Tightrope

Janelle Monáe

About Tightrope

"Tightrope" is a 2010 song by American singer Janelle Monáe, the second official single from The ArchAndroid. The single premiered on February 11 on Pitchfork Media website, earning an immediate 9/10 rating and its coveted "Best New Music" tag. The companion song, "Cold War," debuted on February 12 via Monáe's official website. The official remix, titled "Tightrope (Wondamix)", features rappers B.o. B and Lupe Fiasco. The solo version of the song without Big Boi is also featured in the video game Just Dance 3. It was featured during the end credits for Happy Feet Two, in a version that interpolates some singing from one of the characters and also features a new verse from American child actor and rapper Lil' P-Nut which replace Big Boi's verse. The song also featured on the third season finale of teen drama 90210. 


Year:
2010
213 
#1

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

(Monáe and Leftfoot)
Whoaaa!
Another day (adabadee, nigga)
I take your pain away

Some people talk about ya like they know all about ya
When you get down they doubt ya
And when you tip it on the scene, yeah they talkin' bout it
Cause they can't tip on the scene
They just talk about it, t-t-t-talk bout it
When you get elevated
They love it or they hate it
You dance up on them haters
Keep getting funky on the scene
While they jumpin' round ya
They trying to take all of your dreams
But you can't allow it
Cause baby whether you're high or low
Whether you're high or low
You gotta tip on the tightrope (tip, tip on it)
T-t-t-tip on the tightrope (tip, tip on it)
Baby, baby, baby, whether you're high or low (high or low)
Baby whether you're high or low (high or low)
You got to tip on the tightrope (tip, tip on it)
Now let me see you do the tightrope (tip, tip on it)
And I'm still tippin' on it

See I'm not walkin' on it
Or tryin to run around it
This ain't no acrobatics
You either follow or you lead, yeah
I'm talkin' bout ya
Keep on blaming the machine, yeah
I'm talkin' bout it
T-t-t-talkin' bout it
I can't complain about it
I gotta keep my balance
And just keep dancin on it
We gettin funky on the scene
Yeah you know about it
Like a star on the screen
Watch me tip all on it

Then baby whether I'm high or low (high or low)
Baby whether you're high or low (high or low)
You gotta tip on the tightrope (tip, tip on it)
Yeah, tip on the tightrope (tip, tip on it)
Baby, baby, baby
Whether you're high or low (high or low)
Baby whether you're high or low (high or low)
Tip on the tightrope (tip, tip on it)
Baby let me see you tight rope (tip, tip on it)
And I'm still tippin' on it 

You gotta keep your balance
Or you fall into the gap
It's a challenge but I manage
Cause I'm cautious with the strap
Do damage to your cabbage that
A doctor cannot patch
Why you don't want no friction
Like the back of a matchbook
Daddy Fat Sax will fold you
And your MacBook
Close shows, shut you down
Before we go-go backwards
Act up, and whether we high or low
We gonna get back-up
Like the Dow Jones and NASDAQ
Sorta like a thong in an ass crack
Come on

I tip on alligators and little rattlesnakers
But I'm another flavor
Something like a terminator
Ain't no equivocating
I fight for what I believe
Why you talkin' 'bout it
J-j-just talkin' 'bout it
Some callin' me a sinner
Some callin' me a winner
I'm callin' you to dinner
And you know exactly what I mean
Yeah I'm talkin bout you
You can rock or you can leave
Watch me tip without you

N-n-now whether I'm high or low
(High or low)
Whether I'm high or low
(High or low)
I'm gonna tip on the tightrope
(Tip, tip on it)
Mmm
(Tip, tip on it)

Baby, baby, baby
Whether I'm high or low
(High or low)
High or low
(High or low)
I got to tip on the tightrope
(Tip, tip on it)
Now baby tip on the tightrope

You can't get too high
(You can't get too high)
I said you can't get too low
(We can't get too low)
Cause you get too high
(You can't get too high)
No, you'll surely be low
(No, you'll surely be low)
1, 2, 3, ho!

Yeah, yeah
Now shut up, yeah
Yeah, now put some voodoo on it
Ladies and gentlemen, the funkiest horn section in Metropolis
Yeah, oh
We call that classy brass

Ohh ohh
Oh!

Do you mind?
If I play the ukulele
Just like a little lady
Do you mind?
If I play the ukulele
Just like a little lady

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe ( /mɵˈneɪ/; born December 1, 1985) is an American R&B/soul musician signed to Bad Boy Records and Atlantic Records. more »

3 fans

Written by: Charles L Joseph, Janelle Monae Robinson, Nathaniel Irvin, Antwan Patton

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Release Details
"Tightrope" is a song by American singer Janelle Monáe, featured on her debut studio album "The ArchAndroid", which was released in 2010.
Chart Performance
The song peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Heatseekers Songs chart.
Genre Classification
It is a blend of pop, funk, and soul music, demonstrating Monáe's eclectic musical style.
Collaborations
The noteworthy track features OutKast's Big Boi. Monáe and Big Boi have a long history of collaborating back from her earlier career starts.
Video Recognition
The music video of "Tightrope" received a nomination at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards for "Best Choreography".
Lyrical Theme
The song's lyrics address the struggle of maintaining balance while navigating through hardships and struggles.
Critical Reception
"Tightrope" received highly positive reviews from music critics. In fact, it was listed in several end-of-year lists and decade summaries as one of the greatest songs.
Soundtrack Feature
The song was featured in popular culture, including the soundtrack for the video game NBA 2K13.
Song's Influence
"Tightrope" is considered as one of Monáe's signature songs, which helped in establishing her narrative style in music and performance.
Live Performances
Monáe often performs "Tightrope" live with spectacular dance routines, showcasing her multi-talented performance abilities.
Activism
The song has been used in various social and cultural contexts, including the Black Lives Matter movements, pointing towards Monáe's activism.
Commercial Usage
"Tightrope" has been used in several TV commercials, including a Sonos commercial featuring Q-Tip.
Awards and Recognition
It was named the number one song in the year 2010 by Pitchfork, a respected online music publication.
Sampling Usage
The song has been sampled by various artists in different songs, showing its widespread influence and popularity.
Inspiration
Monáe has stated that she took inspiration from the tightrope walkers for this song, symbolizing the fine line she walks as a woman in the music industry.

Discuss the Tightrope Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Tightrope Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 15 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/28314739/Janelle+Mon%C3%A1e/Tightrope>.

    Missing lyrics by Janelle Monáe?

    Know any other songs by Janelle Monáe? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Tightrope

    28M
    221.5K     4,692

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Adele: "So hello from the other side, I must've called a ______ times".
    A thousands
    B hundreds
    C thousand
    D hundred

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Janelle Monáe tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Tightrope

    »