There are not enough positive-sounding songs in this miserable world. The harsh reality is that life is a struggle for most, and even the happy and successful ones have to deal with the negative aspects of life.
Most songs and art are born out of struggle and hardship, and oppression. If everything in life was happy-go-lucky, there’d be no point writing a song about it because you are too busy enjoying yourself.
The meaning behind “About Damn Time” by Lizzo is one of those rare examples of a positive song that isn’t all yucky and preposterously pretentious. However, it initially came from a dark place.
What I am trying to say is it’s not cheesy…
…or delivering a false and fake message of happiness. But, in all honesty, that’s just the feel and vibes of the overall sound without reading into the lyrics so much. Let’s take a deeper look at the lyrics to find out what Lizzo’s song “About Damn Time” is about.
Impoverished Backgrounds Create Uplifting Songs
Do you know why 1960s Motown Soul Music was so popular with working-class people from the northern parts of England? Because downtrodden African Americans and the poorer working classes in the UK had lots in common at the time.
They both knew about hardships and the struggles of life. But, they also preferred to listen to music that turns this feeling into an upbeat vibe. One that helped them forget their impoverished surroundings. And there are many examples of this when attempting to decipher the meaning behind “About Damn Time” by Lizzo.
The song was born out of a negative scenario that could even be considered a dark place. But, Lizzo skillfully turned it into a ray of sunshine. Before I get into the nuts and bolts of the lyrics, let’s take a brief look at who Lizzo is for anyone here who is new to her work.
Who is Lizzo?
Lizzo is an American rapper, singer, and actress who is famous for creating upbeat R&B/Pop songs that are positive and infectious. Her real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson. She is originally from Detroit, Michigan, although she moved to Texas as a kid.
Between 2013 and 2022, she made four studio albums that have varying levels of success. Her filmography is even more impressive than her discography.
But that’s for another time…
Her first two studio albums, Lizzobangers in 2013 and Big Grrrl Small World in 2015, did okay. But they didn’t sell many units. She didn’t hit mainstream consciousness until her third album in 2019, Cuz I Love U. That album put her on the map and even reached #4 on the US Billboard Album chart.
The two lead singles from that album, “Tempo” featuring Missy Elliot and “Juice”, received much more exposure and acclaim than her previous tracks. The album sold 1.2 million copies in the US and is Lizzo’s biggest-selling album to date. Lizzo released her fourth studio album, Special, in 2022. She also released a single with Cardi B called “Rumors“ and “About Damn Time.”
What Do the Lyric for “About Damn Time” by Lizzo Mean?
When trying to find the meaning of “About Damn Time” by Lizzo, the chorus and pre-chorus might be the best places to start, even though they don’t come first in the track arrangement chronologically.
(Pre-Chorus)
“Oh, I been so down and under pressure – I’m way too fine to be this stressed, yeah – Oh, I’m not the girl I was or used to be, uh – Bitch, I might be better.”
(Chorus)
“Turn up the music, turn down the lights – I got a feelin’ I’m gon’ be alright – Okay (Okay), alright – It’s about damn time (Time) – Turn up the music, let’s celebrate (Alright) – I got a feelin’ I’m gon’ be okay – Okay (Okay), alright / It’s about damn time.”
Although the music sounds so uplifting…
The dark and negative place this track comes from is evident in the pre-chorus. Lizzo had been under pressure and was stressed out. This type of stuff can change anyone. Saying, “Bitch, I might be better,” shows she might have changed. But she used it to make herself bigger and better than ever before.
On the other hand, the main chorus lyrics talk about turning up the music and celebrating because everything is going to be okay. She has finally turned that negative event in her life into a positive one. And it is something that has uplifted her and made her a better person. Just like all hardships should do.
So, what is it really about?
The lyrics are about how Lizzo was depressed when making her fourth album that came out post-pandemic in 2022. It was a long wait after her third album was recorded in 2018 before the COVID-19 lockdowns. She was frustrated and wanted to get her music out there. But there were so many barriers in the way at the time.
Lizzo’s Cuz I Love You album did very well and helped her to break out. As a result, waiting over three years to release the fourth album harmed her career and exposure as an artist. And her overall mental well-being. Therefore, the title of the single “About Damn Time” now sounds rather self-explanatory.
It was about damn time that she released another album, and her fans finally got to hear Lizzo’s new music. Unsurprisingly, this song was the pressure valve finally being opened. She apparently wrote this song last once the release date of the Special album had been confirmed. This is why it sounded so upbeat in so many ways. It was a reflection of Lizzo’s feelings at that time.
“About Damn Time” Conception, Reception, and Commercial Performance
Her “About Damn Time” song was released on 14 April 2022 as the lead single from her fourth album. Today, it’s Lizzo’s most successful song reaching the top spot on the Hot 100 Billboard Charts. This was the second time she topped the US chart. Lizzo’s first #1 hit song was “Truth Hurts” in 2017.
The song also hit the upper echelons of the charts in many countries around the world. It charted at #1 in Canada, Mexico, and Japan. Likewise, it reached the Top 10 in New Zealand, Australia, Bulgaria, Belgium, the UK, and numerous other countries. It sold over two million units in the US alone and is currently 2x Platinum.
“About Damn Time” scooped Lizzo a Grammy at the 65th awards ceremony in 2022 for Record of the Year. This made Lizzo the first-ever female rapper to win a Grammy. At the same ceremony, she was also nominated in the Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year categories.
Making “About Damn Time” in the Studio
Lizzo co-wrote this song with Blake Slakin. He was quoted as saying that the basis of the track started with four simple piano chords, and then a bassline was added. At this point, Lizzo was asked to come into the studio to listen to the makeshift instrumental. She quickly created the melodies and the chorus hook.
On a side note, it took them a further four months to complete the track. It even had a different chorus at some point until they reverted to the original chorus. I think Lizzo perfectly summed up the positive concept of the track when she was quoted as saying:
“I think life had thrown some major traumas and hard experiences at us, especially globally, these last few years. And I wanted to write a song that allowed us to take a moment to celebrate our survival, and celebrate how far we’ve come.”
Want To Learn The Meaning Behind More Songs?
If so, check out our thoughts on the Meaning Behind “Purple Rain” Song By Prince, The Meaning Behind “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele, The Meaning Behind “Waterfalls” by TLC, The Meaning Behind “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson, and the Meaning Of “Pass The Dutchie” By Musical Youth for more song insights and analyses.
The Meaning Behind “About Damn Time” by Lizzo – The Final Verdict
The meaning behind Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” is about taking some negative experiences that could swamp some people and turning them into a rainbow. That type of thinking is essentially the cornerstone of Soul Music as we know it. No point in getting lost in the darkness when you can turn on the light and evaporate it all.
The passion in her vocals should have been an indication that she was not taking that nonsense. And it was about time that her fans finally got some more of her music after three long and hard COVID lockdown years.
Her frustration was fever pitch. That’s because she had just begun getting recognition in 2019 from the mainstream audience. But that was snatched away from her and her fans by the pandemic. The guile and tenacity, and never-give-up attitude of Lizzo should be an inspiration for anyone that is currently suffering hard times but wants to put in the work to turn it all around.
Until next time, enjoy the music.
