Funky Music (Is A Part Of Me) – English Lyrics

• By: Luther Vandross
• Album: Luther

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant world of early Luther Vandross with "Funky Music (Is A Part Of Me)" and discover the energy that defined his foundational sound. Through its repetitive, joyful lyrics and undeniable groove, you can learn common expressions of enthusiasm and the powerful connection between music and physical expression in English. This song is special because it's an early showcase of Vandross's songwriting genius and vocal prowess, capturing the pure, uninhibited spirit of funk and soul that would become a hallmark of his legendary career.

[English]

Every time I hear

funky music

I just can't stand still

I've got to move

Every time I feel

my motor getting in gear

Funky music is

somewhere near

Funky music

sure enough

is a part of me

I'll do the singing

Just give me the beat from the drummer, please

Funky music

it's deep inside of me

I can't help it

I've got to move

Every time funky music comes around

Funky sounds I hear when I'm walking

It seems like everywhere I turn

I hear the funky beat

People think

I'm a little crazy

'Cause they'll see me walking

Then I'll start dancing in the street (Sock it to me)

Funky music

sure enough

is a part of me

I'll do the singing

Just give me the beat from the drummer, please

Funky music

it's deep inside of me

I go crazy, yes, I do

Every time funky music comes around

Funky music

sure enough

is a part of me

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
funky /ˈfʌŋ.ki/ B2	adjective - stylishly modern and unconventional; having a strong, rhythmic groove
music /ˈmjuː.zɪk/ A1	noun - organized sound that is pleasant to listen to
move /muːv/ A1	verb - to change position or go from one place to another
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - to experience an emotion or a physical sensation
motor /ˈmoʊ.t̬ɚ/ B1	noun - a machine that produces motion, especially an engine
gear /ɡɪər/ B1	noun - a set of teeth on a wheel that transmits motion
beat /biːt/ A2	noun - a regular rhythmic pattern in music
drummer /ˈdrʌm.ɚ/ B2	noun - a person who plays drums
deep /diːp/ B1	adjective - extending far down from the surface; profound
inside /ɪnˈsaɪd/ A2	adverb - within the interior of something
crazy /ˈkreɪ.zi/ A2	adjective - wildly excited or irrational; mentally unsound
dancing /ˈdæn.sɪŋ/ A2	noun - the activity of moving rhythmically to music verb - to move rhythmically to music
singing /ˈsɪŋ.ɪŋ/ A2	noun - the act of producing musical sounds with the voice verb - to produce musical sounds with the voice
stand /stænd/ A2	verb - to be in an upright position; to remain motionless noun - a piece of furniture for holding objects
part /pɑːrt/ A2	noun - a piece or segment of something larger
sound /saʊnd/ A1	noun - vibration that travels through the air or another medium and can be heard
walk /wɔːk/ A1	verb - to move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn
turn /tɜːrn/ A2	verb - to change direction or orientation noun - an instance of rotating or changing direction
think /θɪŋk/ A1	verb - to have thoughts or opinions; to consider

Key Grammar Structures

• Every time I hear funky music I just can't stand still

  ➔ Zero Conditional with "Every time"

  ➔ This structure describes a general truth or a habitual outcome that always happens when a certain condition is met. The phrase "Every time" functions similarly to "If" for universal truths. Here, it means 'whenever' I hear funky music, I *always* can't stand still.

• I've got to move

  ➔ "Have got to" for obligation/necessity

  ➔ The phrase "have got to" expresses a strong, often informal, sense of obligation or necessity, meaning 'I must move' or 'I need to move'.

• my motor getting in gear

  ➔ Idiomatic Phrasal Verb "get in gear"

  ➔ The idiomatic phrasal verb "get in gear" means to start working effectively or to become ready for action, often used metaphorically for a person or a situation.

• Funky music is somewhere near

  ➔ Indefinite Adverb of Place ("somewhere")

  ➔ "Somewhere" is an indefinite adverb of place used to refer to an unspecified or unknown location. It indicates that the music is in a nearby but not precisely identified place.

• Just give me the beat from the drummer, please

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ The imperative mood is used to give direct commands, instructions, or to make requests. The subject 'you' is implied. Here, it's a polite request due to 'please'.

• I can't help it

  ➔ Idiomatic Expression "can't help it"

  ➔ This fixed idiomatic expression means that one is unable to prevent or control a particular action, feeling, or situation, often implying an irresistible urge.

• It seems like everywhere I turn

  ➔ "It seems like" (expressing an impression) + Adverb of Place ("everywhere")

  ➔ "It seems like" is used to express an impression, opinion, or appearance, suggesting that something appears to be true. "Everywhere" is an adverb of place indicating all locations or in every place.

• Then I'll start dancing in the street

  ➔ Verb + Gerund ("start dancing")

  ➔ The verb "start" is followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb functioning as a noun) to indicate the beginning of an action. Many verbs can be followed by a gerund.

• Funky music sure enough is a part of me

  ➔ Adverbial Phrase "sure enough"

  ➔ "Sure enough" is an adverbial phrase meaning 'as expected,' 'certainly,' or 'indeed,' used to emphasize the truth or certainty of a statement, often implying that something happened just as one thought it would.