Funky Kingston

• By: Toots & The Maytals
• Album: Funky Kingston

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
give /ɡɪv/ A1	verb - to freely transfer the possession of something to someone
want /wɒnt/ A1	verb - to have a desire to possess or do (something)
believe /bɪˈliːv/ A2	verb - accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of
say /seɪ/ A1	verb - to utter words
music /ˈmjuːzɪk/ A1	noun - vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion
find /faɪnd/ A1	verb - discover or perceive unexpectedly or while looking for something
shake /ʃeɪk/ B1	verb - to move (something) with quick, short movements
funky /ˈfʌŋki/ B2	adjective - having or using qualities (such as a strong rhythmic element) considered characteristic of funk
guitar /ɡɪˈtɑːr/ A1	noun - a stringed musical instrument with a neck and a flat soundbox
hear /hɪər/ A1	verb - perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something)
piano /piˈænoʊ/ A1	noun - a large keyboard musical instrument with strings struck by hammers
lick /lɪk/ B2	verb - pass the tongue over (something) so as to taste, moisten, or clean it noun - (in popular music) a short series of notes, typically forming part of a solo.
watch /wɒtʃ/ A1	verb - look at attentively over a period of time
play /pleɪ/ A1	verb - engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.
east /iːst/ A1	noun - the direction toward the point of the horizon where the sun rises at the equinoxes
west /west/ A1	noun - the direction toward the point of the horizon where the sun sets at the equinoxes
north /nɔːrθ/ A1	noun - the direction toward the point of the horizon 90° clockwise from east
south /saʊθ/ A1	noun - the direction toward the point of the horizon 180° clockwise from north
people /ˈpiːpl/ A1	noun - human beings in general or considered collectively
take /teɪk/ A1	verb - lay hold of (something) with one's hands; reach for and hold
fetch /fetʃ/ B1	verb - go for and then bring back (someone or something) for someone

Grammar:

• I want you to believe every word I say

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood (request/desire)

  ➔ While not explicitly using "that" and a base form verb, the structure "I want you to + infinitive" expresses a desire or request. It subtly implies a subjunctive element as the action is desired, not necessarily factual. A more formal version might be "I want that you believe...", using the subjunctive more directly. B2-C1 levels should understand the nuances of expressing desires indirectly.

• Music is what I've got to give

  ➔ Relative Clause with 'what'

  ➔ 'What' introduces a relative clause that functions as a noun. Here, "what I've got" acts as the object of the preposition "to". This is a common structure for C1-C2 levels.

• I've got to find some way to make it

  ➔ "Have got to" (obligation/necessity)

  ➔ "Have got to" is an informal way of expressing obligation or necessity, similar to "have to" or "must". At B2, students should be familiar with this construction, while C1-C2 levels would use it naturally.

• Lemme hear your funky guitar...

  ➔ Informal Contraction "Lemme" (Let me)

  ➔ "Lemme" is a very informal contraction of "let me." It's typical of colloquial speech and song lyrics. Understanding and using informal contractions appropriately is a skill expected at B2 and above.

• Somebody take it away from me

  ➔ Imperative with implied subject

  ➔ The sentence is in the imperative mood, giving a command or request. The subject "you" is implied. At B2+, students should comfortably use and understand imperatives.

• You gotta go and fetch one

  ➔ "Gotta" (informal contraction of "got to") + "go and" (idiomatic expression)

  ➔ "Gotta" is another informal contraction. "Go and" followed by a verb (fetch) is a common idiomatic way of indicating purpose of movement. This combines two informal elements, requiring a solid understanding of conversational English at C1-C2.