Born and raised in San Diego, California, RuPaul later studied performing arts in Atlanta, Georgia. He settled in New York City, where he became a popular fixture on the LGBTQ+ nightclub scene. He achieved international fame as a drag queen with the release of his debut single, "Supermodel (You Better Work)", which was included on his debut studio album Supermodel of the World (1993). He became a spokesperson for MAC Cosmetics in 1994, raising money for the Mac AIDS Fund and becoming the first drag queen to land a major cosmetics campaign. He later received his own talk show on VH1 called The RuPaul Show, which he hosted for over 100 episodes while co-hosting the morning radio show on WKTU with Michelle Visage.
RuPaul's Drag Race was created in 2009 and has gone on to produce fourteen seasons in the United States. The show has also seen success internationally, with several international variants of the show being made, such as RuPaul's Drag Race UK and Canada's Drag Race. This has also inspired several spin-offs of the main show, including RuPaul's Drag U, RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars, and RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race. He is also featured as a host on other reality television series such as Skin Wars, Good Work, and Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul.
RuPaul has made appearances in films such as Crooklyn (1994), The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995), But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), television shows such as Girlboss (2017), Broad City (2017), and Grace and Frankie (2019). He later created and starred in his own Netflix original television series AJ and the Queen (2020). In addition, he has also published three books: Lettin' It All Hang Out (1995), Workin' It! RuPaul's Guide to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Style (2010), and GuRu (2018).
RuPaul is considered the most commercially successful drag queen in the United States. For his work on RuPaul's Drag Race, he has received 12 Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the most-awarded person of color in the history of the Primetime Emmys. Outside of film and television, he also continues to write and record music; he has released fourteen studio albums as of 2022, and received a Tony Award for Best Musical as a producer for the musical A Strange Loop.
Born Naked
RuPaul Lyrics
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Another savior
Always lookin' but you never find, never find
Wakin' up from another night gone
Always lookin' but you never find, never find
Goin' downtown
You know where you goin'
Like you know where you goin'
Tell me one thing
Do you like where you goin'?
Running all the red lights
And I said, who?
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
I'm tellin' the truth now
We're all born naked
And the rest is drag
Who?
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
I'm tellin' the truth now
We're all born naked
And the rest is drag
A lonely highway
You drove the wrong way
Always chasin' down a fantasy, fantasy
A sexy muscle car, under the radar
Always looking but you never see, never see
Goin' downtown
You know where you goin'
Throw your top down
Like you know where you goin'
Tell me one thing
Do you like where you goin'?
Ignoring all of the signs
And I said, who?
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
I'm tellin' the truth now
We're all born naked
And the rest is drag
Who?
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
I'm tellin' the truth now
We're all born naked
And the rest is drag
I'll say it again
It's never been the clothes that make the man
Nothing can
Leave all ya baggage behind
And I said who
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
I'm tellin' the truth now
We're all born naked
And the rest is drag
Who?
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
I'm tellin' the truth now
We're all born naked
And the rest is drag
Who?
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
I'm tellin' the truth now
We're all born naked
And the rest is drag
Let me tell you the truth! (Who do you think you are)
Who do you think you are?
I'm tellin' the truth now
We're all born naked
And the rest is drag
Talkin' 'bout you are born naked and the rest is drag
Shit!
"Born Naked" by RuPaul is an empowering and introspective anthem that encourages self-acceptance and embracing authenticity. The lyrics address the concept of identity and the search for meaning and purpose in life. It challenges societal expectations and the pressure to conform, urging listeners to strip away the external facades and embrace their true selves.
The song begins by questioning the listener's constant search for a savior or validation from others. It suggests that no matter how much they search, they will never find what they are looking for unless they learn to accept and love themselves. The lyrics emphasize the idea that we are all born "naked," authentic, and without the constructs of societal expectations. However, as we grow up, we put on layers of "drag," or masks, to fit into society's norms.
The chorus repeats the question of who the listener thinks they are, challenging them to reflect on their true identity beyond the superficial elements. It asserts that the truth lies in the fact that we are all born naked and authentic, and anything beyond that is just the "drag" we put on to navigate the world.
Throughout the song, there are references to going downtown, driving the wrong way, and ignoring signs. These can be interpreted as metaphors for taking wrong turns and making mistakes while searching for validation outside oneself. The lyrics encourage listeners to leave behind their baggage and focus on their true essence, reminding them that it is not the clothes they wear that define them, but rather their innate self.
Overall, "Born Naked" is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-acceptance, authenticity, and letting go of external expectations. It encourages listeners to embrace their true selves and live life unapologetically.
Line by Line Meaning
Who you waitin' for?
Who are you constantly looking for, hoping to save you?
Another savior
Someone else to rescue you or give meaning to your life
Always lookin' but you never find, never find
Continuously searching for something, but never actually finding it
Wakin' up from another night gone
Coming to the realization that another night has passed without any significant change or progress
Goin' downtown
Heading into the heart of the city or the center of excitement
You know where you goin'
Having a clear sense of direction and purpose
Throw your top down
Opening yourself up to new experiences and letting go of inhibitions
Like you know where you goin'
Confidently embracing the path you're on
Tell me one thing
Share with me your thoughts or feelings about
Do you like where you goin'?
Are you satisfied or content with the direction your life is heading?
Running all the red lights
Ignoring warning signs or potential dangers in pursuit of your desires
And I said, who?
In response to their behavior or actions, I ask, who are you really?
Who do you think you are?
Questioning their inflated sense of self-importance
I'm tellin' the truth now
Speaking honestly and without hesitation
We're all born naked
When we enter this world, we are stripped of all societal labels and expectations
And the rest is drag
Everything else we put on or present ourselves as is just an act or performance
A lonely highway
Embarking on a solitary journey, disconnected from others
You drove the wrong way
Making choices or taking actions that lead you further away from your desired destination
Always chasin' down a fantasy, fantasy
Persistently pursuing an unrealistic or unattainable dream
A sexy muscle car, under the radar
A powerful and attractive exterior, but remaining unnoticed or overlooked by others
Always looking but you never see, never see
Continuously searching, but never truly perceiving or understanding
Ignoring all of the signs
Deliberately disregarding the warnings or indications around you
I'll say it again
Repeating my previous statement for emphasis
It's never been the clothes that make the man
True value and worth are not determined by outward appearances or material possessions
Nothing can
No external factors or influences can define who you truly are
Leave all ya baggage behind
Let go of all your emotional burdens or past experiences that hold you back
Talkin' 'bout you are born naked and the rest is drag
Reiterating the idea that we all enter the world with a clean slate, and everything else is just a performance or facade
Shit!
Exclamation of surprise or frustration
Writer(s): Lucian Piane, Rupaul Charles
Contributed by Mateo Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.