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.
Exactly How I Feel
Lizzo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's exactly how I feel
That's exactly how I feel
I woke up this morning
Wrong side of the bed
I don't have to 'splain it
(How I feel)
I might make a friend (Friend)
Ain't I so amazing? (Uh-huh)
Love me or hate me
Who are you changing?
And I don't give a fuck, no
That's exactly how I feel (Uh)
That's exactly how I feel (Say it again)
That's exactly how I feel (Woo)
Don't hide no emotions (Emotions)
Wear 'em on my sleeve (On my sleeve)
All my feelings Gucci
(It's Gucci)
Can't hold back my tears
That would be a crime
'Cause I look pretty cryin'
Oh, they ain't tell you?
Love me or hate me
Who are you changing?
And I don't give a fuck, no
That's exactly how I feel (How I feel)
That's exactly how I feel (How I feel)
(It's Gucci)
That's exactly how I feel
I feel like hurtin' they feelings
I don't get mad, I get millions
My heart ain't got no feelings
My cars ain't got no ceiling
I ain't with that actin' all friendly
Please step away from the Bentley
You're either not with me or with me
Defy close by like he's with me
Stay in your lane, don't tempt me
Mister bust a whole clip 'til it's empty
I got a feelin' that tonight's gonna be a good night
Like Ferg and them said, God willing
Fire chains on like brr
Feelin' like rockin' my fur
Rolls Royce with the chauffeur
How your toes feel on the mink floor?
It's Gucci
Cry 'cause I want to
Smile if I want to
Yes I can
Love 'cause I want to
Get so mad I could scream (I could scream)
I could scream (I could scream)
I could scream (Sing it)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
That's exactly how I feel (How I feel)
That's exactly how I feel (How I feel)
That's exactly how I feel
In "Exactly How I Feel," Lizzo expresses her emotions about being unapologetically herself. The song explores the idea that not everyone will love you, but you should stay true to who you are regardless. Lizzo's lyrics deliver a powerful message about self-love, as she recognizes that she can't please everyone, so she chooses to embrace herself entirely.
The first verse of the song describes a bad day where Lizzo woke up feeling down. She acknowledges that she might have some unlikable qualities but doesn't see any problem with them. She then explains that her feelings are genuine, and she wears them on her sleeve, acknowledging that she's not afraid to show her emotions. In the chorus, she repeats the phrase, "That's exactly how I feel," driving home the idea that she is unapologetically herself.
The second verse is more assertive as she asserts herself with the phrase, "I feel like hurtin' they feelings." Lizzo asserts that she is confident and has no problem expressing her feelings, even if they may not be positive. The lyrics demonstrate her complete disregard for societal expectations of niceties, and she encourages people to stay in their lane and not to tempt her. The chorus repeats twice more to end the song, highlighting that being herself is the only way Lizzo wants to live her life.
Line by Line Meaning
That's exactly how I feel
The singer repeats this line multiple times to emphasize that the following lyrics truly represent her feelings.
I woke up this morning
The singer begins by describing how she felt immediately upon waking up, setting the tone for the rest of the song.
Wrong side of the bed
The singer is in a bad mood and is experiencing a negative outlook on things.
I don't have to 'splain it
The artist means that she doesn't have to explain why she feels a certain way to anyone.
(How I feel)
This phrase is repeated often, indicating that the artist is sharing her true feelings with the listener.
I might be a bitch (Bitch)
The singer is acknowledging that some people might view her as being difficult, but she doesn't necessarily see it that way.
I might make a friend (Friend)
The singer is opening up the possibility of forming connections with others, despite her tough exterior.
Ain't I so amazing? (Uh-huh)
The artist is using sarcasm to suggest that despite any flaws she may have, she still thinks she's great.
Love me or hate me
The artist is expressing that she will be herself regardless of whether people like her or not.
Who are you changing?
This line questions why anyone would try to change her, as she believes she is fine the way she is.
And I don't give a fuck, no
The singer is asserting that she doesn't care what others think of her, and won't change her behavior to please anyone.
Don't hide no emotions (Emotions)
The artist promotes being open and honest about one's feelings, and not suppressing them.
Wear 'em on my sleeve (On my sleeve)
This phrase means to express emotions freely and openly, rather than keeping them hidden.
All my feelings Gucci
(It's Gucci)
This metaphor suggests that the singer's emotions are expensive and of high quality, like the designer brand Gucci.
Can't hold back my tears
That would be a crime
The singer is saying that it's important to let out one's emotions, even if it means crying, and that not expressing them would be a mistake.
'Cause I look pretty cryin'
Oh, they ain't tell you?
The artist is saying that even when she's crying, she looks good doing it, and is surprised that others haven't told her this before.
I feel like hurtin' they feelings
The artist is expressing a desire to retaliate against those who have hurt her and her feelings.
I don't get mad, I get millions
This line means that the singer is more motivated by financial gain than by seeking revenge or getting angry.
My heart ain't got no feelings
My cars ain't got no ceiling
The singer is implying that she is numb to emotional pain and that her wealth allows her to feel invincible.
I ain't with that actin' all friendly
Please step away from the Bentley
The artist is saying that she doesn't want people to fake friendship or loyalty, and that those who do should stay away from her car, a symbol of her success.
You're either not with me or with me
Defy close by like he's with me
The artist is drawing a clear line between those who support her and those who don't, and highlights that her security is always near her.
Stay in your lane, don't tempt me
The artist is warning others not to interfere with her life or actions, as it could lead to negative consequences.
Mister bust a whole clip 'til it's empty
The singer is referencing a violent act, suggesting that she has the means to defend herself if necessary.
I got a feelin' that tonight's gonna be a good night
The artist is expressing excitement or anticipation for the night ahead, implying that she is looking forward to having fun.
Like Ferg and them said, God willing
This line references a popular song, but is also a recognition that even when things are going well, sometimes the outcome is beyond one's control.
Fire chains on like brr
Feelin' like rockin' my fur
Rolls Royce with the chauffeur
How your toes feel on the mink floor?
The singer is bragging about her wealth and success, including her expensive jewelry, fur coat, chauffeured car, and luxurious home with mink floors.
Cry 'cause I want to
Smile if I want to
Yes I can
Love 'cause I want to
Get so mad I could scream (I could scream)
I could scream (I could scream)
I could scream (Sing it)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
The singer is emphasizing that she has the freedom to express herself however she wants, whether that means crying, smiling, or screaming. She is in control of her own emotions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Melissa Jefferson, Michael Sabath, Theron Thomas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Acenstriol
[Chorus: Lizzo]
That's exactly how I feel
That's exactly how I feel
That's exactly how I feel
[Verse 1: Lizzo]
I woke up this morning (God)
Wrong side of the bed
I don't have to 'splain it, oh (How I feel)
I might be a bitch (Bitch)
I might make a friend (Friend)
Ain't I so amazing? (Uh-huh)
[Pre-Chorus: Lizzo]
Love me or hate me
Ooh, I ain't changing
And I don't give a fuck, no
[Chorus: Lizzo]
That's exactly how I feel (Uh)
That's exactly how I feel (Say it again)
That's exactly how I feel (Woo)
[Verse 2: Lizzo & Gucci Mane]
Don't hide no emotions (Emotions)
Wear 'em on my sleeve (On my sleeve)
All my feelings Gucci (It's Gucci, haha)
Can't hold back my tears
That would be a crime
'Cause I look pretty cryin'
Oh, they ain't tell you?
[Pre-Chorus: Lizzo]
Love me or hate me
Ooh, I ain't changing
And I don't give a fuck, no
[Chorus: Lizzo & Gucci Mane]
That's exactly how I feel (How I feel, yeah)
That's exactly how I feel (How I feel, it's Gucci)
That's exactly how I feel
[Verse 3: Gucci Mane]
I feel like hurtin' they feelings (Yeah)
I don't get mad, I get millions (Yeah)
My heart ain't got no feelings
My cars ain't got no ceiling
I ain't with that acting all friendly
Please step away from the Bentley
You're either not with me or with me
The fye close by like it's Whitney
Stay in your lane, don't tempt me
Mr. Bust-A-Whole-Clip-'Til-It's-Empty
I got a feelin' that tonight's gonna be a good night
Like Ferg and them said, god willing
Fire chains on like burr (Burr)
Feelin' like rockin' my fur (Fur)
Rolls Royce with the chauffeur (Huh?)
How your toes feel on a mink fur?
It's Gucci
[Pre-Chorus: Lizzo]
Cry 'cause I want to
Smile if I want to, huh
Yes, I can
Love 'cause I want to
Get so mad I could scream (I could scream)
I could scream (I could scream)
I could scream (Sing it)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
[Chorus: Lizzo]
That's exactly how I feel (How I feel)
That's exactly how I feel (How I feel)
That's exactly how I feel
@bohemianstarsoceanheartreading
Lizzo got commercials playing her songs on her songs
@taylorfry7680
Lol I just realized that too, like yes queen get that coin 😂😂😂
@joshuaalfaro4781
lmao yeah, like the iMac commercials
@mihaiesanu9945
Dat girl has no bad songs
@princesspuffin8334
GUYS
I JUST REALIZED SOMETHING
IN HER ITUNES ALBUM TEMPO PLAYS BEFORE EXACTLY HOW I FEEL, AND AT THE END OF TEMPO SHE SAID "NOW PLAY IT BACK" AND THE BEGINNING OF THIS SONG IS A REWIND SOUND
@jasondesrosier1931
(LE GAPS) YOUR RIGHT!!!!
@GladToBeNatural
Wooow!! Thats dope!! Now imma listen to it in that order!!
@midzy4life
Ik
@chelseadaphneehaggart4048
never knew.....
@suzyquinones8175
Big brain