Blue Strips – English Lyrics

• By: Jessie Murph

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw and empowering world of Jessie Murph's "Blue Strips." This track is a masterclass in modern storytelling through music, offering a unique blend of country and trap influences. By exploring its unfiltered lyrics and defiant message of overcoming betrayal through success, you can gain insight into contemporary American slang and emotional expression, making it a powerful and engaging way to learn the language.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
mad /mæd/ A2	adjective - angry; furious
mansion /ˈmænʃən/ B2	noun - a large, impressive house
Malibu /ˈmælɪbuː/ NA	noun - A city in California, USA
attitude /ˈætɪtjuːd/ B1	noun - a feeling or opinion about something or someone
strips /strɪps/ B1	noun - long, narrow pieces of material verb - to remove one's clothes
club /klʌb/ A2	noun - an organization of people with a common interest
bitch /bɪtʃ/ B2	noun - a derogatory term for a woman
home /hoʊm/ A1	noun - the place where one lives
strip /strɪp/ B2	verb - to remove clothing
wrongs /rɒŋz/ B2	noun - an unjust or immoral act
man /mæn/ A1	noun - an adult male human being
smoking /ˈsmoʊkɪŋ/ A2	verb - the act of inhaling and exhaling the smoke of burning plant material
cigarettes /ˌsɪɡəˈrɛts/ A2	noun - thin paper-wrapped cylinder containing tobacco
balconies /ˈbælkəni/ B1	noun - a platform projecting from the wall of a building
settle /ˈsetl/ B1	verb - to resolve or decide
scores /skɔːrz/ B2	noun - the number of points earned in a game or competition noun - a grievance that needs to be resolved
war /wɔːr/ A2	noun - a state of armed conflict between different countries or groups within a country

Key Grammar Structures

• Boy, I ain't mad, boy, I ain't mad, boy, I ain't mad at you

  ➔ Use of AAVE (African American Vernacular English): "ain't" for "am not/is not/are not".

  ➔ "Ain't" is a non-standard contraction commonly used in AAVE. It replaces different forms of the verb "to be" in the negative.

• I had to get back at you, I had to get back at you

  ➔ Use of "had to" expressing obligation or necessity in the past.

  ➔ "Had to" indicates that the speaker felt compelled to retaliate. It demonstrates the strength of the feeling.

• You know how I get with an attitude

  ➔ Use of "how" to describe the way someone behaves or acts.

  ➔ The phrase "how I get" is used informally to explain a habitual behaviour that may result from the provocation.

• I'ma take it off for him

  ➔ Contraction "I'ma" (I am going to) - expresses future intention.

  ➔ "I'ma" is an informal contraction of "I am going to", indicating a plan or intention. It's commonly used in casual speech.

• I ain't jumpin', but I'll die to settle scores

  ➔ Contradiction: "I ain't jumping' but I'll die". First part is negative, the second is affirming the possibility of death.

  ➔ This line presents a paradox. The speaker is unwilling to commit suicide, but they are prepared to die to get revenge, emphasizing the strength of their desire for payback.

• All your bidness gettin' back to me

  ➔ Use of AAVE: "bidness" for "business" and omission of "is" or "are" . Non-standard grammar.

  ➔ "Bidness" is a pronunciation and spelling variation common in AAVE. The omission of "is" or "are" further reinforces the use of non-standard grammar.

• You don't know it, but it's 'bout to be a war, yeah

  ➔ Use of "'bout to" (about to) expressing immediate future. Informal contraction.

  ➔ "'Bout to" is a colloquial contraction of "about to", used to express something that will happen very soon. Adding emphasis that a conflict is about to begin.