I'll Kiss You – English Lyrics

• By: Cyndi Lauper

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the bold and playful side of the English language with Cyndi Lauper's “I'll Kiss You.” This song is a fantastic way to learn vocabulary related to love and desire, all wrapped up in a classic 80s synth-pop package. Its narrative style and assertive lyrics make it a unique and empowering song to explore.

[English]

Went down to the local gypsy and I handed her the same line

"You know what I want from you, so honey, won't ya gimme number nine?"

'Cause you know lately, I ain't feelin' so great

Last time she gave me love potion number eight

And you know pretty baby, how I think you're pretty smart

But one sip from this bottle and I'll tear you all apart

The gypsy told me that the first thing that would happen, you get dizzy

Second thing you better make sure that your boyfriend isn't busy

'Cause you don't wanna eat and you won't wanna drink

You won't wanna talk and you don't wanna think

My mother used to tell me not to kiss on the first date

This time when I see you, you know I ain't gonna wait

I'll kiss you, gonna corner you and not let you go

I'll kiss you, don't tell me nothin', I don't wanna know

Twiddly-dee and twiddly-dum

I'll kiss you, I'll kiss you, I'll kiss you

...

Hopped into a taxi, told the driver, "Got to get me 'cross town"

Killed the bottle, started seeing double when the driver turned around

And though I was a failure with love potion number eight

Number nine was different and the hour's getting late

Now I'm standin' on the corner, everyone looks great to me

And if you come and get me, take me where I want to be

I'll kiss you, gonna corner you and not let you go

I'll kiss you, don't tell me nothin', I don't wanna know

Twiddly-dee and twiddly-dum

I'll kiss you, I'll kiss you, I'll kiss you

...

'Cause you know lately, I ain't feelin' so great

Last time she gave me love potion number eight

And you know pretty baby, how I think you're pretty smart

But one sip from this bottle and I'll tear you all apart

I'll kiss you, gonna corner you and not let you go

I'll kiss you, don't tell me nothin', I don't wanna know

Twiddly-dee and twiddly-dum

I'll kiss you, I'll kiss you, I'll kiss you

Oh, you know lately, I ain't feelin' so great

Last time she gave me love potion number eight

And you know pretty baby, oh, I don't wanna talk and I don't wanna think

I'll kiss you, I'll kiss you, I'll kiss you

Ah, twiddly-dee, twiddly-dum, oh yeah

I'll kiss you, I'll kiss you, I'll kiss you

Oh, I don't wanna talk and I don't wanna sleep

I was a failure with love potion number eight

But number nine was different and the hour's getting late

I'll kiss you, I'll kiss you

I don't wanna talk and I don't wanna sleep

I'll kiss you, I'll kiss you, I'll kiss you

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
kiss /kɪs/ A1	verb - to touch with the lips noun - a touch with the lips
feel /fiːl/ A2	verb - to experience an emotion or sensation
smart /smɑːrt/ B1	adjective - intelligent
corner /ˈkɔːrnər/ B1	verb - to force someone into a difficult situation noun - a point or angle where two lines or surfaces meet
potion /ˈpoʊʃən/ B2	noun - a magical or medicinal drink
driver /ˈdraɪvər/ B1	noun - a person who drives a vehicle
failure /ˈfeɪljər/ B2	noun - lack of success
hour /ˈaʊər/ A2	noun - a period of sixty minutes
late /leɪt/ A2	adjective - after the expected time
drink /drɪŋk/ A1	verb - to consume liquid noun - a liquid for drinking
talk /tɔːk/ A1	verb - to communicate verbally
think /θɪŋk/ A2	verb - to have thoughts
sleep /sliːp/ A1	verb - to rest with closed eyes
tear /tɪər/ B1	verb - to rip or pull apart
gypsy /ˈdʒɪpsi/ B2	noun - a member of a traditionally nomadic people
dizzy /ˈdɪzi/ B1	adjective - having a sensation of spinning around

Key Grammar Structures

• Went down to the local gypsy and I handed her the same line

  ➔ Past Simple Tense

  ➔ The verbs 'went' and 'handed' are in the past simple tense, indicating completed actions in the past.

• 'Cause you know lately, I ain't feelin' so great

  ➔ Present Perfect Continuous

  ➔ 'Ain't feelin'' is a contraction of 'am not feeling,' using the present perfect continuous to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present.

• The gypsy told me that the first thing that would happen, you get dizzy

  ➔ Future in the Past

  ➔ 'Would happen' is used to express a future action from the perspective of the past.

• But one sip from this bottle and I'll tear you all apart

  ➔ Future with 'will'

  ➔ 'I'll tear' uses 'will' to indicate a future action based on a present decision or promise.

• I'll kiss you, gonna corner you and not let you go

  ➔ Future with 'gonna'

  ➔ 'Gonna corner' is an informal way to express future intention using 'going to.'

• Twiddly-dee and twiddly-dum

  ➔ Nonsense Words (no specific grammar)

  ➔ 'Twiddly-dee' and 'twiddly-dum' are nonsense words used for rhythmic effect, with no grammatical significance.

• Number nine was different and the hour's getting late

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense

  ➔ 'Is getting' is in the present continuous tense, indicating an action happening now or around now.