Seven Songs a Week: 04/16/21

Hello, Welcome to Seven Songs a Week

Today's song is "Q.U.E.E.N" by Janelle Monáe featuring Erykah Badu. This song was my first introduction to Badu, I didn't grow up listening to her but I remember hearing her name everywhere and when she released her mix-tape "But You Caint Use My Phone" and covered "Hotline Bling" by Drake to critical acclaim, I finally gave a listen to Badu. I always have been a fan of Janelle Monáe ever since I played her song on "Just Dance 3" on the Wii. I loved Monáe's album "Dirty Computer" and it's "Emotion Picture." I think that both woman did an excellent job on "Q.U.E.E.N." as they do on all of their songs.

Single Cover for "Q.U.E.E.N." (feat. Erykah Badu)

"Q.U.E.E.N." is actually an acronym for five different marginalized groups. According to Monáe, the letters stand for "Queer community, Untouchables, Emigrants, Excommunicated and 'Negroid'," she continues stating that she "wanted to create something for people who feel like they want to give up because they're not accepted by society." The song is set up as a sort of conversation between friends with Monáe saying "Girl, this is crazy...let me tell you", and she shares her disbelief for the media saying "I can't believe all of the things they say about me." This lyrics mirrors a lyric from her mentor, Prince, who said a similar lyric in his song "Controversy." She describes how the media "[throws] shade left to right" whenever she does anything in the public eye. "Ooh, she serving face" is what the media says when they see Monáe, which is a performance category in the LGBT balls of New York. Monáe shares how the media calls her "dirty" for being both a sex positive feminist and a black woman because she "[breaks] all [their] rules down," "them" being the white general public. Monáe doesn't care, she just came to have fun or "act a fool." "Let them eat cake" is what the public tells Monáe and her community to do be she rebuttals saying that she "[eats] wings and throw them bones on the ground," doing what she wants to do.

By the hook, Monáe wonders if it is wrong for her to dance and have fun. All she wants to do is have fun and be herself, whether it's on stage or during her regular life. She once again asks if it's wrong to have fun with the lyric "Is it peculiar that she twerk in the mirror?" Many people thinking that twerking is inappropriate but it is just a fun dance people like to do. Questioning the twerk can even be seen as a form of slut shaming but Monáe isn't here to do that. Monáe shares her habit of dancing alone in the dark and wonders if that is weird thing to do, she comes to conclusion that "no [it] ain't" so she'll keep doing it. Monáe becomes retrospective about life and how strange it can be. Monáe calls life "a play with no rehearsal" and how she can die at anytime so she just wants to have a good time while she's still here. She wonders "what's the price of fame." because she doesn't like being persecuted all the time as a celebrity or if she'll have to change to fit in. She references the rumor of other singers being inducted into the Illuminati and wonder if that's what it takes to be famous, Monáe is different from the other female singers at the time as she wears a tuxedo and keeps a literal clean black-and-white image.

In the third verse, Monáe discusses her sexuality and what that can mean for her in the afterlife. She asks if her soul can be saved from the devil because of her attraction to women. She asks if it is wrong to be herself or "her [shade]." This can reference the fact that she is black and proud of it, This can also reference "the Untouchables" in the hindu caste system which are workers and cleaners who usually have darker skin. She continues reference her same-sex attraction with Mary, who is a reference to "Mushrooms & Roses" from her album "The ArchAndroid" Monáe then sarcastically asks someone if she is "good enough for [their] heaven..." because everyone has a different idea of what is okay and what is not. Monáe asks if God will accept her in her "black and white," meaning who she is because she is know for her black and white attire. Or will Monáe need to change who she is, go back in the closet, "reprogram, [and] deprogram." Monáe says "reprogram" and "deprogram" in reference to her over arching narrative of her being a android throughout her music. After another hook, Monáe says something that speaks for itself "Even if it makes others uncomfortable, I will love who I am." before giving Erykah Badu the spotlight.

Badu is tired at the criticism directed toward her but she knows the criticism will stop because she and Monáe will sing the freedom song. She is tired of being a "droid" or lifeless and wants to "come home and sing [her] song." Badu states that it's natural to dance along to music because "the booty don't lie" Badu leaves the stage and allows Janelle Monáe to continue preaching, but this time through rapping. Monáe asks "Are we a lost generation of our people?" referencing the "lost generation" who were exiled and found success outside their homes, Monáe feels like she is part of a new "lost generation." "Add us to equations but they'll never make us equal" references the successes of the Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil Rights movement allowing black Americans to finally be treated equally but there are still underlying racism built into the system. "So why ain't the stealing of my rights made illegal" can refer to anything from piracy to abortion. Monáe goes on to call out capitalism and how the workers keep the rich wealthy but whenever the workers ask for anything, it's too much. Monáe knows that she is important and a trailblazer and she will not be stopped by anyone. Monáe will keep fighting for her rights and she asks the audience if they will too.

The video for "Q.U.E.E.N." is set in a "living museum" where "rebels throughout history have been frozen in suspended animation." Two women visit the "Wondaland" section where they find Janelle Monáe and "her dangerous accomplice, Badoula Oblongata" which is a pun on Erykah Badu and medulla oblongata. The medulla oblongata is the part of the brain that is responsible for involuntary movements and this follows "the booty don't lie" lyrics from Badu. The two women place a vinyl record in a skull shaped player and the "rebels" begin to animate again. What follows is images feautring Monáe's iconic black and white while the rebels "act a fool."

I love this song so much, I love Monáe and Badu so much, I think they are so smart and talented. I really like how we got to see Monáe truly accept herself in "Dirty Computer" and I really liked being able to go back and see what theses women had to give in their proper discographies. I also really like when an artist references their album cover in their music videos like in this video or Beyoncé's "Deja Vu" video.

I give “Q.U.E.E.N.” 4.6 Suite Overtures out of 5.

I hope you enjoyed my review. How do you feel about "Q.U.E.E.N."? Leave a comment and a request for Saturday down below.

I listed my sources below in case you are interested in reading more.

Take Care,

Jonathan