WATER (We Are the Enemy Really) – English Lyrics

• By: B.o.B
• Album: WATER (We Are the Enemy Really)

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the English language through the provocative and mind-bending lyrics of B.o.B's 'WATER (We Are the Enemy Really)'. This mixtape offers a unique opportunity to learn vocabulary related to politics, society, and critical thinking. What makes this project special is its unapologetic dive into controversial topics, providing a rich context for understanding complex ideas and persuasive language in English.

[English]

The closer that you get

The closer that you get to me

That's just the more I'm gon' hurt you

Hurt you

I know I said some shit

I know I said some shit I don't mean

But girl we know that's what words do

Words do

Your body says it first

So when you open up your lips to speak

Just know I already heard you

Heard you

I told you I ain't shit

But still you wanna be with me

We both know I don't deserve you

I'm only gon' hurt you

Yeah

I'm not gon' change for you, you can't fix me 'cause I'm not broken

Before you develop feelings, let's put the real in the open

You could give me your heart, that still don't mean that I own it

It's like walking a tightrope between logic and our emotions

I don't know why the story's always the same

Two people fall in love 'til they go separate ways

I'm savage by nature so blame my creator

So much pussy thrown at me, I need a coordinator

And every girl thinks she's the hundredth girl I done slept with

When I ain't even got enough time to check all my messages

Look, I grew up around women so I never felt the need to rush and

get settled down with them, I know

I don't speak for all men, I speak for me, so don't commit your life

to someone who ain't gon' keep it a G

Embrace the good, the bad, the ugly

'Cause it's certain shit in us men that just cannot be adjusted, I know

The truth is like alcohol

You think you can handle it 'til you can't stand at all

Trying to manage with a damaged heart

If every nigga ain't shit then really who's the fault?

The closer that you get

The closer that you get to me

That's just the more I'm gon' hurt you

Hurt you

I know I said some shit

I know I said some shit I don't mean

But girl we know that's what words do

Words do

Your body says it first

So when you open up your lips to speak

Just know I already heard you

Heard you

I told you I ain't shit

But still you wanna be with me

We both know I don't deserve you

I'm only gon' hurt you

I'm only gon' hurt you

Key Grammar Structures

• The closer that you get The closer that you get to me That's just the more I'm gon' hurt you

  ➔ Comparative Structure (The + comparative, the + comparative)

  ➔ This structure, "The closer... the more...", indicates that one thing changes proportionally with another. "The closer" means as you get nearer, "the more" means to a greater extent. "gon'" is an informal contraction of "going to" for future actions.

• I'm not gon' change for you, you can't fix me 'cause I'm not broken

  ➔ Informal Future ('gon'), Modal Verb of Inability ('can't'), Clause of Reason ('cause')

  ➔ "gon'" is an informal way of saying "going to" for future plans or predictions. "can't" expresses inability. "'cause" is an informal short form of "because," introducing the reason for the previous statement.

• Before you develop feelings, let's put the real in the open

  ➔ Time Clause ('Before + S + V'), Imperative/Suggestive ('let's'), Idiomatic Expression ('put the real in the open')

  ➔ "Before you develop feelings" is a time clause indicating an action that precedes another. "let's" is a suggestion for a joint action. "put the real in the open" is an idiom meaning to be completely honest and reveal the truth.

• You could give me your heart, that still don't mean that I own it

  ➔ Conditional (Hypothetical/Unreal), Noun Clause ('that I own it')

  ➔ "could give" suggests a hypothetical or unreal possibility. Even if this condition were met, the result ("that still don't mean") would remain. "that I own it" is a noun clause acting as the object of "mean." "don't" is used informally instead of "doesn't."

• It's like walking a tightrope between logic and our emotions

  ➔ Simile ('It's like + gerund'), Gerund ('walking'), Prepositional Phrase ('between X and Y')

  ➔ "It's like walking a tightrope" is a simile, comparing the situation to the act of walking a tightrope, suggesting a delicate balance. "walking" is a gerund used as part of the simile. "between logic and our emotions" specifies the two elements that need to be balanced.

• So much pussy thrown at me, I need a coordinator

  ➔ Reduced Passive Voice (Past Participle as Adjective/Implicit Passive)

  ➔ "thrown at me" functions as a reduced relative clause (e.g., "that is thrown at me") or a past participle acting adjectivally. It describes something being directed towards the speaker, implying a passive action without explicitly using "is/was."

• I never felt the need to rush and get settled down with them

  ➔ Infinitive of Purpose/Explanation ('to rush and get settled down'), Phrasal Verb ('get settled down')

  ➔ "to rush and get settled down" is an infinitive phrase explaining "the need." "get settled down" is a phrasal verb meaning to establish a stable life, often involving marriage or a long-term relationship.

• don't commit your life to someone who ain't gon' keep it a G

  ➔ Imperative ('don't commit'), Relative Clause ('who ain't gon' keep it a G'), Informal Negative/Future ('ain't gon''), Idiomatic Expression ('keep it a G')

  ➔ "don't commit" is a negative imperative giving advice. "who ain't gon' keep it a G" is a relative clause modifying "someone." "ain't gon'" is an informal contraction of "is/are not going to." "keep it a G" is an idiom meaning to stay real, genuine, or gangster (authentic to oneself).

• You think you can handle it 'til you can't stand at all

  ➔ Time Clause ('til + S + V'), Modal Verbs ('can handle,' 'can't stand')

  ➔ "'til you can't stand at all" is a time clause indicating a point in time when the previous action (thinking you can handle it) becomes impossible. "can handle" expresses ability to cope, while "can't stand" expresses complete inability to tolerate or endure, often physically or mentally.