Backaz – English Lyrics

• By: Konshens

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant world of Jamaican Dancehall with Konshens' hit "Backaz"! This electrifying track offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the energetic rhythms and unique Patois expressions common in dancehall music. Through its lively lyrics and infectious beat, you'll learn common dance-related vocabulary and experience the cultural celebration of movement and self-expression that makes Jamaican music so special.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
backaz /ˈbækəz/ C1	noun - a term referring to a specific sexual position or style
bend /bɛnd/ A2	verb - to curve or make something curve
build /bɪld/ A2	verb - to construct or create something
tear /tɛər/ A2	verb - to pull apart or destroy
crazy /ˈkreɪzi/ A2	adjective - mentally deranged or wild
turn /tɜːrn/ A1	verb - to rotate or change direction
balance /ˈbæləns/ B1	verb - to remain steady or maintain equilibrium
bruise /bruːz/ B1	verb - to injure or mark the skin
chance /tʃæns/ A2	noun - an opportunity or possibility
cocky /ˈkɒki/ B2	adjective - overly confident or arrogant
missionary /ˈmɪʃəˌnɛri/ B1	noun - a person sent to spread religious beliefs adjective - relating to a traditional sexual position
sink /sɪŋk/ A2	verb - to go down below the surface or fall
tall /tɔːl/ A1	adjective - of great height
ticktock /ˈtɪktɒk/ B1	noun - the sound of a clock ticking
tongue /tʌŋ/ A1	noun - the muscular organ in the mouth
wish /wɪʃ/ A1	verb - to desire or hope for something

Key Grammar Structures

• Lay yuh down

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ The verb **"Lay"** is used in the imperative to give a command: **"Lay"** yuh down.

• Look into your eyes

  ➔ Imperative + preposition "into"

  ➔ The verb **"Look"** is an imperative followed by the preposition **"into"** indicating direction: **"Look"** into your eyes.

• She seh if ah missionary, you break di law

  ➔ Zero conditional (if + present simple, present simple)

  ➔ The clause **"if ah missionary"** introduces a condition, and the result **"you break di law"** uses the present simple, forming a zero conditional.

• Better tall pon cocky, give har weh she waan

  ➔ Comparative structure with "better"

  ➔ The adjective **"Better"** is used to compare, implying "more tall than"; the rest of the clause follows the comparative pattern.

• Never hear seh dat bring ah baby, cum

  ➔ Negative present simple with adverb "never"

  ➔ The adverb **"Never"** modifies the verb **"hear"**, forming a negative present simple: **"Never hear"**.

• As me seh fuck har backway, she turn

  ➔ Reported speech with "as I say" (dialectal "as me seh")

  ➔ The phrase **"As me seh"** functions like **"as I say"**, introducing reported speech before the clause **"she turn"**.

• She build it up, me go tear it down

  ➔ Future intention with "go + verb" (going to)

  ➔ The construction **"me go tear"** uses **"go"** + base verb to express a planned future action: **"me go tear it down"**.

• Nuh make e immigration dem send yuh back

  ➔ Negative imperative with "Nuh" (Jamaican Patois)

  ➔ The word **"Nuh"** functions as a negative marker, turning the clause **"make e immigration dem send yuh back"** into a prohibition: **"Nuh make..."**.

• Ticktock, ticktock

  ➔ Onomatopoeia (sound word)

  ➔ The repeated word **"Ticktock"** imitates the sound of a clock, functioning as an onomatopoeic expression.