"Keep It Movin'" is a song featured in the 2023 musical film The Color Purple, based on the Broadway musical of the same name, which in turn is based on the 1982 novel by Alice Walker. The song is performed by Halle Bailey and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, who play the roles of Celie Harris Johnson and Nettie Harris, two sisters separated by their abusive step-father. The song expresses their bond and their determination to overcome their hardships.
Background[]
The song was co-written by Bailey, along with Nova Wav, a Grammy-winning record production and songwriting duo composed of Denisia Andrews and Brittany Coney, and Morten Ristorp, a Danish producer who has worked with artists such as Beyoncé and Justin Bieber. Nova Wav was involved in the project by the film's director, Blitz Bazawule, who had previously collaborated with them on Beyoncé's 2020 visual album Black Is King. The song is one of the several duet songs featured in the film, along with "What About Love?", performed by Fantasia Barrino and Taraji P. Henson, who play Celie and Shug Avery, respectively.
Lyrics[]
Nettie:
Days keep rolling by,
Just tryna keep your head up, lift it to the sky
When you get down, just dance around like you're a child
I'll never let you get too low, oohhhh
If you could be a butterfly,
I know God will take you far
Life could never break your soul
Everyday the sun don't shine
But oh
We keep it movin', keep it movin'
It's up to you the way you choose to go,
Keep it movin', keep it movin'
Nothing's gonna take you down
But oh, just let it go
Life can never break your soul
There's so much to explore, I hear a big big big world
Knocking at the door, getting a little taste
Just leaves you wanting more
We can't be quiet like before
If you could be a butterfly
I know God will take you far
Life could never break your soul
Everyday the sun don't shine
But oh, we keep it movin', keep it movin'
It's up to you the way you choose to go
Keep it movin', keep it movin'
Nothing's gonna take you down
But oh, just let it go
Life can never break your soul
Tryin', rayin', pushin'
Aimin', smilin', takin' it all in
Tryin'
Celie:
Tryin'
Nettie:
Prayin'
Celie:
Prayin'
Nettie:
Pushin'
Celie:
Pushin'
Nettie:
Aimin'
Celie:
Aimin'
Nettie:
Smilin'
Celie:
Smilin'
'Nettie:
Takin' it
Celie:
All in
Nettie:
Everyday the sun don’t shine
But oh
We keep it movin’
Celie:
Keep it movin'
Nettie:
Keep it movin'
Celie:
Keep it movin'
Nettie:
It's up to us
The way you choose to go,
Keep it movin'
Celie:
Keep it movin'
Nettie:
Keep it movin'
Celie:
Keep it movin'
Nettie:
Nothing's gonna take you down
But oh
Both:
Wherever we go
Life can never break our soul
Exclusive
New Halle
Let's go
Days keep rollin' by (Woo)
Just tryna keep your head uplifted to the sky
And when you get down, just get dance around like you're a child (Woo)
I'll never let you get too low, oh (Ooh, woo)
If you could be a butterfly
And I know God will take you far
Life can never break your soul (Let's go)
Every day the sun don't shine, but oh
Keep it movin', keep it movin'
It's up to you what way you chose to go
Keep it movin', keep it movin'
Nothing's gonna take you down, oh
Just let it go (Go)
Life can never break your soul (Ah, break it down)
Keep on movin'
Don't stop, like the hands of time (Let it rock)
Tryin' (Tryin'), prayin' (Prayin')
Pushin' (Pushin'), Amen (Amen)
Smilin' (Smilin'), takin' it all in
Tryin', prayin'
Pushin', Amеn
Smilin', takin' it in (Sun don't shine)
Every day the sun don't shinе, but oh
Keep it movin', keep it movin'
It's up to you the way you chose to go
Keep it movin', keep it movin'
Nothing's gonna take you down, oh
Just let it go (Go)
Life can never break your soul (Woo)
Keep on movin'
Don't stop (Woo)
Keep on movin'
Wake it up, oh (I like this)
Keep on movin'
Yeah, yeah, oh
The time will come your way, yeah (Time will come your way)
(Oh, let's go)
Every day the sun don't shine, but oh
Keep it movin', keep it movin' (Woo)
It's up to you the way you chose to go
Keep it movin', keep it movin'
Nothing's gonna take you down, oh
Wherever we go (Go)
Life can never break your soul (Woo)
Oh, Halle, this joint fire
