Janelle Monae at the White House: "Tightrope"

At the White House, my idol.

Monday morning "get up" music: Janelle Monae

"Many Moons" official video by Janelle Monae. We love.

Lyrics to Many Moons :

Verse 1:
We're dancing free but we're stuck here underground
And everybody trying to figure they way out
Hey Hey Hey, all we ever wanted to say
Was chased erased and then thrown away
And day to day we live in a daze

Refrain:
We march all around til' the sun goes down night children
Broken dreams, no sunshine, endless crimes, we long for freedom (for freedom)
You're free but in your mind, your freedom's in a bind

Chorus:
Oh make it rain, ain't a thang and the sky to fall
(The silver bullet's in your hand and the war's heating up)
And when the truth goes BANG the shouts splatter out
(Revolutionize your lives and find a way out)
And when you're growing down instead of growing up
(You gotta ooo ah ah like a panther)
Tell me are you bold enough to reach for love?
(Na na na...)

2nd Verse:
So strong for so long
All i wanna do is sing my simple song
Square or round, rich or poor
At the end of day and night all we want is more
I keep my feet on solid ground and use my wings when storms come around
I keep my feet on solid ground for freedom
You're free but in your mind, your freedom's in a bind

Chorus

Cybernetic Chantdown:
Civil rights, civil war
Hood rat, crack whore
Carefree, nightclub
Closet drunk, bathtub
Outcast, weirdo
Stepchild, freak show
Black girl, bad hair
Broad nose, cold stare
Tap shoes, Broadway
Tuxedo, holiday
Creative black, Love song
Stupid words, erased song
Gun shots, orange house
Dead man walking with a dirty mouth
Spoiled milk, stale bread
Welfare, bubonic plague
Record deal, light bulb
Keep back kid not corporate thug
Breast cancer, common cold
HIV, lost hope
Overweight, self esteem
Misfit, broken dream
Fish tank, small bowl
Closed mind, dark hold
Cybergirl, droid control
Get away now they trying to steal your soul
Microphone, one stage
Tomboy, outrage
Street fight, bloody war
Instigators, third floor
Promiscuous child, broken dream
STD, quarentine
Heroin user, coke head
Final chapter, death bed
Plastic sweat, metal skin
Metallic tears, mannequin
Carefree, night club
Closet drunk, bathtub
White house, Jim Crow
Dirty lies, my regards

Closing Lullaby:
And when the world just treats you wrong
just come with me and I'll take you home
No need to pack a bag
Who put your life in the danger zone?
You running dropping like a rolling stone
No need to pack a bag
You just can't stop your hurt from hanging on
The old man dies and then a baby's born
Chan, chan, chan, change your life
And when the world just treats you wrong
just come with me and i'll take you home
Shan, shan shan shan-gri la
Na na na na na na na na na na na

The dancers featured in Janelle Monae's "Tightrope" video

The great dancers we have been seeing perform with Janelle Monae on "Tightrope" are Ladia Yates, Charles Riley, and Marico Flake (Dr Rico). They are based in the Memphis jookin scene.
Ladia Yates is AMAZING! watch her!

Dr Rico is ASTOUNDING!

Charles Riley (Lil Buck) soloing to "Tightrope." BEAST!
Here is Ladia teaching us the moves.

Learn How to do the "Tightrope" dance like Janelle Monae. For more Trendy How-To Videos & Articles, visit WonderHowTo.

Janelle Monae sampler

We are madly in love with Janelle Monae: her singing, her dancing, her concepts, her band, her live performances, her videos, her "suites", her inspirations, her company The Wondaland Art Society, her sharp look.

Cold War (from ArchAndroid: "an emotion picture for the mind"), an intimate performance.

Tightrope (also great remix with Lupe Fiasco)

Many Moons (a fave in our household)