Like A Boy – English Lyrics

• By: Ciara

Lyrics & Translation

Ready to dive into the powerful world of R&B? Ciara's "Like A Boy" is more than just a catchy tune—it's a bold statement on gender roles and empowerment. By listening to its clear lyrics and engaging themes, you can pick up contemporary English phrases related to relationships and social commentary. The song's direct narrative and emotional delivery make it a compelling way to understand nuances in modern English expression, offering both linguistic insight and a powerful message about fairness and self-worth.

[English]

C-I-A-R-A

Pull up your pants (just like 'em)

Take out the trash (just like 'em)

Gettin' your cash like 'em

Fast like 'em

Girl, you wanna act like he did (what I'm talkin' bout')

Security codes on everything

On vibrate so your phone don't ever ring

(Joint account) and another one he don't know about (hey)

Wish we could switch up the roles and I could be that

Tell you I love you, but when you call, I never get back

Would you ask them questions like me, like where you be at?

'Cause I'm out, four in the morning on the corner, rolling, doing my own thing

What if I, had a thing on the side

Made you cry?

Would the rules change up, or would they still apply?

If I played you like a toy

Sometimes I wish I could act like a boy

Can't be getting mad, what you mad?

Can't handle that

Can't be getting mad, what you mad?

Can't handle that

Girl, go ahead and be (just like 'em)

Go run the streets (just like 'em)

Come home and sleep like 'em, creep like 'em

Front wit' your friends, act hard when you wit' 'em, like 'em (what?)

Keep a straight face when you tell a lie

Always keep an airtight alibi (keep him in the dark)

What he don't know won't break his heart (ayy)

Wish we could switch up the roles and I could be that

Tell you I love you, but when you call, I never get back

Would you ask them questions like me, like where you be at?

'Cause I'm out, four in the morning on the corner, rolling, doing my own thing

What if I, had a thing on the side

Made you cry? (Made you cry?)

Would the rules change up, or would they still apply?

If I played you like a toy

Sometimes I wish I could act like a boy

Can't be getting mad, what you mad?

Can't handle that

Can't be getting mad, what you mad?

Can't handle that

Can't be getting mad, what you mad?

Can't handle that

Can't be getting mad, what you mad?

Can't handle that

If I was always gone

With the sun getting home (would you like that?)

Told you I was with my crew when I knew it wasn't true

If I act like you

Walk a mile off in your shoes (would you like that?)

I'm messing with your head again

Dose of your own medicine

What if I, had a thing on the side

Made you cry? (Made you cry?)

Would the rules change up, or would they still apply?

If I played you like a toy

Sometimes I wish I could act like a boy

Can't be getting mad, what you mad?

Can't handle that

Can't be getting mad, what you mad?

Can't handle that

Can't be getting mad, what you mad?

Can't handle that

Can't be getting mad, what you mad?

Can't handle that

R-A, go

It's The Clutch

If I played you, would you like that? (It's Ciara, ha)

Had friends, would you like that? (It's Ciara, ha, ha)

Never call, would you like that? (Another one)

No, no, you wouldn't like that, no

What you mad? Can't handle that

What if I, made you cry?

Would they still apply?

What if I, if I played you like a toy

Sometimes I wish I could act like a boy

...

(Can't handle that)

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
act /ækt/ B1	verb - to do something for a particular purpose
cry /kraɪ/ A2	verb - to produce tears as a result of emotion
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to have a strong affection for someone
mad /mæd/ B1	adjective - angry or upset
rules /ruːlz/ B2	noun - a set of explicit or understood regulations
switch /swɪtʃ/ B1	verb - to change or exchange something
thing /θɪŋ/ A1	noun - an object or item
toy /tɔɪ/ A1	noun - an object for children to play with
heart /hɑːrt/ A2	noun - the organ that pumps blood in the body
corner /ˈkɔːrnər/ A2	noun - the point where two lines meet
friends /frɛndz/ A1	noun - people whom one knows and has a bond of mutual affection
morning /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/ A1	noun - the period of time from sunrise to noon
home /hoʊm/ A1	noun - the place where one lives
dark /dɑːrk/ A2	adjective - having little or no light
vibrate /vaɪˈbreɪt/ B2	verb - to move or cause to move continuously and rapidly back and forth
codes /koʊdz/ B2	noun - a system of words, letters, or symbols used to represent others

Key Grammar Structures

• What if I, had a thing on the side

  ➔ Conditional sentences (Type 2)

  ➔ The phrase "What if" introduces a hypothetical situation.

• Would the rules change up, or would they still apply?

  ➔ Modal verbs for speculation

  ➔ The use of "would" indicates a possibility or speculation about the future.

• Sometimes I wish I could act like a boy

  ➔ Wish + past simple for unreal situations

  ➔ The phrase expresses a desire for something that is not true or possible.

• Can't be getting mad, what you mad?

  ➔ Informal contractions and questions

  ➔ The phrase uses informal language to express disbelief or confusion.

• If I act like you

  ➔ Conditional sentences (Type 1)

  ➔ This structure indicates a real possibility in the present or future.

• What he don't know won't break his heart

  ➔ Negative forms in informal speech

  ➔ The phrase uses a colloquial form of negation to convey a message.

• If I was always gone

  ➔ Past subjunctive for hypothetical situations

  ➔ This structure expresses a condition that is contrary to fact.