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.
Glow
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it's only for you to see
Look to my heart, cause you know I'm ready to start
I guess I'm tryin to say, yes I've been waiting for this very day
Hope you're goin' too slow, 'cause we're bout to shoot the sun a-glow
How do we make it, I do know
If there was ever a problem they had to go
See one plus you just equals me
They'll just watch us glow, they'll just watch us glow
Now in love something crazed
Exude from you're eyes when they are fixed on me & like the eternal flame
We have a fire that won't ever stop burning
There's a power in numbers baby
But two is deemed the perfect team
Me and you equals two
We will battle the masses baby, but we will claim the victory
How do we make it, I do know
If there was ever a problem they had to go
Sometimes it's kinda hard yes I do agree
See one plus you just equals me
They'll just watch us glow, they'll just watch us glow
Some said we would never change
Look at us now people tried to tear it all apart
Boy you stole my heart so quickly
The song "Glow" by Kelis is an ode to love and the power of two people who are truly committed to each other. The opening vocals in the first verse remind the listener that there's a "wild streak" in the singer, but it is only for her lover to see. She is eager to start the journey with her partner despite the fact that they may encounter obstacles along the way. Kelis sings about being ready to shine and "shoot the sun a-glow" with her partner. It is evident that her love is deep and genuine, and she sees the beauty and potency in their connection.
The second verse beautifully describes the euphoric love that two people can share. Their love is something that is crazed, and the excitement that exudes from their eyes when they look at each other is like an eternal flame. The love between the two is unstoppable and will keep burning like a fire. Kelis sings about the power of two, where both people in the relationship bring something valuable to the table, and together they are unstoppable. They can influence the masses and claim victory when they work together.
The chorus is a statement that indicates that no matter what people think, they will not be able to understand the love that the two people share. There will always be obstacles, but they will not stop them from shining brightly. They will stand the test of time and radiate love for all to see.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a wild streak in me
I have a daring and adventurous part of myself that is revealed only to you.
But it's only for you to see
Only you are able to evoke this wild streak in me.
Look to my heart, cause you know I'm ready to start
My heart is open and I am willing to embark on this journey with you.
I guess I'm tryin to say, yes I've been waiting for this very day
I have been waiting eagerly for a moment like this to arrive.
Hope you're goin' too slow, 'cause we're bout to shoot the sun a-glow
I hope we are taking it slow because our passion and love for each other is about to shine radiantly.
Now in love something crazed
Love sometimes makes us do unexpected things.
Exude from you're eyes when they are fixed on me & like the eternal flame
I see the intensity and never-ending quality of our love reflected in your eyes.
We have a fire that won't ever stop burning
Our love and passion for each other will never diminish.
There's a power in numbers baby
Working together as a team will give us greater strength.
But two is deemed the perfect team
The two of us together make an ideal team.
Me and you equals two
When we are together, the sum of our parts is greater than just our individual selves.
We will battle the masses baby, but we will claim the victory
We will face challenges together but we will overcome them and come out victorious.
Some said we would never change
There were people who doubted that we could grow and evolve together.
Look at us now people tried to tear it all apart
Despite the attempts of others to sabotage our love, we are still together.
Boy you stole my heart so quickly
You won my heart over in a very short amount of time.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GLENN DON STANDRIDGE, KELVIN L. WOOTEN, RAPHAEL SAADIQ, ROBERT OZUNA, TAURA L. STINSON, TAURA STINSON JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind