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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Outside Your Door
Me'Shell Ndegéocello Lyrics
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Just waiting.
Anticipating a chance to run into you.
I sit here for hours.
One day I even sat through a rain shower.
For just a glance.
A chance to talk to you.
You're probably wondering how I even know you.
And when I wake up I hope you talk to me.
Here I sit outside your door.
Talk to me.
I'd be content to just sit here and talk to you.
In my dreams you love me and me only.
The way you kiss and hold me.
Love is what I search and search to find.
But until then I'll just dream for the meantime.
The lyrics of Me'Shell Ndegéocello's song Outside Your Door depict the intense feeling of unrequited love. The persona is waiting, anticipating a chance to run into the one she loves. She sits for hours, even through a rain shower, just to catch a glance of him. She has been dreaming of this person, and although she is aware that he is just a dream for now, she still hopes that he talks to her when she wakes up. The persona sits outside his door, hoping for a chance to talk to him.
The song describes the feeling of love as a search, it is something that the persona has been searching and searching for. And until she finds it, she will just keep dreaming about it. The lyrics are filled with hope and persistence, despite the fact that the love is one-sided. The persona is willing to sit and wait, even if it means just talking to him.
The overall theme of the song is about the power of love to make people do crazy things. It highlights the feeling of yearning for someone, even if that feeling is unreturned. The lyrics are filled with emotion, and the melody adds to the overall melancholic atmosphere of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I am waiting.
I am currently waiting patiently for something or someone.
Just waiting.
My current focus is solely on waiting and nothing else at the moment.
Anticipating a chance to run into you.
I am looking forward to the possibility of unexpectedly encountering you.
I sit here for hours.
I remain seated and still for a prolonged period of time.
One day I even sat through a rain shower.
At one point I waited in the rain for an opportunity to see you.
For just a glance.
All I desire is a quick look or brief moment with you.
A chance to talk to you.
I hope to have a conversation with you if the opportunity presents itself.
You're probably wondering how I even know you.
You may be curious about how I came to know who you are.
For now you're just my dream.
At this current moment, I only know you in my thoughts and dreams.
And when I wake up I hope you talk to me.
When I wake up from my dream, I hope that you speak to me.
Here I sit outside your door.
I am physically present outside your door at this moment.
Talk to me.
I would love to converse with you if you are willing.
I'd be content to just sit here and talk to you.
Simply having a conversation with you would bring me happiness and satisfaction.
In my dreams you love me and me only.
In my dreams, you express your love for me and no one else.
The way you kiss and hold me.
I envision in my dreams the way you kiss and embrace me.
Love is what I search and search to find.
My ongoing quest is to find true love and happiness.
But until then I'll just dream for the meantime.
Until I find love in reality, I will continue to dream and imagine.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind