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.
Not In Love
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You call me on the phone
I act like nothing's going on
We're driving in my car
I pretend that you don't turn me on
(Ah ah ah) you sexy thing
Yeah you know it yeah
I'm not in love
It's just a fase that I'm going through
I'm always looking for something new
But don't go running away
It's almost three AM
I'm hoping that you don't let go
You're moving in so close
I'm trying not to lose control
(Ah ah ah) you sexy thing
Yeah you know it yeah
(Ah ah ah) you move around now you show it
I'm not in love
It's just a phase that I'm going through
I'm always looking for something new
Don't go running away
Oh I'm not in love
I try to tell myself all the time
I just can't help how I feel tonight
So don't go running away (yeah)
I'm not in love yeah yeah
I'm not in love
I'm not in love (give it to me now)
I'm not in love (break it down)
(Ah ah ah) you sexy thing
Yeah you know it
(Ah ah ah) you move around yea you show it
I'm not in love
It's just a phase that I'm going through
I'm always looking for something new
Don't go running away
Oh I'm not in love
I try to tell myself all the time
I just can't help how I feel tonight
So don't go running away (I'm not in love)
I'm not in love
I'm not in love
I'm not in love
I'm not in love
I'm not in love
I'm not in love
The lyrics of Kelis's song "Not In Love" describe a situation where the singer is involved in a casual and non-committal relationship. The singer receives a call from someone and pretends that nothing significant is happening between them. They go for a drive together, and although the singer tries to deny their attraction, they acknowledge the other person's sex appeal and the way they confidently express themselves.
The chorus emphasizes the singer's insistence that they are not in love, but rather going through a phase of constantly searching for something new. Despite their repeated reassurance, there is a sense of longing and desire for the other person not to leave. It is almost 3 AM, and the singer hopes that the other person won't go away as they are moving in closer, causing the singer to struggle with self-control.
Throughout the song, the singer tries to convince themselves that they are not in love by repeating the phrase. However, it becomes evident that they cannot deny their feelings for this person. The repetition of "I'm not in love" is almost a defense mechanism to protect themselves from vulnerability and potential heartache. Despite their attempts to distance themselves emotionally, they cannot deny the strong connection they feel in the moment.
Overall, the lyrics depict a complicated and conflicting emotional state where the singer tries to deny their true feelings but ultimately realizes that they cannot control their emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
You call me on the phone
You reach out to me through a phone call
I act like nothing's going on
I pretend as if there are no emotions or feelings involved
We're driving in my car
We are traveling together in my automobile
I pretend that you don't turn me on
I make believe that you do not arouse or excite me
(Ah ah ah) you sexy thing
You are an attractive and appealing individual
Yeah you know it yeah
Indeed, you are aware of your own attractiveness
(Ah ah ah) you move around now you show it
You demonstrate and display your attractiveness through your movements
It's just a fase that I'm going through
It is merely a temporary period or stage that I am experiencing
I'm always looking for something new
I am constantly searching for new experiences or individuals
But don't go running away
However, please do not flee or distance yourself
It's almost three AM
The time is nearing three in the morning
I'm hoping that you don't let go
I desire that you do not release or abandon me
You're moving in so close
You are approaching me intimately or closely
I'm trying not to lose control
I am attempting to maintain composure and not succumb to my desires
Oh I'm not in love
Oh, I am not experiencing love
I try to tell myself all the time
I consistently attempt to convince myself
I just can't help how I feel tonight
Unfortunately, I cannot control the emotions I am experiencing this evening
(Ah ah ah) you sexy thing
You continue to be an attractive and appealing individual
I'm not in love
I am not involved in a romantic love relationship
I try to tell myself all the time
I make constant efforts to convince myself
I just can't help how I feel tonight
Unfortunately, I am unable to control the emotions I am experiencing this evening
So don't go running away (I'm not in love)
Therefore, please do not flee or distance yourself from me as I am not in love
I'm not in love
I am not involved in a romantic love relationship
I'm not in love
I am not experiencing love
I'm not in love (give it to me now)
I am definitely not in love (expressed with emphasis)
I'm not in love (break it down)
I want to emphasize that I am not in love (bring more clarity to the statement)
(Ah ah ah) you sexy thing
You continue to be an attractive and appealing individual
Yeah you know it
Indeed, you are aware of your own attractiveness
(Ah ah ah) you move around yea you show it
You demonstrate and display your attractiveness through your movements, indeed
I'm not in love
I am not involved in a romantic love relationship
I'm not in love
I am not experiencing love
I'm not in love
I am not involved in a romantic love relationship
I'm not in love
I am not experiencing love
I'm not in love
I am not involved in a romantic love relationship
I'm not in love
I am not experiencing love
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PAUL MICHAEL BARRY, FERNANDO GARIBAY, VICTORIA HORN, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, KELIS ROGERS, SHEPPARD J SOLOMON, MARK PHILIP TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind