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.
Mad
Solange Lyrics
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You got the right to be mad
But when you carry it alone you find it only getting in the way
They say you gotta let it go
Now tell 'em why you mad son
Cause doing it all ain't enough
'Cause everyone all in my cup
'Cause such and such still owe me bucks
So I got the right to get bucked
But I try not to let it build up
I'm too high, I'm too better, too much
So I let it go, let it go, let it go
I ran into this girl, she said, "Why you always blaming?"
"Why you can't just face it?" (Be mad, be mad, be mad)
"Why you always gotta be so mad?" (Be mad, be mad, be mad)
"Why you always talking shit, always be complaining?"
"Why you always gotta be, why you always gotta be so mad?" (Be mad, be mad, be mad)
I got a lot to be mad about (Be mad, be mad, be mad)
Where'd your love go?
Where'd your love, baby?
Yeah, but I, got a lot to be mad about
Got a lot to be a man about
Got a lot to pop a xan about
I used to rock hand-me-downs, and now I rock standing crowds
But it's hard when you only
Got fans around and no fam around
And if they are, then their hands are out
And they pointing fingers
When I wear this fucking burden on my back like a motherfucking cap and gown
Then I walk up in the bank, pants sagging down
And I laugh at frowns, what they mad about?
Cause here come this motherfucker with this mass account
That didn't wear cap and gown
Are you mad 'cause the judge ain't give me more time?
And when I attempted suicide, I didn't die
I remember how mad I was on that day
Man, you gotta let it go before it get up in the way
Let it go, let it go
I ran into this girl, she said, "Why you always blaming?"
"Why you can't just face it?"
"Why you always gotta be so mad?" (Be mad, be mad, be mad)
I got a lot to be mad about (Be mad, be mad, be mad)
Where'd your love go?
Where'd your love, baby?
I ran into this girl, I said, "I'm tired of explaining"
Man, this shit is draining
But I'm not really allowed to be mad
The song "Mad" by Solange featuring Lil Wayne is an emotional and personal song about feeling the right to be mad but ultimately letting go of that anger. The lyrics describe a person who is facing various challenges, such as financial issues, lack of family support, and people constantly criticizing them. The song opens with the lines "You got the light, count it all joy, You got the right to be mad, But when you carry it alone you find it only getting in the way” which indicates that the listener should not let their anger control them and instead must seek happiness and inner peace. Solange then asks the listener to tell why they are so mad and doesn't judge their feelings.
Later, Lil Wayne enters the song and describes his own struggles with fame, money and lack of support, which makes him feel angry too. He shares his story of survival, mentioning that he had attempted to commit suicide in the past and how his success has changed him yet people still judge him. The song leaves an impression that are no virtuous or unvirtuous feelings and the listener has the right to express themselves.
The tone of the song is questioning rather than instructing. Solange doesn't directly say that the listener has to let go of their anger, but instead raises questions and highlights the importance of understanding your emotions. The chorus is the most repeated part of the song, “Be mad, be mad, be mad” which may be interpreted as Solange giving permission for the listener to be mad as she recognizes the right for one to have a range of emotions, but wants them to be aware of their anger.
Line by Line Meaning
You got the light, count it all joy
Be grateful for what you have, even in difficult times.
You got the right to be mad
It’s okay to feel angry sometimes.
But when you carry it alone you find it only getting in the way
When you don’t share your anger, it only causes more problems.
They say you gotta let it go
It's important to release your anger and not let it consume you.
Now tell 'em why you mad son
Share your feelings and explain why you're angry.
'Cause doing it all ain't enough
Even if you accomplish a lot, there can still be reasons to feel angry.
'Cause everyone all in my cup
People are always trying to get involved in my business.
'Cause such and such still owe me bucks
Someone owes me money and it’s making me mad.
So I got the right to get bucked
I have a right to be aggressive or confrontational in response to my anger.
But I try not to let it build up
I don't want to let my anger simmer and grow into something worse.
I'm too high, I'm too better, too much
I’m too successful and have too much going for me to let my anger get the best of me.
So I let it go, let it go, let it go
I decide to release my anger and not let it control me.
I got a lot to be mad about
There are many things that make me angry.
Where'd your love go? Where'd your love, baby?
Where did the love in these situations go and why am I feeling so much anger instead?
Yeah, but I, got a lot to be mad about
I have many legitimate reasons to feel angry.
Got a lot to be a man about
I have a lot of responsibilities as a man to handle and deal with these things.
Got a lot to pop a xan about
I need to take medication to deal with my anger.
I used to rock hand-me-downs, and now I rock standing crowds
I’ve come a long way, from being poor to performing in front of large crowds.
But it's hard when you only got fans around and no fam around
Having fans is nice, but it’s difficult when you don’t have family around.
And if they are, then their hands are out
Even when family is around, they’re often looking for money or help.
And they pointing fingers
They’re blaming me for things that are out of my control.
When I wear this fucking burden on my back like a motherfucking cap and gown
I feel weighed down by my problems and they're like a constant reminder of my status.
Then I walk up in the bank, pants sagging down
I’m successful, but I still look and dress like I did when I was poor.
And I laugh at frowns, what they mad about?
I smile in the face of negativity because I’m not affected by their anger.
Cause here come this motherfucker with this mass account
I have a lot of money now and people are resentful because of it.
That didn't wear cap and gown
I didn’t need a degree to succeed.
Are you mad 'cause the judge ain't give me more time?
Are you upset because I wasn’t given a harsher sentence?
And when I attempted suicide, I didn't die
I tried to kill myself but I survived.
I remember how mad I was on that day
I recall how angry and upset I was when I tried to end my life.
Man, you gotta let it go before it get up in the way
It's important to release your anger before it becomes an obstacle in your life and causes more problems.
I ran into this girl, she said, "Why you always blaming?"
Someone questioned the way I handle situations by blaming others for my problems.
"Why you can't just face it?" (Be mad, be mad, be mad)
They suggest I should confront my issues instead of getting angry.
"Why you always gotta be so mad?" (Be mad, be mad, be mad)
They wonder why I always have to feel angry about things.
"Why you always talking shit, always be complaining?"
The person is upset that I'm always running my mouth and complaining.
"Why you always gotta be, why you always gotta be so mad?" (Be mad, be mad, be mad)
They repeat their question, wondering why I’m always so angry.
I ran into this girl, I said, "I'm tired of explaining"
I’m exhausted from trying to justify and defend my emotions.
Man, this shit is draining
It’s tiring to always feel this way.
But I'm not really allowed to be mad
I feel like I’m not allowed to show my anger or express myself fully.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Solange Knowles, Dylan Wiggins, Dwayne Carter, Raphael Saadiq, David Donnell Longstreth, Troy L. Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind