Lyrics & Translation
Dive into Kanye West's iconic track, "Can't Tell Me Nothing," and explore themes of self-empowerment and defiance. With its blend of hip-hop and electronic elements, this song showcases West's lyrical genius and offers insights into overcoming challenges. Learn how language can be used to express confidence and inspire self-belief through music.
[English]
♪ La la la la ♪♪ Wait 'til I get my money right ♪
♪ Oh, I had a dream I could buy my way to heaven ♪
♪ When I awoke, I spent that on a necklace ♪
♪ Oh, I told God I'll be back in a second ♪
♪ Man, it's so hard not to act reckless ♪
♪ To whom much is given, much is tested ♪
♪ Get arrested, guess until he get the message ♪
♪ I feel the pressure, under more scrutiny ♪
♪ And what I do, act more stupidly ♪
♪ Oh, bought more jewelry, more Louis V ♪
♪ My mama couldn't get through to me ♪
♪ Oh, the drama, people suing me ♪
♪ I'm on TV talking like it's just you and me ♪
♪ I'm just saying how I feel, man ♪
♪ I ain't one of the Cosbys ♪
♪ I ain't go to hell, man ♪
♪ Oh, I guess the money should have changed him ♪
♪ I guess I should have forgat where I came from ♪
♪ La la la la ♪
♪ Wait 'til I get my money right ♪
♪ La la la la ♪
♪ When you can't tell me nothing, right ♪
♪ Excuse me, was you saying something ♪
♪ Uh-uh, you can't tell me nothing ♪
♪ You can't tell me nothing ♪
♪ Uh-uh, you can't tell me nothing ♪
♪ Oh, let up the suicide doors ♪
♪ This is my life, homie, you decide yours ♪
♪ Oh, I know that Jesus died for us ♪
♪ But I couldn't tell you who decide wars ♪
♪ So I parallel double park that mother sideways ♪
♪ Old folks talking about back in my day ♪
♪ Oh, but homie, this is my day ♪
♪ Class started two hours ago ♪
♪ Oh, am I late ♪
♪ No, I already graduated ♪
♪ And you could live through anything if Magic made it ♪
♪ Oh, they say I talk with so much emphasis ♪
♪ Ooh, they so sensitive ♪
♪ Don't ever fix your lips like collagen ♪
♪ To say something where you gonna end up apologin' ♪
♪ Oh, let me know if it's a problem, man ♪
♪ All right, man, holla then ♪
♪ La la la la ♪
♪ Wait 'til I get my money right ♪
♪ La la la la ♪
♪ When you can't tell me nothing, right ♪
♪ Excuse me, was you saying something ♪
♪ Uh-uh, you can't tell me nothing ♪
♪ You can't tell me nothing ♪
♪ Uh-uh, you can't tell me nothing ♪
♪ Oh, let the champagne splash ♪
♪ Let that man get cash, let that man get pass ♪
♪ He don't even stop to get gas ♪
♪ If he can move through the rumors ♪
♪ He can drive off of fumes, 'cause ♪
♪ How he move in a room full of nos ♪
♪ How he stay faithful in a room full of ♪
♪ Must be the Pharaohs, he in tune with his soul ♪
♪ So when he buried in a tomb full of gold ♪
♪ Oh, treasure, what's your pleasure ♪
♪ Life is a, uh, depending how you dress her ♪
♪ So if the devil wear Prada, Adam, Eve wear nada ♪
♪ I'm in between, but way more fresher ♪
♪ With way less effort ♪
♪ 'Cause when you try hard, that's when you die hard ♪
♪ Oh, y'all homies looking like, why, God ♪
♪ When they reminisce over you, my God ♪
♪ La la la la ♪
♪ Wait 'til I get my money right ♪
♪ La la la la ♪
♪ When you can't tell me nothing, right ♪
♪ Excuse me, was you saying something ♪
♪ Uh-uh, you can't tell me nothing ♪
♪ You can't tell me nothing ♪
♪ Uh-uh, you can't tell me nothing ♪
♪ La la la la ♪
♪ Wait 'til I get my money right ♪
♪ La la la la ♪
♪ When you can't tell me nothing, right ♪
♪ Aye ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Ha ha ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah ♪
♪ No, I'm serious, nigga, I got money ♪
♪ Oh, G.O.O.D. got it made ♪
♪ Oh, G.O.O.D. got it made ♪
♪ Oh, G.O.O.D. got it made ♪
Key Vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meanings |
|---|---|
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money /ˈmʌni/ B1 |
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dream /driːm/ B1 |
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heaven /ˈhɛvən/ B2 |
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God /ɡɒd/ A2 |
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pressure /ˈprɛʃər/ B2 |
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scrutiny /ˈskruːtɪni/ C1 |
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jewelry /ˈdʒuːəlri/ B2 |
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drama /ˈdrɑːmə/ B1 |
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suicide /ˈsuːɪˌsaɪd/ C1 |
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decide /dɪˈsaɪd/ B2 |
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wars /wɔːrz/ B2 |
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magic /ˈmædʒɪk/ B1 |
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emphasis /ˈɛmfəsɪs/ C1 |
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champagne /ʃæmˈpeɪn/ B2 |
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gold /ɡoʊld/ B1 |
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treasure /ˈtrɛʒər/ B2 |
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devil /ˈdɛvəl/ B2 |
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faithful /ˈfeɪθfəl/ B2 |
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tomb /tuːm/ B2 |
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effort /ˈɛfərt/ B1 |
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Key Grammar Structures
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