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.
Mars
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, yo, yo, yo
Yo, yo, Houston I think we have a problem
Yo, yo, I think we have a problem
Yo, yo, we have a problem
Yo, yo
Days, you know those days
Unfazed, fucked up ways
Don't try to ignore, you know that it's true
See you say to yourself that you really don't wanna deal
And this day to day action on Earth just don't appeal
You know how hard you try
You've been known to take so much
They shoot at you cause you're fine
Bite the bullet I know that it sucks
If security's thin then faith will pull you through
If you still angry follow me
And do what I do
Do you hear what I'm talking 'bout?
Do you hear we can conquer the world?
Got this whole world running from
This love between a boy and a girl
They're afraid of this chemistry
Plus the speed of light of laser guns
They go
To the light in every one
There you want some friends
Seems like everybody has friends
Depends on what you call friends
You don't really care you just want one
It's a person full of feelings but nobody's there
But you have to ask yourself if they were
Would they really care?
They do bullshit some times
They do the things that you've done
They're people just like you
But tell me do you want one
98 percent of faith won't follow through
Don't you know real magic comes from the other two?
Do you hear what I'm talking 'bout?
Do you hear we can conquer the world?
Got this whole world running from
This love between a boy and a girl
They're afraid of this chemistry
Plus the speed of light of laser guns
They go
To the light in every one
Do you hear what I'm talking 'bout?
Do you hear we can conquer the world?
Got this whole world running from
This love between a boy and a girl
They're afraid of this chemistry
Plus the speed of light of laser guns
They go
To the light in every one
It was last week we were watching TV
My boyfriend wanted to watch channel three
Then he started to freak
The news flash came on then
So I said hey, my popcorn's burning
Hey, why is the channel turning?
Hey, that was NASA what did they want
Hey, yo just pass the blunt
I was so high that I didn't realize what they said
Plus my eye vision fried
If it's not then it's messing with my head
Hey, you can't be serious
Hey, but I need my contacts
Hey, float and spin
Hey, so I turned and I said, shit
Do you hear what they talking 'bout?
About to send your black ass to Mars
That's exactly what I'm talkin' bout
Money, science, space, and mars
Till someday you got that million
Just because you've been hanging with stars
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
And send your black ass to Mars
Do you hear what I'm talking 'bout?
Do you hear we can conquer the world?
Got this whole world running from
This love between a boy and a girl
They're afraid of this chemistry
Plus the speed of light of laser guns
They go *laser sounds*
To the light in every one
Yo, yo, yo
Yo, nigga-nigga, yo
Yo
Yo, Star Track, yo, yo (ha-ha)
Yo, Kelis, yo, Neptunes, yo
Earth to your brain, yo
UFO, who knows?
Earth to your brain
What is it already closed?
You're fucked
The song "Mars" by Kelis is a bold statement and a message about the challenges that come with living life on Earth. The opening lines are a clear reference to the problems faced by astronauts, where even a small glitch can be dangerous. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the problems being referred to are far from scientific challenges. Rather, they are the everyday struggles we all face, such as feeling ignored or dealing with tough situations, and the need for love and companionship.
Kelis is asking the listener to question everything and to take a closer look at things that may seem insignificant or unimportant, like a day where everything seems to be going wrong or being without friends. She suggests that the key to overcoming these obstacles is to hold on to faith and believe that everything will work out in the end. Furthermore, Kelis inspires listeners to harness their true power through love.
The song's opening lines also introduce a double entendre around being "sent to Mars," which is a metaphor for escaping the problems of Earth but also refers to the possibility of colonizing the planet. The song speaks about the possibility of leaving Earth to escape personal problems and issues, but also laments the reality of leaving the planet Earth for our species' survival.
Overall, "Mars" is a powerful song that speaks to the challenges and joys of being human. It is a message of hope, love, and faith, and a call to action for listeners to stand up and face their challenges head-on.
Line by Line Meaning
Earth to your brain
The singer is calling attention to the listener's mind.
Yo, yo, yo, yo
A repetitive chorus is used to build excitement and energy.
Yo, yo, Houston I think we have a problem
The singer is referencing the famous line from the Apollo 13 mission, indicating there is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Yo, yo, I think we have a problem
The singer is repeating her concern, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Yo, yo, we have a problem
The singer is communicating that there is an issue that requires immediate attention.
Days, you know those days
The singer is referring to bad days where everything seems to go wrong.
When everyone seems to aggravate you
On those bad days, even the smallest things can cause frustration or annoyance.
Unfazed, fucked up ways
Despite the difficult circumstances, the singer is determined to persevere.
Don't try to ignore, you know that it's true
The singer is acknowledging that the problems are real and cannot be ignored.
See you say to yourself that you really don't wanna deal
The singer recognizes that it's easy to want to avoid or escape the difficult situation.
And this day to day action on Earth just don't appeal
The singer finds the challenges of everyday life unappealing and uninspiring.
You know how hard you try
Despite the difficulties, the singer remains determined to succeed.
You've been known to take so much
The singer is no stranger to dealing with adversity and has developed a lot of resilience.
They shoot at you cause you're fine
The singer is referencing the idea that jealousy and envy can cause others to try to bring you down.
Bite the bullet I know that it sucks
The singer is encouraging perseverance, even though it may be painful or unpleasant.
If security's thin then faith will pull you through
Even if it seems like there is no safety or security, the singer believes that faith can help people persevere.
If you still angry follow me
The singer is offering to lead by example and help others overcome their anger.
And do what I do
The singer is encouraging others to adopt her positive attitude and actions.
Do you hear what I'm talking 'bout?
The singer is asking the listener if they understand her message.
Do you hear we can conquer the world?
The singer is expressing her belief that with the right mindset, anything is possible.
Got this whole world running from
The singer is referencing the power of love and chemistry to change the world.
This love between a boy and a girl
The singer is highlighting the importance of love and relationships in creating change.
They're afraid of this chemistry
The singer believes that others are scared of the power of love to create change.
Plus the speed of light of laser guns
The singer is referencing futuristic technology and its potential impact on society.
They go to the light in every one
The singer believes that people are drawn towards light and positivity.
There you want some friends
The singer is introducing the idea of loneliness.
Seems like everybody has friends
The singer is referencing the idea that it seems like everyone else has friends except for the listener.
Depends on what you call friends
The singer is challenging the listener's definition of friendship and what it really means.
You don't really care you just want one
The singer acknowledges that the listener may not care about the definition of friendship, they just want someone to connect with.
It's a person full of feelings but nobody's there
The singer is describing the loneliness of wanting a friend but not having anyone to turn to.
But you have to ask yourself if they were
The singer is prompting the listener to consider whether or not they would truly care if they had friends.
Would they really care?
The singer is asking the listener if having friends would truly matter to them.
They do bullshit some times
The singer is acknowledging that even friends can be frustrating or difficult at times.
They do the things that you've done
The singer is highlighting the similarities between people, even if they seem different on the surface.
They're people just like you
The singer is emphasizing that friends are just regular people, not magical beings.
But tell me do you want one
The singer is prompting the listener to decide whether or not they truly want a friend.
98 percent of faith won't follow through
The singer is referencing the idea that having faith may not always result in success or fulfillment.
Don't you know real magic comes from the other two?
Despite the challenge, real magic (success, joy, fulfillment) can come from the remaining two percent of faith.
It was last week we were watching TV
The singer is setting the scene for a specific event.
My boyfriend wanted to watch channel three
The singer is referencing her boyfriend's desire to watch something specific on TV.
Then he started to freak
The situation went from calm to chaotic.
The news flash came on then
The TV broadcast shifted to breaking news.
So I said hey, my popcorn's burning
The singer is acknowledging that even in the middle of a crisis, there are mundane things to attend to.
Hey, why is the channel turning?
The singer is expressing confusion and surprise at the sudden change in the TV channel.
Hey, that was NASA what did they want
The singer is highlighting the importance of the message from NASA.
Hey, yo just pass the blunt
The singer is using humor to relieve tension in a serious situation.
I was so high that I didn't realize what they said
The singer is admitting to being under the influence of drugs and therefore struggling to understand the TV broadcast.
Plus my eye vision fried
The singer acknowledges that the drugs have had a negative effect on her sensory perception.
If it's not then it's messing with my head
The singer is questioning the veracity of the information she received on TV due to her altered state.
Hey, you can't be serious
The singer is expressing disbelief at the idea of going to Mars.
Hey, but I need my contacts
The singer is acknowledging the importance of seeing things clearly.
Hey, float and spin
The singer is referencing the idea of feeling disoriented or dizzy.
Hey, so I turned and I said, shit
The singer responds to the overwhelming and surprising news with a curse word.
About to send your black ass to Mars
The singer is referencing the possibility of space travel and acknowledging the current focus on diversity and inclusion in space exploration.
Till someday you got that million
The singer is referencing the idea of pursuing lofty goals or dreams (like going to Mars) that require extensive resources and funding.
Just because you've been hanging with stars
The singer is referencing the idea of being around successful or influential people who can help you achieve greatness.
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
The singer is repeating this phrase to emphasize the importance of being alert and aware of opportunities.
And send your black ass to Mars
The singer is repeating the earlier phrase to promote the idea of space exploration and the importance of diversity and inclusion.
Yo, nigga-nigga, yo
The singer is using provocative language to highlight the cultural significance of space exploration and the barriers that have been broken down.
Yo, Star Track, yo, yo (ha-ha)
The singer is referencing the classic sci-fi TV show Star Trek and acknowledging its influence on pop culture.
Yo, Kelis, yo, Neptunes, yo
The singer is acknowledging her own contributions to music and thanking her collaborators.
UFO, who knows?
The singer is referencing the unknown and unexplored aspects of space.
Earth to your brain
The singer is repeating her initial phrase to bring the listener's attention back to the importance of using one's mind and imagination.
What is it already closed?
The singer is highlighting the importance of open-mindedness and inviting the listener to explore new ideas.
You're fucked
The singer is using this blunt and vulgar phrase to emphasize the importance of making the most of one's opportunities regardless of obstacles.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chad Hugo, Pharrell Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind