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.
Suspended
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm still dreaming
I don't see you
I can't feel you
I'm alone for real in my mind
I'll feel this all night
When my life takes flight
We're suspended from space and time
I feel like I'm falling
What happens when I hit?
Must mean then that's it
This black abyss, this pit
It all seems shades of gray
I'm never ready for light of day
This isn't just in your mind
We're suspended from space and time
This isn't just in your mind
We're suspended from space and time
Why do you hurt me?
This reality
Why you smile at me?
Show your fallacies
Dreams hold me down
But let me go
When reality will wake me
[I don't know]
This isn't just in your mind
We're suspended from space and time
This isn't just in your mind
We're suspended from space and time
Am I dreaming?
If so, then why?
My bodies back on Earth
Only spirits can fly
Soaring through dimensions of love
Kinds only my father speaks of
Scenery changes, spins and roll
So does the color of our soul
I know how this must make you feel
You hate me but believe me this is real
This was real
In Kelis's song Suspended, the lyrics paint a picture of someone lost in their own thoughts and dreams, feeling disconnected from their surroundings and the people in their life. The first verse talks about feeling alone and disconnected from reality, like they are in a dreamlike state. The chorus repeats the idea that these feelings aren't just in the character's mind, but that they are suspended from space and time, disconnected from the world in a broader sense.
The second verse picks up the theme of feeling lost and falling into a black abyss. The character feels like they are never ready for the light of day and that everything is just shades of gray. The chorus is repeated once more, emphasizing that these feelings are real and not just in the character's head.
The bridge of the song takes a more aggressive turn, with the character questioning why they are being hurt and lied to in reality, while their dreams keep them grounded. They feel like their dreams are the only thing holding them down, while reality is a constant struggle.
The final verse reflects on the idea that perhaps the character is dreaming, but that their spirit is free and soaring through different dimensions of love. The scenery changes, and so does the color of their soul. The character acknowledges that these experiences might be hard for others to believe, but they were real to them.
Overall, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone struggling to connect with the world around them while finding solace in their dreams and imagination.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't wake me
Don't disturb me from my dream state
I'm still dreaming
I am in a state of dreaming and unaware of reality
I don't see you
I cannot physically see you
I can't feel you
I cannot physically feel your touch
I'm alone for real in my mind
I am truly alone in my own thoughts
I'll feel this all night
This state of mind will persist throughout the night
When my life takes flight
When my life is soaring and good
This isn't just in your mind
This is not just a figment of your imagination
We're suspended from space and time
We are in a state of limbo, detached from reality
I feel like I'm falling
I feel like I am losing control
What happens when I hit?
What will be the consequences of my loss of control?
Must mean then that's it
The loss of control will be the end of something
This black abyss, this pit
The loss of control will result in a bleak and empty feeling
It all seems shades of gray
Everything appears dull and unexciting
I'm never ready for light of day
I am not prepared for the harsh realities of life
Why do you hurt me?
Why do your actions cause me pain?
This reality
This is the actual experience
Why you smile at me?
Why do you pretend that everything is okay?
Show your fallacies
Reveal your flaws and imperfections
Dreams hold me down
My dreams keep me grounded in my current state
But let me go
My dreams also give me the ability to escape
When reality will wake me
When I am forced to face the actual world
[I don't know]
I am uncertain of what will happen
Am I dreaming?
Am I still in a state of dreaming?
If so, then why?
If I am still dreaming, then why am I experiencing this new reality?
My bodies back on Earth
My physical body remains grounded while my mind is elsewhere
Only spirits can fly
Only the non-physical part of myself can soar
Soaring through dimensions of love
Experiencing the boundless possibilities of love
Kinds only my father speaks of
Experiencing a type of love that is unique to my father's teachings
Scenery changes, spins and roll
The environment and my experiences are in constant flux
So does the color of our soul
My experiences impact the state of my soul
I know how this must make you feel
I understand that this may be difficult for you to comprehend
You hate me but believe me this is real
You may not believe me, but this is a genuine experience
This was real
This was a genuinely profound and impactful experience
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PHARRELL WILLIAMS, CHAD HUGO, KELIS ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind