Liquor Store Blues – English Lyrics

• By: Bruno Mars, Damian Marley

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the laid-back yet poignant world of "Liquor Store Blues" by Bruno Mars and Damian Marley. This reggae-tinged collaboration is a perfect opportunity to explore English lyrics that speak to universal feelings of hardship and the desire for temporary relief. You'll learn relatable expressions of emotion and the unique blend of storytelling from two distinct musical styles, making it a captivating and culturally rich listening experience.

[English]

Now greetings to the world (all of you)

Voice of da one called Bruno Mars

'Long side Gong to the Zilla (you know me and roll)

Standing at this liquor store

Whiskey coming through my pores

Feeling like I run this whole block (oh really)

Lotto tickets, cheap beer

That's why you can catch me here

Tryna scratch my way up to the top

'Cause my job got me going nowhere

So I ain't got a thing to lose

Take me to a place where I don't care

This is me and my liquor store blues (yo)

I'll take one shot for my pain

One drag for my sorrow

Get messed up today

I'll be okay tomorrow

One shot for my pain

One drag for my sorrow

Get messed up today

I'll be okay tomorrow

Me and my guitar tonight

Singing to the city lights

Tryna live on more than what I got

'Cause 68 cent just ain't gon' pay the rent

So I'll be out here 'til they call the cops

'Cause my job got me going nowhere

So I ain't got a thing to lose

Take me to a place where I don't care

This is me and my liquor store blues

I'll take one shot for my pain

One drag for my sorrow

Get messed up today

I'll be okay tomorrow

One shot for my pain

One drag for my sorrow

Get messed up today

I'll be okay tomorrow

Here comes Junior Gong

I'm flying like I'm Superman

I'm thinking that I run the whole block

I don't know if it's just because

Pineapple kush between my jaws

Has got me feeling like I'm on top

Feeling like I woulda stand up to the cops

And stand up to di bigga heads

Becuh whole ah dem ah saps

All dem talk dem ah talk

And dem fly make nah drop

Nuff ghetto youth cannot escape the trap

Give me this one shot for my pain

One drag for my sorrow

Get messed up today

I'll be okay tomorrow

One shot for my pain

One drag for my sorrow

Get messed up today

I'll be okay tomorrow

Now greetings to di world

Voice of da one called Bruno Mars

'Long side Gong the Zilla

A.K.A. Damian Jr. Gong Marley, yes sir

You best believe, haha, know me, ha yeah

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
greeting /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/ B1	noun - a polite word or sign of welcome or recognition
liquor /ˈlɪkər/ B2	noun - an alcoholic drink
whiskey /ˈwɪski/ B2	noun - a type of strong alcoholic drink made from grain
pain /peɪn/ A2	noun - physical suffering or discomfort
sorrow /ˈsɔːroʊ/ B2	noun - a feeling of deep distress caused by loss or disappointment
block /blɑːk/ A2	noun - a solid piece of hard material verb - to obstruct or prevent movement
city /ˈsɪti/ A1	noun - a large town
tomorrow /təˈmɔːroʊ/ A1	noun - the day after today
guitar /ɡɪˈtɑːr/ A1	noun - a musical instrument with strings
youth /juːθ/ B1	noun - the time of life when one is young
cops /kɑːps/ B1	noun - informal term for police officers
pain /peɪn/ A2	noun - physical suffering or discomfort
shot /ʃɑːt/ A2	noun - a small amount of liquid, especially alcohol

Key Grammar Structures

• Feeling like I run this whole block

  ➔ Feeling like + clause (subject + verb)

  ➔ The construction "feeling like" introduces a subjective perception or belief. Although grammatically, the present simple "run" follows, it expresses a feeling of power or control over the area. More formally, one might use "as if" or "as though" followed by the subjunctive mood to express a hypothetical situation.

• That's why you can catch me here

  ➔ "That's why" + subject + auxiliary verb + main verb.

  ➔ "That's why" is a conjunction introducing the reason for the previous statement. "Can catch me" indicates a likelihood or common occurrence.

• 'Cause my job got me going nowhere

  ➔ 'Cause (because) + subject + verb + object + present participle (gerund)

  ➔ "Got me going" is a causative construction, where "got" functions like "made" or "caused." The present participle "going" describes the state or result of the action.

• So I ain't got a thing to lose

  ➔ Negative contraction ("ain't") + verb "got" (have) + indefinite article "a" + noun + infinitive phrase (to + verb).

  ➔ "Ain't" is a colloquial contraction for "am not," "is not," "are not," "has not," or "have not." Here it means "have not." The infinitive phrase "to lose" modifies "thing," indicating what the speaker doesn't have.

• Take me to a place where I don't care

  ➔ Imperative verb "take" + object pronoun "me" + preposition "to" + indefinite article "a" + noun "place" + relative adverb "where" + subject + negative verb "don't care"

  ➔ The sentence is a request or command. The relative adverb "where" introduces a clause describing the place, indicating a quality or characteristic of it.

• Tryna live on more than what I got

  ➔ Slang contraction "Tryna" (trying to) + verb + preposition + comparative phrase

  ➔ "Tryna" is a colloquial shortening of "trying to." The phrase "more than what I got" is a comparative indicating the desire to have more resources or opportunities than currently available.

• 'Cause 68 cent just ain't gon' pay the rent

  ➔ Informal syntax: 'Cause (because) + number + unit + adverb + negative form + future auxiliary + verb + object.

  ➔ This line uses several informal elements. "Ain't" is a contraction that is used in place of am not, is not, are not, has not, and have not. "Gon'" is slang for "going to".