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 Kelisβ 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.
Scared Money
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll leave it open
Sometimes a girl just needs fresh air
I have a garden
Do you like flowers?
Just through the gates it is my world
You'll drive my car
We'll put the top down and name stars
I have this candy
My mother gave me
I'll share if you don't tell no one
I know you're afraid to come with me
But tonight I'm gonna present you with pleasure, with pleasure
See, scared money don't make none
So, role with me and I will be your treasure, your treasure
I know you're afraid to come with me
But tonight I'm gonna present you with pleasure, with pleasure
See, scared money don't make none
So, role with me and I will be your treasure, your treasure
It's raining now
I'm soaking wet, but I think I like it, baby
It's hot in here
I'll make it clear that I really want you, baby
I'm fighting porn, and it's still morning
You make me leave my conscience, baby
I'm not scared of truth or dare
But nothing is just nonsense, baby
The lyrics to Kelis's song Scared Money are about a woman making advances towards a man, trying to convince him to come with her and live in the moment. She invites him to her home and offers to take him on a drive with the top down, where they can name stars in the night sky. Kelis then offers the man some candy, which she hints is a secret between just the two of them. Despite the man's hesitations due to fear, Kelis urges him to take a chance with her, as "scared money don't make none." She promises to be his treasure and offer him pleasure.
Throughout the song, Kelis uses metaphorical language to capture the feeling of taking risks and living in the moment. For example, the line "sometimes a girl just needs fresh air" can be interpreted to mean that Kelis is fed up with her current situation and needs a change. Similarly, the line "It's raining now I'm soaking wet, but I think I like it, baby" could be interpreted to mean that Kelis is willing to disregard the discomfort in order to feel alive and take a chance.
Overall, the lyrics to Scared Money encourage the listener to let go of their fears and take a chance on new experiences, no matter how risky they may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
Come to my window
I am inviting you to come to my window
I'll leave it open
The window will be left open for you
Sometimes a girl just needs fresh air
I need some fresh air sometimes
I have a garden
I have a garden
Do you like flowers?
Do you like flowers?
Just through the gates it is my world
My world begins just beyond the gates
Let's take a ride
Let's go on a ride
You'll drive my car
You will drive my car
We'll put the top down and name stars
With the top down, we'll look at the stars and give them names
I have this candy
I have this candy
My mother gave me
My mother gave it to me
I'll share if you don't tell no one
I will share it with you if you promise not to tell anyone
I know you're afraid to come with me
I understand you are scared to come with me
But tonight I'm gonna present you with pleasure, with pleasure
Tonight, I'll show you how pleasurable things can be
See, scared money don't make none
Being afraid to spend money won't get you anywhere
So, role with me and I will be your treasure, your treasure
Come with me and I will treasure you
It's raining now
It is raining now
I'm soaking wet, but I think I like it, baby
I am getting wet, but I am enjoying it
It's hot in here
It is hot inside
I'll make it clear that I really want you, baby
I want you and I am making that clear
I'm fighting porn, and it's still morning
I am fighting temptation, and it is still morning
You make me leave my conscience, baby
You make me forget what's right and wrong
I'm not scared of truth or dare
I am not scared of playing truth or dare
But nothing is just nonsense, baby
But everything should have a purpose
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHAD HUGO, KELIS ROGERS, PHARRELL WILLIAMS, PHARRELL L WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind