In an interview with Exclaim!, Lizzo spoke about her collaboration with Missy Elliott on “Tempo”:
"I’m very fortunate to be in a position where I have access to send Missy [Elliott] beats, and I have the privilege of being like, ‘Yo, let’s get Missy on this track.’ I was really hopeful that she would hop and she did, and now it’s become this moment for me. You know, when the song was first going down, it was more like ‘Finally I can talk my shit about being a big girl,’ but when Missy jumped on it, it really did make it a full-circle moment of being seen by her existing when I was younger. Hopefully I can really do the same for young girls today. But really, I was just making bops."
"Tempo" almost didn’t make the album, because for so long, I didn’t think it fit. The album has so much guitar and big, brassy instrumentation, but "Tempo" was a club record. I kept it off. When the project was finished and we had a listening session with the label, I played the album straight through. Then, at the end, I asked my team if there were any honorable mentions they thought I should play—and mind you, I had my girls there, we were drinking and dancing—and they said, ‘Tempo! Just play it. Just see how people react.’ So I did. No joke, everybody in the room looked at me like, Are you crazy? If you don’t put this song on the album, you’re insane. Then we got Missy and the rest is history.”
- Lizzo on Apple Music
A day before the track’s release, Lizzo posted a snippet of the track featuring a phone message from Missy Elliott wanting to know when she was going to drop their duet.
Tempo
Lizzo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turn it up
Slow songs, they for skinny hoes
Can't move all of this here to one of those
I'm a thick bitch, I need tempo (tempo)
Fuck it up to the tempo
Look at my ass, it's fitty-fitty-fat (fat)
Kitty cat, kitty cat, kitty-kitty cat (cat)
Prrr me a glass, boy, I like my water wet (wet)
Throw it back (throw it back, threw it back)
Catch that (catch that, catch that)
I need a jack (woo)
For all of this ass, but it won't go flat (wait a minute)
Baby, baby (baby)
Come eat some of this cakey (cake)
He look like he could gain a little weight (a little weight)
Lick the icing off, put the rest in your face (face)
Slow songs, they for skinny hoes
Can't move all of this here to one of those (hey)
I'm a thick bitch, I need tempo (need it)
Fuck it up to the tempo
Fuck it up to the tempo
Fuck it up to the tempo
Slow songs, they for skinny hoes
Fuck it up to the tempo (tempo)
Fuck it up, fuck it up
Boyfriend watchin', oh now he wanna knuckle up
Get on this ride, baby, you gon' have to buckle up
Thick thighs save lives, call me little buttercup
All means necessary (ayy)
My ass is not an accessorary (what?)
Nigga, I said it, accessorary (what?)
Twerk skills up on legendary
Slow songs, they for skinny hoes
Can't move all of this here to one of those (hey)
I'm a thick bitch, I need tempo (need it)
Fuck it up to the tempo
Fuck it up to the tempo
Fuck it up to the tempo
Slow songs, they for skinny hoes
Fuck it up to the tempo
Missy!
Let's go (let's go), let's go (let's go)
All the fly girls head to the dance floor
Kitty cat, kitty cat, prrr
All the thick girls down on the flrrr (on the floor)
Ice on my neck like brrr (like brrr)
I'm big-boned with nice curves (nice curves)
Look at me, I know I look grrrd (good)
Look good, look good, look grrrd (look good)
I'ma show y'all chicks how to drrr it
Your nigga, he wish he could
Thick girl (thick girl), split (split)
Get a bag (get a bag), get rich (get rich)
Hair done (hair done), fixed (fixed)
If you see a hater, tell him quit (stop)
Get your own dough (own dough)
Get your bread, own dough (own dough)
Go head ladies, head to the floor (floor)
Fuck up the tempo, thick girls get low (woo)
Slow songs, they for skinny hoes
Can't move all of this here to one of those (hey)
I'm a thick bitch, I need tempo (need it)
Fuck it up to the tempo
Fuck it up to the tempo
Fuck it up to the tempo
Slow songs, they for skinny hoes
Fuck it up to the tempo
Girl, run that shit back
The song "Tempo" by Lizzo ft. Missy Elliott is all about body positivity and embracing one's curves. In the first verse, Lizzo calls out slow songs, stating that they are not meant for someone with a curvy figure like hers. She talks about how she needs a fast-paced tempo to move her body and show off her curves. She emphasizes her thickness and confidently asks for a glass of water- showing that she knows her worth and is not afraid to ask for what she wants.
In the second verse, Lizzo continues to flaunt her curves and challenges those who try to diminish her confidence. She encourages others to embrace their curvy figures and exclaims that she is not an accessory- rather, she is the main event. Missy Elliott joins in with a rap verse, showing her support for thick girls and encouraging them to "get low," "get a bag," and "get rich."
Overall, "Tempo" is an empowering anthem for those who have been told they do not fit into conventional beauty standards. It celebrates confidence, self-love and makes a statement that curvy figures are worthy of being the center of attention.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been waitin' for this one
I've been eager for a track like this
Turn it up
Increase the volume, get the party started
Slow songs, they for skinny hoes
Ballads are for thin women
Can't move all of this here to one of those
I can't dance to a slow song
I'm a thick bitch, I need tempo (tempo)
I have a curvaceous figure, I need a beat to dance
Fuck it up to the tempo
Dance hard to the beat
Pitty-pat, pitty-pat, pitty-pitty-pat (pat)
The sound of footsteps
Look at my ass, it's fitty-fitty-fat (fat)
My behind is very large
Kitty cat, kitty cat, kitty-kitty cat (cat)
A three-syllable meow sound effect
Prrr me a glass, boy, I like my water wet (wet)
Pour me a drink, make it cold
Throw it back (throw it back, threw it back)
Reverse the waistline
Catch that (catch that, catch that)
Catch the move
I need a jack (woo)
I need a backrest
For all of this ass, but it won't go flat (wait a minute)
For my ample buttocks, which will never flatten
Baby, baby (baby)
Darling
Come eat some of this cakey (cake)
Taste this goodness
He look like he could gain a little weight (a little weight)
He seems skinny
Lick the icing off, put the rest in your face (face)
Eat it all up
Boyfriend watchin', oh now he wanna knuckle up
My partner, aware of my dance moves, gets defensive
Get on this ride, baby, you gon' have to buckle up
Be ready for a wild ride
Thick thighs save lives, call me little buttercup
My full figure is healthy and attractive, and I'm sweet like buttercup flowers
All means necessary (ayy)
By any means necessary
My ass is not an accessorary (what?)
My butt is not an accessory
Nigga, I said it, accessorary (what?)
I've emphasized, that it's not part of my outfit but part of me
Twerk skills up on legendary
I'm a great twerker
Missy!
Calling the name of the featured artist, Missy Elliott
All the fly girls head to the dance floor
All the stylish women go to the dance area
Kitty cat, kitty cat, prrr
Meow sound effect
All the thick girls down on the flrrr (on the floor)
All the voluptuous women are dancing
Ice on my neck like brrr (like brrr)
Jewelry around my throat making me feel cold
I'm big-boned with nice curves (nice curves)
I have a big frame with attractive curves
Look at me, I know I look grrrd (good)
Check me out, I look amazing
I'ma show y'all chicks how to drrr it
I will demonstrate the dance moves
Your nigga, he wish he could
Your man admires my dance skills
Thick girl (thick girl), split (split)
A full-figured woman dances, performing a split
Get a bag (get a bag), get rich (get rich)
Make money and become wealthy
Hair done (hair done), fixed (fixed)
Hair styled and well-groomed
If you see a hater, tell him quit (stop)
Avoid others who criticize and bring negativity
Get your own dough (own dough)
Make your own money
Get your bread, own dough (own dough)
Build your wealth
Go head ladies, head to the floor (floor)
Female dancers, stay on the dance floor
Fuck up the tempo, thick girls get low (woo)
Dance harder, and bend down low
Girl, run that shit back
My female friend, play that again, that's hot!
Lyrics © GATEWAY MUSIC, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, ACUM Ltd., Hipgnosis Songs Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Melissa Arnette Elliott, Melissa Jefferson, Theron Thomas, Daniel Farber, Eric Frederic, Antonio Cuna, Tobias Wincorn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@missyelliott
Verified
#ThickThighsSavesLives #TEMPO #MeImSupaFly 😉Let’s GET IT! Straight Snapping!
@dopeachez
Love it
@YHWH808
Yess
@mystaminacantakethis
So happy to see you two working together! Two of my favs ❤️ I still remember buying the clothes you collaborated with adidas on lol
@devonjones1582
@@liamlyons5971 YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
@devonjones1582
@@liamlyons5971 IM PENNYWISE AHHAHAHAHA
@heyitsok123
I like how missy popped out of the car like a piece of toast
@emmanuelaadebisi5743
😂 😂
@LBelacquax
thanks dude this made me laugh :)
@Clarent_Blood_Arthur98
Damn