FRIENDS – English Lyrics

• By: THE CARTERS
• Album: EVERYTHING IS LOVE

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the Carters' 'FRIENDS,' a powerful anthem about loyalty and authentic connections. This track, from their joint album *EVERYTHING IS LOVE*, offers a candid look into Beyoncé and JAY-Z's personal values regarding friendship. Through its conversational lyrics and heartfelt declarations, listeners can explore contemporary English expressions related to camaraderie, trust, and discerning true allies from fleeting associates, making it an insightful listen for language learners.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
friends /frɛndz/ A1	noun - a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection
real /ˈriːəl/ A2	adjective - actually existing or occurring; not imagined or pretended
better /ˈbɛtər/ A1	adjective - more excellent or effective than something else
pull /pʊl/ A1	verb - exert force on (someone or something) so as to move them toward oneself.
let /lɛt/ A1	verb - not prevent; allow.
down /daʊn/ A1	adverb - toward or in a lower place or position.
drown /draʊn/ B1	verb - die through submersion in and inhalation of water.
ground /ɡraʊnd/ A1	noun - the solid surface of the earth.
faux /foʊ/ B2	adjective - made in imitation; artificial.
business /ˈbɪznɪs/ A2	noun - a person's regular occupation, profession, or trade.
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
party /ˈpɑːrti/ A2	noun - a social gathering of invited guests, typically involving eating, drinking, and entertainment.
sight /saɪt/ A2	noun - the ability to see.
ride /raɪd/ A2	verb - sit on and control the movement of (an animal, especially a horse). noun - a journey on a horse or bicycle or in a vehicle.
goals /ɡoʊlz/ A2	noun - the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.
foes /foʊz/ B2	noun - an enemy or opponent.

Key Grammar Structures

• That's how we keep poppin' out that Benz, yeah

  ➔ Demonstrative pronoun "that's" + "how" (manner adverb) + keep + -ing (gerund)

  ➔ "That's" refers to the way or method described. "Keep + -ing" indicates continuous action or habit. Demonstrates the reason behind their success.

• We ain't even got to pretend, yeah

  ➔ Double negative (ain't...got to): Colloquial usage for emphasis, equivalent to 'don't have to'

  ➔ The phrase "ain't even got to" is a colloquial way of saying "don't even have to." The double negative emphasizes that they have no need to fake anything.

• Gon' pull me up, pull me up, pull me up And never let me drown

  ➔ Future contraction "gon'" (going to) + bare infinitive, imperative implication; "never let" + object + bare infinitive.

  ➔ "Gon' pull me up" expresses an expectation or promise of being lifted up. "Never let me drown" uses "let" in the sense of allowing something to happen, followed by the bare infinitive "drown".

• Lookin' for love in wrong places, we proposed to a stove, yeah

  ➔ Present participle "lookin'" as a shortened form of "looking". "Propose to" used metaphorically, indicating a misguided effort.

  ➔ "Lookin'" is a colloquial shortening of "looking". The phrase illustrates searching for something valuable (love) in a futile and unproductive manner (proposing to a stove, a symbol of cooking drugs or something else unattainable).

• Y'all switchin' sides like NBA teams just after halftime

  ➔ Present continuous "switchin'" (switching) used to describe an ongoing or habitual action. Simile using "like" to compare the act of switching sides to NBA teams after halftime.

  ➔ "Switchin'" is a colloquial shortening of "switching." The simile illustrates the fickleness and disloyalty of the people being addressed, comparing them to NBA teams who change sides often, often without warning, after halftime.

• Crib like the SoHo House, I might stay in and grow out my hair

  ➔ Simile using "like" to compare his crib to the SoHo House; modal verb "might" indicating possibility.

  ➔ This sentence uses a simile to compare his home ("crib") to the upscale SoHo House. The use of "might" indicates a possible, but not definite, future action of staying in and letting his hair grow.

• When I say, "Free the dogs," I free 'em That's how Meek got his freedom

  ➔ Direct speech marked by quotation marks; elliptical sentence structure in "I free 'em" (dropping the object). Causative relationship implied, with "that's how" indicating the manner.

  ➔ The first sentence demonstrates direct speech and an action taken. The second sentence uses "that's how" to link the previous action to a specific outcome: Meek obtaining his freedom.

• I don't care if the house on fire, I'm dyin', nigga, I ain't leavin'

  ➔ Conditional clause using "if" + present simple ("the house on fire"), followed by the main clause with future intention ("I ain't leavin'"). Present continuous "I'm dyin'" used for dramatic effect, not literal meaning. "Ain't" is a colloquial contraction for "am not".

  ➔ This line conveys strong loyalty and determination, even in dire circumstances. The "if" clause sets up a hypothetical situation, and the main clause expresses unwavering commitment. The use of "I'm dyin'" is hyperbole to emphasize the seriousness of the situation, not a literal statement about dying. "Ain't leavin'" reinforces this determination.