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.
The Beginning
RuPaul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Over and over, over and over
This is the beginning of the record you like
Over and over, over and over
Breaking up, fading out,
Holding on until tomorrow
Shake it off, turn around
This is the beginning, the beginning
This is the beginning of the rest of your life
This is the beginning, the beginning
This is the beginning of the rest of your life
You better get it - get it [get - get] get it - get it - right - right
That was then, this is now
Here we go starting over
That was then, this is now
Here we go starting over
You decide, change your mind
Miracles happen every day
This is the beginning, the beginning
This is the beginning of the rest of your life
This is the beginning, the beginning
This is the beginning of the rest of your life
You better get it - get it [get - get] get it - get it - right - right
That was then, this is now
Here we go starting over
Change the world, change your mind
We defy space and time
Change the world, change your mind
We defy space and time
Change the world, change your mind
We defy space and time
This is the beginning, the beginning
This is the beginning of the rest of your life
This is the beginning, the beginning
This is the beginning of the rest of your life
In "The Beginning," RuPaul's message is loud and clear: it's time to let go of the past and start anew. The repeated refrain of "This is the beginning of the record you like, over and over" emphasizes the importance of taking charge of your own life, hitting the reset button and pursuing your dreams with intention and drive. The song suggests that it may have been a difficult time leading up to this new beginning, with lyrics like "Breaking up, fading out" and "Holding on until tomorrow." However, RuPaul reminds us to shake it off and turn around, and that "miracles happen every day."
The song is about taking ownership of one's life and committing to change. RuPaul encourages listeners to "get it right," affirming that "this is the beginning of the rest of your life." With an energetic and uplifting sound, he emphasizes that we can defy space and time, change the world and change our minds. As the song comes to a close, the chorus repeats once more the powerful message that this is "the beginning of the rest of your life."
Line by Line Meaning
This is the beginning of the record you like
The song signifies the start of something that you love and have likely heard before, bringing back feelings of familiarity and happiness.
Breaking up, fading out, Holding on until tomorrow
Even when things seem to be falling apart or coming to an end, it's important to hold on and push through in order to see what tomorrow brings.
Shake it off, turn around, Won’t be long, till is a brand new day
Don't dwell on the past or let it bring you down. Instead, move forward and keep pushing until a new day comes with better opportunities and experiences.
That was then, this is now, Here we go starting over
Past experiences and mistakes should be left behind, as it's time to start anew and take on new challenges with a positive attitude.
You decide, change your mind, Miracles happen every day
You have the power to make a change and turn something around, even if it seems impossible. Changing your mindset can lead to unexpected and amazing results.
Change the world, change your mind, We defy space and time
Making a difference in the world starts with changing yourself and your beliefs. By doing so, you can have a lasting impact that transcends physical boundaries and time itself.
This is the beginning of the rest of your life
Life is full of new beginnings and opportunities, and it's important to embrace each one and make the most of them.
Contributed by Oliver C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Simone Cimino
"The Beginning"
This is the beginning of the record you like
Over and over, over and over!
This is the beginning of the record you like
Over and over, over and over!
Breaking up, fading out,
Holding on until tomorrow!
Shake it off, turn around,
Won’t be long, till is a brand new day!
[Chorus:]
This is the beginning, the beginning!
This is the beginning of the rest of your life!
This is the beginning, the beginning!
This is the beginning of the rest of your life!
You better get it - get it (get - get) get it - get it - right - right
That was then, this is now.
Here we go starting over
That was then, this is now,
Here we go starting over!
You decide, change your mind,
Miracles happen every day!
[Chorus:]
This is the beginning, the beginning!
This is the beginning of the rest of your life!
This is the beginning, the beginning!
This is the beginning of the rest of your life!
You better get it - get it (get - get) get it - get it - right - right
That was then, this is now.
Here we go starting over
Change the world, change your mind,
We defy space and time!
Change the world, change your mind,
We defy space and time!
Change the world, change your mind,
We defy space and time!
[Chorus:]
This is the beginning, the beginning!
This is the beginning of the rest of your life!
This is the beginning, the beginning!
This is the beginning of the rest of your life!
David Palacios
This is the beginning of the record you like
Over and over, over and over
This is the beginning of the record you like
Over and over, over and over
Breaking up, fading out
Holding on until tomorrow
Shake it off, turn around
It won't be long, till it's a brand new day
This is the beginning, the beginning
This is the beginning of the rest of your life
This is the beginning, the beginning
This is the beginning of the rest of your life
You better get it, get it, ge-ge-get it, get it, right, right
Get it, get it, ge-ge-get it, get it, right, right
Get it, get it, ge-ge-get it, get it, right, right
Get it, get it, ge-ge-get it, get it, right, right
That was then, this is now
Here we go, starting over
You decide, change your mind
Miracles happen every day
This is the beginning, the beginning
This is the beginning of the rest of your life
This is the beginning, the beginning
This is the beginning of the rest of your life
You better get it, get it, ge-ge-get it, get it, right, right
Get it, get it, ge-ge-get it, get it, right, right
Get it, get it, ge-ge-get it, get it, right, right
Get it, get it, ge-ge-get it, get it, right, right
Change the world, change your mind
We defy space and time
Change the world, change your mind
We defy space and time
Change the world, change your mind (You better, ge-ge, ge-ge)
We defy space and time (Ge-ge, right, right)
Change the world, change your mind (Ge-ge, ge-ge)
We defy space and time (Ge-ge, right, right)
This is the beginning, the beginning
This is the beginning of the rest of your life
This is the beginning, the beginning
This is the beginning of the rest of your life
This is the beginning, the beginning
This is the beginning of the rest of your life
This is the beginning, the beginning
This is the beginning of the rest of your life
jamescw12345
My fiance and I are playing this as we walk down the isle after we are pronounced husband and husband!
T J
Woo! Congratulations ❤️🙏🏴
SHANEL NUMBER 5 SOUNDS
I live and love!
Isaac Armani
instablaster.
Jarred Reiling
GAY ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤💗
averiee vee
YESSSSS
Laura Rigby
This song hits so hard. For many years I was a depressed alcoholic, with zero confidence who knew very little about make up and was a genuine mess, but then 2 years ago I started watching Drag Race and it changed my life. It taught me to love myself and accept my past mistakes, but also I wanted to look glamorous like the queens. I wanted to escape and smile, laugh and cry with them.
And when I heard this, it was like Mama Ru was singing to me "This is the beginning of the rest of your life" and she was right. I've been sober for almost 3 years!!
Pedro Oliveros
you're story is so inspiring... ❤ I'm proud of you too
T J
I can relate to this as a gay man and an alcoholic, I was lost and depressed with homophobic bullying and my neighbours bullying. Couldn’t be prouder to be gay and looking forward to settling down with a nice genuine man ❤️🙏🏴 Love from Scotland
ggoddf
yassss