Learn the meaning behind Uncovering the Deeper Significance of Kelis – "Milkshake" to gain a deeper understanding of the song.

“Milkshake” is about that certain je ne sais quoi that women have that men want.

Kelis says that she intended the song to be funny, cheeky, and delightful. She says that it shouldn’t be taken too seriously. Although the Grammy-winning singer has released songs over the intervening 20 years, she now thinks of herself as a mother of two boys and a girl, a chef, and a farmer as well as a star. She loves the fact that the can “poke” the song and create “a new phase” for the song among new fans. The funniest part about her passion for being a chef is that she’s never even made a milkshake!

The “Interesting” Sound

“The Neptunes” wrote the song. That duo of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo had been to Brazil and heard the rhythms and melodies of that country. Williams was moved and told Hugo that he wanted to do something that captured that feeling. He went further than just imitating Brazilian music, however. He convinced Hugo to collaborate in adding Asian elements to the song instead of just writing “booty-shaking music.” The effect contributes to the “little something” about the song that drove it up to No. 3 on the Billboard 100 in 2003 and kept it relevant even 20 years later. The Neptunes’ idea was also to craft the song in such a way that it would impress Brazilians by being just different enough to show them something new about their own music.

The Super Bowl Ad

Kelis only appeared in the Super Bowl ad for about four seconds, but the fact that those four seconds evoke 20 years of memories only highlights the power of “Milkshake.” The irony of the ad is that Diddy chooses the song “What is Love?” that was so successfully spoofed by “Saturday Night Live’s” silk-suited, sideways-head-bopping dance duo. The bit about the Norwegians singing about the fox while in costume, which follows Kelis’s brief appearance, only emphasizes the surreal quality of the ad.

Other Media

Besides the hilarious Super Bowl ad, the song is featured in an impressive array of three dozen television soundtracks. These include hits like “2 Broke Girls,” “Ugly Betty,” and “Malcolm in the Middle.” When it comes to movies, its appearances are mostly in comedy films, such as “Date Movie,” “Identity Thief,” and “Mean Girls” where the directors pick it for different scenes that show different comedic elements.

Lyrics

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard
And they’re like, it’s better than yours
Damn right it’s better than yours
I can teach you, but I have to charge
My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard
And they’re like, it’s better than yours
Damn right it’s better than yours
I can teach you, but I have to charge

I know you want it
The thing that makes me
What the guys go crazy for
They lose their minds
The way I wind
I think it’s time

La la, la la, la
Warm it up
La la, la la, la
The boys are waiting
La la, la la, la
Warm it up
La la, la la, la
The boys are waiting

I can see you’re on it
You want me to teach the
Techniques that freaks these boys
It can’t be bought
Just know, thieves get caught
Watch if you’re smart

La la, la la, la
Warm it up
La la, la la, la
The boys are waiting
La la, la la, la
Warm it up
La la, la la, la
The boys are waiting

Oh, once you get involved
Everyone will look this way, so
You must maintain your charm
Same time maintain your halo
Just get the perfect blend
Plus what you have within
Then next his eyes’ll squint
Then he’s picked up your scent

La la, la la, la
Warm it up
La la, la la, la
The boys are waiting
La la, la la, la
Warm it up
La la, la la, la
The boys are waiting

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Chad Hugo / Pharrell L. Williams

Listeners of Pop music, might also appreciate the song Umbrella by Rihanna.

Uncovering the Deeper Significance of Kelis – “Milkshake”

The “Interesting” Sound

The Super Bowl Ad

Other Media

Lyrics

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