Like A Surgeon – English Lyrics

• By: Weird Al Yankovic

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a laugh-filled journey into the English language with "Like a Surgeon" by "Weird Al" Yankovic! This brilliant parody of Madonna's "Like a Virgin" offers a unique and entertaining way to engage with English vocabulary, especially terms related to the medical field, albeit in a comedic context. The song's clever wordplay and vivid descriptions of an incompetent surgeon will not only expand your lexicon but also immerse you in a distinctly American style of humor. By listening to how Al transforms familiar phrases and maintains the original melody, you'll gain insight into the nuances of English phonetics and rhythm, all while enjoying a truly iconic piece of pop culture comedy. It's a special song because it showcases the power of language to be twisted and reinvented for comedic effect, proving that learning can be incredibly fun and memorable!

[English]

(patients murmuring) (telephone ringing)

- [PA Announcer] Dr. Ross, please report to emergency.

Dr. Ross.

- Hi, doctor. - [PA Announcer] Dr. Howard,

Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard. (patients murmuring continues)

(heart monitor droning)

(heart monitor droning continues)

(heart monitor blipping)

(lively upbeat music)

♪ I finally made it through med school ♪

♪ Somehow I made it through ♪

♪ I'm just an intern, I still make a mistake or two ♪

♪ I was last in my class ♪

♪ Barely passed at the institute ♪

♪ Now I'm trying to avoid ♪

♪ Yeah, I'm trying to avoid ♪

♪ A malpractice suit ♪

♪ Hey, like a surgeon ♪ (chainsaw revving)

♪ Cuttin' for the very first time ♪

♪ Like a surgeon ♪

♪ Organ transplants are my line ♪

♪ Better give me all your gauze, nurse ♪

♪ This patient's fading fast ♪

♪ Complications have set in ♪

♪ Don't know how long he'll last ♪

♪ Let me see that IV ♪

♪ Here we go, time to operate ♪

♪ I'll pull his insides out ♪

♪ Pull his insides out ♪

♪ And see what he ate ♪

♪ Like a surgeon, hey ♪

♪ Cuttin' for the very first time ♪

♪ Like a surgeon ♪

♪ Here's a waiver for you to sign ♪

(coin rattling) (air whooshing)

♪ Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ It's a fact, I'm a quack ♪

♪ The disgrace of the AMA ♪

♪ 'Cause my patients die ♪

♪ Yeah, my patients die ♪

♪ Before they can pay ♪

♪ Like a surgeon, hey ♪

♪ Cuttin' for the very first time ♪

♪ Like a surgeon ♪

♪ Got your kidneys on my mind ♪

♪ Like a surgeon, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Like a surgeon ♪

♪ When I reach inside ♪

♪ With my scalpel, and my forceps, and retractors ♪

♪ Oh, ho, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, ho, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Ooh, baby ♪

♪ Yeah, I can hear your heartbeat ♪

♪ For the very last time ♪ (heart monitor blipping)

(heart monitor droning)

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
surgeon /ˈsɜːrdʒən/ B1	noun - a doctor who performs operations
operate /ˈɒpəreɪt/ A2	verb - to perform a medical procedure
patient /ˈpeɪʃənt/ A1	noun - a person receiving medical care
malpractice /ˈmælpræktɪs/ C1	noun - professional wrongdoing by a doctor
intern /ˈɪntɜːrn/ B1	noun - a student or trainee doctor
transplant /ˈtrænspɒnt/ B2	noun - a surgical operation to transfer an organ verb - to transfer an organ surgically
complication /ˌkɒmplɪˈkeɪʃən/ B2	noun - a problem occurring during or after a medical procedure
scalpel /ˈskælpəl/ B2	noun - a small, sharp surgical knife
forceps /ˈfɔːsɪps/ B2	noun - an instrument for gripping or holding objects
retractor /rɪˈtræktər/ C1	noun - a surgical tool to hold back tissue
waiver /ˈweɪvər/ C1	noun - a document giving up a right or claim
fading /ˈfeɪdɪŋ/ A2	verb - to gradually grow weak or disappear
quack /kwæk/ B2	noun - a person who dishonestly claims to have medical skills
disgrace /dɪsˈɡreɪs/ B1	noun - the state of being shameful
avoid /əˈvɔɪd/ A2	verb - to prevent oneself from doing something