Acapella – English Lyrics

• By: Karmin
• Album: Pulses

Lyrics & Translation

“Acapella” by Karmin offers a unique opportunity to learn English through its clever wordplay and relatable themes. You can explore modern slang and idiomatic expressions used in the lyrics, while its catchy pop-rap style makes it an engaging way to practice listening comprehension and understand contemporary American English conversation. The song's empowering message of independence adds a special layer of meaning, making the language learning experience both fun and inspiring.

[English]

Used to be your baby, used to be your lady

Thought you were the perfect lover

All the harmony went fallin' out of key

So now you gotta find another

Now you're talkin' crazy, sayin' that you made me

Like I was your Cinderella

You and me are through though, watch me hit it solo

I'ma do it acapella, yeah

I'ma do it acapella, yeah

Once upon a time, I met the perfect guy

He had that Colgate smile, he had that suit and tie

Mama always said, "Get a rich boyfriend

You don't gotta love him, girl, you can pretend"

You bet I totes believed her, yeah, every word she said

Thought he was gluten-free, but all that I got was bread

Mama always said, "Nice guys finish last

Beat him at his own game, honey, take the cash"

Ooh, and what a lucky girl you will be

But no, he didn't do jack for me

I want a bean with the beanstalk

And if the magic ain't right, time to walk

Used to be your baby, used to be your lady

Thought you were the perfect lover

All the harmony went fallin' out of key

So now you gotta find another, yeah

Now you're talkin' crazy, sayin' that you made me

Like I was your Cinderella

You and me are through though, watch me hit it solo

I'ma do it acapella, yeah

Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

I'ma do it acapella, yeah

Out on our first date, he took me gourmet

We hit that Olive Garden, my Little Italy

Daddy always said, "Let the gentleman pay

Never ever go Dutch at the buffet"

I saw his bad intention, he didn't wanna talk

He put the saucy on it, time to check my watch

Daddy always said, "Money can't buy class

You don't wanna get stuck takin' out trash"

Ooh, and yeah I guess it wasn't meant to be

Because he didn't do jack for me

I want a bean with the beanstalk

And if the magic ain't right, time to walk

Used to be your baby, used to be your lady

Thought you were the perfect lover

All the harmony went fallin' out of key

So now you gotta find another, yeah

Now you're talkin' crazy, sayin' that you made me

Like I was your Cinderella

You and me are through though, watch me hit it solo

I'ma do it acapella, yeah

Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

I'ma do it acapella

Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

Watch me do it in falsettah

Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh

Never mind, bring the beat back

Used to be your baby, used to be your lady

Thought you were the perfect lover

All the harmony went fallin' out of key

So now you gotta find another, yeah

Now you're talkin' crazy, sayin' that you made me

Like I was your Cinderella

You and me are through though, watch me hit it solo

I'ma do it acapella, yeah

Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

I'ma do it acapella, yeah

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
baby /ˈbeɪbi/ A1	noun - a very young child noun - a term of endearment
lover /ˈlʌvər/ A2	noun - a person who is in love with someone
harmony /ˈhɑːrməni/ B2	noun - the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions having a pleasing effect
key /kiː/ A2	noun - a set of notes based on a particular note
crazy /ˈkreɪzi/ B1	adjective - mentally deranged, especially as manifested in a wild or aggressive way
solo /ˈsoʊloʊ/ B1	adjective - performed by one person alone.
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole
smile /smaɪl/ A1	noun - a pleased, kind, or amused facial expression
suit /suːt/ A2	noun - a set of clothes made of the same cloth, usually a jacket and trousers or a jacket and a skirt
tie /taɪ/ A1	noun - a piece of cloth worn around the neck, especially by men, usually with a shirt and jacket
pretend /prɪˈtɛnd/ B1	verb - speak and act so as to make people believe something that is not true
word /wɜːrd/ A1	noun - a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that functions as a principal carrier of meaning
guys /ɡaɪz/ A1	noun - men or people in general
game /ɡeɪm/ A1	noun - an activity done for amusement or sport
cash /kæʃ/ A2	noun - money in the form of coins or notes
magic /ˈmædʒɪk/ B1	noun - the power of apparently influencing events by using mysterious or supernatural forces.

Key Grammar Structures

• Thought you were the perfect lover

  ➔ Past Simple

  ➔ The phrase "thought you were" indicates a completed action in the past.

• You and me are through though

  ➔ Present Simple

  ➔ The phrase "are through" indicates a current state or condition.

• I want a bean with the beanstalk

  ➔ Present Simple

  ➔ The phrase "I want" expresses a desire in the present.

• He had that Colgate smile

  ➔ Past Simple

  ➔ The phrase "had that" indicates possession in the past.

• You don't wanna get stuck takin' out trash

  ➔ Negative Form

  ➔ The phrase "don't wanna" is a colloquial way of saying "do not want".

• Watch me hit it solo

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ The phrase "watch me" is an imperative, giving a command or request.

• Now you're talkin' crazy

  ➔ Present Continuous

  ➔ The phrase "you're talkin'" indicates an action currently in progress.