Kings & Queens – English Lyrics

• By: Ava Max

Lyrics & Translation

Unlock a new language with Ava Max's empowering hit, "Kings & Queens." The song's clear, anthemic lyrics about strength and equality make it a fantastic and fun way to practice English. Its powerful message and catchy, pop-rock style will inspire you as you learn.

[English]

If all of the kings had their queens on the throne

We would pop champagne and raise a toast

To all of the queens who are fighting alone

Baby, you're not dancing on your own

Can't live without me, you wanna, but you can't, nah-nah-nah

Think it's funny, but honey, can't run this show on your own

I can feel my body shake, there's only so much I can take

I'll show you how a real queen behaves

Ah, no damsel in distress, don't need to save me

Once I start breathing fire, you can't tame me

And you might think I'm weak without a sword

But if I had one, it'd be bigger than yours

If all of the kings had their queens on the throne

We would pop champagne and raise a toast

To all of the queens who are fighting alone

Baby, you're not dancing on your own

Disobey me, then baby, it's off with your head

Gonna change it and make it a world you won't forget

No damsel in distress, don't need to save me

Once I start breathing fire, you can't tame me

And you might think I'm weak without a sword

But I'm stronger than I ever was before

If all of the kings had their queens on the throne

We would pop champagne and raise a toast

To all of the queens who are fighting alone

Baby, you're not dancing on your own

La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la

La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la

In chess, the king can move one space at a time

But queens are free to go wherever they like

You get too close, you'll get a royalty high

So breathe it in to feel the life

Oh yeah, oh

To all of the queens who are fighting alone

Baby, you're not dancing on your own

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
queen /kwiːn/ A1	noun - a female monarch
throne /θroʊn/ A2	noun - the seat of a monarch
champagne /ʃæmˈpeɪn/ A2	noun - a sparkling white wine
toast /toʊst/ A2	noun - a drink taken to honor someone verb - to honor with a toast
fighting /ˈfaɪtɪŋ/ A1	verb - to struggle or contend
dancing /ˈdænsɪŋ/ A1	verb - to move rhythmically to music
show /ʃoʊ/ A1	noun - a performance or display verb - to present or perform
shake /ʃeɪk/ A2	verb - to move with short, quick movements
behave /bɪˈheɪv/ A2	verb - to act in a particular way
damsel /ˈdæmzl/ B1	noun - a young woman
distress /dɪˈstres/ B1	noun - severe anxiety or suffering
breathing /ˈbriːðɪŋ/ A1	verb - to inhale and exhale air
fire /ˈfaɪər/ A1	noun - flames produced by combustion
tame /teɪm/ B1	verb - to make a wild animal obedient
sword /sɔːrd/ A2	noun - a weapon with a long blade
disobey /ˌdɪsəˈbeɪ/ B1	verb - to fail to obey a rule or command
chess /tʃɛs/ A2	noun - a board game for two players
royalty /ˈrɔɪəlti/ B1	noun - kings, queens, and other monarchs

Key Grammar Structures

• If all of the kings had their queens on the throne

  ➔ Second Conditional

  ➔ The structure 'If + past simple, would + infinitive' is used to talk about hypothetical situations in the present or future. Here, it imagines a scenario where kings have their queens on the throne.

• We would pop champagne and raise a toast

  ➔ Modal Verb (would) for Future in the Past

  ➔ 'Would' is used here to express a future action from the perspective of the past. It indicates a planned or imagined action following the hypothetical situation.

• Can't live without me, you wanna, but you can't, nah-nah-nah

  ➔ Contractions and Informal Language

  ➔ Contractions like 'can't' (cannot) and informal expressions like 'nah-nah-nah' are used to create a casual and conversational tone in the lyrics.

• I can feel my body shake, there's only so much I can take

  ➔ Present Simple for Permanent States

  ➔ The present simple 'can feel' and 'can take' are used to describe ongoing or permanent states or abilities. Here, they express the singer's continuous feelings and limits.

• Once I start breathing fire, you can't tame me

  ➔ First Conditional

  ➔ The structure 'If + present simple, will/can + infinitive' is used for likely future results. Here, it suggests that if the singer starts breathing fire, she cannot be tamed.

• Disobey me, then baby, it's off with your head

  ➔ Future Threat with 'will'

  ➔ The use of 'will' in 'it's off with your head' indicates a future threat or consequence. It adds a dramatic and authoritative tone to the line.

• In chess, the king can move one space at a time

  ➔ Present Simple for General Truths

  ➔ The present simple 'can move' is used to state a general truth or fact about chess. It describes a permanent rule of the game.

• So breathe it in to feel the life

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ The imperative mood is used to give commands or instructions. Here, 'breathe it in' is a direct instruction to the listener.