Make-Up – English Lyrics

• By: Prince
• Album: Originals

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the intriguing world of Prince's musical genius through "Make-Up," a distinctive electro-dance track. This song offers a fascinating glimpse into the playful and slightly rebellious narrative of getting ready for a date, all while demonstrating Prince's innovative production style and his talent for crafting unique sounds, making it a captivating listen for anyone wanting to appreciate his artistic depth.

[English]

Blush

Eyeliner

Hush

See what you made me do?

Base

Mascara

Erase

I wanna look good for you

Comb

Hair

Don't care

I hate to comb my hair

Make-up

Make-up

Pink

Blue

Purple

I wanna make it good for you

Make-up

Make-up

Make-up

Make-up

If I wear a dress

He will never call

So I wear much less

I guess I'll wear my camisole

Make-up

Make-up

Make-up

Make-up

Smoke a cigarette

I'm not ready yet

Make-up

Make-up

Make-up

Make-up

Smoke a cigarette

I'm not ready yet

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
make-up /ˈmeɪkˌʌp/ A1	noun - cosmetics applied to the face to enhance appearance verb - to apply cosmetics to the face
blush /blʌʃ/ A2	noun - a cosmetic for coloring the cheeks verb - to become red in the face from embarrassment
eyeliner /ˈaɪˌlaɪnər/ A2	noun - a cosmetic used to outline the eyes
mascara /mæˈskærə/ A2	noun - a cosmetic for darkening and thickening the eyelashes
erase /ɪˈreɪz/ A2	verb - to remove or delete something
comb /koʊm/ A1	noun - a tool with teeth for arranging hair verb - to arrange hair with a comb
hair /hɛr/ A1	noun - the threads growing on the head
pink /pɪŋk/ A1	adjective - a pale red color noun - a pale red color
blue /bluː/ A1	adjective - the color of the sky or sea noun - the color of the sky or sea
purple /ˈpɜːrpl/ A1	adjective - a color between blue and red noun - a color between blue and red
dress /drɛs/ A1	noun - a piece of women's clothing verb - to put on clothes
smoke /smoʊk/ A2	verb - to inhale and exhale tobacco noun - the visible vapor from tobacco
ready /ˈrɛdi/ A1	adjective - prepared or available for use
less /lɛs/ A1	adjective - a smaller amount
guess /ɡɛs/ A1	verb - to think something without being sure

Key Grammar Structures

• See what you made me do?

  ➔ Causative verb 'make' + object + base verb; Noun clause

  ➔ The phrase "made me do" shows that someone *caused* another to perform an action. The entire phrase "what you made me do" functions as a noun, the object of 'See'.

• I wanna look good for you

  ➔ Informal contraction 'wanna'; Linking verb + adjective

  ➔ "wanna" is an informal contraction of "want to". "look good" uses a linking verb ('look') followed by an adjective ('good') to describe the subject's appearance.

• Don't care

  ➔ Negative imperative / Ellipsis

  ➔ This is a short, emphatic way of saying "I don't care" or "Do not care." The subject 'I' is often omitted in informal speech.

• I hate to comb my hair

  ➔ Verb followed by infinitive (hate + to + verb)

  ➔ The verb "hate" is followed by the infinitive form "to comb" to express a strong dislike for the action of combing one's hair.

• I wanna make it good for you

  ➔ Causative verb 'make' + object + adjective; Informal contraction 'wanna'

  ➔ "make it good" means to cause something ('it') to become good or to perform it well. "wanna" is an informal contraction of "want to".

• If I wear a dress

  ➔ First Conditional (If + Present Simple)

  ➔ This clause sets a condition (wearing a dress) for a likely future outcome or consequence, characteristic of the First Conditional.

• He will never call

  ➔ Future Simple (will) + Adverb of frequency 'never'

  ➔ "will never call" indicates a future action that is certain not to happen, emphasizing the absolute lack of occurrence.

• So I wear much less

  ➔ Conjunction of result 'so'; Quantifier 'much less'

  ➔ "So" introduces the consequence or result of a previous statement. "much less" is a quantifier indicating a significantly smaller amount or degree.

• I'm not ready yet

  ➔ Present Simple (state) + Adverb 'yet' in negative sentences

  ➔ "not ready yet" means that the state of being ready has not been achieved up to the present moment, often implying that it is expected to happen later.