Funk-soul singer Janelle Monáe dropped in on “The Arsenio Hall Show” on Monday night and offered some insight on what inspired the lyrics for “Dorothy Dandridge Eyes” off her critically-acclaimed sophomore album, The Electric Lady.

[READ: Janelle Monae talks Diddy, Celebrity & Social Responsibility in Uptown Mag (PHOTOS)]

“We just wanted to pay homage to Dorothy Dandridge,” said Janelle of her duet with Esperanza Spalding. “Not only was Dorothy beautiful, but she was an activist. She really did open up doors for women of color.”

“I think it’s important that other females show appreciation for other females. We need each other.”

Janelle Monáe also performed “Electric Lady” later in the show.

Check out the videos below…

VIDEO: Janelle Monáe Explains the Lyrics from ‘Dorothy Dandridge Eyes’

VIDEO: Janelle Monáe Performs ‘Electric Lady’

What did you think of Janelle’s Arsenio Show performance?