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.
Ode to Marvin
Solange Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna know where we going
I'm right beside you 07
Street lights twilights
There's a liquor store
By his playground
It's raining a cash flow
It's a hustle
Now a mother use to hustle
To a different tune
There's a midnight thrilling
And oh the traffic's heavy burning light
Don't slow you down
He thinks trouble fulfilling
Don't let me fall victim to this human nature
I know the way it is don't mean that's how its suppose
To be, oh I wonder where this broken
Place is going to take us, and where the
Way I want to know.
Street life crowded
That's his way out the illusion
Teachers failing
Our hero lives on TV
No my break keeps all eyes closed
While his are so open
Take it in three ways, I know it
Nowadays nothing wrong
Cause everything goes
We think trouble fulfilling
Don't let me fall victim to this human nature
I know the way it is don't mean that's how its suppose
To be, oh I wonder where this broken
Place is going to take us, and where's the
Way I want to know.
I want to know where
I want to know where
I want to know where
I want to know where
Know
Know
Don't let me fall victim to this human nature
I know the way it is don't mean that's how its suppose
To be, oh I wonder where this broken
Place is going to take us, and where the
Way I want to know.
Solange's song "Ode to Marvin" is a commentary on the struggles and harsh realities of inner-city life. The opening lines of the song, "This song is for my people, I wanna know where we going, I'm right beside you '07" set the stage for the overall theme of the song. The lyrics highlight social issues such as poverty, crime, and educational disparities that disproportionately affect black and brown communities.
The second verse of the song delves deeper into the complexities of street life, with Solange describing the harsh realities of growing up amidst poverty and limited opportunities. She draws attention to the cycle of poverty that perpetuates itself, with parents hustling to make ends meet and their children falling into the same trap. The lyrics "There's a midnight thrillin' and oh the traffic's heavy burning light, don't slow you down, he thinks trouble fulfilling" paint a picture of the bleak and hopeless existence of those trying to escape the cycle.
The chorus serves as a plea to not become a victim of one's environment, acknowledging that just because things are a certain way, it doesn't mean that they have to be. Solange wonders where this broken place is taking her people and where they will end up. Overall, "Ode to Marvin" is a powerful and introspective statement on the state of the inner city and a call to action for change.
Line by Line Meaning
This song is for my people
Solange wrote this song for her community as an expression of their shared experiences and struggles.
I wanna know where we going
Solange is questioning the future of her community and where their journey will ultimately take them.
I'm right beside you 07
Solange wants her listeners to know that she stands with them and understands their experiences.
Street lights twilights
Solange is describing the time of day when the sun sets and the street lights turn on.
There's a liquor store
Solange is pointing out the prevalence of liquor stores in low-income neighborhoods.
By his playground
Solange is describing a liquor store located near a children's playground, which reveals the lack of consideration for the well-being of children in these communities.
It's raining a cash flow
Solange is describing the detrimental effects of capitalism in poor communities where money is prioritized over the well-being of residents.
But it sits well at home
Despite the negative effects of capitalism, some people in poor communities accept it as the norm or make peace with it to survive.
It's a hustle
Solange is highlighting the fact that those living in poverty are often forced to hustle and do whatever it takes to survive.
Now a mother use to hustle
Solange is acknowledging the reality of young mothers who must hustle to provide for their children.
To a different tune
Solange is referencing the fact that while their circumstances may be different, many black communities have faced similar struggles throughout history.
There's a midnight thrilling
Solange is describing the excitement and allure of staying up late in these communities, even though it may not be the best for one's well-being.
And oh the traffic's heavy burning light
Solange is pointing out the chaotic nature of these communities with busy traffic and bright lights.
Don't slow you down
Solange is emphasizing the need to keep moving and hustling in order to survive in these communities.
He thinks trouble fulfilling
Solange is highlighting the fact that despite being surrounded by these challenges and obstacles, some people continue to find trouble and seek fulfillment in negative ways.
Don't let me fall victim to this human nature
Solange is recognizing the inherent flaws and imperfections of human nature and is asking for strength to overcome them.
I know the way it is don't mean that's how its suppose to be
Solange is acknowledging the unfairness and injustice in the world and pushing for change rather than accepting it as the norm.
Oh I wonder where this broken place is going to take us
Solange is reflecting on the state of the world and questioning where it will lead us.
And where the way I want to know
Solange is questioning what path they should take and what the future holds for their community.
Street life crowded
Solange is describing the crowded and busy nature of living in poverty in these communities.
That's his way out the illusion
Solange is acknowledging that people often turn to illusions or false hopes as a way out of poverty.
Teachers failing
Solange is recognizing the ways in which teachers and the education system fail black communities and contribute to their struggle.
Our hero lives on TV
Solange is acknowledging that some people in her community only see success and hope through the media and television.
No my break keeps all eyes closed
Solange is speaking about her own personal drive and work ethic which allows her to see past the illusions and distractions and work towards real change.
While his are so open
Solange is contrasting her own perspective with others who are more easily fooled by illusions and distractions.
Take it in three ways, I know it
Solange is acknowledging the complexity of the situation but still feels confident in her ability to understand and navigate it.
Nowadays nothing wrong cause everything goes
Solange is acknowledging the complacency and acceptance of problems in the world and how people are becoming desensitized to them.
We think trouble fulfilling
Solange is referencing the idea that some people seek trouble and controversy as a way of fulfilling themselves.
I want to know where
Solange is stating her desire to know what the future holds for her community.
Know
Solange repeats the word 'know' to emphasize her desire for answers and clarity.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MAKEBA RIDDICK, MATTHEW KAHANE, SOLANGE KNOWLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Msizi Linda
She a REAL ARTIST cmpared to other.
JHP Stories
Solange just be calmly and quietly making that good-good music
Shanice Gray
That run at the end!!! Omg!!!! Sing solange!
Lateshia Childs
Solange is a beast I love her CDs.
iats1
No shade but her music is so much more meaningful and deeper than beyonce
Brandi Davis
Love this woman!!! So talented............
KAS
just popped onto my iphone which was on shuffle. I'd forgotten i'd purchased her album years ago...
what a talent. I'm listening through right now, for the first time since probably 2008.... i'm floored... again.... i'm older... i appreciate more...and i'm floored... track after track...
Jaquala Fletcher
This girl is so underrated it's not even funny like how is she not even close to her sister's status????? Man this album was the truth
Golden Infamous
i love this song.l one of my faves on her album
afro insurrection
I love Solange's style I hate folks be hatin on her...