Burnin' Up – English Lyrics

• By: Jessie J, 2 Chainz

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the fiery energy of Jessie J's "Burnin' Up," a track that not only showcases dynamic English pop and hip-hop vocabulary but also vividly expresses emotions of intense desire and passion. Through its catchy lyrics and powerful delivery, you can explore colloquialisms related to heat and strong feelings, making it an engaging way to learn expressive English phrases in a musical context.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
burn /bɜːrn/ A2	verb - to produce flames; to be on fire verb - to damage skin with heat
fire /faɪər/ A1	noun - the process of combustion; flames
river /ˈrɪvər/ A2	noun - a large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea
temperature /ˈtemprəʧər/ B1	noun - a measure of how hot or cold something is
fever /ˈfiːvər/ B1	noun - a temporary rise in body temperature
breath /breθ/ A2	noun - the air taken into and expelled from the lungs
found /faʊnd/ A2	verb - past tense of find - discover unexpectedly
gasoline /ˈɡæsəliːn/ B2	noun - a fuel made from crude oil
light /laɪt/ A1	verb - to ignite or illuminate
floor /flɔːr/ A2	noun - the bottom surface of a room
move /muːv/ A1	verb - to change position
grill /ɡrɪl/ B1	noun - a metal frame used for cooking over heat
step /step/ A1	verb - to put foot forward
corner /ˈkɔːrnər/ A2	noun - a place where two lines or surfaces meet
dance /dæns/ A2	verb - to move rhythmically to music
alarm /əˈlɑːrm/ B1	noun - a device making a loud sound to warn of danger
sweat /swet/ A2	noun - watery fluid secreted by sweat glands

Key Grammar Structures

• I'm burning up

  ➔ Present Continuous

  ➔ The verb "burning" shows the action is happening right now (present continuous).

• Please don't let me go

  ➔ Negative imperative with "don't"

  ➔ "don't" is the negative form used to give a strong request: "don't let me go".

• Take me to the river

  ➔ Imperative with bare infinitive

  ➔ "Take" is the base form of the verb used to give a direct command.

• I need you to know

  ➔ Verb + object + infinitive (catenative construction)

  ➔ "need" is followed by an object "you" and an infinitive clause "to know".

• I've got the matches, you got the gasoline

  ➔ Present perfect vs. simple past (colloquial)

  ➔ "I've got" uses the present perfect to show possession now; "you got" is a colloquial past form meaning "you have".

• They're gonna have to pull the fire, fire alarm

  ➔ Future intention with "gonna" + modal "have to"

  ➔ "gonna" is informal for "going to"; "have to" adds necessity: they will need to pull the alarm.

• Look what I've found

  ➔ Exclamatory clause with present perfect

  ➔ "Look" introduces an exclamation; "I've found" uses present perfect to show a recent discovery.

• I want it right now

  ➔ Simple present for desire

  ➔ "want" in the simple present expresses a present desire: I want it now.

• Turn down for what, turn up

  ➔ Phrasal verbs "turn down" / "turn up"

  ➔ "Turn down" means to lower volume or reject; "turn up" means to increase volume or appear.

• I'm losing my breath

  ➔ Present Continuous for a temporary state

  ➔ "losing" shows an ongoing, temporary condition: I'm currently out of breath.