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.
Little Suzie
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I walk past bums all day
Why why why
I see dealers pushing poisons
But I have nothing to say
Why why why
I date two people at the same time
Knowing it is twice the sin
Oh yes I have this little problem here I'm being vain again
Why why
Hey man I'm just listening to His teachings my soul and heart
This is God's movie and I'm just trying to play my part
Time is running out and we've broken the seventh seal
The more I read I realize that UFOs are real
Hey little Suzie
You don't have to cry no more
hey little Bobby
Don't you worry about the war
Hey little Jessica
You just keep up with the score
'cause God closes the windows
Next thing you know He opens doors
I blew my paycheck getting real high today
Why why why
I lied and told my nephew that I had no more time to play
Why why why
I saw this lady gettin robbed I looked away
Why why why
I put my grandma in a home and made her stay
Why why
Hey man I'm just listening to His teachings my soul and heart
This is God's movie and I'm just trying to play my part
Time is running out and we've broken the seventh seal
The more I read I realize that UFOs are real
Hey little Suzie
You don't have to cry no more
hey little Bobby
Don't you worry about the war
Hey little Jessica
You just keep up with the score
'cause God closes the windows
Next thing you know He opens doors
Singing la la la la la
Singing la la la la la
I give in church
But you are asking me where it really goes
Why why why
I could give more but I end up spending it on shoes and clothes
Why why why
I chew ice, look at my watch some Middle Eastern babies sold
Why why why
In the winter I have furs knowing some poor child is cold
Why why
Hey man I'm just listening to His teachings my soul and heart
This is God's movie and I'm just trying to play my part
Time is running out and we've broken the seventh seal
The more I read I realize that UFOs are real
What if the holy trinity was Christians, Muslims, Jews
Yet we bomb eachother for more coverage on the news
He was this he wasn't that he never touched the girl either way
Our messiah shall save the world
Hey little Suzie
You don't have to cry no more
hey little Bobby
Don't you worry about th war
Hey little Jessica
You just keep up with the score
'cause God closes windows
Next thing you know He opens doors
(singing la la la la la)
Hey little Suzie
You don't have to cry no more
hey little Bobby
Don't you worry about th war
Hey little Jessica
You just keep up with the score
'cause God closes windows
Next thing you know He opens doors
Singing la la la la la
Singing la la la la la
Singing la la la la la
Kelis's song "Little Suzie" captures the complexities of living in a world where one's actions often contradict one's beliefs. The singer is introspective and reflective, acknowledging the dichotomy in her behaviour as she walks past beggars despite carrying credit cards, remains silent when she sees drug dealers selling their poisons, and dates two people simultaneously. She accepts that these behaviours are inherently wrong and has a "little problem" of being too vain, but she justifies them with her faith in listening to God's teachings and playing her small part in His bigger plan.
As the song continues, Kelis delves into wider social issues, highlighting the seventh seal breaking and the reality of UFOs, emphasising that time is running out. She speaks directly to Little Suzie, Bobby, and Jessica, offering assurance that despite the world's problems, God will close windows and open doors. In the later verses, she discusses the lack of transparency with her charitable donations, her inclination to spend her money on superficial things like clothes and shoes, while children in Middle Eastern countries suffer. The song concludes with Kelis contemplating the notion of the holy trinity and the never-ending wars caused by the difference in religious beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Got credit cards in my pockets
I have easy access to money
But I walk past bums all day
But I ignore those who are less fortunate than me
I see dealers pushing poisons
I witness drug dealers selling dangerous drugs
But I have nothing to say
But I do not speak up or take action to stop them
I date two people at the same time
I am cheating on both of my partners
Knowing it is twice the sin
Knowing that it is morally wrong
Oh yes I have this little problem here I'm being vain again
I am struggling with my vanity and selfishness
Hey man I'm just listening to His teachings my soul and heart
I am trying to live my life according to God's teachings
This is God's movie and I'm just trying to play my part
I am trying to fulfill my role in God's plan
Time is running out and we've broken the seventh seal
The end of the world is drawing near, as prophesied in the Book of Revelation
The more I read I realize that UFOs are real
The more I learn, the more I believe in the existence of unidentified flying objects
Hey little Suzie
You don't have to cry no more
Hey little Suzie, there is no need for you to be sad anymore
hey little Bobby
Don't you worry about the war
Hey little Bobby, do not concern yourself with the violence and strife in the world
Hey little Jessica
You just keep up with the score
Hey little Jessica, just focus on doing well in life
'cause God closes the windows
Next thing you know He opens doors
Because God may close one opportunity or chapter in your life, but another one will open
I blew my paycheck getting real high today
I spent all of my money on drugs today
I lied and told my nephew that I had no more time to play
I lied to my nephew and refused to play with him
I saw this lady gettin robbed I looked away
I witnessed a woman being robbed, but I chose to ignore it
I put my grandma in a home and made her stay
I placed my grandmother in a nursing home against her wishes
I chew ice, look at my watch some Middle Eastern babies sold
I engage in trivial activities while being aware of global issues and conflicts
In the winter I have furs knowing some poor child is cold
I wear luxurious fur garments while knowing that there are impoverished children who cannot afford proper clothing
What if the holy trinity was Christians, Muslims, Jews
What if the concept of the holy trinity included all three major Abrahamic religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism
Yet we bomb eachother for more coverage on the news
Yet, we engage in violence against one another for the sake of media coverage and attention
He was this he wasn't that he never touched the girl either way
There is a dispute over whether a man is guilty of a certain act or not
Our messiah shall save the world
Our savior will bring salvation and redemption to the world
Singing la la la la la
Vocalizing a nonsensical tune
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