Tightrope – English Lyrics

• By: Janelle Monáe, Big Boi

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the art of balance with Janelle Monáe's "Tightrope," a funky anthem that teaches you how to navigate life's highs and lows with grace. Explore the vibrant world of The ArchAndroid and learn how Monáe's unique blend of funk, soul, and futuristic themes creates a powerful message of empowerment and resilience.

[English]

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, now put some voodoo on it

Ladies and gentlemen, the funkiest horn section in Metropolis

We call that classy brass

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

If I play the ukulele

If I play my ukulele

Just like a little lady

Cause I'm a little lady

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
balance /ˈbæləns/ B1	noun - an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright
dance /dæns/ A1	verb - to move rhythmically to music
lead /liːd/ B1	verb - to guide or direct
manage /ˈmænɪdʒ/ B2	verb - to succeed in doing something difficult
scene /siːn/ B1	noun - the place where an event happens
dreams /driːmz/ A2	noun - a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep
high /haɪ/ A2	adjective - far above the ground
low /loʊ/ A2	adjective - near the ground
tightrope /ˈtaɪtˌroʊp/ B2	noun - a rope stretched tightly between two points, used by performers
tip /tɪp/ A2	verb - to incline or lean
walk /wɔːk/ A1	verb - to move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot
blame /bleɪm/ B1	verb - to assign responsibility for a fault or wrong
damage /ˈdæmɪdʒ/ B2	verb - to cause harm or impairment to
friction /ˈfrɪkʃən/ C1	noun - the resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another
flavor /ˈfleɪvər/ B1	noun - the distinctive taste of something
believe /bɪˈliːv/ A2	verb - to accept that something is true
challenge /ˈtʃælɪndʒ/ B2	noun - a task or situation that tests someone's abilities

Key Grammar Structures

• Cause they can't tip on the scene

  ➔ Conjunction 'Cause' (short for 'because') introducing a reason.

  ➔

• You gotta tip on the tightrope

  ➔ Use of 'got to' (must) to express necessity or obligation.

  ➔

• Whether you're high or low

  ➔ Use of 'whether' to introduce alternative possibilities or choices.

  ➔

• You can't get too high or too low

  ➔ Use of 'can't' (cannot) to express prohibition or impossibility.

  ➔

• It's a challenge but I manage

  ➔ 'Manage' used as a verb meaning to succeed in doing something difficult.

  ➔

• Come on

  ➔ Phrase used as an imperative or encouragement to prompt action or response.

  ➔

• You can rock or you can leave

  ➔ Use of 'can' as a modal verb to express possibility or choice.

  ➔