I’m sure you already know this.
But the Milkshake lyrics meaning has nothing to do with an actual milkshake.
Maybe Kelis does make a killer milkshake, but it still isn’t bringing any boys to her yard.
So what do the lyrics actually mean, then?
It’s not exactly clear.
That means it is up to interpretation, though there is a general consensus about the overall meaning.
And Kelis has provided some insight herself, as well. So let’s take a look.
Table of Contents
Milkshake Lyrics And Meaning
Kelis released Milkshake in 2003. It was written and produced by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo from The Neptunes and turned into an instant hit.
It reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot Dance Club Songs chart. The song stayed at number 3 consecutively for five weeks. The song is still recognized today and may never lose its charm.
“Milkshake” was also successful in other countries, such as the UK, where it peaked at number 2 on the singles chart and stayed there for 4 weeks consecutively. It also reached the top five in countries such as Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.
What many people don’t know is that the track wasn’t initially supposed to go to Kelis, but was offered to Britney Spears to feature on her In the Zone album.
We don’t know whether Britney Spears turned the song down, or whether it was someone on her team. Either way, it was the best decision for Kelis’s. It is the song that has defined her career.
When Kelis first heard the song, she wanted it to be the first single from her upcoming album, Tasty.
The music video, which is just as iconic as the song, has themes of seduction and feminine energy attached to it. It’s set in a classic American diner where Kelis confidently interacts with customers, showing off her strong sense of charm and allure. The video then features choreography, which shows off Kelis’s control and confidence.
There was plenty of praise for Milkshake after it was released. Many critics called it groundbreaking and complimented Kelis’ vocals. They said the song had a playful message and was fun and upbeat.
Due to the song being so iconic, Milkshake has been featured in a variety of films, with the most popular being Mean Girls, and Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.
Milkshake Lyrics
Chorus
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
Verse 1
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
Pre-Chorus
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
Chorus
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
Verse 2
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
Pre-Chorus
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
Chorus
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
Bridge
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
Pre-Chorus
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
Chorus
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
Milkshake Meaning
There can be many interpretations of Milkshake, since the lyrics to the song are so open. Most people associate Milkshake with feminine sexuality, sexual confidence, and self-assurance. The word “milkshake” is used as a metaphor for all of these concepts.
The main line from the chorus goes, “My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard,” and this is the part of the song that has been widely interpreted.
However, most presume it’s sexual confidence that makes people keep coming back. Then, the verses of the song suggest that Kelis has a secret formula for attraction and seduction.
Other people interpret the use of milkshake to refer to a woman in physical ways. For example, it could be down to her hair, her body, or the way she dresses that keeps bringing the boys to the yard.
Another form of “milkshake” could be the way that a woman dances, since this is something that can attract men to her. It’s the countless interpretations that make this song what it is, and a big reason it is so popular. People can interpret as they wish, giving themselves a sense of confidence.
When speaking in interviews, Kelis has said that Milkshake is supposed to be a song that can give an individual woman some confidence because her “milkshake” is what makes her different and gives her that sense of individuality.
Because of this meaning, the song has had a lasting impact on pop culture, even twenty years later. It has become a song that instantly empowers women, but that appeals to both men and women.
Milkshake Lyrics Meaning: Final Thoughts
In the end, the word “milkshake” can mean whatever you want it to mean, although the overall Milkshake lyrics meaning has to do with female confidence and empowerment. From that standpoint, the “milkshake” in the song is something like a catch-all phrase to describe a woman’s allure and attractiveness.
What is important is the feeling you get from the song. As a woman, I think Kelis succeeded in her attempt to make a song that can give each individual female listener some confidence. It always did so for me.
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