Me'Shell Ndegéocello is a stylisation of Meshell Ndegeocello, a pseudonym o… Read Full Bio ↴Me'Shell Ndegéocello is a stylisation of Meshell Ndegeocello, a pseudonym of Michelle Lynn Johnson (b. 29 Aug 1968) is a singer, bassist, and multi-instrumentalist. She was born Michelle Johnson to Army lieutenant (and saxophonist) father Jacques Johnson and her mother, Helen in Berlin, Germany.

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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Love Song #2
Me'Shell Ndegéocello Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When you want me baby, yeah
Just call me
When you want me baby, yeah
Just call me
Just call
Just call, me
Just call

Let me kiss your body
And feel you with love
Let me feed your body
And fill you with love
'Cause I can't sleep
When I ain't close to you
I cry, I cry
Let me feel your body

This is love
My love
This is how I love you

This is love
My love
This is how I love you
I love
You

I adore you
Your mind, body & soul
I've searched my whole life
For you, baby
You're deeper than love
Deeper than blood

This is love
This is how I love you
This is love
My love
This is how I love you

This is love
This is how I love you

Stir it up
Move your body nice and slow
Yeah
Stir it up

Stir it up
Move your body nice and slow
Yeah
Stir it up

Move your body nice and slow
Yeah

Overall Meaning

In "Love Song #1," Me'Shell Ndegéocello sings about a deep love and connection with her partner. The song opens with the repeated line "When you want me baby, yeah, just call me," emphasizing her readiness and willingness to be there for her partner whenever they need her. She then goes on to express her desire to intimately connect with her partner and fill them with love, both physically and emotionally. The line "let me feel your body" highlights this desire for closeness and physical affection. Ndegéocello also expresses her admiration for her partner's mind, body, and soul, and how they are a deeper love than anything else in her life. The repeated line "this is love, my love, this is how I love you" reinforces the strength and depth of the connection she has with her partner.

Line by Line Meaning

When you want me baby, yeah
Tell me when you need me because I'm always available

Just call me
Simply contact me, and I'll be there for you

Let me kiss your body
Allow me to express my love and passion through physical intimacy

And feel you with love
I need to touch you with affection because it is how I remember the love we share

Let me feed your body
Nourish and provide for your body, so you know you are cared for and loved

And fill you with love
I want to fill you with my love and make you feel whole and content

'Cause I can't sleep
I can't rest and be at peace if I'm not near you

When I ain't close to you
If I'm not next to you, it causes me pain and worry

I cry, I cry
I shed tears for the love I feel for you

Let me feel your body
Allow me to embrace your physical self and communicate with you through touch

This is love
Our bond is one of genuine, unbreakable love