Warner relocated from Oakland, California, to New York City in mid-2009 to work as a songwriter for hire, after a publishing company scout offered her a deal to write songs for mainstream artists. She soon met producer Peter Wade, and after months of writing with him, he suggested that she release an album under her own name. Warner and Wade uploaded four tracks to Myspace in 2009, which eventually became MNDR's debut EP, E.P.E.
Warner has performed under the moniker MNDR since 2005, around the time she was performing in the Bay Area. The name was given to her by a Fargo friend, who called her "Mandar" while she was still in high school. The spelling and design were inspired by early Detroit techno, early Chicago house, and German techno. Warner explained, "MNDR is a group with Peter Wade in the sense that we make and write all of the music. However, I perform as a solo artist and all that comes with that."
Kimono
MNDR Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But never too near
'Cause who knows
What's behind her veneer
Golden bronze and decadence
Top it off with her fragrance
Broken heel,
So well concealed in her dance
Pull the silk and she'll be exposed
Now it seems that the emperor has no clothes
KIMONO
KIMONO
KIMONO
KIMONO
The door's closed,
and she's disappeared
And now I propose
We take a souvenir
Golden bronze and decadence
Top it off with her fragrance
Broken heel,
So well concealed in her dance
Ask for help, but she's indisposed
Pull the silk and she'll be exposed
Now it seems that the emperor has no clothes
Never look back, don't turn around
Tangled threads they come undone
So, never look back, don't turn around
'Cause here we come, here we come, here we come
KIMONO
KIMONO
KIMONO
KIMONO
KIMONO
KIMONO
KIMONO
KIMONO
The lyrics of MNDR's song Kimono present a mysterious, alluring woman who seems to keep her true self hidden. The opening lines "Cut close, but never too near/Cause who knows what's behind her veneer" refer to how the singer feels intrigued by this woman, but also cautious not to get too close. She is described as having a "golden bronze and decadence" aura about her, which is enhanced by her fragrance. However, she also has a "broken heel" that she conceals well during her dance, suggesting that she may be putting on a show or hiding something. The lines "Ask for help, but she's indisposed/Pull the silk and she'll be exposed/Now it seems that the emperor has no clothes" allude to the woman's vulnerability and suggest the idea of stripping away her facade to reveal her true self.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the word "Kimono," highlights the exotic, mysterious nature of the woman being described. The second verse continues the theme of her disappearing, and the singer proposes taking a souvenir to remember her by. The song ends with the lines "Never look back, don't turn around/Tangled threads they come undone/So, never look back, don't turn around/Cause here we come, here we come, here we come," which suggest that the woman may have left loose ends behind her and that moving forward is the best course of action.
Overall, the lyrics of Kimono create a mood of intrigue, allure, and caution. While the woman in question seems magnetic and captivating, there is also a sense that she may be hiding something or not revealing her true self.
Line by Line Meaning
Cut close,
She's always on the edge, living dangerously.
But never too near
She's cautious and doesn't like to get too close to anyone.
'Cause who knows
She's mysterious and secretive; nobody can understand her real motives.
What's behind her veneer
Her outward appearance doesn't reflect her true self.
Golden bronze and decadence
She's a beautiful and rich woman.
Top it off with her fragrance
She loves to complement her appearance with a pleasant smell.
Broken heel,
She's not perfect and sometimes things don't go as planned.
So well concealed in her dance
She covers up her mistakes and missteps skillfully.
Ask for help, but she's indisposed
She needs help, but doesn't want to show any sign of weakness.
Pull the silk and she'll be exposed
She can be vulnerable, and it only takes a small push to break her strength.
Now it seems that the emperor has no clothes
She's exposed and vulnerable, and everyone can see it now.
KIMONO
👘
The door's closed,
She's gone and nobody knows where she is.
And she's disappeared
She's left without leaving a trace.
And now I propose
The singer suggests taking something as a memory of her.
We take a souvenir
They'll keep something to remember her by.
Never look back, don't turn around
The singer advises to move on and leave the past behind.
Tangled threads they come undone
The complicated relationships she has created with others are unraveling.
So, never look back, don't turn around
The singer repeats his advice to forget about her and move on.
'Cause here we come, here we come, here we come
They are ready to face the future and any new challenges.
KIMONO
👘
KIMONO
👘
KIMONO
👘
KIMONO
👘
Contributed by Jeremiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@makaylacaton6441
KI-MO-NO
KI-MO-NO
KI-MO-NO
KI-MO-NO
[Verse 1:]
Cut close
But never to near
Cause who knows
What's behind her veneer
Golden bronze and decadence
Top it off with her fragrance
Broken heel
So well concealed in her dance
Ask for help but she's indisposed
Pull the silk and she'll be exposed
Now it seems that the emperor has no clothes
[Chorus:]
KIMONO
KIMONO
KIMONO
KIMONO
[Verse 2:]
The door's closed
And she's disappeared
And now i propose
We take a souvenir
Golden bronze and decadence
Top it off with her fragrance
Broken heel
So well concealed in her dance
Ask for help but she's indisposed
Pull the silk and she'll be exposed
Now it seems that the emperor has no clothes
[Bridge:]
Never look back don't turn around
Tangled threads they come undone
So never look back don't turn around
Cause here we come, here we come, here we come
[Chorus 4x:]
KIMONO
KIMONO
KIMONO
KIMONO
KI-MO-NO
KI-MO-NO
KI-MO-NO
KI-MO-NO
@drr3053
Am I the only person when hearing this song their room is automatically a cat walk???? Lol
@Thefinalgurl13
Ah ha ah ha nope I'm doing it too
@runwayprotocol4580
+drr3053 You're not alone. I wouldn't mind Naomi Campbell having a crack at it with this playing :)
@c0smicsprite
YES
@Jbaby1st
+drr3053 your not alone
@awality
same
@BaronEbrani
The Kardashian promo is fucking perfection
@juniorcasemiro
That Kardashians promo slayed my life!
@willontiveros932
+Junior Casemiro slaughtered
@tripppotts
Duhhhhhh