On & On

Erykah Badu

About On & On

"On & On" is the debut single of neo-soul singer Erykah Badu, from her 1997 debut album Baduizm. The song won Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 1998 Grammy Awards. The hit song spent two weeks at number-one on the U. S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and went to #12 on the U. S. Billboard Hot 100, it reached the same position on the UK Singles Chart. It was also the first neo soul song to hit number-one on the R&B chart.


3:46
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Oh, my, my, my
I'm feeling high
My money's gone
I'm all alone
Too much to see
The world keeps turnin'
Oh, what a day
What a day, what a day

Peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learned
If your knowledge were your wealth 
Then it would be well-earned

If we were made in his image
Then call us by our names
Most intellects do not believe in God 
But they fear us just the same

Oh, on and on and on and on
(My cypher keeps moving like a rolling stone)
Woo, on and on and on and on
(All night 'til the break of dawn)
I go on and on and on and on
(My cypher keeps moving like a rolling stone)
Ooh, on and on and on and on
(God dammit I'mma sing my song)

I was born underwater
With three dollars and six dimes
Yeah you might laugh
'Cause you did not do your math

Like one, two, three
Damn, y'all feel that? Oh
Line one, two, three
The world keeps turning
Oh what a day, what a day, what a day

The man that knows something 
Knows that he knows nothing at all
Does it seem colder in your summertime 
And hotter in your fall?
If we were made in his image 
Then call us by our names
Most intellects do not believe in God 
But they fear us just the same

Oh, on and on and on and on
(My cypher keeps moving like a rolling stone)
On and on and on and on
(All night 'til the vultures swarm)
I go on and on and on and on
(My cypher keeps moving like a rolling stone)
On and on and on and on
(Mad props to the god JaBorn)

I am feeling kinda hungry 'cause my high is coming down
Don't feed me yours 'cause your food does not endure
I think I need a cup of tea, the world keeps burnin'
Oh, what a day, what a day, what a day

You rush into destruction 'cause you don't have nothin' left
The mothership can't save you so your ass is gon' get left
If we were made in his image then call us by our names
Most intellects do not believe in God 
But they fear us just the same

Oh, on and on and on and on
(My cypher keeps moving like a rolling stone)
Oh, on and on and on and on
(You can't f*ck with me so just leave me alone)
Ooh, ooh, way on and on and on and on
(My cypher keeps moving like a rolling stone)
Oh, on and on and on and on
(And on and on)

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Erykah Badu

Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971), better known by her stage name Erykah Badu /ˈɛrɨkə bɑːˈduː/, is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, record producer, activist and actress. Her work includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz. She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre, and for her eccentric, cerebral musical stylings and sense of fashion. She is known as the "First Lady of Neo-Soul" or the "Queen of Neo-Soul". more »

4 fans

Written by: Jahmal D. Cantero, Erica Wright

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Album Classification
"On & On" is the lead single from Erykah Badu's debut album "Baduizm", which was released in 1997.
Award Recognition
The song won the Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1998.
Chart Rankings
"On & On" was well received and reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the same release year.
Genre Fusion
The song is recognized for its fusion of R&B, soul and jazz music.
Echoing A Legacy
It was been compared to the works of iconic artists like Billie Holiday for its neo-soul sound.
Cultural Influence
"On & On" is credited with helping to popularize neo-soul subgenre in the late '90s.
About the Song
Erykah Badu has explained that the song's lyrics are about how we continue in our thoughts, concepts and philosophies, hence the title "On & On."
Inspirational Source
The song references the film "The Color Purple" in its lyrics.
Visual Artistry
The music video for "On & On" was shot in black and white, featuring Badu as multiple characters and using symbolic imagery.
New Artist Beginnings
This song stood as a significant introduction of Erykah Badu as an artist, marking the start of her successful career.
Songwriting Credits
The song was written by Erykah Badu and Jaborn Jamal, also known as Jah Born.
Music Production
"On & On" was produced by Erykah Badu and JaBorn Jamal.
Ecological Metaphors
References to Mother Nature and the cycle of life are common throughout the song's lyrics.
Soulful Performance
The song embodies Badu's unique vocal style, using soulful performance techniques typical of the neo-soul genre.
Release Format
"On & On" was released as a single with an accompanying B-side track, a cover of the Marvin Gaye song "The Dance."

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    On & On

    49.8M
    401.7K     11,935

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1997

    Billboard #12


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