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.
Flash Back
Kelis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was hot and I was bored
I took a walk to the corner store
I was at the counter
And that's when you walked by
Holding your st. ides
You just brushed right by my side
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
You make me come alive
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Oh shit, there you go again
Speaking can't be a sin
So I fingered you over
Caesar n' tattooed shoulders
Girls know your name badly
But to me you're my daddy
Though you only shook my hand
Could have sworn you held me
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Ooh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
You make me come alive
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Oh you make my body go
I'm so blessed I found you
You make all my days brand new
Late at night you call my name
And early in the morning
The thought of sex is soaring
Like a plane
I'm so blessed I found you
You make all my days brand new
Late at night you call my name
And early in the morning
The thought of sex is soaring
Like a plane
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Ooh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
You make me come alive
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
You make me come oh yeah alive
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Oh you make my body go
Oh you make my body go
Oh you make my body go
Yeah yeah
Oh you make my body go
Kelis's song "Flash Back" is a nostalgic ode to a chance encounter with a guy who made her feel alive. The song is an upbeat and funky track with a simple beat that makes you want to dance. Kelis's lyrics reminisce about a hot and boring summer day where she took a walk to the corner store. At the counter, she saw the guy who caught her attention holding a St. Ides.
As he walked by, she experienced a fluttering feeling in her stomach, which led her to conclude that she had butterflies. She describes how he made her body go, and that he made her come alive. The second verse goes on to say that despite only shaking hands with the guy, she could have sworn that he held her. She describes him as her "daddy" and reveals that although other girls may want him, she is contented with having him in her life. She feels so blessed to have found this guy who makes her days brand new, and who calls her late at night and early in the morning.
Overall, "Flash Back" is a sweet and innocent song about the simple pleasures in life like chance encounters and butterflies in your stomach. Kelis captures the feeling of being young and carefree, and the song is an upbeat reminder to cherish those moments.
Line by Line Meaning
Flashbacks of the last summer
Recollections of events that happened in the previous summer
It was hot and I was bored
The weather was warm and there was nothing interesting to do
I took a walk to the corner store
I went for a stroll to the shop located at the corner
I was at the counter
I was standing at the cash register
And that's when you walked by
That's the moment when you passed by me
Holding your st. ides
You were carrying your alcoholic beverage called St. Ides
You just brushed right by my side
You simply brushed past me by my side
I swear I got butterflies
I felt an excited and nervous feeling in my stomach
Yeah yeah
Exclamation to emphasize agreement or enthusiasm
Oh you make my body go
You have a strong physical effect on me
You make me come alive
You make me feel more energetic and enthusiastic
Oh shit, there you go again
An expression of surprise and excitement at seeing someone again
Speaking can't be a sin
Conversing with someone cannot be sinful
So I fingered you over
I gave you a gesture to come closer to me
Caesar n' tattooed shoulders
You had the appearance of a strong and masculine man with tattoos on your shoulders
Girls know your name badly
Other girls are desperate to know your name
But to me you're my daddy
To me, you are the one I rely on and look up to
Though you only shook my hand
Even though we only shook hands when we met
Could have sworn you held me
I felt as if you were holding me even though we only had a handshake
I'm so blessed I found you
I feel fortunate to have met you
You make all my days brand new
You add excitement and joy to my life every day
Late at night you call my name
You call out my name during late hours of the night
And early in the morning
You also make me think of you early in the morning
The thought of sex is soaring
I have heightened sexual thoughts about you
Like a plane
My sexual desires are taking off rapidly
You make me come oh yeah alive
You make me feel more alive and excited
Oh you make my body go
You have a strong physical effect on me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, 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