Question Existing – English Lyrics

• By: Rihanna
• Album: Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the English language through Rihanna's "Question Existing," a song that offers a raw and honest look into the pressures of fame. The lyrics provide a great opportunity to learn vocabulary related to introspection and emotion, while the spoken-word bridge offers a unique chance to hear a more conversational and diary-like form of English. What makes this song special is its vulnerability, allowing listeners to connect with the artist on a deeper, more human level.

[English]

Love, oh

...

Hmm

Take off my shirt

Loosen the buttons and undo my skirt

Stare at myself in the mirror

Pick me apart piece by piece

Sorrow decreased, pressure release

I put in work, did more than called upon

More than deserved

When it was over, did I wind up hurt? (Yes)

But it taught me

Before a decision, ask this question first

Who am I living for?

Is this my limit?

Can I endure some more?

Chances I'm given, question existing

Who am I living for?

Is this my limit?

Can I endure some more?

Chances I'm given, question existing

Take off my cool (take off my cool)

Show them that under here, I'm just like you

Do the mistakes I've made make me a fool

Or a human with flaws?

Admit that I'm lost, round of applause (round of applause)

Take the abuse

Sometimes, it feels like they want me to lose

It's entertainment, is that an excuse? (No)

But the question that lingers, whether win or lose is

Who am I living for?

Is this my limit?

Can I endure some more?

Chances I'm given, question existing

Who am I living for?

Is this my limit?

Can I endure some more?

Chances I'm given, question existing

Dear diary, it's Robyn

Entertaining is something I do for a living

This is not who I am

I'd like to think that I'm pretty normal

I laugh, I get mad, I hurt

I think I suck sometimes

But when you're in the spotlight, everything seems good (ooh, yeah)

Sometimes I feel like I have it worst

'Cause I have to always keep my guard up

I don't know who to trust

I don't know who wants to date me for who I am

Or who wants to be my friend for who I really am

Who am I living for?

Is this my limit?

Can I endure some more?

Chances I'm given, question existing

Who am I living for?

Is this my limit?

Can I endure some more?

Chances I'm given, question existing

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
love /lʌv/ A2	noun - deep affection or attachment verb - to feel deep affection for someone
pressure /ˈpreʃər/ B2	noun - the force or stress exerted on a material or person
question /ˈkwɛs.tʃən/ B1	noun - a sentence or phrase used to find out information verb - to ask about something
limit /ˈlɪmɪt/ B2	noun - a point that describes the maximum extent verb - to set a boundary or maximum amount
endure /ɪnˈdjʊər/ B2	verb - to withstand, tolerate hardship
exist /ɪɡˈzɪst/ B2	verb - to have actual being; to be
fool /fuːl/ B2	noun - a person who acts unwisely or imprudently verb - to deceive or trick
mistake /mɪˈsteɪk/ B2	noun - an action or decision that is wrong
flaws /flɔːz/ C1	noun - imperfections or faults
trust /trʌst/ B2	noun - belief in the honesty or reliability of someone verb - to believe in the reliability or truth of someone or something
guard /ɡɑːrd/ B2	noun - a person who watches over or protects verb - to keep watch over or protect

Key Grammar Structures

• Take off my shirt

  ➔ Imperative verb form

  ➔ The phrase uses the **imperative** to give a direct command or instruction.

• Pick me apart piece by piece

  ➔ Phrasal verb + adverbial phrase

  ➔ Uses a **phrasal verb** ('pick apart') combined with an adverbial phrase, indicating a detailed or critical analysis.

• Is this my limit?

  ➔ Interrogative sentence, present simple tense

  ➔ A **question** formed in the present simple tense to inquire about the speaker’s own limitations.

• Can I endure some more?

  ➔ Modal + subject + base verb

  ➔ Uses a **modal verb** ('can') followed by the subject and the base form of 'endure' to ask about the possibility of continuing.

• Who am I living for?

  ➔ Interrogative sentence, Present continuous tense with 'am' as auxiliary

  ➔ Uses a **question word** ('who') with the present continuous tense to ask about the subject of one's living purpose.

• Can I endure some more?

  ➔ Modal + subject + base verb

  ➔ Repeats the earlier structure with a modal 'can' to discuss possibility or capacity for continued endurance.