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.
Runnin'
Kelis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We claim one victory, best without a thrill
How we came here runnin' it's like he couldn't say he love her
Flashing, don't always
I ain't mean that cause either we force to stay
How we came runnin' to escape the fame
Still don't wanna die, now I gotta change
How we'll get up, how we arrive the day
How can I forget you? If you never let it go, you fight out to rescue
How could I forget you, the hurricane that keeps me say you on my future
How we came runnin' if the [?] up the falling
That's not accident and now you lost a fan
How they cam runnin'all the dream they put you on just before that day
Should sold all that, better than regret
How they came runnin' makes you build at last
So I can speed [?] never face the fact
I became a runin'
I became a runin'
I became a runin'
I became a runin'
How could I forget you if you never laid your fears and let it all for rescue
How could I reject you, the hurricane that keeps me say you on my future
Keep your head up,
How could I forget you, how could I forget you
How could I forget you, how could I forget you
He'll beats for two at onceand my heart will go on
Surreder that time so force to know all your feels
I'm going so could and I can't see it up to you
How could I forget you if you never laid your fears and let it all for rescue
How could I reject you, the hurricane that keeps me say you on my future
How could I forget you if you never laid your fears and let it all for rescue
How could I reject you, the hurricane that keeps me say you on my future
Kelis’s song “Runnin’” is a complex and intense reflection on the struggle for control over one's own life and identity in the midst of fame and public scrutiny. The song seems to be about Kelis’s own experiences navigating a career in the music industry, but the lyrics can also be interpreted more broadly as a meditation on the pressures of celebrity culture in general.
At its core, “Runnin’” is a song about conflict and resistance. Kelis sings about the way that different forces – whether they be career pressures, personal relationships, or internal demons – can conspire to make us feel like we are running from something or someone. She asks how we can forget the things that have shaped us, even as we try to escape them. Throughout the song, Kelis uses storm and weather metaphors to describe the emotional turbulence that comes with being in the public eye. She seems to be searching for some kind of escape or release from this relentless pressure, but knows that in order to do so she will have to give something up.
One of the most striking things about “Runnin’” is the way that Kelis blends different genres and styles of music to create a unique sound. The song features a propulsive beat and driving bassline that hint at her background in R&B and hip hop, but also incorporates elements of rock and roll, pop, and electronic dance music. This musical eclecticism matches the emotional complexity of the lyrics, suggesting that Kelis is trying to explore a range of feelings and experiences through her music.
Line by Line Meaning
How we came runnin' if different things won't touching me
How did we get to this point of running away when our desires and goals don't align?
We claim one victory, best without a thrill
We can have success without the excitement or need for thrills.
How we came here runnin' it's like he couldn't say he love her
The reason we're running away feels like he couldn't express his love to her.
Flashing, don't always
Fame and success aren't always positive, and can have negative consequences.
I ain't mean that cause either we force to stay
I didn't mean what I said, but we feel forced to stay in this situation.
How we came runnin' to escape the fame
We're running away to escape the negative aspects of fame and success.
Still don't wanna die, now I gotta change
I don't want to die, so I need to make changes in my life.
How they came runnin'? But out of flame
Why are they coming towards us now, after the flame has died down?
How we'll get up, how we arrive the day
How will we recover from this and move on to another day?
How can I forget you? If you never let it go, you fight out to rescue
How can I forget you, when you hold on so tightly and fight to save our relationship?
How could I forget you, the hurricane that keeps me say you on my future
How could I forget someone who has such a strong impact on my life and future?
How we came runnin' if the [?] up the falling
How did we end up running away when only success and accomplishment were expected?
That's not accident and now you lost a fan
It wasn't an accident, and now you've lost my support and admiration.
How they cam runnin'all the dream they put you on just before that day
Why are they suddenly coming towards you now, after building up your dreams beforehand?
Should sold all that, better than regret
We should have sold everything and moved on, rather than staying and feeling regretful.
How they came runnin' makes you build at last
Their sudden appearance makes you finally build up the strength to face them.
So I can speed [?] never face the fact
I can speed up and run away, refusing to face the reality of the situation.
I became a runin'
I became someone who runs away from their problems.
How could I forget you if you never laid your fears and let it all for rescue
How could I forget you when you continue to hide your fears and refuse to let me help rescue you?
How could I reject you, the hurricane that keeps me say you on my future
How could I reject someone who has such a powerful impact on my life and future?
Keep your head up,
Stay positive and hopeful.
He'll beats for two at onceand my heart will go on
We'll fight for our relationship together and keep our love alive.
Surreder that time so force to know all your feels
Surrender to the moment and truly confront and feel all of your emotions.
I'm going so could and I can't see it up to you
I'm cold and distant and can't rely on you to help me through this.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PATRICK HAYES, DJ ROGERS, ELVIS WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
misskalinette
LYRICS - "Runnin'"
I became a runner
Like a river through your fingers
No one's catching me
We'll count one victory
Best out of three
I became a runner so they
Couldn't say she'll never fly she
Don't have wings
I didn't need them 'cause you would
Push the swing
I became a runner
To escape the fame, I still don't
Wanna play
A lion they'll never change
I became a runner
But I'm not afraid
Probably a big mistake
I never liked the cage
How could I forget you?
You're never late you're always right
There in my rescue
How could I reject you?
You are my cave that keeps me safe
You are my refuge
I became the runner like the words
You didn't stutter right before that jab
That's not what you meant
Now you lost a friend
I became a runner like the dream
That pulled you under just before
The day
Sure that's all that's left
Better than regret
I became a runner
Need a shoe built to last
So I can speed by the past
And never face the facts
I became a runner, oh I
I became a runner, oh I
I became a runner, oh I
I became a runner
How could I forget you?
You're never late you're always right
There in my rescue
How could I reject you?
You are my cave that keeps me safe
You are my refuge
Fear beats me to the punch
And my heart would know
So I would begin to run
So fast and I don't feel my feet
I'm going circles
And I can't seem to reach your hand
How could I forget you?
You're never late you're always right
There in my rescue
How could I reject you?
You are my cave that keeps me safe
You are my refuge
shushndeepthink
Her vocals are so pure. Her food album is amazing! Kelis is always ahead of the time. Thank you Kelis!
Adi. Jaha
The singing starting around 2:11 sends chills all over me. it sounds so sad and beautiful. Love the mood of this song.
Barefoot Arts
Shes one of the best at making a love song have double meaning.
BLISS
this is my favorite kelis song
misskalinette
LYRICS - "Runnin'"
I became a runner
Like a river through your fingers
No one's catching me
We'll count one victory
Best out of three
I became a runner so they
Couldn't say she'll never fly she
Don't have wings
I didn't need them 'cause you would
Push the swing
I became a runner
To escape the fame, I still don't
Wanna play
A lion they'll never change
I became a runner
But I'm not afraid
Probably a big mistake
I never liked the cage
How could I forget you?
You're never late you're always right
There in my rescue
How could I reject you?
You are my cave that keeps me safe
You are my refuge
I became the runner like the words
You didn't stutter right before that jab
That's not what you meant
Now you lost a friend
I became a runner like the dream
That pulled you under just before
The day
Sure that's all that's left
Better than regret
I became a runner
Need a shoe built to last
So I can speed by the past
And never face the facts
I became a runner, oh I
I became a runner, oh I
I became a runner, oh I
I became a runner
How could I forget you?
You're never late you're always right
There in my rescue
How could I reject you?
You are my cave that keeps me safe
You are my refuge
Fear beats me to the punch
And my heart would know
So I would begin to run
So fast and I don't feel my feet
I'm going circles
And I can't seem to reach your hand
How could I forget you?
You're never late you're always right
There in my rescue
How could I reject you?
You are my cave that keeps me safe
You are my refuge
GodsChild
misskalinette
Thanks 💜
vitaminc
This is a great song to appreciate love, and the loss of love. At least this is what it brings to me. Babe, how much i miss you.
I:DL
You are my cave that keeps me safe
You are my refuge
JK number5
🏃🏾♂️🏃🏾♀️💪🏾
ju lie ju lie
<3