Float

"**Float**" is the lead single off of Janelle Monáe's upcoming fourth studio album. It was released on February 16, 2023, featuring Nigerian musician Seun Kuti and his band, Egypt 80. Monáe stated that the track was "inspired by Muhammed Ali talking shit in Zaire, 1974, Jane's evolution, Mary Poppins' umbrella, Aladdin's magic carpet, Ja Morant's flotation to the rim while dunking on his ops, Sara Elise's ropes, excerpts from Paramahmsa Nithyananda's talks on levitation, Raul's toast on Dec 1, and Bruce Lee's mighty philosophy on being 'shapeless, formless,' and becoming one with your surroundings, to be like water."

## Background

Monáe first leaked a snippet over social media on their 35th birthday on December 1, 2022, where she stated, "Best way to describe how I'm feeling on this birthday. It's float season for me baby. Floating in gratitude. 🥹feeling much lighter. Fucked around and got more FREE." The song also appeared in several promotions for the NBA season as its anthem, where Monáe attended the NBA All-Star Weekend Celebrity Game on February 17 to discuss the partnership.

Upon its release, they declared, "Ahhhh it feels good to be releasing music!! Sending love and waves to everyone who takes the time to listen! I pray you hold these words close to your heart cause they came straight from mine."

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Intro: Janelle Monáe, *Nate Wonder*]

I can't hear myself (*Float, float, float, float*)

Yeah

(*When I see you, I float, float, float, float, float, float*) Yeah

No, I'm—, no, I'm not—, no, I'm not the same

No, I'm not the same, no, I'm not the same, no, I'm not the—, uh

No, I'm not the same, uh

I think I done changed, yeah

(*I just float*) Woo, woo woo

[Verse 1: Janelle Monáe, *Nate Wonder*]

No, I'm not the same, n\*\*\*a (*When I see you, I*)

I think I done changed, n\*\*\*a, uh (*See you, I*)

See somethin' not the same, n\*\*\*a (*When I see you, I*)

I used to walk into the room head down

I don't walk, now I float

[Chorus: Janelle Monáe]

Float on 'em, I float on 'em, just float

They hangin' on to that Goose down in my coat

Float on 'em, I float on 'em, just float

I don't step, I don't walk, I don't dance, I just

Float, float, float, float

I don't dance, I just

Float, float, mm, float, float, float

Mm, I just float

[Verse 2: Janelle Monáe]

I'm light as a feather, I'm light as a feather, yeah, baby, I float

It's hard to look at my resume, hoo, and not find a reason to toast

She throwin' that thang in a circle, makin' in viral, I might just elope

Say, "Listen lil' mama, you like shibari? Watch while I show you the ropes"

I used to let n\*\*\*as get to me, I used to be my own enemy

Now I done had several epiphanies over some breakfast at Tiffany's

Had to forgive all my frenemies, they are not who they pretend to be

I had to protect all my energy, I'm feelin' much lighter, now I

[Chorus: Janelle Monáe]

Float, float on 'em, I float on 'em, just float

They hangin' onto that Goose down in my coat

Float on 'em, I float on 'em, just float

I don't step, I don't walk, I don't dance, I just

Float, float, float, float

I don't dance, I just

Float, float, mm, float, float, float

Mm, I just float

[Verse 3: Janelle Monáe]

All white attire, check out the robe, I'm fresh like a pope

I'm doin' my dance on catamarans, and you gotta cope

I'm countin' my blessings, we ain't stressin', just look at this glow

I got that magic, I'm really prepared for whatever, whenever so who want the smoke?

Came back from the future to take all y'all n\*\*\*as and take all y'all hoes

They said I was bi, yeah, baby, I'm by a whole 'nother coast

She stay in the Hills, he stay in Atlanta, I paid for them both

My face card don't come with a limit, I swipe it, I spend it, I swear I be doin' the most

[Chorus: Janelle Monáe]

Float, float on 'em, I float on 'em, just float (Mm)

They hangin' on to that Goose down in my coat

Float on 'em, I float on 'em, just float

I don't step, I don't walk, I don't dance, I just

Float, float, float, float

I don't dance, I just

Float, float, mm, float, float, float

[Outro: Nate Wonder]

(**When I see you, I float, float, float, float, float, float**)

Alright, I have a toast if you're willing to repeat it (*Yeah*)

Repeat after me (*Alright*)

To the lives we lead (*To the lives we lead*)

To the dreams we chase (*To the dreams we chase*)

To the moments that we make (*To the moments that we make*)

And the fucked up shit we can't erase (*And the fucked up shit we can't erase, woo*)

## References

1. ↑ Williams, Aaron (February 16, 2023). "Janelle Monáe Takes Some Time to 'Float' on Her Recent Successes with Seun Kuti and Egypt 80". *Uproxx*.
2. ↑ "Janelle Monáe (@JanelleMonae)". *Twitter*. December 1, 2022.
3. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (February 16, 2023). "Janelle Monáe Finally Releases New Single 'Float' in Its Entirety". *Rolling Stone*.
4. ↑ Fu, Eddie (February 16, 2023). "Janelle Monáe Shares Swaggering NBA All-Star Weekend Anthem "Float": Stream". *Consequence*.
5. ↑ Mendez, Chris (February 16, 2023). "Janelle Monáe Returns to Music with New Single 'Float'". *Forbes*.

Template:Janelle Monáe songs