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.
Fish Fry
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said, oh my daddy, game's over
I said, oh my daddy, game's over
I said, oh my daddy, game's over
I said I'm making you peace
I'm down on my knees
Give me what I want
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down onmy knees
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
You said: that's the thing
And I just don't want to fight
See, the bottom of what I said
Is that, take that man, take that man to bed
On the contrary
I know who to sit
I know you ain't right
You ain't right
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
'The idea sounds nice but
Darling, you're not even my type, you see'
Hey, you, yeah, you, yeah, you
I need ice, cold water
I need ice, cold water
She needs ice, cold water
She needs ice, cold water
She needs ice, cold water
She needs ice, cold water
'No, not too close to me
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
Give me what I want now, baby
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
Give me what I want
Give me what I need
I said, I'm begging you, please
I'm down on my knees
The lyrics of Kelis's "Friday Fish Fry" tell the story of a woman pleading with a man to give her what she wants and needs. The repetition of the lines "Give me what I want" and "Give me what I need" create a sense of urgency and desperation, suggesting that the woman is in a situation where her desires and needs are not being met. The line "I said, oh my daddy, game's over" further emphasizes this, suggesting that a power dynamic has been at play, and the woman is now taking control.
The man's response to the woman's plea is dismissive, suggesting that he isn't interested in giving her what she wants, and that he sees her as being beneath him. However, the chorus continues to relentlessly repeat the request for what she wants and needs. The line "I need ice, cold water" punctuates the song, suggesting that the woman is hot and bothered, and needs something to cool her down.
Overall, the lyrics of "Friday Fish Fry" portray a woman who is taking control of her own desires and needs and is asking for what she wants, regardless of whether the man is willing to give it to her or not. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the urgency and intensity of her request, and the dismissive response from the man highlights the power dynamics at play.
Line by Line Meaning
I said, oh my daddy, game's over
The singer is acknowledging the end of a game or situation with a father figure.
I said I'm making you peace
The singer is attempting to make peace or come to a resolution with someone.
I'm down on my knees
The singer is conveying a sense of desperation or pleading in their request.
Give me what I want
The artist is stating their wants and needs, and asking for them to be fulfilled.
You said: that's the thing
The other person is acknowledging what was said previously.
See, the bottom of what I said
The singer is trying to clarify or provide further context to their previous statement.
Take that man, take that man to bed
The singer is expressing a desire to be intimate or sexual with a man.
On the contrary
The artist is about to provide a contrasting viewpoint to what was previously said.
I know who to sit
It is unclear what this line means specifically, but it could be interpreted as the artist knowing who they are, or knowing what they want.
I know you ain't right
The artist is indicating that the other person is not behaving appropriately or correctly.
Hey, you, yeah, you, yeah, you
The singer is trying to get someone's attention.
I need ice, cold water
The artist is expressing a physical need for water.
'No, not too close to me
It is unclear what this line specifically means, but it could be interpreted as the other person not wanting to be physically close to the singer.
Give me what I want now, baby
The singer is emphasizing the urgency of their request.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVID ANDREW SITEK, KELIS ROGERS, TODD SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@storytimewithlak
not bored of this song yet... in fact I love it even more after every play.
@singer_x1288
it seem like it grows
@eclecticEntrepreneur
Kelis, you are incredible!
@GDogAU
Her milk shake brings all the boys to the Friday fish fry
@sethbramwell
I only knew Kelis for Milkshake (and to be honest, I largely wrote her off based on it) until "How to get away with Murder" introduced me to Hooch and, subsequently, the Food album. It's so awesome to find her depths!
@Birty00
This one is the best I like so far! Shows so much of her! Voice is SAVAGE!!! Surely brings all the boys to the yard! ;)
@gaogamon3
Whoowee, that voice! Lovely.
@DarkDanny44
I loveeee this song!
@Fashitecture
Still listening during the COVID 19 Pandemic. Stay Safe People!
@ribasjimenez2444
I'm here becuase I love my beautiful darling belove Diva Kelis, becuase she's amazing and unique!! no one like her!!