Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Nate 'Rocket' Wonder
Nate 'Rocket' Wonder
Guitar
Roman GianArthur
Roman GianArthur
Organ
Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu
Vocals
Lance Powlis
Lance Powlis
Trumpet
DJ Cutmaster Swiff
DJ Cutmaster Swiff
Scratches
Grace Shim
Grace Shim
Cello
Kellindo Parker
Kellindo Parker
Rhythm Guitar
The Wondaland ArchOrchestra
The Wondaland ArchOrchestra
Strings
Alexander Page
Alexander Page
Violin
Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe
Vocals
Terrence Brown
Terrence Brown
Wurlitzer Piano
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Charles Joseph II
Charles Joseph II
Songwriter
Janelle Monáe Robinson
Janelle Monáe Robinson
Songwriter
Kellis Parker Jr.
Kellis Parker Jr.
Songwriter
Nathaniel Irvin III
Nathaniel Irvin III
Songwriter
Roman GianArthur Irvin
Roman GianArthur Irvin
Songwriter
Chuck Lightning
Chuck Lightning
Arranger
Nate 'Rocket' Wonder
Nate 'Rocket' Wonder
String Arranger
Roman GianArthur
Roman GianArthur
Arranger
Lance Powlis
Lance Powlis
Horn Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Chuck Lightning
Chuck Lightning
Producer
Nate 'Rocket' Wonder
Nate 'Rocket' Wonder
Recording Engineer
Roman GianArthur
Roman GianArthur
Recording Engineer
Alverne "Verne" Emmanuel
Alverne "Verne" Emmanuel
Mixing Engineer
Kenneth Richmond
Kenneth Richmond
Assistant Mixing Engineer
Neal Pogue
Neal Pogue
Mixing Engineer
Wonder & Lightning
Wonder & Lightning
Producer
Larry Anthony
Larry Anthony
Mastering Engineer
Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe
Recording Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Girl, this is craziness
Let me tell you
[Verse 2]
I can't believe all of the things they say about me
Walk in the room, they throwing shade left to right
They be like, "Ooh, she serving face"
And I just tell 'em cut me up and get down
They call us dirty 'cause we break all your rules down
And we just came to act a fool, is that all right? (Girl, that's alright)
They be like, "Ooh, let them eat cake"
But we eat wings and throw them bones on the ground
[Chorus]
Am I a freak for dancing round?
Am I a freak for getting down?
I'm cutting up, don't cut me down
And, yeah, I wanna be, wanna be me
[Verse 3]
Is it peculiar that she twerk in the mirror?
And am I weird to dance alone late at night?
And is it true we're all insane?
And I just tell 'em, "No we ain't" and get down
I heard this life is just a play with no rehearsal
I wonder will this be my final act tonight
And tell me what's the price of fame?
Am I a sinner with my skirt on the ground?
[Chorus]
Am I a freak for dancing round?
Am I a freak for getting down?
I'm cutting up, don't cut me down
And, yeah, I wanna be, wanna be
[Verse 4]
Hey, brother, can you save my soul from the devil?
Say is it weird to like the way she wear her tights?
And is it rude to wear my shades?
Am I a freak because I love watching Mary? (Maybe)
Hey, sister, am I good enough for your heaven?
Say will your God accept me in my black and white?
Will he approve the way I'm made?
Or should I reprogram the program and get down?
[Chorus]
Am I a freak for dancing round?
Am I a freak for getting down?
I'm cutting up, don't cut me down
And yeah, I wanna be, wanna be
[Chorus]
Even if it makes others uncomfortable
I will love who I am
Even if it makes others uncomfortable
I will love who I am
[Verse 5]
Shake till the break of dawn
Don't mean to sing so tough
I can't take it no more
Baby, me in tuxedo groove
Pharaohs and E. Badu
Crazy in the black and white
We got the drums so tight
Baby, here comes the freedom song
Too strong, we moving on
Baby, this melody
Will show you another way
Been 'droids for far too long
Come home and sing your song
But you gotta testify
Because the booty don't lie
No, no, no, the booty don't lie
Oh no, the booty don't lie
[Bridge]
Yeah, yeah, let's flip it
I don't think they understand what I'm trying to say
Yeah, uh, I asked a question like this
[Verse 6]
Are we a lost generation of our people?
Add us to equations, but they'll never make us equal
She who writes the movie own the script and the sequel
So why ain't the stealing of my rights made illegal?
They keep us underground working hard for the greedy
But when it's time to pay they turn around and call us needy
My crown too heavy like the Queen Nefertiti
Gimme back my pyramid, I'm trying to free Kansas City
Mixing masterminds like your name Bernie Grundman
Well, I'ma keep leading like a young Harriet Tubman
You can take my wings, but I'm still gon' fly
And even when you edit me, the booty don't lie
Yeah, keep singing and I'ma keep writing songs
I'm tired of Marvin asking me, "What's Going On?"
March to the streets 'cause I'm willing and I'm able
Categorize me, I defy every label
And while you're selling dope, we're gon' keep selling hope
We rising up now, you gotta deal, you gotta cope
Will you be electric sheep?
Electric ladies, will you sleep?
Or will you preach?
Written by: Charles Joseph II, Janelle Monáe Robinson, Kellis Parker Jr., Nathaniel Irvin III, Roman GianArthur Irvin
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