FOH – English Lyrics

• By: Toni Braxton

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Toni Braxton's 'FOH,' a powerful R&B track that offers a fantastic opportunity to learn English through its direct and emotionally charged lyrics. This song is special for its raw expression of frustration and empowerment, making it excellent for understanding everyday English phrases related to relationships and demanding respect. Pay attention to how Toni uses strong verbs and idiomatic expressions to convey her message clearly and forcefully, providing a rich context for language learners to grasp nuances of emotional communication in English.

[English]

It's been 37 hours, seven minutes, 30 seconds

And you still haven't responded

Got me on the ledge of crazy but I'm not one for complaining

I just wonder where the hell you could be

Tell me who you think you are, don't be playing with my heart

Say what, what's it gonna be

'Cause I'm in love with you now

Are you in or you out?

'Cause I really need you here

If you want me around, then don't come around

And cloud up the atmosphere

Fuck outta here

It's been 47 hours, seven minutes, 30 seconds

And now you're just responding to me

Boy, you must be suicidal

Is that bitch right there beside you?

'Cause I know hell it couldn't be me

Tell me who you think you are, how the motherfuck it start?

Say what, what's it gonna be

'Cause I'm in love with you now

Are you in or you out?

'Cause I really need you here

If you want me around, then don't come around

And cloud up my atmosphere

Fuck outta here

If you ain't feeling this, just let me know

I promise on everything I'll let you go

'Cause I'm in love with you now

Are you in or you out?

'Cause I really need you here

If you want me around, then don't come around

And cloud up my atmosphere

Fuck outta here

Fuck outta here

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
hours /ˈaʊərz/ A1	noun - a period of time equal to sixty minutes
responded /rɪˈspɒndɪd/ B1	verb - to say or write something as a reply
crazy /ˈkreɪzi/ B1	adjective - mentally ill; insane noun - a mentally ill person
playing /ˈpleɪɪŋ/ A1	verb - to engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation
wonder /ˈwʌndər/ B1	verb - to desire or be curious to know something
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - the organ that pumps blood through the body
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to feel deep affection for someone
need /niːd/ A1	verb - to require something because it is essential
want /wɒnt/ A1	verb - to have a desire to possess or do something
come /kʌm/ A1	verb - to move or travel toward someone or something
cloud /klaʊd/ B2	verb - to make something less clear or transparent
suicidal /ˌsuːɪˈsaɪdl/ C1	adjective - having or showing an inclination to take one's own life
feeling /ˈfiːlɪŋ/ A2	verb - to experience an emotion or sensation
promise /ˈprɒmɪs/ A2	verb - to assure someone that one will definitely do something
let /let/ A1	verb - to allow or permit
atmosphere /ˈætməsfɪr/ B2	noun - the pervading tone or mood of a place, situation, or creative work
hell /hel/ B1	noun - a place regarded in various religions as a spiritual realm of evil and suffering

Key Grammar Structures

• It's been 37 hours, seven minutes, 30 seconds

  ➔ Present Perfect Continuous Tense

  ➔ The sentence uses the Present Perfect Continuous to emphasize the duration of an action that started in the past and continues to the present. The phrase 'It's been...' highlights the ongoing nature of the waiting period. The use of specific time units (hours, minutes, seconds) adds to the sense of precise, prolonged waiting. "It's been" is a contraction of "It has been".

• Tell me who you think you are, don't be playing with my heart

  ➔ Embedded Question & Imperative

  ➔ The first clause is an embedded question – 'who you think you are' functions as the object of the verb 'tell'. The second clause is an imperative – 'don't be playing' is a direct command. The use of 'playing' as a gerund emphasizes the ongoing, frustrating nature of the other person's behavior. "Don't be playing" is a colloquial way of saying "Don't mess with me".

• If you want me around, then don't come around

  ➔ Conditional Sentence (First Conditional)

  ➔ This is a first conditional sentence, expressing a likely outcome. 'If you want me around' is the 'if' clause (condition), and 'then don't come around' is the main clause (result). The 'then' is optional but adds emphasis. The structure is 'If + present simple, + will + base verb', although 'will' is implied here by the negative imperative. The repetition of 'around' creates a strong, almost defiant tone.

• Fuck outta here

  ➔ Imperative with Vulgarity

  ➔ This is a direct, forceful imperative. The use of the expletive 'fuck' intensifies the command and expresses extreme anger or dismissal. It's a very informal and aggressive way to tell someone to leave. The phrase 'outta' is a colloquial contraction of 'out of'.