In 2007, Knowles began to record music again. Her second studio album Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams (2008) deviated from the pop-oriented music of her debut to Motown-inspired sounds from the 60's and 70's. It peaked at number nine on the US Billboard 200 and received positive reviews from critics. She followed this up with the 1980s pop and R&B-inspired EP True (2012) on Terrible Records and her imprint Saint Records. Her third studio album, A Seat at the Table (2016) was released to widespread critical acclaim and became her first number-one album in the United States. The album's lead single, "Cranes in the Sky" won the Grammy for Best R&B Performance. Her fourth studio album, When I Get Home, was released in March 2019 to further critical acclaim.
Knowles was heavily influenced by Motown girl groups and says that her first passion is songwriting. Frequently compared by the media to her sister Beyoncé, Knowles has claimed that they have different aspirations and are musically different. She has been ranked by Billboard as the 100th most successful dance artist of all-time, and in 2017 was honored with the "Impact Award" at Billboard Women in Music. Her other ventures include an endorsement deal with Rimmel London and a line of hip-hop-oriented merchandise for young children.
Junie
Solange Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who's gonna get in line?
First one to go, first one to fight the way
Let's go to moonlight, then they will never find
Let's go to home, free from the mother mind
Come on along, along, along, along, along, along, along
Jump on it
Jump on it
Jump on it
Hit 'em with a left
Hit 'em with they knock, knock
Hit 'em with a play
Then away, and away, and away, and away
Hit 'em with a knock, knock
Hit 'em on the top
Hit 'em when they flock, flock
Hit 'em with a shock, shock
Then away, and away, and away, and away
Hit 'em when they watch
Hit 'em with a dot, dot, dot, dot, dot
Then I'm up, up, up and away, and away, and away, and away
Hit 'em when they watch
Hit 'em when they cop, cop, cop what you got
Then away, and away, and away, and away, and away, and away
Jump on it
Jump on it, on it
Jump on it
Jump on it
Jump
You want to be the teacher
Don't want to go to school
Don't want to do the dishes
Just want to eat the food
But what you gonna do
When they saw all your moves and practiced em daily?
Protect your neck, or give invitations?
In Solange's "Junie", the lyrics explore the idea of being the first one to take risks and make a move, rather than being left behind. The first few lines invite the listener to take action and be the one to make the first move: "First one's a fool, who'll be the fool now? Who's gonna get in line? First one to go, first one to fight the way." The song then goes on to encourage the listener to "jump on it" and continue to be assertive in pursuing their goals, even when faced with obstacles.
The chorus of the song is simple and repetitive, but catchy: "Jump on it, jump on it, on it, jump on it." The song encourages the listener to not only take risks, but to be unapologetic in doing so. The lyrics proclaim, "Hit 'em with a left, hit 'em with they knock, knock. Hit 'em with a play, then away, and away, and away, and away." The song also touches on the idea of becoming complacent or lazy, with the lyrics "You want to be the teacher, don't want to go to school. Don't want to do the dishes, just want to eat the food." Ultimately, the song reminds the listener to protect themselves and their ambitions, stating "Protect your neck, or give invitations?"
Overall, "Junie" is a boldly assertive song that encourages listeners to take action towards their goals, and to not be afraid to make the first move.
Line by Line Meaning
First one's a fool, who'll be the fool now?
Who's willing to be the first one to take a risk?
Who's gonna get in line?
Who's willing to follow?
First one to go, first one to fight the way
The first to take action and make a change will have to endure obstacles and difficulties.
Let's go to moonlight, then they will never find
Let's go to a place of freedom where no one can dictate our movements or thoughts.
Let's go to home, free from the mother mind
Let's break free from societal conditioning and expectations.
Come on along, along, along, along, along, along, along
Follow me, let's go together, repetition signifying an invitation.
Hit 'em with a left
Give them a punch from the left side.
Hit 'em with they knock, knock
Hit them hard enough that they get stunned.
Hit 'em with a play
Trick them with a move or feint towards something that distracts them.
Then away, and away, and away, and away
Get away as quickly and as far as possible.
Hit 'em with a knock, knock
Deliver a powerful punch.
Hit 'em on the top
Land a hit on their head or top part of the body.
Hit 'em when they flock, flock
Attacking when they are in a group to cause confusion and panic.
Hit 'em with a shock, shock
Surprise them with an unexpected attack.
Hit 'em when they watch
Take advantage of when they are off guard and not paying attention.
Hit 'em with a dot, dot, dot, dot, dot
An ambiguous line that could signify imitating gunshots or sneak attacking.
Then I'm up, up, up and away, and away, and away, and away
After the attack, leave quickly and without any delay.
Hit 'em when they cop, cop, cop what you got
Hit them when they try to copy what you have or steal from you.
Jump on it
Take advantage of the opportunity presented.
Jump on it, on it
Emphasis on taking the opportunity given.
You want to be the teacher
You want to be in control and teach others.
Don't want to go to school
Resisting and rejecting formal education or predetermined paths.
Don't want to do the dishes
Rebelling against household chores and mundane tasks.
Just want to eat the food
Focus on indulging in pleasure and enjoyment.
But what you gonna do
What actions will you take?
When they saw all your moves and practiced em daily?
If people start to emulate what you are doing, what will you do?
Protect your neck, or give invitations?
Will you defend yourself and your turf, or will you allow others to take it from you?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Solange Knowles, John Kirby, Andre Benjamin, Troy Johnson, Raphael Saadiq
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind