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.
Till the Wheels Fall Off
Kelis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we ain't got no plans on coming back soon, yeah (I'm serious - I'm serious)
I got my bags packed just to hit the road with you ?cause (I'm serious - yeah- I'm serious)
And when it gets bumpy, I'll be rollin' with you ?cause (I'm serious - yeah, hey baby)
Till them wheels fall off, till them wheels fall off
Till them wheels fall off, till them wheels fall off
Till them wheels fall off, till them wheels fall off
Oh baby, I'm runnin' on metal plates
Oh baby, I'm never gonna walk away
Even though we runnin' on metal plates
Oh baby, I'm runnin' on metal plates
My tank is on empty but my heart is filled with fuel (I'm serious - oh - I'm serious)
I never run from nothin? but I'm runnin? straight to you (I'm serious - I'm serious)
And I don't have no plans on coming back soon (It?s serious - It?s serious)
And I?m not even scared but they're coming off soon (It's serious - oh - It?s serious)
Till them wheels fall off, till them wheels fall off
Till them wheels fall off, till them wheels fall off
Till them wheels fall off, till them wheels fall off
Till them wheels fall off, till them wheels fall off
Oh baby, I'm runnin' on metal plates
Oh baby, someday we?ll see better days
Even though we runnin' on metal plates
Oh baby, I'm runnin' on metal plates
Ridin' shotgun, baby, close the seatbelt through
Emergency break off, pedal to the floor, we gotta move
Movin' fast hit the gas, crash, we gotta move
And when the wheels fall off, you carry me through
Till them wheels fall off, till them wheels fall off
Till them wheels fall off, till them wheels fall off
Till them wheels fall off, till them wheels fall off
Till them wheels fall off, till them wheels fall off
The lyrics of Kelis's song "Till The Wheels Fall Off" speak of an unbridled love that the singer has for her partner. She is willing to do anything just to be with him, including traveling over cliffs and hitting the road indefinitely, without any intention of coming back soon. She's also aware that the journey won't always be smooth, but she's willing to ride out any bumps that come their way. Kelis sings "Till them wheels fall off" repeatedly, emphasizing that she will be with her lover through thick and thin.
The chorus underscores the song's title and the message of commitment that Kelis is relaying. She repeats "Till them wheels fall off" four times, making it clear that the love she has is enduring and won't go away. Kelis seems determined to be with her partner, running on empty but fueled by a heart that's overflowing with love. She's also confident that her love is reciprocal, that her partner won't run away, and that they'll see better days together. In the end, Kelis declares that even when the metaphorical wheels fall off, she can count on her partner to carry her through.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm travelin? over cliffs just to fall in love with you (I'm serious - I'm serious)
I am taking risks just to be with you, and I am serious about it.
And we ain't got no plans on coming back soon, yeah (I'm serious - I'm serious)
We plan to stay together for a while and I am serious about it.
I got my bags packed just to hit the road with you ?cause (I'm serious - yeah- I'm serious)
I am fully committed to travelling with you, and I am serious about it.
And when it gets bumpy, I'll be rollin' with you ?cause (I'm serious - yeah, hey baby)
I will stick with you through the tough times and I am serious about it.
My tank is on empty but my heart is filled with fuel (I'm serious - oh - I'm serious)
My energy levels may be low, but I have the strength to continue because of my love and commitment to you.
I never run from nothin? but I'm runnin? straight to you (I'm serious - I'm serious)
I am not afraid of anything except losing you, so I am committed to being with you.
And I don't have no plans on coming back soon (It?s serious - It?s serious)
I don't want to leave you any time soon because I am serious about our relationship.
And I?m not even scared but they're coming off soon (It's serious - oh - It?s serious)
I am not scared to give up everything for you because I am serious about our relationship.
Ridin' shotgun, baby, close the seatbelt through
Riding in the passenger seat with you, making sure we're both safe and secure.
Emergency break off, pedal to the floor, we gotta move
We need to go all out and get away as fast as we can.
Movin' fast hit the gas, crash, we gotta move
We need to keep moving and not look back, even if we face difficulties along the way.
And when the wheels fall off, you carry me through
Even if everything falls apart, we will continue to support each other and stay together.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: W. ADAMS, WILL ADAMS, PRINTZ BOARD, KEITH HARRIS, GEORGE JR PAJON, KELIS ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind