Formation – English Lyrics

• By: Beyoncé
• Album: LEMONADE

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant world of Beyoncé's "Formation," a song that transcends entertainment to deliver a powerful message of Black pride and resilience. By exploring its rich lyrics and cultural references, you can learn about American Southern dialects and gain insight into important social movements. This song is special because it masterfully blends compelling music with a profound statement, offering a unique opportunity to engage with the English language in a culturally significant context.

[English]

(electronic typing)

- [Messy Mya] What happened at the New Wil'ins?

(music starts)

Bitch, I'm back,

by popular demand.

- [Beyoncé] Y'all haters corny

with that Illuminati mess.

Paparazzi, catch my fly and my cocky fresh.

I'm so reckless when I rock my Givenchy dress.

(Stylin')

I'm so possessive,

so I rock his Roc necklaces.

My daddy, Alabama.

Mama, Louisiana.

You mix that negro with that Creole,

make a Texas bama!

I like my baby heir with baby hair and afros.

I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils.

Earned all this money,

but they never take the country out me.

I got hot sauce in my bag, swag.

- [Messy Mya] Ooh! Yeah, baby.

Oh yeah, I-- ooh!

Oh yes, I like that.

(music resumes)

- [Big Freedia] I did not come to play with you, hoes.

(laughs)

I came to slay, bitch!

I like cornbreads and collard greens, bitch.

Oh yes!

You best'a believe it.

- [Beyoncé] Y'all haters corny

with that Illuminati mess.

Paparazzi, catch my fly and my cocky fresh.

I'm so reckless when I rock my Givenchy dress.

(Stylin')

I'm so possessive,

so I rock his Roc necklaces.

My daddy, Alabama.

Mama, Louisiana.

You mix that negro with that Creole,

make a Texas bama!

I like my baby heir with baby hair and afros.

I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils.

Earned all this money,

but they never take the country out me.

I got hot sauce in my bag, swag.

I see it, I want it (want it).

I stunt, yellow-bone it (bone it).

I dream it, I work hard,

I grind 'til I own it (own it).

I twirl on them haters (haters),

albino alligators (gators).

El Camino, with the seat low,

Sippin' Cuervo with no chaser (chaser).

Sometimes I go off (I go off).

I go hard (I go hard).

Get what's mine (take what's mine).

I'm a star (I'm a star).

Cause I slay (slay), I slay (hey)

I slay (okay), I slay (okay)

All day (okay), I slay (okay)

I slay (okay), I slay (okay)

We gon' slay (slay), gon' slay (okay)

We slay (okay), I slay (okay)

I slay (okay), okay (okay)

I slay (okay), okay, okay, okay, okay!

Okay ladies, now let's get in formation.

(Cause I slay)

Okay ladies, now let's get in formation.

(Cause I slay)

Prove to me you got some coordination.

(Cause I slay)

Slay trick, or you get eliminated.

When he fuck me good, I take his ass to Red Lobster.

(Cause I slay)

When he fuck me good, I take his ass to Red Lobster.

(We gon' slay)

If he hit it right,

I might take him on a flight on my chopper.

(I slay)

Drop him off at the mall,

Let him buy some J's, let him shop up.

(Cause I slay)

I might get your song played on the radio station.

(Cause I slay)

I might get your song played on the radio station.

(Cause I slay)

You just might be a black Bill Gates in the making.

(Cause I slay)

I just might be black Bill Gates in the making!

I see it, I want it (want it).

I stunt, yellow-bone it (yellow-bone it).

I dream it, I work hard,

I grind 'til I own it (own it).

I twirl on my haters (haters),

albino alligators (gators).

El Camino, with the seat low,

Sippin' Cuervo with no chaser.

Sometimes I go off (I go off).

I go hard (I go hard).

Take what's mine (take what's mine).

I'm a star (I'm a star).

Cause I slay (slay), I slay (hey)

I slay (okay), I slay (okay)

I slay (okay), I slay (okay)

I slay (okay), I slay (okay)

We gon' slay (slay), gon' slay (okay)

We slay (okay), I slay (okay)

I slay (okay), okay (okay)

I slay (okay), okay, okay, okay, okay!

Okay ladies, now let's get in formation.

(Cause I slay)

Okay ladies, now let's get in formation.

(Cause I slay)

Prove to me you got some coordination.

(Cause I slay)

Slay trick, or you get eliminated.

(I slay)

Okay ladies, now let's get in formation.

(I slay)

Okay ladies, now let's get in formation.

You know you that bitch,

when you cause all this conversation.

Always stay gracious,

best revenge is your paper.

(siren wailing)

- Girl, I hear some thunder.

(thunder cracks)

- Golly! Look at that water, boy!

Whoo! Lord!

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
slay /sleɪ/ B2	verb - to kill or destroy verb - to perform exceptionally well
formation /fɔːrˈmeɪʃən/ B2	noun - the action of forming or process of being formed
country /ˈkʌntri/ A2	noun - a nation with its own government
money /ˈmʌni/ A1	noun - a medium of exchange
dress /drɛs/ A1	noun - a piece of clothing for women or girls
baby /ˈbeɪbi/ A1	noun - a very young child
hair /hɛr/ A1	noun - the fine thread-like strands growing from the skin of humans and animals
star /stɑːr/ A2	noun - a famous person, especially in entertainment
coordination /ˌkoʊ.ɔːr.dɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ B2	noun - the ability to use different parts of the body together smoothly and efficiently
conversation /ˌkɒnvərˈseɪʃən/ B1	noun - a talk, especially an informal one, between two or more people
daddy /ˈdædi/ A1	noun - a father
mama /ˈmɑːmə/ A1	noun - a mother
hot sauce /hɒt sɔːs/ B1	noun - a spicy sauce made from chili peppers
necklace /ˈnɛkləs/ A2	noun - a piece of jewelry worn around the neck
afro /ˈæfroʊ/ B1	noun - a hairstyle characterized by a rounded shape and natural curls

Key Grammar Structures

• You mix that negro with that Creole, make a Texas bama!

  ➔ Present simple tense used for general truths or facts.

  ➔ It states a general fact about mixing 'negro' with 'Creole' and resulting in a 'Texas bama'.

• When he fuck me good, I take his ass to Red Lobster.

  ➔ Conditional clause with present simple following 'when'.

  ➔ It indicates a habitual action that occurs under the condition 'when he fuck me good'.

• I slay (slay), I slay (hey)

  ➔ Repetition for emphasis using present simple tense.

  ➔ It emphasizes the singer's confidence and assertiveness, characteristic of the phrase 'I slay'.

• Best revenge is your paper.

  ➔ Superlative construction with 'best' + noun.

  ➔ It expresses that the most effective form of revenge is to succeed financially or professionally ('your paper' being slang for money or success).

• Prove to me you got some coordination.

  ➔ Imperative sentence with 'prove' as a command to demonstrate something.

  ➔ It is a command challenging someone to demonstrate they have skill or ability to coordinate.

• Always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper.

  ➔ Imperative sentence with 'Always stay' + adjective, and a comparative phrase.

  ➔ It advises to always behave with kindness and grace, implying that good character is the best form of revenge, often using 'your paper' as success.

• Girl, I hear some thunder.

  ➔ Simple present tense used for statements of fact or observation.

  ➔ It indicates the speaker's observation of the weather condition ('thunder').