Lyrics & Translation
Discover the story behind Destiny's Child's hit song, "Say My Name," a powerful anthem of suspicion and confrontation in relationships. Explore the meaning of its iconic lyrics, the drama behind the music video's lineup change, and how this song became a defining moment for the group and R&B music, offering insights into themes of trust and communication.
Key Vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meanings |
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name /neɪm/ A1 |
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baby /ˈbeɪbi/ A1 |
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love /lʌv/ A1 |
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running /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ A1 |
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shady /ˈʃeɪdi/ B1 |
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change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A1 |
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sudden /ˈsʌdən/ A2 |
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claim /kleɪm/ B1 |
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assume /əˈsjuːm/ B1 |
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strange /streɪndʒ/ A2 |
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truth /truːθ/ A1 |
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ladies /ˈleɪdiz/ A1 |
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bounce /baʊns/ A2 |
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clique /klik/ B2 |
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prove /pruːv/ A2 |
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usual /ˈjuːʒuəl/ A2 |
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reason /ˈriːzən/ A1 |
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game /ɡeɪm/ A1 |
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voice /vɔɪs/ A1 |
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lie /laɪ/ A1 |
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Key Grammar Structures
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If no one is around you
➔ Conditional Clause (Type 1)
➔ The clause starting with "If no one is around you" expresses a real or very likely condition in the present or future, leading to a probable outcome.
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You acting kind of shady
➔ Present Continuous (informal omission of 'be' verb)
➔ In informal speech, the auxiliary verb "are" is often "omitted" before a present participle like "acting", but the meaning of an ongoing action remains clear.
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Could it be that you are at the crib with another lady?
➔ Modal Verb 'Could' for Possibility
➔ "Could" is used here to express a "possibility" or a suggestion about a present situation, often in a questioning context like "Could it be that...".
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I am not the one to sit around and be played
➔ Passive Voice ('be played') and Infinitive of Purpose
➔ "be played" is in the "passive voice", indicating that the subject ("I") is receiving the action of being deceived or manipulated, rather than performing it. The infinitive phrase "to sit around and be played" describes the purpose or role.
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Why don't you say the things that you said to me yesterday?
➔ Negative Suggestion/Advice ('Why don't you...') + Relative Clause
➔ "Why don't you..." is a common phrase used to make a "suggestion" or give advice. "that you said to me yesterday" is a "relative clause" modifying "the things", providing more information about them.
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I know you say that I am assuming things
➔ Reporting Verb + Noun Clause
➔ "say" is a "reporting verb" used to convey what someone else said. "that I am assuming things" is a "noun clause" acting as the direct object of "say", often introduced by "that" (which can sometimes be omitted).
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Shouldn't be no reason why you're acting strange
➔ Modal Verb 'Shouldn't' for Expectation/Advice + Informal Double Negative
➔ "Shouldn't" expresses an "expectation" or advice that something is not right. The combination of "shouldn't be" and "no reason" creates an "informal double negative" for emphasis, meaning 'there should be no reason'.
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How would you like it if I came over with my clique?
➔ Second Conditional (Hypothetical Situation)
➔ This "second conditional" structure ("How would you like it if I came...") is used to talk about an "unreal or hypothetical situation" in the present or future and its probable result.
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It's hard to believe that you are at home by yourself
➔ Impersonal 'It' + Adjective + Noun Clause
➔ "It's hard" uses "impersonal it" as a dummy subject, followed by an adjective. "that you are at home by yourself" is a "noun clause" that clarifies what is hard to believe.
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Why do you feel you gotta lie?
➔ Question with 'Do' + Informal Contraction 'Gotta'
➔ "Why do you feel..." is a standard "question structure" using the auxiliary verb "do". "gotta" is an "informal contraction" of "have to", meaning obligation or necessity.
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