Runaway Baby – English Lyrics

• By: Bruno Mars
• Album: Doo-Wops & Hooligans

Lyrics & Translation

Ready to groove to some electrifying English? Bruno Mars' "Runaway Baby" is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in dynamic, expressive English with its playful lyrics and classic funk-pop style. You'll encounter vibrant vocabulary related to relationships and warnings, delivered with Bruno's signature charismatic flair. The song's clear narrative and catchy hooks make it a memorable tune for language learners to pick up new phrases and understand conversational English in a fun, musical context.

[English]

[Music]

what do we have

another pretty thing ready for me to

grab but little does she know that i'm a

wolf

this is what i say

[Music]

[Music]

baby baby

this is

[Music]

is

[Music]

[Applause]

you better you better you better go

is

baby

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
music /ˈmjuzɪk/ A1	noun - organized sound that is pleasant to hear
applause /əˈplɔːz/ C1	noun - clapping to show approval or praise
baby /ˈbeɪbi/ A1	noun - a very young child
wolf /wʊlf/ B1	noun - a wild carnivorous mammal of the dog family
thing /θɪŋ/ A1	noun - an object, idea, or matter
grab /ɡrӕb/ A2	verb - to seize or take hold of something quickly
know /noʊ/ A1	verb - to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information
say /seɪ/ A1	verb - to utter words so as to convey information, an opinion, a feeling or intention
go /ɡoʊ/ A1	verb - to move from one place to another
better /ˈbɛtər/ B1	adjective - of a higher quality or more desirable
ready /ˈrɛdi/ A2	adjective - prepared for use or action
pretty /ˈprɪti/ A1	adjective - attractive in a delicate way
little /ˈlɪtl/ A1	adjective - small in size, amount, or degree
another /əˈnʌðər/ A2	adjective - one more; an additional

Key Grammar Structures

• what do we have

  ➔ Question formation with auxiliary 'do'

  ➔ The auxiliary **"do"** is added before the subject to make a present‑simple question.

• another pretty thing ready for me to grab

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose (to + verb)

  ➔ The phrase **"to grab"** expresses the purpose of the action "ready for me".

• but little does she know that I'm a wolf

  ➔ Inversion with 'little does' for emphasis

  ➔ The auxiliary **"does"** precedes the subject "she" after the adverb "little".

• this is what I say

  ➔ Relative clause with 'what' as a nominal clause

  ➔ "what" functions as a **noun**, introducing the content of "I say".

• baby baby

  ➔ Repetition for emphasis (reduplication)

  ➔ The word **"baby"** is repeated to convey affection and intensity.

• you better you better you better go

  ➔ Modal-like construction "had better" (omitted "had") for strong advice

  ➔ The word **"better"** is repeated, functioning like the modal phrase "had better" meaning "should".

• you better go

  ➔ Imperative mood with omitted subject (you)

  ➔ The verb **"go"** is used as an imperative; the subject "you" is understood.

• is

  ➔ Ellipsis – omitted words leaving a fragment

  ➔ The verb **"is"** stands alone, understood from previous context; this is an example of ellipsis.