Spotlight – English Lyrics

• By: Jennifer Hudson

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the nuances of relationships and personal empowerment with Jennifer Hudson's "Spotlight." This song offers a powerful lesson in recognizing your worth and setting boundaries, wrapped in a catchy R&B melody that will inspire you to find your own voice and break free from controlling situations.

[English]

- I really like him.

But he is too possessive and too controlling.

I can't be myself around him.

Girl. Hold on a second.

- Yo, Jen.

Where you been?

- Baby? I'm here.

Can I breathe a second?

Been calling you like all day.

- You know what?

Let me call you right back.

- Look I need to know where you

- Girl. That's him again.

- Girl. Every time a man has me stressed,

I put on my best shoes and go out. Just go get some air.

- Okay

- And Jennifer. You are fabulous.

- Yeah I know

♪ Are you a man who loves, and cherishes, and cares for me ♪

♪ (Is that you? Is that you? Is that you?) ♪

♪ Or are you a guard in a prison of maximum security ♪

♪ (Is that you? Is that you? Is that you?) ♪

♪ Do we stay home all the time ♪

♪ 'Cause you want me all to yourself ♪

♪ (Is that you? Is that you? Is that you?) ♪

♪ Or am I locked away out of fear ♪

♪ That I'll find someone else? ♪

♪ (Is that you? Is that you?) ♪

♪ Well I don't like ♪

♪ Living under your spotlight ♪

♪ Just because you think I might ♪

♪ Find somebody worthy ♪

♪ Oh I don't like ♪

♪ Living under your spotlight ♪

♪ Maybe if you treat me right ♪

♪ You won't have to worry ♪

♪ Is this a relationship fulfilling ♪

♪ Your needs as well as mine? ♪

♪ (Is that you? Is that you? Is that you?) ♪

♪ Or is this just my sentence ♪

♪ Am I doing time ♪

♪ (Is that you? Is that you? Is that you?) ♪

♪ If this is love, real, real love ♪

♪ Then I'm staying no doubt ♪

♪ (Is that you? Is that you? Is that you?) ♪

♪ But if I'm just love's prisoner ♪

♪ Then I'm busting out ♪

♪ (Is that you? Is that you?) ♪

♪ Baby I don't like ♪

♪ Living under your spotlight ♪

♪ Just because you think I might ♪

♪ Find somebody worthy ♪

♪ Oh I don't like ♪

♪ Living under your spotlight ♪

♪ Maybe if you treat me right ♪

♪ You won't have to worry ♪

♪ Oh, you oughta be ♪

♪ Ashamed of yourself ♪

♪ What the hell do you think you're doing ♪

♪ Loving me ♪

♪ Loving me so wrong ♪

♪ Baby all I do is try ♪

♪ To show you that you're my ♪

♪ One and only guy ♪

♪ No matter who may come along ♪

♪ Open your eyes 'cause baby I don't like ♪

♪ Hey, 'cause I don't like ♪

♪ Living under your spotlight ♪

♪ Just because you think I might ♪

♪ Find somebody worthy ♪

♪ No I don't like ♪

♪ Living under your spotlight ♪

♪ Maybe if you treat me right ♪

♪ You won't have to worry ♪

♪ I don't like ♪

Girl? You know what?

I think I will go out.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
like /laɪk/ A1	verb - to have a preference for
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to have a strong affection for
man /mæn/ A1	noun - an adult male human
girl /ɡɜːrl/ A1	noun - a female child or young woman
know /noʊ/ A1	verb - to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information
breathe /briːð/ B1	verb - to take air into the lungs and expel it
fabulous /ˈfæbjələs/ B2	adjective - extraordinarily good or impressive
spotlight /ˈspɒtlaɪt/ B2	noun - a focus of public attention
relationship /rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪp/ B2	noun - the way in which two or more people or groups regard and behave toward each other
treat /triːt/ B2	verb - to behave toward or deal with in a certain way
worry /ˈwɜːri/ B2	verb - to feel anxious or concerned
fear /fɪr/ B2	noun - an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous
prisoner /ˈprɪzənər/ B2	noun - a person who is imprisoned
somebody /ˈsʌmbədi/ B2	pronoun - an unspecified person
worthy /ˈwɜːrði/ B2	adjective - having value or merit
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - a point of time as measured in hours and minutes

Key Grammar Structures

• I can't be myself around him.

  ➔ modal verb + base verb + 'be' + reflexive pronoun

  ➔ The phrase uses 'can't' which is a contraction of 'cannot,' expressing inability. 'Be' indicates a state of being, and 'myself' is a reflexive pronoun emphasizing the subject's identity.

• Or are you a guard in a prison of maximum security.

  ➔ interrogative sentence with auxiliary 'are' + subject + complement

  ➔ This is a question formed by switching the auxiliary 'are' plus the subject 'you'. It examines whether the person addressed occupies a role as a 'guard' within a metaphorical 'prison of maximum security'.

• Maybe if you treat me right.

  ➔ conditional clause with 'if' + present tense verb, followed by a main clause

  ➔ This sentence presents a hypothetical situation, indicating that the outcome depends on whether 'you' treat the speaker 'right'. The structure is typical of conditional sentences expressing potential changes based on actions.

• I don't like living under your spotlight.

  ➔ present simple negative with 'do not' + base verb

  ➔ The phrase uses the negative form of 'like' to express aversion. 'Living' is a gerund acting as the object, and 'under your spotlight' specifies the condition or environment being disliked.

• Then I'm staying no doubt.

  ➔ adverbial phrase with 'no doubt' as a modifier of the entire clause

  ➔ This phrase indicates certainty or confidence about the action of staying. 'No doubt' is an idiomatic expression emphasizing the speaker's conviction.

• Baby I don't like living under your spotlight.

  ➔ present simple negative with 'do not' + base verb

  ➔ This is a repeated negative statement showing dislike. 'Living' is a gerund, and 'under your spotlight' specifies the environment being disliked.