i – English Lyrics

• By: Kendrick Lamar

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Kendrick Lamar's "i," a vibrant and profound hip-hop track that serves as an excellent entry point for understanding the rich tapestry of modern English. Its intricate lyrics, infused with powerful social commentary and deeply personal reflections on self-love and resilience, offer a unique opportunity to explore nuanced vocabulary and cultural expressions. The song's blend of classic funk and soulful delivery, combined with Kendrick's distinctive storytelling, makes it a compelling and rewarding experience for language learners eager to grasp authentic and impactful English communication.

[English]

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STOP!

STOP!

WE TALKING ABOUT PIECE.

A PIECE OF YOURS. A PIECE OF MINE.

A PIECE OF MIND. ONE NATION.

UNDER A GROOVE.

♪♪♪

♪ THIS IS A WORLD PREMIERE ♪

♪ THIS IS A WORLD PREMIERE ♪

♪ THIS IS A WORLD PREMIERE ♪

♪ I DONE BEEN THROUGH A WHOLE LOT ♪

♪ TRIAL TRIBULATION BUT I KNOW GOD ♪

♪ SATAN WANNA PUT ME IN A BOW TIE ♪

♪ PRAY THAT THE HOLY WATER DON'T GO DRY ♪

♪ YAY YAY ♪

♪ AS I LOOK AROUND ME ♪

♪ SO MANY WANNA MOTHER FUCKER WANNA DOWN ME ♪

♪ BUT AN ENEMY GONNA NEVER DROWN ME ♪

♪ IN FRONT OF A DOUBLE DIRTY MIRROR THEY FOUND ME ♪

♪ AND I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ THE WORLD IS A GHETTO BIG GUNS AND PICKET SIGNS ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ BUT IT CAN DO WHAT IT WANT WHENEVER IT WANT AND I DON'T MIND ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ HE SAID I GOTTA GET UP LIFE IS MORE THAN SUICIDE ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ ONE DAY AT A TIME THE SUN GON' SHINE ♪

♪ EVERYBODY LOOKIN' AT YOU CRAZY, CRAZY ♪

♪ WHAT YOU GON' DO, WHAT YOU GON' DO ♪

♪ LIFT YOUR HEAD AND KEEP MOVIN', KEEP MOVIN' ♪

♪ OR LET THE PARANOIA HAUNT YOU, HAUNT YOU ♪

♪ PEACE TO FASHION POLICE ♪

♪ I WEAR MY HEART ON MY SLEEVE LET THE RUNWAY START ♪

♪ YOU KNOW THE MISERABLE DO LOVE COMPANY ♪

♪ WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME AND MY SCARS ♪

♪ EVERYBODY LACK CONFIDENCE, EVERYBODY LACK CONFIDENCE ♪

♪ HOW MANY TIME MY POTENTIAL WAS ANONYMOUS ♪

♪ HOW MANY TIME THE CITY MAKING ME PROMISES ♪

♪ SO I PROMISE THIS ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ THE WORLD IS A GHETTO BIG GUNS AND PICKET SIGNS ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ BUT IT CAN DO WHAT IT WANT WHENEVER IT WANT AND I DON'T MIND ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ HE SAID I GOTTA GET UP LIFE IS MORE THAN SUICIDE ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ ONE DAY AT A TIME THE SUN GON' SHINE ♪

♪ THEY WANNA SAY IT'S A WAR OUTSIDE AND BOMB IN THE STREET♪

♪ AND A GUN IN THE HOOD AND A MOB OF POLICE ♪

♪ AND A ROCK ON THE CORNER AND A LINE FULL OF FIEND ♪

♪ AND A BOTTLE FULL OF LEAN AND A MODEL ON A SCHEME, YUP ♪

♪ THESE DAYS OF FRUSTRATION KEEP YALL ON TUCK AND ROTATION♪

♪ I DUCK THESE COLD FACES POST UP FI FIE FOE FUM BASIS ♪

♪ DREAMS OF REALITY'S PEACE, OH AYE ♪

♪ BLOW STEAM IN THE FACE OF THE BEAST ♪

♪ THE SKY COULD FALL DOWN THE WIND COULD CRY NOW ♪

♪ THE STRONG IN ME, I STILL SMILE ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ HE WORLD IS A GHETTO BIG GUNS AND PICKET SIGNS ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ BUT IT CAN DO WHAT IT WANT WHENEVER IT WANT AND I DON'T MIND ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ HE SAID I GOTTA GET UP LIFE IS MORE THAN SUICIDE ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ ONE DAY AT A TIME THE SUN GON' SHINE ♪

♪ WALK MY BARE FEET, WALK MY BARE FEET ♪

♪ DOWN DOWN VALLEY DEEP, DOWN DOWN VALLEY DEEP ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ FI FIE FOE FUM, FI FIE FOE FUM ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ MY HEART UNDONE, MY HEART UNDONE ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ THE WORLD IS A GHETTO BIG GUNS AND PICKET SIGNS ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ BUT IT CAN DO WHAT IT WANT WHENEVER IT WANT AND I DON'T MIND ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ HE SAID I GOTTA GET UP LIFE IS MORE THAN SUICIDE ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ ONE DAY AT A TIME THE SUN GON' SH. ♪

♪ HOL' UP ♪

♪ I WENT TO WAR LAST NIGHT ♪

♪ WITH AN AUTOMATIC WEAPON DON'T NOBODY CALL A MEDIC ♪

♪ IM'A DO IT TILL I GET IT RIGHT ♪

♪ I WENT TO WAR LAST NIGHT ♪

♪ I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH DEPRESSION EVER SINCE AN ADOLESCENT ♪

♪ DUCKING EVERY OTHER BLESSING I COULD NEVER SEE THE MESSAGE ♪

♪ I COULD NEVER TAKE THE LEAD I COULD NEVER BUY THE WEED ♪

♪ FROM A NIGGA VENDETTA WOULD ANNIHILATE ME ♪

♪ AND IT'S EVIDENT I'M MOVING AT A METEOR SPEED ♪

♪ FINNA RUN INTO A BUILDING LAY MY BODY IN THE STREET ♪

♪ KEEP MY MONEY IN THE CEILING ♪

♪ LET MY MOMMA KNOW I'M FREE ♪

♪ GIVE MY STORY TO THE CHILDREN AND A LESSON THEY COULD READ ♪

♪ AND THE GLORY TO THE FEELING OF THE HOLY UNSEEN ♪

♪ SEEN ENOUGH MAKE A MOTHER FUCKER SCREAM ♪

♪ I LOVE MYSELF ♪

♪ I LOST MY HEAD I MUST MISREAD WHAT THE GOOD BOOK SAID ♪

♪ OH WOES BE ME IT'S A JUNGLE INSIDE GIVE MYSELF AGAIN ♪

♪ TILL THE WELL RUNS DRY, I ♪

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Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - feel deep affection for someone
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth with all its countries and peoples
ghetto /ˈɡetoʊ/ B2	noun - a part of a city, especially a slum area, occupied by a minority group
guns /ɡʌnz/ A2	noun - weapons from which bullets are fired
suicide /ˈsuːɪsaɪd/ B2	noun - the act of killing oneself intentionally
sun /sʌn/ A1	noun - the star that provides light and heat for the earth
confidence /ˈkɒnfɪdəns/ B1	noun - the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something
potential /pəˈtenʃl/ B2	noun - latent qualities or abilities that may be developed
war /wɔːr/ A1	noun - a state of armed conflict between different nations or states
depression /dɪˈpreʃn/ B2	noun - feelings of severe despondency and dejection
bless /bles/ B1	verb - to ask for divine favor or protection for someone
move /muːv/ A1	verb - to go or pass from one place to another
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot
strong /strɒŋ/ A2	adjective - having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks
holy /ˈhoʊli/ B2	adjective - dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose
crazy /ˈkreɪzi/ B1	adjective - mentally deranged
real /ˈriːəl/ A1	adjective - actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact
evident /ˈevɪdənt/ B2	adjective - clearly seen or understood; obvious