Erykah Badu
On and On Lyrics


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[Will.I.Am]
One for the treble
Two for the bass
3 for the ladies
And four for the blaze
Yo yo yo
It's that heat, that heat, that heat, that heat
It's that heat yo

The heat comin' thick down from sao paulo
Bankin' new york shakin' up the apollo
Rhyme like night people bite and swallow
But the way to recite it is soundin' raw hollow
Hollow like empty 40 ounce bottles
Holla at ya boy if you wanna date models
Brazilian beauties wit booties that wobble
Booby like tooties that fog up ya goggles
Yea I keep it hot full throttle
Beats bang out and keep yea head on bobble
Instrumentally I'm rich like lotto
Fundamentally I just can't follow
Or get sentimental when witnessing my bro's
Divin, duckin, dodgin from hollow
Point bullets that turn bodies into john does
I stay positive and rock mics cause I go

[Chorus]
One for the treble
Two for the bass
Three for the ladies
And Four for the blaze

[Repeat: x4]
That Heat

So take off ya clothes
Relax yea soul
Unwind yea spine

It's that heat, that heat, that heat [Repeat: x3]
It's that heat yo

It's that heat comin' in slow motion
Barbecue yea body keep yea body straight roastin'
Light skin hunny's get the sun tan lotion
Dark skin hunny's in the summer no commotion
You can catch me chillin' by the ocean
Wit Brazilian feminines sippin' on potions
Girls lookin' like cinnamon toast
And I got a little chocolate for yah cinnamon toast
I got the notion to get real close
That's a little ? motion don't mind if I boast
Baby I can be yea favorite host
Break yea off wit a single or a freaky double dose
Just don't catch no emotions
I bring heat from coast to coast and
Beats and rhymes is my devotion
I'm turnin' MC's into ghosts
When I talk about

[Chorus]

[Repeat: x2]




It's that heat, that heat, that heat [Repeat: x3]
It's that heat so

Overall Meaning

In these lyrics, Will.I.Am starts by counting off with “one for the treble, two for the bass, three for the ladies, and four for the blaze,” leading into a celebration of heat that flows from Sao Paulo to New York City. He references his appreciation for Brazilian women, and how their beauty and champagne hair frothing out of the tops of their eyeglasses leave him unable to be “sentimental when witnessing my bros divin’, duckin’, dodgin’ from hollow/point bullets that turn bodies into John Does.” The heat brings a sense of relaxation and freedom, with Will.I.Am inviting listeners to “take off ya clothes, relax yea soul, unwind yea spine.” Overall the song serves as a tribute to the powerful effect that heat, both literal and metaphorical, can have on people.


Line by Line Meaning

One for the treble
The first part of the song is dedicated to the high range of sounds in music.


Two for the bass
The second part is dedicated to the lower range of sounds in music.


3 for the ladies
The third part is dedicated to women.


And four for the blaze
The fourth part is dedicated to getting high.


Yo yo yo
The artist is getting the listener's attention.


It's that heat, that heat, that heat, that heat
The song is hot and energetic.


The heat comin' thick down from sao paulo
The energy and inspiration of the song is derived from places like Sao Paulo.


Bankin' new york shakin' up the apollo
The song has the ability to shake things up and create a buzz like a performance at the Apollo Theater.


Rhyme like night people bite and swallow
The lyrics are provocative and engaging, causing people to pay close attention.


But the way to recite it is soundin' raw hollow
The artist uses a raw, unpolished style of delivery to convey the lyrics.


Hollow like empty 40 ounce bottles
The delivery style is stripped down and bare, like an empty bottle of malt liquor.


Holla at ya boy if you wanna date models
The artist is confident and successful, and can attract models.


Brazilian beauties wit booties that wobble
The artist appreciates the curves and beauty of Brazilian women.


Booby like tooties that fog up ya goggles
The artist finds women with large breasts to be sexually appealing.


Yea I keep it hot full throttle
The artist maintains high levels of energy and enthusiasm.


Beats bang out and keep yea head on bobble
The music is lively and upbeat, causing listeners to move and dance.


Instrumentally I'm rich like lotto
The artist has skill and proficiency on his instruments like a lottery winner has wealth.


Fundamentally I just can't follow
The artist is not interested in following mainstream trends and is dedicated to his own unique style.


Or get sentimental when witnessing my bro's
The artist does not get emotional when watching other artists perform.


Divin, duckin, dodgin from hollow
The artist avoids unfulfilling and shallow music.


Point bullets that turn bodies into john does
The artist's lyrics are powerful and can bring about change in the world.


I stay positive and rock mics cause I go
The artist is positive in his outlook and can rock the microphone because of it.


So take off ya clothes
The artist suggests a sexual encounter.


Relax yea soul
The artist wants the listener to be calm and at ease.


Unwind yea spine
The artist wants the listener to feel fully relaxed and comfortable.


It's that heat, that heat, that heat
The heat and energy of the song is starting to build.


It's that heat comin' in slow motion
The heat and energy of the song begins to slow down for a more sensual feel.


Barbecue yea body keep yea body straight roastin'
The intense sexual desire burns like a hot barbecue, cooking the body to perfection.


Light skin hunny's get the sun tan lotion
The artist finds light-skinned women sexually attractive.


Dark skin hunny's in the summer no commotion
The artist finds dark-skinned women equally attractive in the summer.


You can catch me chillin' by the ocean
The artist enjoys relaxing by the beach.


Wit Brazilian feminines sippin' on potions
The artist enjoys drinking cocktails with Brazilian women.


Girls lookin' like cinnamon toast
The artist is attracted to women with light brown skin, like cinnamon toast.


And I got a little chocolate for yah cinnamon toast
The artist is African American and finds women with light brown skin sexually attractive.


I got the notion to get real close
The artist wants to get close physically and emotionally with the woman he's interested in.


That's a little ? motion don't mind if I boast
The artist is suggesting he is confident and willing to showboat his skills.


Baby I can be yea favorite host
The artist wants to be the woman's favorite sexual partner.


Break yea off wit a single or a freaky double dose
The artist is confident he can satisfy the woman sexually with either one or two encounters.


Just don't catch no emotions
The artist is warning the woman he is not interested in developing an emotional attachment.


I bring heat from coast to coast and
The artist can bring the same energy and passion from different parts of the country.


Beats and rhymes is my devotion
The artist is dedicated and passionate about creating music.


I'm turnin' MC's into ghosts
The artist is confident he can outperform any other rapper.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: WILL ADAMS, NORMAN GIMBEL, HENRY MANCINI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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