Born in Detroit in the late 80’s, Lizzo spent much of her formative years in the church, where she was raised on the gospel sounds of The Winans, The Clark Sisters, and Fred Hammond, along with mainstay secular artists such as Stevie Wonder and Elton John. At the age of 10 her family moved to Houston, TX, and Lizzo was exposed to a wide array of emerging Southern musical styles, from the trademark chopped and screwed rap tracks of the underground, to the progressive and polished R&B sounds of groups like Destiny’s Child that were raising the city’s national profile to new heights. In fact, it was after she stumbled across a Destiny’s Child performance at Wal-Mart that Lizzo—then a 5th grader-- was inspired to start writing music on her own. Over the next decade that decision would take her through the trenches of some of the most varied musical genres: R&B girl groups (I.N.I.T.I.A.L.S., Cornrow Clique), progressive rock bands (Elypseas), solo rap ventures, and electro-pop duos (Lizzo & The Larva Ink).
In 2011 she made the move to Minneapolis with Larva Ink in order to be a part of that city’s blossoming and collaborative musical community. Lizzo & The Larva Ink was well received there, and the group earned a few encouraging nods from the press. Lizzo was soon introduced to Sophia Eris and Claire de Lune, with whom she would form The Chalice, the three-piece all-female rap/R&B group that would elevate Lizzo’s profile and reputation. In 2012 The Chalice released We Are The Chalice, an album that would gain them instant local success amongst fans and critics alike, garnering City Pages’ prestigious Best New Band and Picked To Click accolades in the same year.
The success brought setbacks, though, and a falling out soon led to the demise of Lizzo & The Larva Ink. Feeling discontent with the loss of one group and the hurried blur of success of another, Lizzo was creatively drained from writing We Are The Chalice in two short months. She found herself in the throes of her first full-blown case of writer’s block. Unable to create music for herself, she began listening to several different local albums in hopes of finding inspiration. It was LAVA BANGERS, a 20-track instrumental mixtape from Doomtree producer and Minneapolis music vet Lazerbeak, that ultimately caught her ear. Beaks’ beats proved the fix for Lizzo’s problem. “I sat at home and listened to LAVA BANGERS, and when “Lift Every Voice” came on, my writer’s block was cured,” says Lizzo. “I think it revived my gospel roots. I wrote pages and pages of songs, and finally reached out to Lazerbeak, not thinking anything would come of it.”
Her timing could not have been better. Beak, impressed with Lizzo’s output with The Chalice, as well as her guest appearances on several other local releases, was looking for a change of pace from his daily Doomtree production and business responsibilities. He immediately signed on to work on some demos. Beat tapes were exchanged, songs were written, and mutual friend and musical collaborator Ryan Olson (Totally Gross National Product founder, Gayngs/Marijuana Deathsquads mastermind) was brought on board to creatively oversee the project. Olson recorded and edited all 15 tracks in his bedroom studio, bringing in laid back hype-man Cliff Rhymes along the way to add even more layers to Lizzo’s dynamic vocals.
LIZZOBANGERS is the culmination of that four-way collaboration, an album that manages to capture all of the varied musical influences of Lizzo’s upbringing and combine them with the forward-thinking experimental production style of Beak and Olson. The end result is a brave new project that encapsulates the best parts of both the familiar and the future.
1 Deep
Lizzo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No eye contact during lunch
Wasn't nothing else around us
But mountains and trees
And my guilty worthless screams
"What was wrong with me?"
Was the question, it was
It was "How could she?"
Daddy don't exist no more?
I guess we gon' see
Wishing I could call you
You know when that bell ring
Angels get they wings
Someone tell me we gon'
Be alright but I think that I gotta be
One deep one deep, one deep
Dip my black body in gold (uniform)
I just wanna shed (ice cold)
Diamond crust (getting warm)
Somebody put me on the soap box
I got the voice of my kin folk, my mama
Mama gave me blessings and then some
I'm youngest of two, feeling like a elder
Alone in my room, wishing I could tell ya
"I love you", "I love too"
The best of me only comes out when it's you
But sorry ain't in my vocabulary
Man you better call me
You know when that bell ring
I will be on time someone told me if we
Listen to our hearts then
We gon' be alright (I'm ready) four deep
Four deep
When I melted into your chest
Just read this and think about it
Talk to me in person
The lyrics to Lizzo's song "1 Deep" depict a complex and emotional journey of self-reflection and longing for connection. The opening lines reveal a strained relationship with the singer's mother, as they stopped talking for three months and avoided eye contact during meals. The isolated environment of mountains and trees amplified the weight of their guilt and worthlessness, prompting the question of what went wrong and how the mother could have acted in such a way. The absence of a father figure also raises the question of what happens to a daughter when her father is no longer present. The lyrics express a desire to call and reach out, seeking reassurance that everything will be alright, but feeling the need to remain independent and self-reliant, hence the repetition of being "one deep."
The second verse delves into a personal reflection on self-identity and the influence of family. The singer mentions dipping their black body in gold, symbolizing a desire to transform and shine despite the challenges faced. The metaphor continues with the reference to shedding, perhaps shedding layers of pain or past experiences, while the diamond crust represents both a glamorous exterior and the warmth of vulnerability. The mention of the soapbox highlights the singer's powerful voice, inherited from their kinfolk, particularly their mother. Acknowledging the blessings received from their mother, they navigate the complexities of being the youngest, yet feeling like an elder. In moments of solitude, the singer yearns to express their love and affection, revealing that their true self only emerges when they are with the person they hold dear. However, the term "sorry" is dismissed as not being part of their vocabulary, implying a sense of resilience and a refusal to apologize for who they are.
Overall, "1 Deep" explores themes of familial relationships, self-discovery, and the longing for love and acceptance. The lyrics speak to the complexities of navigating personal identity while seeking connection with others.
Line by Line Meaning
I stopped talking to my mama for three months
I ceased communication with my mother for a period of three months.
No eye contact during lunch
Avoiding any visual interaction while having a meal.
Wasn't nothing else around us
There were no other distractions or influences surrounding us.
But mountains and trees
Only the presence of natural scenery like mountains and trees.
And my guilty worthless screams
My cries filled with guilt and self-deprecation.
"What was wrong with me?"
The question that tormented my thoughts was 'What was my fault?'
Was the question, it was
That question was the primary concern.
It was "How could she?"
The question shifted to 'How could she do this?'
What happen to a daddy girl when
What occurs to a girl who had a close bond with her father when...
Daddy don't exist no more?
Her father is no longer present in her life.
I guess we gon' see
The future will reveal the outcome.
Wishing I could call you
Having the desire to reach out to someone.
You know when that bell ring
Referring to a specific time or signal that prompts action.
Angels get they wings
A metaphorical expression relating to the heavenly reward received.
Someone tell me we gon' be alright but I think that I gotta be
While others attempt to reassure, I believe that I am responsible for my own well-being.
One deep one deep, one deep
Alone and self-reliant.
Dip my black body in gold (uniform)
Immerse my dark skin in precious metal, symbolizing transformation.
I just wanna shed (ice cold)
Desiring to discard my emotional armor.
Diamond crust (getting warm)
The outer layer is adorned with diamonds, signifying a growing warmth within.
Somebody put me on the soap box
Someone elevated me to a position where I can express my opinions.
I got the voice of my kin folk, my mama
Inherited the powerful voice and influence of my family, particularly my mother.
Mama gave me blessings and then some
My mother bestowed upon me abundant blessings and more.
I'm youngest of two, feeling like a elder
Being the youngest of two siblings makes me feel wise beyond my years.
Alone in my room, wishing I could tell ya
Isolated in my personal space, longing to express my feelings to you.
"I love you", "I love too"
Yearning to exchange declarations of love.
The best of me only comes out when it's you
My truest and highest qualities are revealed only in your presence.
But sorry ain't in my vocabulary
Expressing that I don't have the inclination to apologize.
Man you better call me
You should definitely contact me.
You know when that bell ring
Referring to a specific time or signal that prompts action.
I will be on time someone told me if we
I will be punctual, as someone advised me that if we...
Listen to our hearts then
If we pay attention to our innermost feelings and desires.
We gon' be alright (I'm ready) four deep
We will be fine when united, supported, and prepared as a group of four.
Four deep
Together and in unity.
When I melted into your chest
When I embraced and found solace in your arms.
Just read this and think about it
Take a moment to read these words and contemplate their significance.
Talk to me in person
Engage in a direct and personal conversation with me.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Brandon Burton, Melissa Jefferson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bambi smith
god been looking everywhere for this
Kim Hooper
My favorite song
LilianDuncan1234
I thought I was crazy cause this song just disappeared
Ethan Hill
This examples why LIZZO will outlast cardi b, doja cat and whatever the horse.
Cayla Brown
😣