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.
Trilogy
Kelis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hop on your moon soon
Don't separate from me
Your feet won't touch the ground
'Cause there's no gravity
Experiencing my trilogy
It seems like you're ready to go
And your mind is set on touching the stars
Can't you tell I'm ready to leave?
So I can meet you wherever you are, baby
Something 'bout the sky
Something 'bout tonight
Something 'bout the way you look
Something 'bout your eyes
Something 'bout that flight
That makes me wanna ride in outer space with you all night
There's only one way to my galaxy
Hop on your moon soon
Don't separate from me
Your feet won't touch the ground
'Cause there's no gravity
Experiencing my trilogy
We can start the countdown now
Got my rockets turned on
So we can blast off straight to the moon
You can take that Jacob off
'Cause we won't be coming back no time soon, oh no, we won't
Something 'bout the sky
Something 'bout tonight
Something 'bout the way you look
Something 'bout your eyes
Something 'bout that flight
That makes me wanna ride in outer space with you all night
There's only one way to my galaxy
Hop on your moon soon
Don't separate from me
Your feet won't touch the ground
'Cause there's no gravity
Experiencing my
We can reach the sun by dawn
Feel the heat that's pulling on me
NASA should call off the search
?Cause the Earth has nothing for me
There's only one way to my galaxy
Hop on your moon soon
Don't separate from me
Your feet won't touch the ground
'Cause there's no gravity
Experiencing my trilogy
There's only one way to my galaxy
Hop on your moon soon
Don't separate from me
Your feet won't touch the ground
'Cause there's no gravity
Experiencing my trilogy
Buckle up your seatbelts
We're about to land in 20 seconds
Oh, oh, thank you, you
Thank you for continuing to fly with me
Throughout this whole ride, ride
Thank you, you, oh, thank you, you
The lyrics to Kelis's song Trilogy paint a vivid picture of an interstellar voyage, as Kelis sings about her desire to leave the Earth with her lover and explore the galaxy. She describes the journey as a trilogy, and beckons her lover to join her on this adventure. The lyrics are filled with imagery of space travel, from the lack of gravity to the countdown before takeoff. Kelis makes use of space motifs to evoke a feeling of otherworldliness, suggesting that the journey is not just a physical one, but also a metaphorical one.
In the first verse, Kelis invites her lover to join her on the journey, using the line "Hop on your moon soon, Don't separate from me" to indicate that they will be travelling together. The second verse sees Kelis and her lover preparing for the journey and getting their spacecraft ready to blast off. She also uses the line "Something 'bout the sky, Something 'bout tonight, Something 'bout the way you look, Something 'bout your eyes" to suggest that her desire to explore the universe is intertwined with her feelings for her lover.
The chorus, which repeats the line "There's only one way to my galaxy, Hop on your moon soon, Don't separate from me" reinforces the idea that the journey is being made together and emphasizes the importance of unity in achieving the goal of exploring the galaxy. She also emphasizes the lack of gravity, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the freedom that comes with leaving the world and venturing into the unknown. The lyrics of the last verse suggest that Kelis has found what she was looking for and has no desire to return to Earth, which implies that the journey was more than just a physical one.
Line by Line Meaning
There's only one way to my galaxy
Kelis is suggesting that there's only one path to lead to her heart, and this person has to take that path.
Hop on your moon soon
Kelis is asking the person to catch up with her soon.
Don't separate from me
Kelis is pleading with the person to stay close to her and not to leave her.
Your feet won't touch the ground
Kelis thinks that being with this person will make her feel like she's floating in the air, without anything to weigh her down.
'Cause there's no gravity
Kelis believes that love can make one feel weightless and free, like there is no gravity.
Experiencing my trilogy
Kelis is describing the three stages of her love: falling in love, being in love, and staying in love, which makes up her 'trilogy'.
It seems like you're ready to go
Kelis observes that the person is excited to embark on a journey towards love with her.
Got your bags packed up
Kelis believes that the person is prepared for this journey.
And your mind is set on touching the stars
Kelis believes that the person is aiming for something grand and beautiful, like touching the stars.
Can't you tell I'm ready to leave?
Kelis is eager to go on this adventure.
So I can meet you wherever you are, baby
Kelis is telling the person that she'll be with them wherever they are in their journey together.
Something 'bout the sky
The sky symbolizes freedom and openness.
Something 'bout tonight
Kelis feels that tonight is special and different, with something beautiful in the air.
Something 'bout the way you look
Kelis is attracted to the person and the way they present themselves.
Something 'bout your eyes
Kelis is drawn to the person's eyes, as they hold a deep meaning for her.
Something 'bout that flight
Kelis is excited about this journey and wants to ride it out with this person.
That makes me wanna ride in outer space with you all night
Kelis states that she wants to be with this person and experience the journey of love through the night.
We can start the countdown now
It's time for Kelis and the person to begin the journey together.
Got my rockets turned on
Kelis is ready to take off on this journey and take control of it.
So we can blast off straight to the moon
Kelis is implying that this journey will be explosive and amazing, where they will reach great heights together.
You can take that Jacob off
Jacob may be a reference to a piece of jewelry, and Kelis is implying that they don't need material things, especially when they have each other.
'Cause we won't be coming back no time soon, oh no, we won't
Kelis hopes that this journey will last for a long time, as she doesn't intend to come back soon.
We can reach the sun by dawn
Kelis believes that they can reach a point in their journey together where everything will be bright and shining like the sun.
Feel the heat that's pulling on me
Kelis feels attracted and drawn to the person.
NASA should call off the search
Kelis believes that the person is truly the one for her and NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, responsible for space exploration) should stop looking for other suitable partners for her.
?Cause the Earth has nothing for me
Kelis is suggesting that this person means everything to her and that she has no desire to be with anyone else, as they all pale in comparison.
Buckle up your seatbelts
Kelis is ready to land back to Earth, but wants to make sure that the person is fully prepared for what's to come.
We're about to land in 20 seconds
The journey is coming to an end, and they're about to touch down on their next destination together.
Oh, oh, thank you, you
Kelis wants to thank the person for coming on this journey with her, as she views them as a team.
Thank you for continuing to fly with me
Kelis appreciates that the person has chosen her to go on this journey with, and hopes that they will continue to fly through life together.
Throughout this whole ride, ride
Throughout every up and down, the person has been right there by Kelis's side through this journey of love.
Thank you, you, oh, thank you, you
Kelis is showing her gratitude and appreciation towards the person who has shared this journey of love with her.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: SCOTT STORCH, UNKNOWN WRTERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christina Coigney
Hands down, best song by Kelis. I've always adored her style in music videos. At least she does things creative & different. I like that (:
JILL F'N VALENTINE
This song is everything
Sølååriz
Early 2000's Scott Storch FIRE!! Best track on this album, and best post Neptunes Kelis track.
Goddess Arttess
This is one of my favorite songs! I was gonna walk in on this song for my 16 birthday bash....I wish i did but this song gave me the theme of my party! SHE'S AWESOME ;)
kendolldamon
this whole album was FIRE, from start to finish...and trilogy is the business!
valygrl1
This is my Favorite Song from Kelis and I think her voice sounds Amazing. You Go Girl
Tasha G
Kelis is too amazingly original. All the stuff that is popular now she has been there and completely done that.
kyvdyva80
WANDERLAND is my favorite album by her!! This is one of gems on Kelis Was Here :-) Nice summer joint..
Redd Radio Diva
yea this cd was slept on. I love this song, its my ringtone.
Jamal Hill
2007 and this Album made my life make sense!