yourself (you look so good just help yourself)
Don't think twice (don't think twice)
I won't tell
My random access memory wants you to come again
No, don't say goodbye (don't say goodbye)
I saw my therapist, she thinks you are my magic sin
Oh, maybe she's right (maybe she's right)
Well I'll just lick an angel just to purify again
Ooh, angels are fun (they're so fun)
So dress me up I'll like it better if we both pretend
Yeah, make love 'til we're numb
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Help yourself (just go ahead and help yourself)
It's alright (it's alright)
I won't tell (just take a byte)
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Help yourself (it feels so good just help yourself)
Don't think twice (don't think twice)
I won't tell
Take a byte (just take a byte)
Help yourself (help yourself)
It's alright (it's alright)
I won't tell (it's alright, it's alright, it's alright)
Take a byte (oh won't you just take a byte)
Help yourself (go on and help yourself)
It's alright
I won't tell
Just take a byte
You look so good just help yourself
It's alright
Take a little byte
Take a little byte
Take a little byte
Joe Pray
This song is perfect. I have no idea why its not a huge hit. Love it.
stev6963
Sadly Janelle Monae has never had massive mainstream recognition or success. But people like us know how amazing her artistry is.
Cinnamonro11
@stev6963 Technically she kinda has had her moment of mainstream success, as being a feature on we are young by fun which was one of the biggest songs of the 2010s, despite her feature being a complete waste and being incredibly short
Earthling-liliac
That album is priceless 💜💜 she deserves every awards on earth 💜🙌🏾👑🙌🏾
Brendaartgirl
She so cool I find her awesome 💛♥️💛♥️💛♥️
Vanessa
hearing a band play this live would be ethereal.
Kay Maya
Oh definitely! 😩😭
Indiesongwriter
So far, I love all of this album. The melodies fold in and out in unexpected ways.
lenore 1234
I IMMEDIATELY knew I would love this song, based on the first few seconds. This song and album are spectacular!!
Sephora Lydia Israel
I think I just like how Monae just sings the song no vocal acrobatics she keeps it simple simple and clean clean is good this song is on repeat all day