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.
Junkie
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Hi, Kelis)
The reason that I'm here is my problem got severe
My body would get sweaty whenever he came near
I haven't even hooked an entire year
I've got the fever
I'm a junkie
A junkie for your love
I'm a junkie
A junkie for your love
I'm a junkie
A junkie for your love
I'm a junkie
A junkie for your love
And I can't do my job right because this interferes
And I just want my life back; I want to see shit clear
I was strung out
For real, since the first time we hung out
I never met a guy that was even half as fly
I've got the fever
[Chorus]
All my relatives and neighbors would not get out my ear
I would tell them he was cool; he just didn't need no beer
I was high and
Stupid, yeah, I was in denial
Every time he smiled at me, my mouth would just go dry
I've got the fever
[Chorus]
The song "Junkie" by Kelis is a love song about addiction, comparing the love for a person to a drug addiction. The lyrics express Kelis's desire for her lover and how she constantly craves and needs his love. She sings about how her body reacts to him by getting sweaty, and how this addiction has affected her ability to do her job and live her life clearly. The chorus repeats the line "I'm a junkie for your love" emphasizing her addiction.
Kelis explains that she was in denial about her addiction and that all her friends and family were telling her that the guy wasn't good for her, but she refused to listen. She compares this addiction to a physical drug addiction, expressing her dependence on the person similar to how drug addicts are dependent on drugs. The bridge also emphasizes Kelis's addiction and her desire to regain control of her life.
Overall, the song is a creative comparison between love and addiction. It's an interesting take on love songs, departing from traditional themes such as heartbreak or devotion. Instead, Kelis dives into a different aspect of love, focusing on the uncontrollable craving one can feel towards their lover.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello everybody, my name is Kelis
Kelis introduces herself to the listeners.
(Hi, Kelis)
The listeners respond to Kelis's introduction.
The reason that I'm here is my problem got severe
Kelis explains that she has a serious problem.
My body would get sweaty whenever he came near
Kelis's physical response to being around the person she loves indicates addiction.
I haven't even hooked an entire year
Kelis has been addicted for less than a year.
I've got the fever
Kelis is consumed by her addiction.
[Chorus:]
Repetition of Kelis's addiction to illustrate her dependence.
And I can't do my job right because this interferes
Kelis's addiction has greatly impacted her ability to function.
And I just want my life back; I want to see shit clear
Kelis recognizes that she must overcome her addiction to reclaim her life and clarity.
I was strung out
Kelis was in a state of addiction that heavily impacted her behavior.
For real, since the first time we hung out
Kelis's addiction began after meeting the person she loves.
I never met a guy that was even half as fly
Kelis expresses the extent of her attraction to the person she is addicted to.
I've got the fever
Reiteration of Kelis's deep addiction.
[Chorus]
Repetition of Kelis's addiction to illustrate her dependence.
All my relatives and neighbors would not get out my ear
Kelis's addiction is noticeable to those around her.
I would tell them he was cool; he just didn't need no beer
Kelis defends her addiction by downplaying its severity.
I was high and
Kelis was under the influence of her addiction.
Stupid, yeah, I was in denial
Kelis admits to being foolishly unaware of the severity of her addiction.
Every time he smiled at me, my mouth would just go dry
Kelis's physical response to the person she is addicted to indicates addiction.
I've got the fever
Reiteration of Kelis's deep addiction.
[Chorus]
Repetition of Kelis's addiction to illustrate her dependence.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHAD HUGO, KELIS ROGERS, PHARRELL WILLIAMS, PHARRELL L WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind