Meet El Presidente – English Lyrics

• By: Duran Duran
• Album: NOTORIOUS

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the culture, and Duran Duran's 'Meet El Presidente' offers a unique opportunity. With its clever and somewhat cryptic lyrics, you can explore the nuances of English political commentary and satire from the 1980s. The song's energetic funk-rock style makes it an engaging listen, and deciphering its layered meaning is a rewarding challenge for any language learner.

[English]

Ooh, ooh

Yeah, mhmm, miss

Miss November Tuesday

Bend your rubber rules

Take your time but don't take

Off your high-heeled shoes

She's in demand at dinner time (she's in demand)

She's on the factory wall (she's upon a factory wall)

And when the gentlemen retire (when they retire)

Guess who's in control?

She blew your money

On taking a cruise

If that isn't funny

Well, watch out teacher

Ooh, ooh, when the chamber's empty

She said, "Ooh, ooh, meet El Presidente"

Dressed in flimsy clothing

Use your lipstick line

To color fear and loathing

With a pink disguise

You've never refused

When she lies back

Put a stripe on the Union

And a star in the Jack

She's on the case at dinner time (at dinner time)

She's on the evening news (seen her on the evening news)

And if you dare step out of line (step out of line)

You're going to be abused

You may not like it

You may not be scared

But hell has no fury

Like a young girl's ego

Ooh, ooh, when the chamber's empty

She said, "Ooh, ooh, meet El Presidente"

...

You might adopt an attitude (attitude)

Look on the moral side (looking on the moral side)

But if police are after you (after you)

Where's the best place to hide?

For this production

They gave her a gun

Ain't no director

So, watch out actors

Ooh, ooh, when the chamber's empty

She said, "Ooh, ooh, meet El Presidente"

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
demand /dɪˈmænd/ B2	noun - the need for something verb - to ask for something with force
retire /rɪˈtaɪər/ B1	verb - to leave a job
control /kənˈtroʊl/ B1	noun - the power to influence verb - to exercise restraint or direction
cruise /kruːz/ B1	noun - a voyage on a ship verb - to travel on a ship
empty /ˈempti/ A2	adjective - containing nothing
clothing /ˈklouðɪŋ/ A2	noun - things worn to cover the body
color /ˈkʌlər/ A2	verb - to add hue to noun - a visual perception
loathing /ˈloʊðɪŋ/ C1	noun - intense dislike
refuse /rɪˈfjuːz/ B1	verb - to decline
fury /ˈfjʊəri/ B2	noun - extreme anger
ego /ˈiːɡoʊ/ B2	noun - sense of self-importance
attitude /ˈætɪtjuːd/ B1	noun - a feeling or belief
moral /ˈmɔːrəl/ B2	adjective - concerned with principles of right and wrong noun - principles of right and wrong
police /pəˈliːs/ A2	noun - law enforcement
production /prəˈdʌkʃən/ B2	noun - the process of creating something
actors /ˈæktərz/ A2	noun - people who perform in plays or movies

Key Grammar Structures

• Bend your rubber rules

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ The phrase uses the imperative mood to give a direct command or instruction, here advising the listener to 'bend' the rules.

• She's in demand at dinner time (she's in demand)

  ➔ Present Simple Passive

  ➔ The sentence uses the present simple passive to describe a habitual or general situation, indicating that she is frequently sought after during dinner time.

• If that isn't funny, Well, watch out teacher

  ➔ First Conditional

  ➔ The sentence uses the first conditional to express a likely outcome based on a probable condition, here suggesting that if the situation isn't funny, the teacher should be cautious.

• Ooh, ooh, when the chamber's empty

  ➔ Present Simple with Future Meaning

  ➔ The phrase uses the present simple to refer to a future event in a time clause, indicating that the action will occur when a specific condition is met.

• You might adopt an attitude (attitude)

  ➔ Modal Verb (Might)

  ➔ The sentence uses the modal verb 'might' to express a possibility or suggestion, here indicating that adopting an attitude is a potential option.

• Where's the best place to hide?

  ➔ Interrogative Sentence with 'Wh-' word

  ➔ The sentence is an interrogative sentence using a 'wh-' word to ask for specific information, here inquiring about the best place to hide.

• They gave her a gun

  ➔ Past Simple Passive

  ➔ The sentence uses the past simple passive to describe a completed action in the past, indicating that someone gave her a gun.

• So, watch out actors

  ➔ Imperative Mood with 'So,'

  ➔ The phrase uses the imperative mood with 'so,' to give a warning or advice, here cautioning actors to be vigilant.