Got To Give It Up – English Lyrics

• By: Marvin Gaye
• Album: Live At The London Palladium

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the story behind Marvin Gaye's iconic hit, "Got To Give It Up," a song that blends funk and disco while encouraging you to lose yourself in the music. Explore the cultural context, the musical techniques, and the message of liberation that makes this song a timeless classic. Learn how to express yourself through music and movement, just like Marvin Gaye intended.

[English]

I used to go out to parties

And stand around

'Cause I was too nervous

To really get down

But my body

Yearned to be free

I got up on the floor and thought

Somebody could choose me

No more standin'

There beside the wall

Finally got myself together, baby

Now I'm havin' a ball

As long as you're groovin'

There's always a chance

Somebody watchin'

Might wanna make romance

Move your body

Ooh, baby, you dance all night

To the groove and

Feel alright

...

Party, ooh!

On like a fool (whoo, whoo)

But if you see me

Spread out and let me in

Baby, just party

High and low

Let me step into

Your erotic zone

Move it up

Turn it 'round

...

Ooh, shake it down, ow, ooh!

...

You can love me when you want to, babe

This is such a groovy party, baby

We're here face to face

Baby, everybody's swingin'

This is such a groovy place

All the young ladies are so fine

Movin' your body

Easy with no doubts

I know what you thinkin', baby

You wanna turn me on

Think I'm gonna let you do it, baby

Keep on dancin' (baby, sexy lady, foxy lady)

You got to give it up

Keep on dancin' (sexy lady, foxy lady)

You got to give it up

...

Keep on dancin'

...

You got to give it up

Keep on dancin'

You got to give it up

So keep on dancin', oh darlin', yeah

...

You got to give it up

Keep on dancin'

...

You got to give it up

Keep on dancin'

You got to give it up

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
party /ˈpɑːrti/ A1	noun - a social gathering of people for entertainment verb - to enjoy oneself at a party or other social gathering.
dance /dæns/ A1	verb - to move rhythmically to music noun - a set of steps and movements
groove /ɡruːv/ B1	verb - to enjoy oneself, especially by dancing to popular music. noun - a strong, enjoyable rhythm in music.
body /ˈbɒdi/ A1	noun - the physical structure of a person or animal
fool /fuːl/ B1	noun - a person who acts unwisely or imprudently verb - to trick or deceive
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to have a strong affection for someone noun - a strong affection for someone
sexy /ˈseksi/ B1	adjective - sexually attractive or arousing
ladies /ˈleɪdiz/ A1	noun - women
chance /tʃæns/ A2	noun - a possibility of something happening
romance /roʊˈmæns/ B2	noun - a feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love verb - to try to get someone to love you
place /pleɪs/ A1	noun - a particular position or area
wall /wɔːl/ A1	noun - a long, solid, vertical structure
zone /zoʊn/ B1	noun - an area or region
easy /ˈiːzi/ A1	adjective - achieved without great effort; presenting few difficulties
free /friː/ A1	adjective - not under the control or power of someone else; able to do or say what you want

Key Grammar Structures

• I used to go out to parties And stand around

  ➔ "used to" + infinitive

  ➔ "Used to" expresses a past habit or state that is no longer true. Here, it means the singer *formerly* went to parties and stood around, but no longer does.

• 'Cause I was too nervous To really get down

  ➔ "too + adjective + to + infinitive"

  ➔ This structure indicates that something is impossible or difficult because of the degree of the adjective. He was "too" nervous, so dancing was difficult.

• Somebody watchin' Might wanna make romance

  ➔ "might + infinitive" (modal verb)

  ➔ "Might" expresses possibility or uncertainty. It suggests that it's possible someone watching *could* want to start a romance.

• You can love me when you want to, babe

  ➔ "when you want to" (elliptical clause)

  ➔ The phrase "when you want to" is an elliptical clause, meaning the full clause is "when you want to love me". The verb "love me" is omitted to avoid repetition.

• This is such a groovy party, baby

  ➔ "such + a/an + adjective + noun"

  ➔ This structure emphasizes the degree or quality of something. It indicates that the party is very groovy.

• Think I'm gonna let you do it, baby

  ➔ "gonna" (informal future tense)

  ➔ "Gonna" is a colloquial contraction of "going to," indicating a future intention or prediction.