After a short spell working as a model, 5'10" Kelis began appearing on songs by Neptunes produced rappers such as 'Got Your Money' by the late rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard. Soon afterwards, she released her debut album, Kaleidoscope in 1999 of which the first single was 'Caught Out There,' a song based on the time she caught her boyfriend cheating on her, and she beat him. The video feautures Kelis leading a pack of angry women down the street screaming 'I hate you so much right now!'. The album was released in USA, Europe and Asia, but did not find much audience in the USA. Not a great success, it only sold 249,000 copies to date.
After finding her largest audience in Europe, Kelis released her second album titled Wanderland (2001) in Europe only, which like her first album did not fare well. It only sold 80,000 copies and was entirely produced by The Neptunes (Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo) again, similarly to her debut. Only one single was released 'Young Fresh N New'.
In 2003 Kelis finally found fame in her country with the single 'Milkshake,' which was a massive success in Europe, Asia and USA, and she began dating rapper Nas (born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones). The single was from the album 'Tasty' which did not feature the Neptunes as heavily as her previous albums. Singles included the popular Dallas Austin produced 'Trick Me' and 'Millionaire', a collaboration with OutKast's Andre 3000. 'In Public's duet with Nas was the fourth single from the album, becoming a top twenty hit in the U.K. without a video.
In 2006, Kelis presented a new album to her fans, entitled Kelis Was Here, which was originally to be called 'The Puppeteer' which was released on 22 August but was due Fall 2005. No Neptunes tracks appeared on this album, but Kelis used other producers such as Max Martin, Will.I.Am (Black Eyed Peas) and Raphael Saadiq. Singles are the huge 'Bossy', 'Blindfold Me', and 'Lil Star'. Kelis wrote more of the material on this album than she did for Tasty, and carries off the sci-fi, electronica sounds so often considered Neptunes material without them. This is most evident on the brilliant 'Trilogy'. Kelis has said she wants to make her mark with this album, as it will be the last 'album like this' she will make.
In October 2007, Kelis was dumped by Jive Records, for poor sales of Kelis Was Here but a new album is in the pipeline. The Hits - a greatest hits collection - was released in March 2008, including tracks where she was a featured artist, eg, Got Your Money by Ol' Dirty Bastard , N.E.R.D's Truth or Dare, and Richard X's Finest Dreams.
Kelis then signed to Interscope Records, and released her fifth studio album entitled Flesh Tone in May 2010. The David Guetta-produced Acapella preceded the LP in February of that year. Other singles released from the album include '4th of July (Fireworks)', 'Scream' and 'Brave'. The following year, Kelis appeared on Calvin Harris' 'Bounce'.
In the beginning of 2010, Kelis received a letter by animal rights organization PETA, in which she was informed about the cruelty that comes along with the production of fur coats. She pointed out that the organization seems to have little concern about the treatment of people of color and that she will continue wearing fur and eating meat.
Songfacts reported that 'Distance', the planned first single from Kelis’ sixth studio album received its first play during the June 30, 2012 show of The Beatnik Mix on London's Reprezent 107.3FM. At the time, the album was set to be house/dance-inspired, but sessions with TV on The Radio's Dave Sitek led to it taking a soul-like direction.
Kelis completed her sixth album in April 2013, and her new label Ninja Tune confirmed details regarding the album in January the following year, 'Jerk Ribs' served as the lead single for the album; the track had however been previously released as a free download the previous year.
Food was released in April 2014 to critical acclaim. Kelis also appeared for the first time at the annual South by Southwest festival, both performing and serving meals to attendees from her food truck.
Change
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You must be tired
I wouldn't blame myself
I'm different
Now don't be foolish
No one keeps their promise
How could you know?
You can't escape the crips of desire
You lie to yourself, but you always remember
Your love stung like a bee
Keep that stuff away from me, it's caution
Shouldn't I forgive him? I would know
Don't wanna let it grow like poison
Now don't be silly, no one clears their conscience
Blown out of proportion, Silly me I cried for weeks
An ocean
You can't escape the crips of desire
You lie to yourself, but you always remember
What can I say? Nothing can change
You can't escape the crips of desire
You lie to yourself, but you always remember
When you lose yourself
Then you lose yourself
Can't forgive yourself, oh no
The lyrics to Kelis's song "Change" speak to the struggles of moving on from a broken relationship. The song begins with Kelis telling her ex-partner to "sleep well" and that they must be tired, suggesting that they have caused some kind of emotional exhaustion or turmoil. Kelis then absolves herself of blame, saying "I wouldn't blame myself, I'm different." This is a common feeling when trying to move on from a relationship - questioning what you did wrong and why things didn't work out.
Kelis then tries to convince her ex-partner not to be "foolish" and think that anyone can keep a promise. She questions how they could know when she herself doesn't always know. This speaks to the fragility of promises in relationships and how difficult it is to always keep them.
The chorus, "You can't escape the grips of desire, you lie to yourself, but you always remember," refers to the struggle of letting go of a relationship and moving on. Kelis acknowledges that even though her ex-partner may try to convince themselves that they don't want her anymore, they will always remember the desire they once had for her.
The lyrics also touch on the pain of being hurt by someone you loved. Kelis compares her ex-partner's love to that of a bee sting, saying "Your love stung like a bee, keep that stuff away from me, it's caution." She questions whether she should forgive him and let things go, but also acknowledges that allowing the hurt to fester and grow would be like "poison."
Overall, "Change" is a song about the difficulties of moving on from a broken relationship and the emotional turmoil that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleep well my friend
Rest and relax, my close acquaintance
You must be tired
I understand you are feeling exhausted
I wouldn't blame myself
I am not at fault
I'm different
I have my own unique qualities
Now don't be foolish
You shouldn't act recklessly
No one keeps their promise
People often break their commitments
How could you know?
It's difficult to predict
When I would be so oh
I tend to act impulsively
You can't escape the crips of desire
It's hard to resist temptation
You lie to yourself, but you always remember
You deceive yourself, but still recollect
Your love stung like a bee
Your affection was painful
Keep that stuff away from me, it's caution
I want to avoid a similar situation
Shouldn't I forgive him? I would know
Is it right to pardon them? I'm uncertain
Don't wanna let it grow like poison
I don't want it to fester and spread like toxicant
Now don't be silly, no one clears their conscience
It's foolish to expect people to always feel remorseful
Blown out of proportion, Silly me I cried for weeks
I became overly emotional and wept for an extended duration
An ocean
A vast, overwhelming amount
What can I say? Nothing can change
I am at a loss for words. Nothing can alter the outcome
When you lose yourself
If you become disconnected from who you are
Then you lose yourself
You will no longer know your own identity
Can't forgive yourself, oh no
It's challenging to grant oneself forgiveness
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVID ANDREW SITEK, KELIS ROGERS, TODD SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DaWeirdFreak
Kelis is such an underrated artist, i have always appriciated her content
Her album made me fall in love with music again, its feels good!
Thank you Kelis for not giving up on music,the industries can make you fall out of love with your passions, you showed true grreatness! I respect you
@LenVrijhof
This song is SO AMAZING! <3
@Tyrashornique
Yes, it is! Everything about this song all the way to the end.
@scottbmore18
My favorite song on the album!
@Tyrashornique
I love her for making this song!
@mattjrodriguez
till right now i hear this master piece! kelis is amazing!!
@hrvojestipetic
Best on the album.
@athosdiego3151
Masterpiece & supercool
@jennythomas2131
Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is perhaps the most striking song she's done, the synergy of styles with loud
@mjscarousal
I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this song. Its so creative.