Flashlight – English Lyrics

• By: Parliament

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the joyous and inventive world of P-Funk with "Flashlight"! This song is a fantastic entry point into the English language through music, showcasing creative storytelling and playful vocabulary within its cosmic narrative. Learning the lyrics will introduce you to the unique mythology of Parliament-Funkadelic and the universal language of dance, all set to one of the most iconic synth-bass grooves ever recorded.

[English]

Now, I lay me down to sleep

Ooh, I just can't find a beat

Flash light (ohh, I will never dance!)

Flash light

Flash light

Flash light

Ha da da dee da hada hada da da

Oh, it's no use!

Flash light

Red light

Neon light

Ooh, stop light

Now I lay me down to sleep

I guess I'll go count the sheep

Oh, but I will never dance

(Oh, don't make me do it)

(Dance, sucker! Ooh ha ha!)

(Oww! Get him!)

Most of all he needs the funk (shine it)

Help him find the funk (ha, funk it!)

Most of all he needs the funk

Help him find the funk (get him)

Most of all he needs the funk (I know we can get him)

Help him find the funk (ho!)

Most of all he needs the funk (ha, don't!)

Help him find the funk (I know you will! Dance, sucker!)

Most of all he needs the funk (Shine the spotlight on him!)

Help him find the funk (Oh funk me!)

Ha da da dee da hada hada da da (Dance, Nose! You know you on my funk street???)

Oh, funk me!

Ha da da dee da hada hada da da (Get on down, Nose! I like it! Dance, then!)

Flash light

Flash light (oh ho ho!)

Spot light (spot light)

Neon light (neon light)

Street light (street light)

Oh ho, ha ha!

Everybody's got a little light under the sun

Shinin' on the funk

Shinin' on the funk

Most of all he need the funk (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da)

Help him find the funk

Most of all he need the funk

Help him find the funk

Most of all he need the funk

Help him find the funk

Most of all he need the funk

Help him find the funk

Ha da da dee da hada hada da da

Oh

Flash light (flash light, flash light)

Flash light (flash light, flash light)

Flash light (oh, flash light)

Flash light (oh, flash light)

Spot light (spot light)

Neon light (ooooh, neon light)

Flash light (ooh, flash light ho!)

Stop light (stop light)

Now I lay me down to sleep

I guess I'll go count the sheep

Ha da da dee da hada hada da da (oh)

Shake your funk (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da)

Shake your funk (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da)

Shake your rump (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da) (ho!)

I think I found the funk

Flash light (flash light)

Day light (day light)

Spot light (spot light)

Red light (ohhh, hooo, red light!)

Everybody's got a little light under the sun

Ha da da dee da hada hada da da

Ha da da dee da hada hada da da

Ha da da dee da hada hada da da

Ha da da dee da hada hada da da

Ha da da dee da hada hada da da

Ha da da dee da hada hada da da

Ha da da dee da hada hada da da

Ha da da dee da hada hada da da

Everybody's got a little light under the sun

Under the sun

Under the sun

Under the sun

Under the sun

Under the sun

Under the sun

Under the sun

Under the sun

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
sleep /sliːp/ A1	verb - to be in a state of rest when your eyes are closed, your body is inactive, and your mind is unconscious noun - a condition of rest for the body and mind
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - the brightness produced by the sun, fire, a lamp, etc. adjective - not heavy
dance /dæns/ A1	verb - to move rhythmically to music noun - a series of movements performed in time to music
red /red/ A1	adjective - of a color like blood noun - a color like blood
stop /stɒp/ A1	verb - to cease moving or operating noun - an act of stopping
sheep /ʃiːp/ A1	noun - a farm animal with a thick woolly coat
need /niːd/ A1	verb - require (something) because it is essential or very important noun - a thing that is necessary or wanted
sun /sʌn/ A1	noun - the star that provides light and heat to Earth
street /striːt/ A1	noun - a public road in a city or town
find /faɪnd/ A1	verb - to discover or locate (something or someone) unexpectedly or while looking for something else
shake /ʃeɪk/ A2	verb - to move (something) up and down or from side to side with rapid, forceful movements
count /kaʊnt/ A2	verb - to determine the total number of (a collection of items)
neon /ˈniːɒn/ B1	noun - a gaseous chemical element adjective - very bright, like neon lights
spotlight /ˈspɒtlaɪt/ B2	noun - a powerful light focused on a small area, especially used to illuminate a performer on stage verb - to highlight or give prominence to
funk /fʌŋk/ B2	noun - a genre of music characterized by a strong rhythmic groove, often using syncopated bass lines and percussive instruments

Key Grammar Structures

• Now, I lay me down to sleep

  ➔ Inversion (archaic/poetic)

  ➔ The standard word order is "I lay me down to sleep now." The inversion, placing "lay" before "me," creates a more stylized, almost prayer-like effect. It is an old-fashioned way of speaking/writing.

• Ooh, I just can't find a beat

  ➔ Negative contraction with "can't"

  ➔ "Can't" is the contracted form of "cannot". This shows inability or impossibility. Here, the speaker expresses an inability to find a rhythm or beat.

• Oh, but I will never dance

  ➔ Future tense with "will" + adverb "never"

  ➔ "Will" indicates future intention or prediction. "Never" is an adverb of frequency that means "not at any time". Together, they strongly emphasize the speaker's intention to not dance.

• Most of all he needs the funk

  ➔ Superlative phrase "most of all" + 3rd person singular present tense "needs"

  ➔ "Most of all" emphasizes that something is the most important thing. The use of "needs" indicates that the person lacks something vital. The sentence says the most important thing this person requires is the 'funk'.

• Everybody's got a little light under the sun

  ➔ Contraction "everybody's" = everybody has + indefinite article "a little" + preposition "under"

  ➔ "Everybody's" is a contraction of "everybody has". "A little light" suggests a small amount of potential or talent. "Under the sun" is an idiom that means in the world or in existence. The sentence means everyone possesses a bit of unique potential.

• I think I found the funk

  ➔ Past simple tense "found"

  ➔ "Found" is the past tense of "find", indicating that the action of discovering the funk is complete.