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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Dred Loc
Me'Shell Ndegéocello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Run them all over your body 'til your hollor stops
As in life they grow a high on high
Ooh! How I love a black man oh my my
Lay your body down to give yourself strength
As you walk through this world of confrontation
Rest your weary head and let me run my fingers through your dreds
And rub your body down
As I bathe my body in the sun
In the land where life began stands a man
One with nature with his head held high
He never questions why
Together we make the fruit of life
So I love and treat him right
So rest you weary head and let me run my fingers through your dreds
Let me run my fingers through your dred locks
And rub your body down
Let me run my fingers through your hair
{Kinky dred love}
Caress and kiss your tears away
I wanna touch your body
Walk through your mind
Undress you slowly
Take my time
The lyrics to Me'Shell Ndegéocello's song "Dred Loc" appear to be about a woman expressing her love for a Black man and offering him comfort and solace in the midst of the struggles they face in the world. She begins by admiring his dreadlocks, a physical marker of his identity and cultural heritage that she finds attractive, and suggests that the sensation of running her fingers through them is pleasurable for both of them. She also acknowledges that life can be difficult for Black men, and offers him a respite from the challenges he faces by urging him to rest his head and let her care for him.
The second verse expands on this theme, situating the man in the context of nature and suggesting a deeper connection between him and the earth. The woman celebrates their ability to create life together and seems to see their relationship as harmonious and complementary. As the song progresses, the lyrics become more sensual, with the woman expressing a desire to touch and explore the man's body and mind. Overall, "Dred Loc" is a song about love, comfort, and intimacy in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me run my fingers through your dred locks
I want to touch and feel your dreadlocks
Run them all over your body 'til your hollor stops
I want to caress your body with my fingers until you feel complete satisfaction
As in life they grow a high on high
Your dreadlocks are a symbol of your strong spirit and your sense of self
Ooh! How I love a black man oh my my
I am deeply in love with you and your blackness
Lay your body down to give yourself strength
Take a break, relax, and rejuvenate yourself to acquire strength for struggles in life
As you walk through this world of confrontation
This world is full of challenges, but you can confront them bravely
Rest your weary head and let me run my fingers through your dreds
Relax and let me soothe you by playing with your dreadlocks
And rub your body down
I want to pamper and massage you
As I bathe my body in the sun
I am enjoying and soaking up the sunshine
In the land where life began stands a man
In Africa, the birthplace of humanity, there is a remarkable man
One with nature with his head held high
You are one with Mother Nature and confident of your identity
He never questions why
You never doubt yourself and your purpose in life
Together we make the fruit of life
We complement and complete each other, creating the essence of life itself
So I love and treat him right
I express my affection and respect by treating you with care and kindness
Let me run my fingers through your hair
I want to touch your hair and feel its softness
{Kinky dred love}
I have a deep and kinky love for your dreadlocks
Caress and kiss your tears away
I want to soothe you and make all your pain disappear
I wanna touch your body
I crave physical contact with you
Walk through your mind
I want to explore your thoughts and emotions
Undress you slowly
I want to undress you at a leisurely pace, savoring every moment
Take my time
I will not rush this experience, but will take my time to fully appreciate and enjoy it
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind