We Were Rock & Roll
Janelle Monae Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I remember, around autumn time
I smell the breeze, I feel the sun
Old memories, come back to me
The way we used to dance, the way you clapped your hands
I remember, the smell of guns, war lived in me, but love finally won
I've been delayed, I've been denied
And then you came around and took the crown
We were unbreakable
We were like rock & roll
We were like a king and queen
I want you to know
No matter how the story's told
We were like rock & roll
We were like a king and queen
I want you to know

I remember, a time alone
Wanted to dance, locked in your arms
Your melody, stays on me
You were twenty-one, and thought we owned the sun
And I remember, our plan to run
My rebel ways, and your unadunce
We go insane, but it felt so fun
And now your queen is on to take the throne

We were unbreakable
We were like rock & roll
We were like a king and queen
I want you to know
No matter how the story's told
We were like rock and roll
We were unbreakable
I want you to know

Now let me say its alright
It's alright
Let me say its alright, it's alright
Say it's alright
Kalindo help me sing it louder!

So what do you wanna do
Down in Mexico
Off in Paris France
And back to Tokyo
Way too cold
And do anything for you




So what are you gonna do
'Cause I remember you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Janelle Monáe's song We Were Rock & Roll paint a vivid picture of a past romance that was both passionate and tumultuous. The singer remembers the relationship fondly, recalling the feeling of the autumn breeze and the warmth of the sun. Memories flood back to her of the way they used to dance and the sound of his clapping hands. She also remembers the difficult times during which war lived within her, but love ultimately conquered all. Despite experiencing delays and denials, the arrival of her lover seemed to give her the confidence to seize the figurative 'crown.' The couple was unbreakable like rock & roll and felt like royalty as king and queen.


In the second verse, Monáe reminisces of a specific moment when they were alone and dancing locked in each other's arms. She recalls the melody of the moment, and how they thought they owned the sun as young lovers do. The couple had a plan to run away together, as she described her rebel ways and her partner's unadulterated spirit. They sometimes went insane, but it was all worth it for the fun they had. The singer concludes the verse by stating that now her partner's queen is coming to take her place.


The chorus repeats the idea of the relationship being unbreakable like rock & roll, and again identifies the couple as king and queen. Monáe wants her former lover to know that no matter how the story is told, they were always like rock & roll and unbreakable. The song concludes with a final chorus, along with an outro featuring the singers' friend Kalindo.


Line by Line Meaning

I remember, around autumn time
During a fall season, I can recall past events


I smell the breeze, I feel the sun
The warm air and bright sun evoke certain feelings within me


Old memories, come back to me
Past recollections resurface in my mind


The way we used to dance, the way you clapped your hands
I reminisce about the specific dance moves and actions we used to perform


I remember, the smell of guns, war lived in me, but love finally won
I can recall the scent of weaponry, as well as the war I was faced with, but ultimately love emerged as the victor


I've been delayed, I've been denied
I have faced setbacks and rejection


And then you came around and took the crown
But then you appeared and became the champion


We were unbreakable
Together we were impervious to harm


We were like rock & roll
We embodied the freedom, spirit, and energy of rock and roll music


We were like a king and queen
We portrayed royalty, strength, and regality


I want you to know
I desire for you to acknowledge this and understand


No matter how the story's told
Despite how one may recount it


We were like rock & roll
We indeed personified rock and roll


We were unbreakable
We were untouchable and unbeatable


I remember, a time alone
There was a specific moment without anyone else present


Wanted to dance, locked in your arms
I very much longed to dance and be tightly held by you


Your melody, stays on me
Your music remains with me, always on my mind


You were twenty-one, and thought we owned the sun
At the age of twenty-one, you believed we had complete power


And I remember, our plan to run
I particularly recollect our scheme to escape


My rebel ways, and your unadunce
My rebellious tendencies along with your clumsiness


We go insane, but it felt so fun
We became wild and crazy but felt absolute ecstasy


And now your queen is on to take the throne
And now you have a woman who will rule along with you


Now let me say its alright
Allow me to declare that everything is fine


It's alright
Things will be okay


Say it's alright
I want you to express that everything is alright


Kalindo help me sing it louder!
Someone named Kalindo, please help me sing it at a greater volume!


So what do you wanna do
What is it that you would like to do?


Down in Mexico
Perhaps in Mexico


Off in Paris France
Or maybe even in Paris, France


And back to Tokyo
We could also return to Tokyo


Way too cold
It could be far too chilly for our liking


And do anything for you
I would be willing to try anything for you


So what are you gonna do
What is it that you will do?


Cause I remember you
Because I cannot forget about you




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions