Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo met in Virginia Beach, Virginia at the ages of 12 at a summer camp for musicians, which they both disliked. They spent their free time making beats and performing in groups with fellow childhood friend Timbaland. Shay Haley began performing with Williams and Hugo in high school. After watching the duo perform at a high school talent show, Teddy Riley, a musician and producer, signed Williams and Hugo in 1992. After producing songs for several artists throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, the production duo formed N.E.R.D in 2001 as a side project.
Wonderful Place
N.E.R.D Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Damn, it's setting in now (so high)
'cause cartoons are turning into real life
Lemons and limes are fighting
Fighting over straws
Like they were oil filled pipes
And why's the sun writing this song
All of a sudden the mouse comes along
And what he sings brings harmony
[chorus]
You may not understand
Why there's a smile on my face
It's 'cause this world could be
Such a wonderful place
'cause some of these companies
Two-thousand began a race ??
But not me man
I see a wonderful place
The world's a wonderful place
My soul's in my smile
Don't frown
Just get up get up
Look at the birds
Look at the bees
Look at the skies
Look at the seas
It's a wonderful place
Look at the planes
Look at the cars
Look at the sun
Look at the stars
[verse]
The wallpapers moving
My arms and my legs leave
A blur when i swipe
Sap is just oozing
The trees say "smoke blocks the sun"
So for them it's just night
The seven eyes look in through the clouds
And why is that funny to me
And here comes the mouse singing loud
And what he sings brings harmony
[chorus]
The lyrics of N.E.R.D's "Wonderful Place" are quite ambiguous and abstract, and it is difficult to pin down a definite meaning. However, one possible interpretation is that the song reflects the singer's awe and appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the world, despite the chaos and conflict that exists within it. The first verse describes the singer's sense of disorientation as he observes the blurring of the line between reality and animation. The imagery of lemons and limes fighting over straws, like oil-filled pipes, suggests a metaphor for the greed and struggle for resources among corporations and individuals.
The second half of the verse introduces the theme of harmony, as the sun is personified as a songwriter and the mouse's song brings peace and unity. The chorus emphasizes the singer's optimistic view of the world, despite the challenges that may exist. He sees the potential for a wonderful place, while acknowledging the race among companies and other forces that seek to exploit and control the world's resources.
The second verse continues the surreal imagery, as the wallpaper appears to move and the trees complain about smoke blocking the sun. However, the singer retains his sense of wonder and amusement, as the seven eyes peer through the clouds and the mouse continues to bring harmony through his song.
Overall, "Wonderful Place" can be interpreted as a celebration of the beauty and complexity of the world, seen through the lens of a surreal and whimsical imagination.
Line by Line Meaning
Damn, it's setting in now (so high)
The feeling is slowly creeping in, possibly related to being under the influence of a substance
'cause cartoons are turning into real life
The boundary between what is real and what is imaginary is blurring
Lemons and limes are fighting
An unusual circumstance is happening, where inanimate objects are behaving like living beings and fighting
Fighting over straws
Even insignificant resources like straws can become a source of conflict in such a situation
Like they were oil filled pipes
The competing lemons and limes are behaving with the same intensity as oil pipelines, which are a hotbed of conflict in various parts of the world
And why's the sun writing this song
A seemingly impossible thing is happening, where the sun is doing something beyond its normal role in the universe
And why is this funny to me
The singer is amused by the absurdity of what is happening around them
All of a sudden the mouse comes along
A small, unassuming creature enters the scene unexpectedly
And what he sings brings harmony
The mouse's song has an uplifting effect on the artist and the chaotic situation around them
You may not understand
The following explanation may be difficult or incomprehensible to the listener
Why there's a smile on my face
The singer's positive emotions may seem unwarranted or confusing given the current circumstances
It's 'cause this world could be
Despite the chaotic and unusual events occurring, the artist sees potential for positivity and beauty in the world
Such a wonderful place
The world has the inherent capacity to be full of wonder and joy
'cause some of these companies
Some corporate entities may have started a race to achieve certain goals
Two-thousand began a race ??
An unclear reference to a specific event or trend, but could refer to the start of the new millennium and the promise of new opportunities and advancements
But not me man
The artist does not feel the need to participate in this competition
I see a wonderful place
Despite the competition and challenges, the artist has a positive outlook on the future and the potential for positivity in the world
The world's a wonderful place
The world possesses a beautiful and awe-inspiring nature that is deserving of notice and appreciation
My soul's in my smile
The singer's joy and positive energy emanate from within and are visible on their face
Don't frown
The artist encourages the listener to adopt a positive attitude and avoid despair or negativity
Just get up get up
The artist urges the listener to take action and seize opportunities for growth and positivity
Look at the birds
The artist points out the beauty and wonder of the natural world
Look at the bees
The singer encourages appreciation for the industriousness and interdependence of the insect world
Look at the skies
The artist highlights the vast and ever-changing nature of the sky
Look at the seas
The singer praises the immense and varied nature of the world's oceans
Look at the planes
The singer recognizes the wonder of human innovation and travel technology
Look at the cars
The singer references human inventions and advancements in transportation technology
Look at the sun
The artist acknowledges the central role of the sun in sustaining life on Earth
Look at the stars
The artist points out the vast beauty and incomprehensible complexity of the universe
The wallpapers moving
An unusual and possibly disorienting event is occurring, causing the singer to feel dizzy or confused
My arms and my legs leave
The singer's limbs may be feeling disconnected or uncoordinated in response to the unusual event
A blur when i swipe
The artist's vision may be distorted or unclear due to the disorienting event
Sap is just oozing
A tree may be present and leaking sap, adding to the surreal or unusual nature of the scene
The trees say "smoke blocks the sun"
Possibly related to environmental damage and the impact of humans on the natural world, trees are expressing concern about the sun being obscured by smoke
So for them it's just night
The impact of smoke on the trees has led to a state of perpetual darkness, highlighting the negative impact of human actions on the environment
The seven eyes look in through the clouds
A fantastical creature with seven eyes may enter the scene, causing further confusion and disorientation
And here comes the mouse singing loud
The same mouse from before returns, bringing comfort and positivity to the singer
And what he sings brings harmony
The mouse's song continues to have a positive effect on the singer, helping them to focus on the beauty and wonder of the world amidst chaos and confusion
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHAD HUGO, PHARRELL WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind