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Locked Inside Lyrics

I'm locked inside
A land called foolish pride
Where the man is always right
He hates to talk but loves to fight
Is that all right?

On real cold days
He loans us lots of hate
But he says that we must pay
To take it all away
Is that ok?

But I'm asking you will you stay with me
In this land where we are free
And I know its rough and you've had enough
But one day we'll be happy

When I look into the future
I see danger in its eyes
Hearts of hatred rule the land
While others left outside
Killing, Bleeding Citizen
While music slowly dies
And I get frightened I, see I get frightened

Oh how, oh how I need you baby
You keep me from going crazy
I really need you baby, need you to stay
Oh how, oh how I love you baby
These people are so crazy
I really need you baby, need you to stay

She always fights, for her man but not her rights
Even though its 3005
When will we end this genocide?
And that' not right

Her children cry
No food to eat and afraid as flies
The color black means its time to die
And nobody questions why
Cause they're too scared to stop them now

But I'm asking you will you stay with me
In this land where we are free
And I know its rough and you've had enough
But one day we'll be happy

When I look into the future
I see danger in its eyes
Babies die before they're born
And no one ever smiles
The writers and the artists, all are paid to tell us lies
To keep us locked inside, they keep us locked inside

Oh how, oh how I need you baby
You keep me from going crazy
I really need you baby, need you to stay
Oh how, oh how I love you baby
These people are so crazy
I really need you baby, need you to stay

I can make a change
I can start a fire
Lord, make me love again
Father, fill me with desire
Song Info
Submitted by
dejavula On May 29, 2010
4 Meanings

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Cover art for Locked Inside lyrics by Janelle Monáe

Itspaper, I would have to disagree with your interpretation of the lyrics.

The song is a matter of race. "The Man" she is referring to is not in the classical sense of the human male, but is a reference to Caucasians. With research, one will find that African history is enriched with emotions of love and appreciation. This is why Africans have yet to invade other territories - we are satisfied with what we have. Although the Blacks in this nation should not be referred to as Africans, we are direct decedents of the people of the Motherland. One will never be able to see the oppression of the Black race unless that person is a member of it.

In reference to: "Her children cry No food to eat and afraid as flies The color black means its time to die And nobody questions why Cause they're too scared to stop them now"

A quick glance in the dictionary or thesaurus for the words "black" and "white" will reveal the meaning behind Monáe's words. Black has a strictly negative connotation as well as synonyms: plague, evil, death, treachery, sinful, and even inhuman. White, an opposition, has the meanings of purity, cleanliness, etc. These meanings are not clearly recognized by most as I just explained, but one should think: "What kind of things do I associate with blackness/darkness?" Monáe continues on to say that we (Blacks) are too afraid to stop "The Man" (Whites).

Monáe's song implies that we, Blacks, are mislead, or "locked inside" by the propaganda in today's media - that we are Whites, who are practically the sole influences of today's media sorces . . .

I find my analysis to be dead-on and conclusive.

Cover art for Locked Inside lyrics by Janelle Monáe

I always presumed that "the color black means it's time to die" was a reference to Logan's Run, where the crystal in everyone's hand turning black meant your time was up. Presumably the androids in this world are alloted a predetermined lifespan.

Cover art for Locked Inside lyrics by Janelle Monáe

the plight of women all over the world, during all ages. Great song, it hit me with the first line

Song Meaning

Itspaper, I would have to disagree with your interpretation of the lyrics.

The song is a matter of race. "The Man" she is referring to is not in the classical sense of the human male, but is a reference to Caucasians. With research, one will find that African history is enriched with emotions of love and appreciation. This is why Africans have yet to invade other territories - we are satisfied with what we have. Although the Blacks in this nation should not be referred to as Africans, we are direct decedents of the people of the...

Cover art for Locked Inside lyrics by Janelle Monáe

I can totally hear the Stevie Wonder influence here...sounds like some of the straighter tracks on "Songs in the Key of Life" or something. Decent stuff.

 
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