Priorities – English Lyrics

• By: Tyla
• Album: TYLA

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Tyla's "Priorities," a captivating track where the artist confronts the pitfalls of overextending oneself. While the song is primarily in English, its soulful R&B vocals layered over an Amapiano beat offer a rich introduction to the contemporary sounds emanating from South Africa—a special blend of genres that defines Tyla's unique artistry.

[English]

My first mistake

Thinkin' that I could be everything

Look how spreadin' myself thin

Became my priority again

I was in the wrong place with the right energy

High off serotonin and callin' it chemistry

So no more takin' one for the team

These hands don't wanna hold onto things

Holdin' me back from noticin'

There wasn't a line I wouldn't cross

Was always down to get you what you want

Sayin' it out loud makes no sense, but at the time it did

Good intent, but I admit

My first mistake

Thinkin' that I could be everything

Look how spreadin' myself thin

Became my priority again

Lost (lost) my (my) way (way)

Makin' sure it was you (you) that (that) was straight (straight)

Oh, spreadin' myself thin

Became my priority again

Oh-whoa, ooh

Ooh, ooh

(How many) places can I be at once?

(How many) people can I be at once?

(How many) people can I please at once?

There wasn't a line I wouldn't cross (cross)

Was always down to get you what you want (get you what you want)

Sayin' it out loud makes no sense, but at the time it did

Good intent, but I admit

My first mistake

Thinkin' that I could be everything

Look how spreadin' myself thin

Became my priority again

Lost (lost) my (my) way (way)

Makin' sure it was you (you) that (that) was straight (straight)

Oh, spreadin' myself thin (spreadin' myself thin)

Became my priority again

Oh-whoa, ooh

Ooh, ooh

Oh-whoa, ooh

Ooh, ooh

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
priority /praɪˈɒrɪti/ B1	noun - something that is very important and must be dealt with before other things
spread /spred/ A2	verb - to distribute or arrange something over a wide area
thin /θɪn/ A1	adjective - having little depth or thickness
mistake /mɪsˈteɪk/ A2	noun - an incorrect action or decision
energy /ˈɛnərdʒi/ A2	noun - the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity
serotonin /ˌsɛrəˈtoʊnɪn/ C1	noun - a chemical substance in the brain that helps transmit signals and is associated with mood regulation
chemistry /ˈkɛmɪstri/ B2	noun - the branch of science concerned with the substances of which matter is composed
hold /hoʊld/ A1	verb - to have or keep something in one's hand or arms
back /bæk/ A1	adjective - behind or in the rear
cross /krɔs/ A1	verb - to go from one side to the other
straight /streɪt/ A1	adjective - without a bend or curve
intent /ɪnˈtɛnt/ B1	noun - a determination to do something
lost /lɔst/ A1	adjective - unable to find one's way or position
place /pleɪs/ A1	noun - a particular position or location
please /pliːz/ A1	verb - to make someone happy or satisfied

Key Grammar Structures

• My first mistake

  ➔ Possessive determiner + noun phrase

  ➔ The phrase starts with the possessive determiner "My", showing that the mistake belongs to the speaker, followed by the noun "mistake".

• Thinkin' that I could be everything

  ➔ Modal verb + bare infinitive in a that‑clause

  ➔ The speaker uses the modal verb "could" followed by the bare infinitive "be" to express a possible state within the clause introduced by "that".

• Look how spreadin' myself thin

  ➔ Imperative sentence with exclamatory how‑phrase

  ➔ The verb "Look" is in the imperative, giving a command, and it is followed by the exclamatory phrase "how spreadin' myself thin" which emphasizes the manner.

• I was in the wrong place with the right energy

  ➔ Past simple of "be" + prepositional phrases

  ➔ The verb "was" (past simple of "be") places the subject "I" in a static state, and the meaning is completed by the prepositional phrases "in the wrong place" and "with the right energy".

• High off serotonin and callin' it chemistry

  ➔ Gerund phrase used as subject complement

  ➔ The gerund "callin'" functions as a complement describing what "High off serotonin" is considered as, essentially linking the two ideas.

• These hands don't wanna hold onto things

  ➔ Negative present simple + infinitive after "wanna" (want to)

  ➔ The auxiliary "don't" makes the present simple negative, and "wanna" is a colloquial contraction of "want to" followed by the infinitive "hold".

• There wasn't a line I wouldn't cross

  ➔ Past simple negative + relative clause with modal verb

  ➔ The sentence uses the past simple negative "wasn't" and the relative clause "I wouldn't cross" where "wouldn't" is the modal verb expressing unwillingness in the past.

• (How many) people can I be at once?

  ➔ Interrogative sentence with modal verb "can"

  ➔ The question is formed with the modal verb "can" placed before the subject "I", followed by the base verb "be" to ask about the speaker's ability to be multiple people.