Criminal – English Lyrics

• By: Britney Spears

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the captivating sounds of Britney Spears' 'Criminal,' a track that stands out on *Femme Fatale* with its unique folk-tinged pop style. This song is special because it balances a defiant narrative about risky love with an organic, almost refreshing musicality, making it an engaging listen to appreciate both catchy melodies and lyrical complexity.

[English]

He is a hustler, he's no good at all

He is a loser, he's a bum, bum, bum, bum

He lies, he bluffs, he's unreliable

He is a sucker with a gun, gun, gun, gun

I know you told me I should stay away

I know you said he's just a dog astray

He is a bad boy with a tainted heart

And even I know this ain't smart

But, mama, I'm in love with a criminal

And this type of love isn't rational

It's physical

Mama, please don't cry, I will be alright

All reasons aside, I just can't deny

Love the guy

...

He is a villain by the devil's law

He is a killer just for fun, fun, fun, fun

That man's a snitch and unpredictable

He's got no conscience, he got none, none, none, none

Oh, I know should let go, but, no

'Cause he's a bad boy with a tainted heart

And even I know this ain't smart

But, mama, I'm in love with a criminal

And this type of love isn't rational

It's physical

Mama, please don't cry, I will be alright

All reasons aside, I just can't deny

Love the guy

And he's got my name

Tattooed on his arm

His lucky charm

So I guess it's okay

He's with me

...

And I hear people talk

(Try) try to make remarks

Keep us apart

But I don't even hear

I don't care

...

'Cause, mama, I'm in love with a criminal

And this type of love isn't rational

It's physical

Mama, please don't cry, I will be alright

All reasons aside, I just can't deny

Love the guy (love the guy)

Mama, I'm in love with a criminal

And this type of love isn't rational

It's physical

Mama, please don't cry, I will be alright

All reasons aside, I just can't deny

Love the guy

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
criminal /ˈkrɪmɪnəl/ B1	noun - a person who commits a crime adjective - related to or involving crime
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - a strong feeling of affection verb - to have strong feelings of affection for someone
bad /bæd/ A1	adjective - not good or desirable
heart /hɑːrt/ A2	noun - the organ that pumps blood noun - the seat of emotion
physical /ˈfɪzɪkəl/ B1	adjective - relating to the body
rational /ˈræʃənəl/ B2	adjective - based on reason or logic
villain /ˈvɪlən/ B1	noun - a wicked or evil person
killer /ˈkɪlər/ B1	noun - a person who kills
snitch /snɪtʃ/ B2	noun - a person who informs on others verb - to inform on someone
conscience /ˈkɑːnʃəns/ B2	noun - a person's moral sense of right and wrong
mama /ˈmɑːmə/ A1	noun - mother (informal)
guy /gaɪ/ A1	noun - a man or boy
know /noʊ/ A1	verb - to have knowledge or understanding
cry /kraɪ/ A1	verb - to produce tears from the eyes
hear /hɪr/ A1	verb - to perceive sound
care /kɛr/ A2	verb - to feel concern or interest noun - concern or interest
tainted /ˈteɪntɪd/ B2	adjective - contaminated or spoiled
unreliable /ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbəl/ B1	adjective - not able to be relied upon