Beat on the Brat – English Lyrics

• By: Ramones
• Album: 2016 Remaster

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw energy of punk rock with the Ramones' "Beat on the Brat"! This iconic track offers a direct and repetitive lyrical style, characteristic of early punk, making it an excellent song for language learners to grasp basic sentence structures and common English expressions of frustration. Its straightforward narrative, albeit exaggerated, provides a clear context for vocabulary, and its catchy, no-frills delivery makes the words easy to distinguish and remember. Discover how simplicity can create a powerful and memorable message, even in a language you're just beginning to learn.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
beat /biːt/ A2	verb - to strike repeatedly noun - a rhythmic pulse or stress
brat /bræt/ B2	noun - a spoiled child
baseball /ˈbeɪsbɔːl/ A2	noun - a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams
bat /bæt/ A2	noun - an implement used to hit a ball in a game
lose /luːz/ A2	verb - to be deprived of or cease to have
back /bæk/ A1	noun - the rear surface of the human body

Key Grammar Structures

• Beat on the brat

  ➔ Imperative verb form (beat)

  ➔ This is a command. The verb "beat" is used in its base form to give a direct order.

• with a baseball bat

  ➔ Prepositional phrase ("with" + noun phrase)

  ➔ The phrase "with a baseball bat" acts as an adverbial modifier, specifying the instrument used for the action.

• What can you do?

  ➔ Interrogative sentence using modal verb "can"

  ➔ This is a question expressing the speaker's helplessness or lack of options. "Can" expresses ability or possibility.

• with a brat like that always on your back

  ➔ Prepositional phrase with a relative clause implied

  ➔ The prepositional phrase "with a brat like that always on your back" describes the difficult situation. There is an implied relationship, meaning "a brat who is always bothering you".

• What can you lose?

  ➔ Interrogative sentence with modal verb "can" and transitive verb "lose"

  ➔ This question explores the potential negative consequences. "Lose" requires an object, implied to be something of value.