I understand what you're saying, I love the song too and hate the fact it's underrated , but the lyrics are not universally relatable, most songs talk about love, heartbreak, the subject matter of this song is sort of out of the ordinary, which can be hard to connect with.
I wanna talk about how she was really giving us short films and songs full of world building and allegory and this specific vid out of eberything gas yet to reach 1 million views. I'm salty about that
She still hasn't 1 million views. I only found this masterpiece because of an Anthropology assignment, I wish I found it sooner. It deserves that 1 mil views!
Probably one of the most underrated female dancers ever!! That slow motion moonwalk backwards and forwards was incredible!!😳 This feels like Hey Ya part 2
Dearest Janelle, While I understand that you no longer need Cindy Mayweather, and it is wonderful that your self confidence has soared, I fervently hope that you will not abandon the character and her story. If you plan to end it with a "Lady or the Tiger" scenario on purpose, that is certainly your choice as an artist, but I would personally love to know what happened after Bah-bop-bye-yah. I hope this message finds your eyes, and sees you in good spirits and fine health, and I bid thee good-morrow. Sinserely, Th(A/U)mh P.S. Cindy should totally make a song with the Daft Punk Droids.
TWELVE YEARS. Has it really been that long? Won't lie; did not know about Monae until I heard this song and it was amazing; then I heard the concept. Metropolis was a big part of my sci-fi upbringing (the version with the Moroder soundtrack). And I'm huge into transhuman themes and concepts. And this. THIS VIDEO. I need Monae to revisit this, use some of that acting clout she has, and get a movie made. This six and a half minutes has so much depth; so many little subplots dancing around. So many questions I'd like explored. You're amazing, miss. Absolutely love this and everything that has come afterward.
It strike me that the freedom she's thinking of escaping to and the issues she referencing in this video, are all to do with the cold war she was singing about in the other video.
Still iconic to till this day...I remember, me as a young boy from Germany understand none of these lyrics and just enjoying the music and "strange" music video... Now Im sitting here understanding the lyrics, this beautiful music vídeo and enjoying the song like im 10 again...♡
I have no idea why she hasn't simply blown up record sales and recognizability. She probably intimidates many of the Hollywood and music industry types. She is ridiculously talented.
Please bring this Janelle Monae back! This is the one I fell in love with along with Archandroid. Lately I haven't been connecting as much as I did with Metropolis and Archandroid.
Well she dropped dirty computer. I feel she wants to expand as an artist (which is great) but I think music is in her heart 1st. Nevertheless I also hope she returns to the ArchAndroid style, and release the last Suite of that vision
Just an aside: Janelle did the 'rearing horse' stunt (in the background) at the end of the "Many Moons" video: the white horse would have been trained to stand on its hind legs and all J.M. had to do was hang on. It seems that Janelle has/had equestrian ambitions, a la Madonna.
It’s called artistic. Freedom. It wouldn’t be freedom if she did not change this is the epitome of a great song lost In translation many would not understand the power
YESSSS! I just watched again for the first time in years and caught the backwards moonwalk, but had never apparently fully taken in the GLORY of that forwards one!!! It just hit me like, whoa!
@@queerqueries she doesn't moon walk forwards - the footage was played backwards in that part to make it look like she's done it forwards. Watch the drum strokes to see what I mean. Still very cool though!
Seriously, this video is one of the most beautiful works of art I've ever seen! It cuts through so much bullshit and gets down to what our existence on this earth should really be about.
OG Janelle...remember back in '09 finding this and knowing she would blow up. Definitely will be checking out her new stuff to see how her music has changed. Glad to see she's getting recognition and a career on the silver screen. @ 4:31...2020
This definitely still one of the best songs she got. I mean all her work is fucking amazing and she's a fucking artistic genius. But this and Violet Stars Happy Hunting, and honestly all of Metropolis, is legit. It'd be awesome if she made an emotion picture that's on the Snyder cut level of epic/length and Interstellar 5555 level of storytelling but in her indescribably amazing Janelle Monae way.
I wrote an essay on this song in high school. The spoken word portion towards the end is so good and what inspired me to analyze the song. I also love how she blends retro and sci fi. It’s so well done!!
I was introduced to Ms Monaes voice on a song by Fun, "We Are Young" and I though "DAMN I want to hear more", then I hear this on SGU, and have loved her singing ever since then. Damn she has talent. There is a word for such happy accidents it is serendipity and boy do I love it as it is how I have discovered a lot of my favourite musical artists.
Big Janelle I miss this era of you mama! So mysteriously intellectually creative and talented! No one could do what you did. A mix of Ms Lauryn Hill x MJ x Prince you were just spectacular. I miss you
The best way to describe Janelle is ... magic. She does everything so immaculately. I love her with all my heart. Edit, years later: still awesome. And this video is 15 years old!!!
When I was young and I saw this video I was completely obsessed I had to watch it whenever it came on. Today she came on a playlist I was listening to and I had to come back and find this video. Still so iconic and underrated
Man I’ve seen this video so many times and it still hyped me up as much as it did years and years ago.!!!! Honestly underrated. So so so brilliant it really should have more views what a masterpiece
I knew I was dancing in my youth watching this great lady doing the same in her vids just confirms it. If you enjoy your movements to music then it is dancing.
I remember the 1st time I saw this video😍 I thought she was unique because of her EVERYTHING!!! Then...when she moonwalked forward...she had me hooked! Wow! I'm sooo happy she has decided to walk to the beat of her own drum!!! Get em Janelle!!!!💯💕🎶💪😎
This video, performance, and overall album just hits different. Not only did she create the assignment but she understood it backwards. Brava to the new queen of uncharted artist. Hail Monáe!
3:17 the droid next to the one closest to the screen looks at the camera for a split second in the middle of the lyrics, "You're free but in your mind, your freedom's in a bind"
It's so funny how I imagined a similar setting like this when I heard the song the first time (without seeing this awesome music video). She's such a great storyteller with her lyrics! It really does make me nostalgic for Tezuka's "Metropolis" and she marries old school and new school so well.
Finally after 13 years it reaches 1 million views on the 13th March 2023 🎉 it deserve so many more views it's such an amazing song 😭 also so close to 14 years crikey
I MUST be living an isolated life here in a mountain community because I only just discovered this phenom of a sistah yesterday day . . . the amount of true Magic that Janelle Moráe infuses in her art goes far beyond mere storytelling & performance . . . truly, I'm speechless, in the best possible way . . . she is going to go far, very far, and hopefully she presages a whole new direction in music & art, true gnosis. Ms. Moráe, remain ye thrice blessed ~ (•8-D
With the way her albums were made- I’m surprised there wasn’t a movie made. This is truly an amazing story told through music and it really needs to be made into film! Cindi Mayweather is a real Hollywood character.
I grew up watching sesame street and today I remembered her and the fact that my mom showed me this video. I had to keep describing her to my mom until she remembered who it was. Janelle Monae. Never again will I forget this name.
Hands down, this is the BEST video of the year! Creativity at its best! And, somebody please tell me why Janelle Monae is not performing at the 2009 BET Awards?! Now that would be a performance not to be missed!!!
I'm disappointed that no one (or probably her) didn't expand more on this world that she was building. It could have been some big book or movie by now because it had the potential.
She added more to this world on basically every album since except her newest one. She then released a collection of short stories that are basically set in Metropolis called The Memory Librarian, last year.
The problem is that only a minority of us have eye's to see the beauty, grace, and just all around incredibleness of this girls work. The EGO is a very hard thing to step away from, and thats when you really discover what true life is. Rember this short film, it is deeper than you could ever imagine, symbolism pours out of it in the lyrics and in the visuals. Far too much to explain in this limited space.
![Janelle Monáe - Tightrope (feat. Big Boi) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pwnefUaKCbc/mqdefault.jpg)
![Janelle Monáe - Tightrope (feat. Big Boi) [Official Music Video]](/img/tr.png)
![Janelle Monáe - Come Alive [Live at The Oscars 2020]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/O6Rt06Xwl4w/mqdefault.jpg)
This is, in my very own opinion, her absolute masterpiece.
Metropolis and Archandroid is Janelle Monae. Violent Stars Happy Hunting is up there with Many Moons
Opinion accepted!
you stole the words right out of me
No argument here!🤩
I'd add "Cold War" to this list.
She is a genius. The industry will never understand because they only see money. She is magic!
Whats so great about it other than hype?
I don't understand how this video doesn't have as many views as some of her more popular ones. This is still my favourite song/video she's ever made.
There are so many element to this video.. Her music is so complex and fun. She just oooses talent! Yes I love her 😍
I understand what you're saying, I love the song too and hate the fact it's underrated , but the lyrics are not universally relatable, most songs talk about love, heartbreak, the subject matter of this song is sort of out of the ordinary, which can be hard to connect with.
It was my first favorite, if it isn't the favorite now.
effluviah same
i think it has.. they've removed some of the links to this video... there were more when i first watched this years ago..
She said she never modeled before,so she was nervous about walking down the catwalk. She needn't have worried,because she OWNED that catwalk!!!!
Hell, she OWNS everything she does!!😀
The fact that this video is STILL relevant TODAY says a lot. ✊🏽
I wanna talk about how she was really giving us short films and songs full of world building and allegory and this specific vid out of eberything gas yet to reach 1 million views. I'm salty about that
She still hasn't 1 million views. I only found this masterpiece because of an Anthropology assignment, I wish I found it sooner. It deserves that 1 mil views!
We must all share and push this
@@khishasingh9159 I really want to hear the story of how an antrhopology assignment can lead to Janelle Monae, this sounds like a good read
@@n0stalgia1 It's been a while so I barely remember. I just know we were studying Afrofuturism
I don't get it either!
When she said quarantine, that hit hard.
Chills hit so hard.
Wow, it's taken on a whole new meaning in these times
Werd !!!! Been ahead of her time, in more ways. Than one 💯
She truly is one of the most incredible artists to come out of this generation
Probably one of the most underrated female dancers ever!! That slow motion moonwalk backwards and forwards was incredible!!😳
This feels like Hey Ya part 2
There are definitely "Bombs Over Baghdad" vibes too. I just Googled Janelle and André 3000 because in my brain they're fraternal twins.
Dearest Janelle,
While I understand that you no longer need Cindy Mayweather, and it is wonderful that your self confidence has soared, I fervently hope that you will not abandon the character and her story. If you plan to end it with a "Lady or the Tiger" scenario on purpose, that is certainly your choice as an artist, but I would personally love to know what happened after Bah-bop-bye-yah. I hope this message finds your eyes, and sees you in good spirits and fine health, and I bid thee good-morrow.
Sinserely,
Th(A/U)mh
P.S. Cindy should totally make a song with the Daft Punk Droids.
@thaumh this is the most earnest sweetest thing i've seen in a minute
Truth, yes, truth 🙌🏾🙌🏾
I think Janelle has said Cindi's story is not over and she plans to finish it, so hopefully her next project continues the Metropolis saga.
This is an ICONIC song and video. 11 years later
And it still is☺️
Her eyes are so wildly expressive when she performs. I love Janelle Monae.
TWELVE YEARS. Has it really been that long? Won't lie; did not know about Monae until I heard this song and it was amazing; then I heard the concept. Metropolis was a big part of my sci-fi upbringing (the version with the Moroder soundtrack). And I'm huge into transhuman themes and concepts. And this. THIS VIDEO.
I need Monae to revisit this, use some of that acting clout she has, and get a movie made. This six and a half minutes has so much depth; so many little subplots dancing around. So many questions I'd like explored. You're amazing, miss. Absolutely love this and everything that has come afterward.
Ll
It’s been even longer now! And was nice to see someone else wanted to see her acting! Watch the second Knives Out movie; she’s brill ✨
This woman is an entertainment machine.
Did she just moonwalk forwards?
yeah cos she's cool like that
Yup
It's like a walk to day! A SUNWALK!!
She certainly did!
Eeyup!
I still cry when i watch her break in cold war video, and that lyric gets me everytime because it hurts.
It strike me that the freedom she's thinking of escaping to and the issues she referencing in this video, are all to do with the cold war she was singing about in the other video.
Me too! That’s my favorite video
Once you understand the symbolism you'll never see this song or emotion picture the same. Hands down one of her best projects
This song and sincerely Jane makes me cry. A lot of what she says is fact even today.
Still iconic to till this day...I remember, me as a young boy from Germany understand none of these lyrics and just enjoying the music and "strange" music video...
Now Im sitting here understanding the lyrics, this beautiful music vídeo and enjoying the song like im 10 again...♡
I have no idea why she hasn't simply blown up record sales and recognizability. She probably intimidates many of the Hollywood and music industry types. She is ridiculously talented.
Please bring this Janelle Monae back! This is the one I fell in love with along with Archandroid. Lately I haven't been connecting as much as I did with Metropolis and Archandroid.
She's grown out of the Metropolis stuff and appears to want to get into straight acting.
Well she dropped dirty computer. I feel she wants to expand as an artist (which is great) but I think music is in her heart 1st. Nevertheless I also hope she returns to the ArchAndroid style, and release the last Suite of that vision
Just an aside: Janelle did the 'rearing horse' stunt (in the background) at the end of the "Many Moons" video: the white horse would have been trained to stand on its hind legs and all J.M. had to do was hang on. It seems that Janelle has/had equestrian ambitions, a la Madonna.
It’s called artistic. Freedom. It wouldn’t be freedom if she did not change this is the epitome of a great song lost In translation many would not understand the power
Same
That moon walk though backwards and forwards I never get tired of this video
YESSSS! I just watched again for the first time in years and caught the backwards moonwalk, but had never apparently fully taken in the GLORY of that forwards one!!! It just hit me like, whoa!
@@queerqueries she doesn't moon walk forwards - the footage was played backwards in that part to make it look like she's done it forwards. Watch the drum strokes to see what I mean. Still very cool though!
I miss this Janelle.
I worked on this video and had never heard her music before. Boy, what a pleasant surprise! Such an awesome talent.
Can we talk about the meaning behind this song I mean it’s so important
Seriously, this video is one of the most beautiful works of art I've ever seen! It cuts through so much bullshit and gets down to what our existence on this earth should really be about.
@@spiralout112 Shame that Janelle herself is still underrated even if shes still making new content
OG Janelle...remember back in '09 finding this and knowing she would blow up. Definitely will be checking out her new stuff to see how her music has changed. Glad to see she's getting recognition and a career on the silver screen. @ 4:31...2020
I really hope everyone catches up on her...she is phenomenal!
This definitely still one of the best songs she got. I mean all her work is fucking amazing and she's a fucking artistic genius. But this and Violet Stars Happy Hunting, and honestly all of Metropolis, is legit. It'd be awesome if she made an emotion picture that's on the Snyder cut level of epic/length and Interstellar 5555 level of storytelling but in her indescribably amazing Janelle Monae way.
10 years later and still one of my favs!
Love you boo ya air it just gets better with Love and Time
I remember seeing this on Facebook many moons ago…fell in love with her vibe instantly.
I use to bump this album everyday she is one of the most dope artists hands down.
This is a work of absolute genius, and some incredibly incisive and relevant commentary to boot. Honestly amazing???
That forward moonwalk is still undefeated.
Spoiled milk, stale bread,
Welfare, bubonic plague.
The time has come
I wrote an essay on this song in high school. The spoken word portion towards the end is so good and what inspired me to analyze the song. I also love how she blends retro and sci fi. It’s so well done!!
When she moonwalks backwards, then forwards though..... AMAZING ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I miss this janelle❤
Soooooo much
Yeah man.....Yeah.
I was introduced to Ms Monaes voice on a song by Fun, "We Are Young" and I though "DAMN I want to hear more", then I hear this on SGU, and have loved her singing ever since then. Damn she has talent.
There is a word for such happy accidents it is serendipity and boy do I love it as it is how I have discovered a lot of my favourite musical artists.
Finally! Someone to breath life back into this mundane era of music!!
This my friends is interlacing artefact. Many Moons still needs A REAL HD version released on the channel. This ain’t high definition.
Big Janelle I miss this era of you mama! So mysteriously intellectually creative and talented! No one could do what you did. A mix of Ms Lauryn Hill x MJ x Prince you were just spectacular. I miss you
The best way to describe Janelle is ... magic. She does everything so immaculately. I love her with all my heart.
Edit, years later: still awesome. And this video is 15 years old!!!
When I was young and I saw this video I was completely obsessed I had to watch it whenever it came on. Today she came on a playlist I was listening to and I had to come back and find this video. Still so iconic and underrated
Music industry: Videos should be three and a half minutes or less
Janelle: Hold my drink sweeties as I always like putting them on coasters.
You are the saviour of intelligent popular music... and way beyond! LOVE what you do!
Man I’ve seen this video so many times and it still hyped me up as much as it did years and years ago.!!!! Honestly underrated. So so so brilliant it really should have more views what a masterpiece
what an explosion of talent and smarts. i always come back to this peace.
I knew I was dancing in my youth watching this great lady doing the same in her vids just confirms it. If you enjoy your movements to music then it is dancing.
I was 10 when this came out. This was and still will forever be the best song by Janelle Monae . The ending always gets me
I remember the 1st time I saw this video😍 I thought she was unique because of her EVERYTHING!!! Then...when she moonwalked forward...she had me hooked! Wow! I'm sooo happy she has decided to walk to the beat of her own drum!!! Get em Janelle!!!!💯💕🎶💪😎
Same... This video introduced me to her and like you I've a fan ever since 🔥🔥🥰🥰
This video, performance, and overall album just hits different. Not only did she create the assignment but she understood it backwards. Brava to the new queen of uncharted artist. Hail Monáe!
Did this girl just moonwalk backwards, FORWARDS, AND SIDEWAYS INTO THE AIR?
3:17 the droid next to the one closest to the screen looks at the camera for a split second in the middle of the lyrics, "You're free but in your mind, your freedom's in a bind"
I remember when I first heard this song and saw the video. I was a sophomore in high school and I saw this video and was like “WHO IS THIS!!!””
Her work is incredibly beautiful, such a creative and innovative soul.
Holy moly! How come I've never seen this until 2022?? This is fantastic!! Thank you!
This lady is NICEEE , her dance moves are crazy good.
I love that she is bringing something diffrent to the table! We need more artist like this!
This is incredible. The whole performance, the moves, the voice, the aesthetics... wow!
Back in 2008, she made me fall in love with her with this here!!
It's so funny how I imagined a similar setting like this when I heard the song the first time (without seeing this awesome music video). She's such a great storyteller with her lyrics! It really does make me nostalgic for Tezuka's "Metropolis" and she marries old school and new school so well.
10 Years later and this is a Masterpiece. I'd Love to see this in High Definition!
Brilliant Song!!...... Go Janelle Monae ...You Rock....!!!
ya'll betta SHUT UP!!!
10+ years later and she's still rocking the same look. I love it
All of her albums deserve the full length mini movie treatment.
Is this supposed to make me cry. . . ?! She is awesome =')
She was way beyond her time, even in 2009 she was singing about quarantine ... (1:58)
They really need to make this into a whole movie I’m so shook
Love this song.
Finally after 13 years it reaches 1 million views on the 13th March 2023 🎉 it deserve so many more views it's such an amazing song 😭 also so close to 14 years crikey
Awesome!
Saw this linked from hplusmagazine and I can't get it out of my head now.
Thanks Janelle Monae, this is great music!
A classic song. A classic video. Intended to provoke thought without a doubt...
I love the strings in the beginning... You just know you're in for a good time!
YES She finally got 1 Million views 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Janelle is a beautiful woman and wonderful musician
Who designed her clothes?
Not even a million views.. fucking joke. One of the most talented of our generation.
I MUST be living an isolated life here in a mountain community because I only just discovered this phenom of a sistah yesterday day . . . the amount of true Magic that Janelle Moráe infuses in her art goes far beyond mere storytelling & performance . . . truly, I'm speechless, in the best possible way . . . she is going to go far, very far, and hopefully she presages a whole new direction in music & art, true gnosis. Ms. Moráe, remain ye thrice blessed ~ (•8-D
A WORK OF ART.
And when you're growing down instead of growing up... tell me, are you bold enough to reach for love?
This video is so amazing and fantastic
With the way her albums were made- I’m surprised there wasn’t a movie made. This is truly an amazing story told through music and it really needs to be made into film! Cindi Mayweather is a real Hollywood character.
I mean the Dirty Computer film was almost the length but yeah I agree.
janelle was so ahead of their time like truly
You are so extremely talented, I obsessed with your work the moment I heard it, flawless.
Your live performances are GREAT!
amazing!!!!!!!So different and original!!!
10 years ago and she still hasn't visibly aged. My word.
I have lost and refound this video multiple times over the years...such a classic .
I've been seeking for this song for years!!! I'm so happy!!
They call this this the Monae-walk.
God love her moves, her soul, her energy and har hair!!! She's SO cool!! xD
I grew up watching sesame street and today I remembered her and the fact that my mom showed me this video. I had to keep describing her to my mom until she remembered who it was. Janelle Monae. Never again will I forget this name.
Hands down, this is the BEST video of the year! Creativity at its best!
And, somebody please tell me why Janelle Monae is not performing at the 2009 BET Awards?! Now that would be a performance not to be missed!!!
I'm disappointed that no one (or probably her) didn't expand more on this world that she was building. It could have been some big book or movie by now because it had the potential.
She added more to this world on basically every album since except her newest one. She then released a collection of short stories that are basically set in Metropolis called The Memory Librarian, last year.
she was ahead of her time
2022 I'm still in love with this !! 😍
the imagination put into this song and this video and this artist is like nothing else that's out there. I'm blown away.
The problem is that only a minority of us have eye's to see the beauty, grace, and just all around incredibleness of this girls work. The EGO is a very hard thing to step away from, and thats when you really discover what true life is. Rember this short film, it is deeper than you could ever imagine, symbolism pours out of it in the lyrics and in the visuals. Far too much to explain in this limited space.
I love this record. She is a supernova. 😍
Iconic, creative, one of a kind, thought provoking
This song and video is a great work of art
Best song, best album
Ever. So ahead of her time with this album. She deserve so muchhh more than she recieves. Fuck the music industry and America.