Hipocrite – English Lyrics

• By: Alec Benjamin
• Album: (Un)Commentary

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Alec Benjamin's "Hipocrite" to explore contemporary English expressions of social commentary and critique. This pop-infused singer-songwriter track uses clever wordplay and direct language to articulate frustrations with insincerity, offering a unique opportunity to understand how modern English addresses complex social themes through relatable storytelling and poignant observations.

[English]

It's hip to be a hypocrite, well, that's how it seems

Sayin' and portrayin' things you don't really mean

All talk, no walk

You can be a winner with no skin in the game

You can be a sinner long as you say you've changed

You're a talk, you're a walk

Well, if that's the game I'm playin'

Then I'm prayin' we don't play it for long

Yeah, if that's the game I'm playin'

Then I'm prayin' we don't play it for long

All these pompous fools

With their broken rules

And their noses in the air

Keep pretendin' that they care

All these stubborn mules

Went to fancy schools

But the only thing they learned to do is talk

It's hip to be a hypocrite, well, that's how it goes

Sayin' and portrayin' things, but only for show

They talk, throw rocks

Livin' in a mansion that they made out of glass

Always throwin' tantrums, always gettin' a pass

All talk, they don't stop

Well, if that's the game I'm playin'

Then I'm prayin' we don't play it for long

Yeah, if that's the game I'm playin'

Then I'm prayin' we don't play it for long

All these pompous fools

With their broken rules

And their noses in the air

Keep pretendin' that they care

All these stubborn mules

Went to fancy schools

But the only thing they learned to do is talk

All they do is talk

All they do is talk

All they do is talk

All they ever do is talk

All they do is talk

All they do is talk

All they do is talk

All they ever do is talk

All these pompous fools

With their broken rules

And their noses in the air

Keep pretendin' that they care

All these stubborn mules

Went to fancy schools

But the only thing they learned to do is talk

Well, if that's the game I'm playin'

Then I'm prayin' we don't play it for long

Yeah, if that's the game I'm playin'

Then I'm prayin' we don't play it for long

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
hypocrite /ˈhɪpəkrɪt/ B1	noun - a person who pretends to have qualities or beliefs that they do not really have
portray /pɔrˈtreɪ/ B2	verb - to represent or describe someone or something in a particular way
pompous /ˈpɒmpəs/ C1	adjective - appearing or trying to appear more important or significant than is necessary
stubborn /ˈstʌbərn/ B1	adjective - refusing to change one's opinion or course of action
pretend /prɪˈtɛnd/ A2	verb - to behave so as to make it appear that something is the case when it is not
tantrum /ˈtæntrəm/ B2	noun - a sudden outburst of anger or frustration, especially in a young child
mansion /ˈmænʃən/ A2	noun - a large, impressive house
glass /ɡlæs/ A1	noun - a hard, transparent material used for making windows, bottles, etc.
pray /preɪ/ A1	verb - to speak to a god or gods, asking for help, thanks, etc.
fancy /ˈfænsi/ A2	adjective - special, elaborate, or expensive verb - to imagine or think about something
learn /lɜrn/ A1	verb - to gain knowledge or skill by studying, practicing, or being taught
talk /tɔk/ A1	verb - to speak to someone noun - a conversation or discussion
walk /wɔk/ A1	verb - to move at a regular pace by putting one foot in front of the other, never having both feet off the ground at the same time
care /kɛər/ A1	verb - to feel concern or interest; to look after someone or something
rule /ruːl/ A1	noun - an official instruction that says how things should be done

Key Grammar Structures

• It's hip to be a hypocrite, well, that's how it seems

  ➔ Infinitive after adjective

  ➔ The phrase "to be" is an infinitive used after the adjective "hip" to describe a state.

• You can be a winner with no skin in the game

  ➔ Modal verb + base verb

  ➔ "can" is a modal verb expressing ability, followed by the base verb "be".

• You can be a sinner long as you say you've changed

  ➔ Conditional clause with "as" (meaning "if")

  ➔ "long as" functions as a conditional conjunction meaning "if"; the clause "you say you've changed" is the condition.

• Well, if that's the game I'm playing

  ➔ First conditional (present simple + present continuous)

  ➔ "if" introduces a real condition; "that's" is the present simple, while "I'm playing" uses the present continuous to describe an ongoing action.

• Then I'm praying we don't play it for long

  ➔ Present continuous for future intention

  ➔ "I'm praying" uses the present continuous to show a current, ongoing wish about the future.

• All these pompous fools with their broken rules

  ➔ Prepositional phrase as postmodifier

  ➔ "with their broken rules" is a prepositional phrase that adds information about the "fools".

• Keep pretending that they care

  ➔ Imperative + gerund (verb‑ing) as complement

  ➔ "Keep" is an imperative verb, and "pretending" (verb‑ing) functions as its complement, indicating a continuous action.

• All these stubborn mules went to fancy schools

  ➔ Simple past tense

  ➔ "went" is the simple past form of "go", indicating a completed action in the past.

• But the only thing they learned to do is talk

  ➔ Subject complement with infinitive (catenative construction)

  ➔ "is" links the subject "the only thing they learned to do" with the infinitive "talk" as its complement.

• All they ever do is talk

  ➔ Dummy auxiliary "do" + infinitive (cleft‑like structure)

  ➔ "do" is a dummy auxiliary used for emphasis; the real meaning is expressed by the infinitive "talk".