Song Meaning

Erykah Badu's "Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)" isn't some coy exploration of desire; it's a brazen, almost satirical, plunge into the psyche of a modern-day gold digger. The track operates on multiple levels, simultaneously embodying and critiquing the transactional nature of some relationships. Badu isn't just singing about wanting money; she's performing a character, "Sunny Bunny," who is unapologetically direct about her motivations. The almost cartoonish persona allows Badu to explore the lengths to which someone might go to secure financial stability, blurring the lines between genuine connection and calculated manipulation. The repetition of "Can't turn me away (get munny)" functions as both a demand and a darkly humorous mantra. It's a challenge to the listener, daring them to judge while simultaneously acknowledging the pervasive influence of money in shaping human interactions. The song's brilliance lies in its ability to make us question the sincerity of intentions, both within the context of the song and in our own lives. Beneath the surface of Badu's provocative lyrics lies a commentary on societal expectations and gender roles. The line, "I look like a model, I'll do what I gotta to stay in the runnin'," speaks volumes about the pressures placed on women to maintain a certain image in order to succeed, even if that success is defined by financial gain through relationships. The bridge, with its talk of "chemical" love and "ego stroke," hints at the addictive nature of both money and the validation it can bring. It's a cycle of desire and fulfillment, where genuine emotion becomes secondary to the pursuit of material wealth. The predatory tone, solidified by the line "I am a predator, hey," is jarring, yet it forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that power dynamics in relationships can often be skewed, with both parties potentially exploiting each other for different ends. The outro adds another layer of complexity to the song's meaning. The seemingly off-the-cuff remarks, like "I ain't messin' with the broke, broke," reinforce the persona's materialistic nature, but also introduce an element of vulnerability. It's as if the mask slips for a moment, revealing the anxieties and insecurities that might drive someone to prioritize financial security above all else. Is it empowerment, or a reflection of deeper societal issues? "Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)" doesn't offer easy answers; instead, Erykah Badu uses her artistry to provoke thought and spark a conversation about the complex interplay of love, money, and power in the modern world.

Erykah Badu - R&B, Funk

Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)

16.5K Plays

Duration: 5:26

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[ntro: Erykah Badu] What'sa matter, is he drunk? (I ain't said nothin') Yeah, he drunk Get munny Get munny Get munny (gone) Get munny [Hook] Can't turn me away (get munny) I believe, in your heart, I'll always want to stay Can't turn me away (get munny) I believe, in your heart, I'll always want to stay [Verse 1] Oooh can't lie to you honey I just want ya money Hi, I'm Sunny Bunny Don't, run from me tryin to Get away, just, say, o-kay Cause munny I want you bad, la-la, la-la I, look like a model I'll, do what I gotta To, stay in the runnin Cause, I want you, munny Gimme some, I'll, be, the, one backstage Cause munny I want you bad, la-la, la-la [Hook] Can't turn me away (get munny) I believe, in your heart, I'll always want to stay Can't turn me away (get munny) I believe, in your heart, I'll always want to stay Can't turn me away (get munny) I believe, in your heart, I'll always want to stay Can't turn me away (get munny) I believe, in your heart, I'll always want to stay I'll, wait on your doorstep 'til, you let me come in Hey, I'll be your best friend Say, munny, can you come out and play? I'll, stay, or, I'll come back Cause munny I want you bad, la-la, la-la Fresher than the others I'll, cook like your mother I, I'll bring the honey You, just bring the money Fingers crossed behind, my, back Cause munny I want you bad, la-la, la-la [Hook] Can't turn me away (get munny) I believe, in your heart, I'll always want to stay Can't turn me away (get munny) I believe, in your heart, I'll always want to stay Can't turn me away (get munny) I believe, in your heart, I'll always want to stay Can't turn me away (get munny) I believe, in your heart, I'll always want to stay [Bridge] This, love is chemical Electic particle Down, to the minimal Tickle tickle, ego stroke I, love your follicles I, know you've heard it all You, know that I am skilled In just, how you want to feel Ooh! Uh-oh! Dropped your knot Scoop it up, put it in my sock (uh) I'll, be your robot girl Come, in to meet my world (I want you bad), boy lemme drive your car I am a predator, hey Cause munny I want you bad, la-la, la-la [Hook] Can't turn me away (get munny) I believe, in your heart, I'll always want to stay Can't turn me away (get munny) I believe, in your heart, I'll always want to stay Can't turn me away (get munny) I believe, in your heart, I'll always want to stay Can't turn me away (get munny) I believe, in your heart, I'll always want to stay [audience claps and cheers] Way-oh, thank you [Outro] (Um, cause I ain't saying I'm a gold digger) (Uhh, do you have that number to that other bass player?) (Well, I ain't messin' with the broke, broke) (three-fo'-five-five-one-two-two-two-two -seven-eight-nine-nine-eleven-twelve-twelve-twelve) (That was pretty, y'all was right)

Credits

Writers: Roy Ayers
Erykah Badu
Sylvia Striplin
James Bedford

Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)

Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)

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Credits