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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Poison Ivy
Me'Shell Ndegéocello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and everybody knows
she'll get you in dutch
you can look
but you better not touch
poison ivy poison ivy
poison ivy poison ivy
she comes creepin'
around, 'round, 'round 'round
she's pretty as a daisy
but look out man she's crazy
she'll really do ya, in
if you let her hang under your skin
poison ivy poison ivy
poison ivy sweet, sweet poison
late at night while you're sleepin'
she comes creepin'
around, 'round, 'round creepin' around
'round, 'round, 'round, around
'round, 'round, 'round
'round, 'round, 'round, around
'round, 'round, 'round
just one Kiss
a really do you in
poison ivy poison ivy
poison ivy
late at night while you're sleepin'
I feel her creepin' around
around, 'round, 'round
poison ivy, poison ivy
poison pumps through her veins
late at night while I'm sleepin'
I feel, I feel
I feel ya creepin'
around, 'round, 'round
late at night
late at
night
late at night while you're sleepin'
she comes creepin' around
'round, 'round, 'round
'round, 'round, 'round
'round, 'round, 'round
'round, 'round, 'round.
The lyrics to Me'Shell Ndegéocello's song, Poison Ivy, depict a woman who seems beautiful and enticing, but is ultimately dangerous and poisonous. The image of a rose is used to describe her outward appearance, but the metaphor of poison ivy serves as a warning about the toxicity of her presence. The lines "you can look, but you better not touch" suggest that the consequences of getting involved with her are severe. The repeated refrain of "late at night while you're sleepin', she comes creepin' around" adds to the eerie and foreboding feeling of the song.
The second verse continues to describe the danger of Poison Ivy. The comparison to a daisy implies innocence and beauty, but the warning is clear - she is crazy and will "do you in". The repetition of "poison ivy sweet, sweet poison" emphasizes the oxymoronic nature of the woman's appeal. The final lines of the song, "poison pumps through her veins" suggest that her danger is inherent, rather than something she deliberately inflicts on others.
Overall, the lyrics to Poison Ivy are a cautionary tale about the seductive and dangerous nature of certain individuals. Through the use of metaphor and repetition, Me'Shell Ndegéocello creates a haunting portrait of a woman who should be avoided at all costs.
Line by Line Meaning
she comes on like a rose
She appears charming and beautiful, but beneath the surface lies danger
and everybody knows
Her true nature is well-known and widely understood
she'll get you in dutch
She'll bring you trouble and difficulty
you can look
It's okay to admire her appearance
but you better not touch
Touching her will come with consequences
poison ivy poison ivy
Reinforces her toxic and dangerous nature
late at night while you're sleepin'
She appears when you least expect it, taking advantage of your vulnerability and innocence
she comes creepin'
Slowly and quietly, she sneaks up on you
around, 'round, 'round 'round
Repeatedly, she comes back to haunt you
she's pretty as a daisy
Her beauty is captivating
but look out man she's crazy
However, her craziness is a warning sign
she'll really do ya, in
She'll harm or ruin you if you let her in
if you let her hang under your skin
If you become emotionally attached to her, she can do irreversible damage
poison ivy sweet, sweet poison
She's enticing and intoxicating, but ultimately harmful
just one Kiss a really do you in
Even one interaction with her can have severe consequences
poison pumps through her veins
Her toxicity and danger is innate
late at night while I'm sleepin'
The artist experiences anxiety and fear from her presence
I feel her creepin' around
The singer senses her presence and threat
poison ivy
A repeated warning about the danger of engaging with her
late at night
Reflects the darkness and danger of engaging with her
Contributed by Camden S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.