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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Bittersweet
Me'Shell Ndegéocello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mystery of the sages come into my realm
of imagination let me digest you
You enchant me so my bittersweet flower
Shall we make love feel the waves of the
ocean come to rest in the eye of a storm
You come then you go
The more I fall the more you let go
The sweet taste of you stains my lips
Even through the pain it's only you I miss
Unlike those before I wanna free you
Let the sweetness of your kiss rush over me
I search so many lifetimes
Let my soul rest in your arms
And I'll let you inside
The song "Bittersweet" by Me'Shell Ndegéocello is a love song with a deeper meaning. The opening line "You enchant me so my bittersweet flower" speaks of the alluring and captivating nature of the person she is singing about. The reference to "bittersweet" suggests that there is both pleasure and pain associated with this relationship. This is reinforced by the lines "I cry myself to sleep over you, You come then you go, The more I fall the more you let go". It seems that Me'Shell is feeling emotional turmoil because of this relationship.
However, despite this pain, Me'Shell appears to be deeply in love with this person. The line "Even through the pain it's only you I miss" emphasises that despite the difficulties, she still longs for this person. She also sings "Let my soul rest in your arms, And I'll let you inside", which suggests a level of vulnerability and a desire for intimacy. The reference to "the eye of a storm" in the second verse, also suggests that despite the tumultuous nature of the relationship, she feels a sense of calm and safety with this person.
Overall, "Bittersweet" by Me'Shell Ndegéocello is a song about the pain and pleasure associated with love, and the desire to find intimacy despite the difficulties. It explores the idea that love can be both beautiful and painful, but that the pain is worth it for the moments of joy and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
You enchant me so my bittersweet flower
You have a captivating and alluring effect on me, despite the fact that there is an element of bitterness or sadness associated with you.
Mystery of the sages come into my realm
You possess a certain sense of mystery, wisdom, and depth that draws me in and intrigues me.
of imagination let me digest you
Allow me to fully absorb and understand your complexities so that I may appreciate you even more deeply.
Shall we make love feel the waves of the
Let us express our passion physically and experience the intense, powerful sensation of being intimately connected with one another.
ocean come to rest in the eye of a storm
In the midst of the chaos and unpredictability of life, we can find a calm and peaceful center in each other.
I cry myself to sleep over you
Your absence and the pain that it causes me is so overwhelming that sometimes it feels like I will never be able to recover.
You come then you go
You are inconstant and unpredictable in your presence, which makes it difficult for me to trust and understand you.
The more I fall the more you let go
The deeper my feelings for you become, the more distant and detached you seem to be.
The sweet taste of you stains my lips
Even though I know that being with you causes me pain, I cannot resist the temptation of your sweetness and desire to be close to you.
Even through the pain it's only you I miss
Despite the fact that being with you often leaves me feeling hurt, I cannot deny the deep and all-consuming longing that I feel for you when you're gone.
Unlike those before I wanna free you
Rather than trying to control or possess you, I recognize that you need space and autonomy in order to be your true self.
Let the sweetness of your kiss rush over me
Allow me to fully embrace and relish the intense pleasure and joy that I experience when I am close to you.
I search so many lifetimes
I have spent countless years searching for someone like you, someone who inspires me and makes my life feel truly meaningful.
Let my soul rest in your arms
I long to find refuge and safety in your embrace, to feel a deep sense of peace and contentment in your presence.
And I'll let you inside
If you are willing to honor and respect my boundaries, I will allow you to see the most vulnerable and intimate parts of myself.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind