Raised in Washington, D.C., Meshell Suhaila Bashir Shakur (as she became known) adopted the surname Ndegéocello, which means "free like a bird", while still in her teens. She has been hailed in the music press as a redeemer of soul music. Her music incorporates funk, soul, hip-hop, reggae, rock and jazz. She has been nominated for 9 Grammys. She has frequently toured with Lilith Fair.
Ndegeocello honed her chops on the D.C. Go-go circuit in the late 1980s before venturing out as a solo artist. She emerged as a recording artist in 1993 on Maverick Records/Sire Records with her debut, Plantation Lullabies. This recording presented a distinctly androgynous persona. Her music has been featured in a number of film soundtracks including How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Batman and Robin. She has also appeared on recordings by Basement Jaxx and The Blind Boys of Alabama, among others. Her biggest hit is a duet with John Cougar Mellencamp, a cover version of Van Morrison's Wild Night, which reached #3 on the Billboard charts.
Her singles If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night), Leviticus: Faggot, and her cover of Bill Withers Who Is He and What Is He To You? have all charted in the Billboard top 20. She sang background vocals on the song I'd Rather be Your Lover by Madonna, on her album Bedtime Stories. She also sang with Chaka Khan on the single Never Miss the Water, as well as providing her typical solid bass skills.
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Barry Farms
Me'Shell Ndegéocello Lyrics
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"so go-go music is party music..."
Slice 'em on up,
Slice 'em on up
Slice 'em on up,
Slice 'em on up
Let me wind ya up
I'm gonna wind ya up
Let me wind ya up
All the shorties in the house
Gonna wind ya up
Gonna wind ya up
Now
Let me wind ya up
Let me wind ya up
See
She was about seventeen
Ooh
Just young and fine, mmm
She had the kind of kisses
That make you sad
She liked to flirt with me
Then act like she didn't know me
When her friends came around
But I didn't mind
Cause when her friends weren't around
Shorty and I
We'd hang out real tight
Just sit up and talk
But one night
She wanted to see
Just how far
It could go
Just how far
I would go
Hahaha
Oh yeah
She couldn't love me without shame
She only wanted me for one thing
But you can teach your boy to do that
Yeah
Can you love me without shame?
I need you when I feel pain
Yeah
You like to mess around
I said ooh, baby babe
Baby baby
Trying to get up in your thing
I said ooh, baby babe
Baby baby
So young, you sweet thing
Now word had been gettin' around town
That shorty and I
We was a little bit more than just friends
And see
She really wasn't feelin' that
So she stopped calling me
Then one day I ran into her
She was hanging out with this young boy
That liked to take her out and buy her things
Yeah
And you know how we like material things
Yeah
And then she walked over
Licked her lips
And whispered in my ear
And she said,
â??You know I've missed you baby"
Ah
I said, â??cool.â??
And I said, â??tell me,
Tell me
What do you miss?â??
She said,
â??can't nobody eat my pussy
The way that you do...â??
She couldn't love me without shame
She only wanted me for one thing
But you should teach your boy
To do that
Can you love me without shame?
I need you when I feel pain
But now
You like to fuck around
Won't you let me love you baby,
You like to fuck around
Mmm
Kiss and hug you baby
And now you don't come around
No more
You want to mess around
Can you love me without shame?
You only want me for one thing
You know what?
You should teach your boy
To do that
Drop it
Yeah
I want to slice it up
You'd say
Yes I love you
Yes I love you
You're so fine
So sweet
You're so
Fine
So sweet
You're so fine
So sweet.
"When I play, I watch the crowd.
I watch the women, women party
Chain reaction"
The song "Barry Farms" by Me'Shell Ndegéocello tells the story of a short-lived romance between the singer and a seventeen-year-old girl. The song starts with a reference to go-go music, which is common in Washington D.C. where Barry Farms, the song's namesake, is located. The repeated refrain of "slice 'em on up" may be a reference to the go-go music practice of "slicing" or cutting songs to extend the groove. The singer reflects on his relationship with the young girl, acknowledging that she only wanted him for physical pleasure and was not interested in a deeper connection. Despite this, he still misses her and longs for the intimacy they once shared. The song ends with the singer imploring the audience to let themselves be vulnerable and honest in their relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
so go-go music is party music...
Go-go music is a type of music played to entertain people and make them dance.
Slice 'em on up...
Let's get this party started.
I'm gonna wind ya up...
Get ready to have a good time.
All the shorties in the house...
Addressing all the young girls in the room.
See...
Once upon a time, there was a girl.
She was about seventeen...
She was young and attractive.
She had the kind of kisses...
She was a good kisser.
But I didn't mind...
She was attractive, so it didn't bother me when she flirted with me.
Cause when her friends weren't around...
When no one was watching, she and I would have deep conversations.
But one night...
One night, things got interesting.
She wanted to see...
She was interested in taking things further.
Oh yeah...
This is what happened.
She couldn't love me without shame...
She was only interested in me for one thing, and she was embarrassed by it.
I said ooh, baby babe...
I was trying to get with her.
Now word had been gettin' around town...
Rumors about us had spread throughout the town.
She really wasn't feelin' that...
She didn't like the rumors and wanted them to stop.
And then she walked over...
One day, she came up to me and started talking to me again.
She couldn't love me without shame...
She still only wanted me for one thing, but I wanted more.
Won't you let me love you baby...
I wanted to be in a real relationship with her.
Can you love me without shame?...
Can we be together without any embarrassment?
Drop it...
Let's get back together.
I want to slice it up...
Let's have fun together.
You'd say, Yes I love you...
You would say that you love me.
You're so fine...
I find you to be very attractive and special.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ME'SHELL LYNN JOHNSON, MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind