Make Me Feel

“Make Me Feel” is the lead single from Janelle Monáe’s third studio album Dirty Computer. The song was premiered by Zane Lowe on his Beats 1 radio show. Regarding the track, Monae told Lowe: "I actually had this title on this concept before my first album The ArchAndroid, and it scared me because a lot of the things that I knew that I needed to say were very deep, very personal, from the heart. You know, this is an extremely vulnerable album and it took me a while to make it because I’m a self editor." The song is vaguely reminiscent of “Kiss” by the late Prince who was both a friend to and a heavy influence on Janelle, appearing on her previous album The Electric Lady. Janelle also told The Guardian Prince was helping her with this album prior to his death. A music video for the song was released the same day as the single. The song was an instant critical darling, with Pitchfork naming it a “Best New Track” mere hours after its release.

[Verse 1] Baby, don’t make me spell it out for you All of the feelings that I've got for you Can't be explained, but I can try for you Yeah, baby, don't make me spell it out for you You keep on asking me the same questions (why?) And second-guessing all my intentions Should know by the way I use my compression That you've got the answers to my confessions [Pre-Chorus] It's like I'm powerful with a little bit of tender An emotional sexual bender Mess me up, yeah, but no one does it better There's nothin' better [Chorus] That's just the way you make me feel (That's just the way you make me feel) That's just the way you make me feel (That's just the way you make me feel) So good, so good, so fuckin' real (So good, so good, so fuckin' real) That's just the way you make me feel (That's just the way you make me feel) That's just the way you make me feel [Verse 2] You know I love it, so please don't stop it You got me right here in your jean pocket (right now) Laying your body on a shag carpet (oh) You know I love it so please don't stop it [Pre-Chorus] It's like I'm powerful with a little bit of tender An emotional sexual bender Mess me up, yeah, but no one does it better There's nothin' better [Chorus] That's just the way you make me feel (That's just the way you make me feel) That's just the way you make me feel (That's just the way you make me feel) So good, so good, so fuckin' real (So good, so good, so fuckin' real) That's just the way you make me feel (That's just the way you make me feel) That's just the way you make me feel [Bridge] That's just the way that I feel now, baby Good God! I can't help it! Agh! Hey! That's just the way that I feel, yeah Please! I can't help it [Pre-Chorus] It's like I'm powerful with a little bit of tender An emotional, sexual bender Mess me up, yeah, but no one does it better (oh!) There's nothin' better (better!) (Damn) [Chorus] That's just the way you make me feel (That's just the way you make me feel) That's just the way you make me feel (That's just the way you make me feel) So good, so good, so fuckin' real (So good, so good, so fuckin' real) That's just the way you make me feel (That's just the way you make me feel) That's just the way you make me feel