DEVOTION – English Lyrics

• By: Justin Bieber

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the heartfelt intimacy of Justin Bieber's 'Devotion,' a song that beautifully captures the essence of deep love and commitment. Through its gentle R&B melody and vulnerable lyrics, you can explore the language of modern love and connection. This song is special not only for its sound but also for its personal significance to the artist, offering a window into a pivotal moment in his life.

[English]

I'm startin' to be open to

The idea that you know me, too

I like it when you hold me to you

And I like it when you scold me too, ah

Well, your lips and fingernails are all glowing

And I know that I should be going, but I need devotion

And you flick another ash out on the old

On the old patio, and I get on to hoping

I'd rather take the long way home (baby, I'm speeding)

So we could laugh and sing a couple more songs (so sweet to me, you know)

Stay up late and watch your favorite show (hey Carrie, ooh-ooh)

Roll some weed and cuddle up real close

When your lips and fingernails are all mine

I promise to take my time givin' you devotion

When something's wrong, you can tell me 'bout the whole thing

If you call out to me, I'll swing, leave the door open for me

I like it when you rock me steady (just like a baby)

I don't mind it when you talk to me sideways (I don't mind)

Well, I done read, I done learned every move in your body

Well, don't waste another dime, that's good jukebox money, honey

And if you kiss me, I might yell out, "Hallelujah"

And If you miss me, I'm runnin' right to you, givin' you devotion

Well, and if you touch me, I might holler like, "Oh, man"

Baby, play another slow jam, give me some devotion

...

Sweet

Sweet (all day)

Devotion

Devotion

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
devotion /dɪˈvoʊʃən/ B2	noun - deep love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person or cause.
open /ˈoʊpən/ B1	adjective - ready to receive new ideas; frank and communicative. adjective - (of a door, window, or container) allowing passage or access.
scold /skoʊld/ B1	verb - to rebuke or reprimand someone angrily.
lips /lɪps/ A1	noun - the two fleshy folds forming the edges of the mouth.
fingernails /ˈfɪŋɡərˌneɪlz/ B1	noun - the hard, flat, transparent covering on the end of each finger.
glowing /ˈɡloʊɪŋ/ B1	adjective - emitting a steady light without flame; shining with soft, warm light. adjective - expressing great satisfaction or pleasure; vibrant with health or happiness.
flick /flɪk/ B1	verb - to make a sudden, quick movement or stroke.
patio /ˈpætiˌoʊ/ B1	noun - a paved outdoor area adjoining a house, usually used for dining or recreation.
speeding /ˈspiːdɪŋ/ B1	verb - moving very quickly, especially at an illegal or dangerous rate (present participle of 'to speed').
sweet /swiːt/ A1	adjective - having the pleasant taste characteristic of sugar or honey. adjective - pleasant and gratifying; delightful or charming.
cuddle /ˈkʌdl/ B1	verb - to hold close in one's arms as a way of showing affection or for warmth and comfort.
promise /ˈprɑːmɪs/ A2	verb - to assure someone that one will definitely do, give, or arrange something. noun - a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen.
swing /swɪŋ/ B1	verb - to move or cause to move back and forth or from side to side while suspended. verb - (informal) to go or come in a casual or brief visit ('swing by').
steady /ˈstɛdi/ B1	adjective - firm; not shaking or moving. adjective - regular, even, and continuous in development, amount, or speed.
waste /weɪst/ B1	verb - to use or expend carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose.
dime /daɪm/ B1	noun - a US coin worth ten cents; often used informally for a small amount of money.
jukebox /ˈdʒuːkbɑːks/ B1	noun - a machine that plays selected musical recordings when a coin is inserted.
Hallelujah /ˌhælɪˈluːjə/ B2	noun - an exclamation of praise or triumph, often used in religious contexts but also secularly for strong positive emotion.
holler /ˈhɑːlər/ B1	verb - (informal) to shout or call out loudly.
jam /dʒæm/ B1	noun - (informal) a musical improvisation or performance, especially one at which musicians play for their own enjoyment.

Key Grammar Structures

• I'm startin' to be open to

  ➔ Informal present continuous + adjective phrase

  ➔ "**Startin'**" is an informal contraction of "starting." The phrase "**be open to**" means to be receptive or willing to consider something. Together, "I'm starting to be open to" means the speaker is beginning to become receptive to an idea.

• And I know that I should be going

  ➔ Modal verb 'should' + present continuous infinitive

  ➔ "**Should be going**" uses the modal verb "should" with the present continuous infinitive to express an obligation or advice about an action that is ongoing or imminent. It suggests that the speaker ought to leave soon.

• And I get on to hoping

  ➔ Phrasal verb 'get on to' + gerund

  ➔ The phrasal verb "**get on to**" followed by a gerund ("hoping") means to start doing something, to proceed to a new activity or topic. Here, it means the speaker begins to hope.

• I'd rather take the long way home

  ➔ 'Would rather' + base form of verb

  ➔ "**I'd rather**" is a contraction of "I would rather," used to express a preference for one action over another. It is followed by the base form of the verb ("take").

• So we could laugh and sing a couple more songs

  ➔ Clause of purpose/result ('So (that)... could')

  ➔ "**So**" (often implicitly "so that") introduces a clause that explains the purpose or intended result of the preceding action. It is commonly followed by a modal verb like "could" or "can" to indicate possibility or ability.

• I promise to take my time givin' you devotion

  ➔ Informal present participle/gerund acting adverbially

  ➔ "**Givin'**" is an informal spelling of "giving." Here, it functions as a present participle describing how the action of "taking my time" will be performed, or it can be seen as a reduced adverbial clause meaning "while giving you devotion."

• I don't mind it when you talk to me sideways

  ➔ Expression of tolerance ('I don't mind it when...')

  ➔ The construction "**I don't mind it when**" is used to express that a particular action or situation, indicated by the "when" clause, is acceptable or does not bother the speaker. "It" acts as a placeholder for the "when" clause.

• Well, I done read, I done learned every move in your body

  ➔ Informal perfect aspect ('done' + past participle)

  ➔ In informal or dialectal English, "**done**" can be used as an auxiliary verb before a past participle ("read," "learned") to emphasize that an action has been completed, similar to the present perfect.

• And if you kiss me, I might yell out, "Hallelujah"

  ➔ Conditional Type 1 with 'might' for possibility

  ➔ This is a Type 1 Conditional sentence (If + Present Simple, Future Simple/Modal). "**Might**" is used instead of "will" to indicate that the result is possible but not certain, expressing a strong likelihood or an emotional reaction.