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.
Rumble
Kelis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To have you back in my face
With all those years passed
I guess I just got used to my space
I don't know how to feel
This whole thing seems so surreal
So you keep one foot out the door
We got so much history
I hurt you, you hurt me
No, we don't need therapy
What I need is you here
And even though I know I'm right
Just like some lapse in my memory
You're back to me, hand on the door
I want you, baby, don't go
I'm so glad you give back my keys
Oh, I'm so glad you give back my keys
Oh, I'm so glad you give back my keys
My keys
You got so many issues but I guess I can top me, too
I'm just fine by myself
But I don't know who's gonna help you
I'm not no secretary, I'm nobody's Major D
But like a lapse in my memory
I want you, baby, don't go
Baby, don't go, baby, don't go
Baby, don't leave, yeah
Stay the night, baby
Don't go, baby, oh, hey, baby, don't, baby, don't go
I'm so glad you give back my keys
Oh, I'm so glad you give back my keys
Oh, I'm so glad you give back my keys
My keys
I'm so glad you give back my keys
Oh, I'm so glad you give back my keys
Oh, I'm so glad you give back my keys
My keys
The song "Rumble" by Kelis is a powerful expression of confusion, doubt, and longing. The beginning of the song sets the stage for the complex emotions that follow. Kelis sings about the strangeness of having an ex-lover back in her life after years have passed, and how she has gotten used to having her own space. She admits that she doesn't know how to feel and that the situation seems surreal. He wants to leave, but she begs him to stay. She acknowledges their shared history and the pain they have caused each other.
Throughout the song, Kelis struggles to reconcile her desire for her ex-lover with the knowledge that they have both hurt each other deeply in the past. She recognizes that he has issues and that she can't fix him, but she still wants him to stay. There is a sense of resignation and acceptance in her voice as she says, "I'm just fine by myself, but I don't know who's gonna help you." Even though she knows she's right to be wary of him, she can't help wanting him to stay.
The chorus of the song is a repetition of the lyrics "I'm so glad you give back my keys," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the emotional burden that her ex-lover has placed on her. She's glad to have the keys to her life back, but she's still haunted by his presence.
Overall, "Rumble" is a powerful and complex song that explores the complicated emotions that come with reconnecting with an ex-lover. While Kelis longs for her ex to stay, she also recognizes that she can't fix his issues and that he may not be good for her.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the strangest thing
It feels unusual to have you back in my life
To have you back in my face
To have you present and visible in my life
With all those years passed
Despite the time that has passed since we parted ways
I guess I just got used to my space
I became accustomed to being alone
I don't know how to feel
I'm unsure of how to react to your return
This whole thing seems so surreal
It feels like a dream or fantasy
So you keep one foot out the door
You seem hesitant to fully commit to staying
I know I said 'leave' but, baby, don't go
I previously asked you to leave, but now I want you to stay
We got so much history
We share a long and complex past
I hurt you, you hurt me
We have both caused each other pain
No, we don't need therapy
We don't require professional help to work through our issues
What I need is you here
I just want you to be present with me
And even though I know I'm right
Despite being certain that I'm correct
Just like some lapse in my memory
You seem to have reappeared out of nowhere
You're back to me, hand on the door
You're standing in front of me with one hand on the door, ready to leave
I want you, baby, don't go
I desire for you to stay with me
You got so many issues but I guess I can top me, too
You have your own problems, but so do I
I'm just fine by myself
I am okay being alone
But I don't know who's gonna help you
I don't know who can assist you with your issues
I'm not no secretary, I'm nobody's Major D
I am not someone who can be at your beck and call
But like a lapse in my memory
Like something forgotten or lost and then suddenly remembered
I want you, baby, don't go
Despite any reservations or issues, I still want you to stay
I'm so glad you give back my keys
I am happy to have my keys returned to me
My keys
Referring to a physical set of keys that were returned to her
Stay the night, baby
Asks her partner to remain with her overnight
Don't go, baby, oh, hey, baby, don't, baby, don't go
Repeated pleas for her partner to stay with her
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KELIS ROGERS, DAVID ANDREW SITEK, TODD SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Honor_Basquiat
This song is so good, maybe in my top 5 Kelis songs. Everything Kelis does is so ahead of its time. She is severely underrated.
@Constavlos
I pray for the day mrs hill and kelis work together!
@corafairy
True....underrated Cus she didn't went further with the illuminati bs
@larkthomas3371
agreed..
@capricorns1st
My queen and yes SEVERELY underrated. She has pushed me through so many highs and lows in my life. ❤️
@renrah5902
Success is our own and Kelis has achieved amazing heights. You don't need to be on the top of the charts or be a billionaire. She is strong, a trend setter, brilliant and beautiful. I know she is proud. I am so proud of this sister and look forward to seeing her make more moves in her own way and time. Big fan, always!
@kk2rbes
She is absolutely underrated. She is too good for this mainstream infused world.
@jasonpizarro2212
Kelis is completely versatile and while unapologetic also very clear about whatever directions she chooses to express herself in.
@odvf
This song is sooo good after all these years. Ugh. What a queen.
@dillondillster
pure genius. real artistry. beautiful