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.
Rise
Solange Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fall in your ways so you can sleep at night
Fall in your ways so you can wake up and rise
Fall in your ways so you can crumble
Fall in your ways so you can sleep at night
Fall in your ways so you can wake up and rise
Fall in your ways so you can crumble
Fall in your ways so you can sleep at night
Fall in your ways so you can wake up and rise
Walk in your ways so you won't crumble (so you won't crumble)
Walk in your ways so you can sleep at night
Walk in your ways so you will wake up and rise
Solange's song "Rise" is a powerful anthem with a message of self-empowerment and resilience. The repeated line "Fall in your ways so you can crumble, Fall in your ways so you can sleep at night, Fall in your ways so you can wake up and rise" seems to acknowledge that sometimes we need to hit rock bottom in order to rebuild ourselves stronger. It is also an encouragement to not be afraid to lean into vulnerability and to confront our fears and shortcomings head-on. The lines "Walk in your ways so you won't crumble, Walk in your ways so you can sleep at night, Walk in your ways so you will wake up and rise" reinforces the idea that the path to strength and success is often a continuous process of self-discovery and self-affirmation.
The central theme of the song is further emphasized by the sparse but effective instrumental backing, featuring a steady bassline, occasional piano chords, and subtle percussion. Solange's voice is also a key element, with her clear and direct delivery conveying a sense of strength and determination. The repetition of the chorus creates a hypnotic effect, reinforcing the message of the lyrics and driving home the idea that true strength comes from within.
Line by Line Meaning
Fall in your ways so you can crumble
Follow the patterns that lead to your downfall, so that you can weaken and break apart.
Fall in your ways so you can sleep at night
Continue to repeat your same destructive behaviors so that you can find a false sense of comfort and security in them.
Fall in your ways so you can wake up and rise
Allow yourself to hit rock bottom in order to recognize your mistakes and begin the process of growth and self-improvement.
Walk in your ways so you won't crumble (so you won't crumble)
Make a conscious effort to change your negative habits and avoid the path that leads to your downfall.
Walk in your ways so you can sleep at night
Adopt a lifestyle that aligns with your values and allows you to find true inner peace and restfulness.
Walk in your ways so you will wake up and rise
Commit to the journey of self-improvement and personal growth, so that you can emerge from your struggles stronger and more resilient than before.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Raymond Angry, Solange Knowles, Troy Johnson, Ahmir Khalib Thompson, Devon Welsh, Raphael Saadiq
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind