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.
Intro
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every time I think I'm free you win.
Just like a sin,
When I know it's wrong but still begin.
Yes I know that I invite it,
I try to fight but like a fire I'm ignited.
You force the dark from my life I'm so inspired.
It's you,
I can't run, I can't run to you.
It's true,
I'll give up, I'll give up for you.
So when I'm scared so I stop crying,
Her pains are vicious but it must be that I like it.
Her world's divided but it still looks like a party.
When I'm alone that's when I found crying.
You draw me in,
Every time I think I'm free you win.
Just like a sin,
When I know it's wrong but still begin.
It's you,
I can't run, I can't run to you.
It's true,
I'll give up, I'll give up for you.
You draw me in,
Every time I think I'm free you win.
Just like a sin,
When I know it's wrong but still begin.
We control the dance floor.
We control the dance floor.
We control the dance floor.
Dance floor, dance floor
The song "Intro" by Kelis is a hauntingly beautiful ballad about being drawn back to someone who is bad for you. The lyrics explore the internal struggle of trying to resist this person's lure, but ultimately feeling helpless to their charms. Kelis sings "You draw me in, Every time I think I'm free you win. Just like a sin, When I know it's wrong but still begin". This describes the cycle of being tempted to return to this person despite knowing it's not for the best.
Kelis also acknowledges her complicity in this situation, singing "Yes I know that I invite it, I try to fight but like a fire I'm ignited". She recognizes that she is partially responsible for allowing this person back into her life. However, she also feels inspired and freed by this person's presence, saying "You force the dark from my life I'm so inspired. I heard the signs but now everything is quiet". This suggests that she finds comfort and excitement in the chaos, despite knowing that it's not healthy.
Overall, the song shows the complexity of human emotion and the struggles we face when trying to resist temptation. Kelis's haunting vocals and emotional lyrics create a powerful sense of longing and conflict that is sure to resonate with listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
You draw me in,
You have a way of attracting me towards you, always.
Every time I think I'm free you win.
Despite thinking I have the freedom to choose, I end up choosing you every time.
Just like a sin,
Being with you feels wrong, but I still do it.
When I know it's wrong but still begin.
I am aware that my actions of being with you are not right, but I still continue.
Yes I know that I invite it,
I acknowledge that I am the one who initiates our interactions.
I try to fight but like a fire I'm ignited.
I attempt to resist you, but your influence overpowers me like a blazing fire.
You force the dark from my life I'm so inspired.
You have the power to remove negativity from my life, which motivates me.
I heard the signs but now everything is quiet.
I was warned about the consequences of being with you, but now I don't hear anything.
It's you,
My attraction and loyalty are towards you.
I can't run, I can't run to you.
I am unable to resist coming to you.
It's true,
My feelings towards you are honest.
I'll give up, I'll give up for you.
I am willing to make sacrifices to be with you.
So when I'm scared so I stop crying,
When I am frightened, I stop expressing my emotions through tears.
Her pains are vicious but it must be that I like it.
I am aware of the pain caused by our relationship, but I still enjoy it.
Her world's divided but it still looks like a party.
Although our relationship is chaotic, it appears fun and exciting.
When I'm alone that's when I found crying.
I only cry when I am by myself, possibly due to my true emotions being hidden from you.
We control the dance floor.
We are in charge of the situation and everyone around us.
Dance floor, dance floor
Repeated emphasis on the importance of the dance floor represents the freedom and control they have over their actions and environment.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MARCO ANTONIO JR. RODRIGUEZ DIAZ, WILNER BAPTISTE, KEVIN MARCUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind