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.
Easy Come
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not the Hennessey
'Cause you're feeling me
But instead you're acting scared
Don't be afraid of me
Let's not be cowardly
Keep in mind boy
Keep in mind boy
It's easy come and easy go
Is it my girls 'round me
Or is my job heavy
Come baby talk to me
Maybe from caught out there
Don't tell me it's my hair
Come on now let's play fair
Keep in mind boy
It's easy come and easy go
Keep in mind boy
It's easy come and easy go
Keep in mind boy
It's easy come and easy go
Instead I get Mr. crazy
Yeah he's comin' see
With the guts to say to me
He thinks that him n' me
Should go and have babies
(Yeah right)
I wish you'd come and save me
Keep in mind boy
Keep in mind boy
Keep in mind boy
It's easy come and easy go
Keep in mind boy
It's easy come and easy go
Keep in mind boy
It's easy come and easy go
Kelis's song "Easy Come" is a reflection on the challenges of modern-day relationships. She is being approached by someone who is attracted to her, but is afraid to pursue the relationship due to fear or uncertainty. Kelis urges her admirer not to be afraid and to take a chance on her. She realizes that relationships are often fleeting and that they are easy to come and easy to go.
The lyrics suggest that the person is not just afraid of Kelis, but of relationships in general. They are worried that things will not work out and that they will be hurt. Kelis encourages him to be brave and to trust his feelings. She is also aware of the other factors in her life that are affecting the situation - her girl friends and her job. She wants him to understand that despite all of these things, the situation is easy to come and easy to go.
The song highlights the challenges of navigating relationships in the modern world. It touches on issues such as fear, uncertainty, and the pursuit of career goals. The lyrics also suggest a desire for authenticity and honesty in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I see the way you look at me
I can sense the way you're ogling me
It's not the Hennessey
Your attraction to me isn't just because of alcohol
'Cause you're feeling me
It's because you're really attracted to me
But instead you're acting scared
But you're not expressing it
Don't be afraid of me
Don't hesitate to approach me
Let's not be cowardly
Let's not be timid
Keep in mind boy
Bear in mind
It's easy come and easy go
It's easy to fall in and out of love fast
Is it my girls 'round me
Is it the fact that I'm surrounded by my girl squad
Or is my job heavy
Or is it because of the pressure from my work
Come baby talk to me
Come on, communicate with me
Maybe from caught out there
Maybe you're hesitant from a past heartbreak
Don't tell me it's my hair
Don't feed me an excuse that it's because of my hair
Come on now let's play fair
Let's be truthful with each other
Instead I get Mr. crazy
But instead, I attract crazy men
Yeah he's comin' see
And now they're coming up to me
With the guts to say to me
Bold enough to propose to me
He thinks that him n' me
He believes we're suited to be together
Should go and have babies
And start a family together
(Yeah right)
(That's a joke)
I wish you'd come and save me
I hope someone better comes along
Keep in mind boy
Bear in mind
It's easy come and easy go
It's easy to fall in and out of love fast
Keep in mind boy
Bear in mind
It's easy come and easy go
It's easy to fall in and out of love fast
Keep in mind boy
Bear in mind
It's easy come and easy go
It's easy to fall in and out of love fast
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE S CLINTON, WILLIAM BOOTSY COLLINS, CHAD HUGO, LORENZO JERALD PATTERSON, KELIS ROGERS, ABRIM TILMON, PHARRELL WILLIAMS, PHARRELL L WILLIAMS, BERNARD WORRELL, ERIC WRIGHT, ANDRE ROMELL YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind