SU-BARBIE-A – English Lyrics

• By: MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS
• Album: Electra Heart

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the satirical world of "SU-BARBIE-A" by MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS to uncover English vocabulary related to domesticity, societal pressures, and pop culture. This song's clever wordplay and thematic depth, especially its allusions to iconic cultural figures like Barbie and "The Stepford Wives," offer a rich context for understanding nuanced English expressions and cultural critiques, making it a compelling listen for language learners.

[English]

 ♪♪ 

 ♪ Who are those great looking dolls? ♪ 

 ♪ It's quick curl-Barbie and mod-hair Ken! ♪ 

 ♪ But what do I do with my old Barbie? ♪ 

 ♪ S-U-B-A-R-B-I-E-A, S-U-B-A-R-B-I-E-A ♪ 

 ♪ Yeah ♪ 

 ♪ Su-Barbie-A ♪ 

 ♪ If you're going to tell me you don't like this dress ♪ 

 ♪ I'm sticking my head right in the oven ♪ 

 ♪ Oh, honey! ♪ 

 ♪ We are fantastic ♪ 

 ♪ hey hey hey ♪ 

 ♪ The fact is: You, being the artist that you are ♪ 

 ♪ Being the age that you are ♪ 

 ♪ Having the body that you have ♪ 

 ♪ Having the face shape that you have ♪ 

 ♪ This really does work for you! ♪ 

 ♪ Now, you are not, uh ♪ 

 ♪ Being the real adult in this ♪ 

 ♪ Not with that hair, and not with this dress ♪ 

 ♪ Honestly, I feel like I'm celebrating (Barbie) ♪ 

 ♪ And I love ♪ 

 ♪ Girl, be honest ♪ 

 ♪ Is there any possible that way you could think for a second ♪ 

 ♪ About what somebody else might think of this? ♪ 

 ♪ Doll! ♪ 

[Laughter]

 ♪ I love your wives, ♪ 

 ♪ They're so, um ♪ 

 ♪ Fuzzy fuzzy cute cute! ♪ 

 ♪ Barbie's changed, Barbie's new and different! ♪ 

 ♪ The Stepfords! [Cheering] ♪ 

 ♪ I don't like tea, I like gin ♪ 

 ♪ I think even if they don't like me, they all know me ♪ 

[Silence]

 ♪ Be who you wanna be, girl! ♪ 

 ♪ B-A-R-B-I-E ♪ 

Tanner wants a treat!

So cute!

Oh excuse us!

You potty trained Tanner, Barbie!

 ♪ Barbie girl ♪ 

Key Grammar Structures

• Who **are** those great looking dolls?

  ➔ Present Simple (To Be)

  ➔ The verb "are" is the present simple form of the verb "to be", used to describe a state or identity.

• But what **do** I **do** with my old Barbie?

  ➔ Present Simple (Auxiliary Verb)

  ➔ The auxiliary verb "do" is used to form questions in the present simple tense when the main verb is not "to be".

• If you'**re going to tell** me you don't like this dress

  ➔ Future with 'going to'

  ➔ The construction "going to + infinitive" expresses a planned or predicted future action.

• I**'m sticking** my head right in the oven

  ➔ Present Continuous

  ➔ The present continuous tense is used to describe actions happening at the moment of speaking or around it.

• I **feel** like I'**m celebrating**

  ➔ Present Simple and Present Continuous

  ➔ The sentence uses both present simple ("feel") to express a general feeling and present continuous ("I'm celebrating") to describe an action or state that is happening now.

• Is there any possible that way you **could think** for a second

  ➔ Modal Verb 'could'

  ➔ 'Could' is a modal verb used to express possibility, suggestion, or polite requests.

• Barbie**'s changed**, Barbie**'s new** and different!

  ➔ Present Perfect & Adjective

  ➔ Present Perfect tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present (Barbie's changed). Adjectives describe Barbie's characteristics.

• I **don't like** tea, I like gin

  ➔ Present Simple

  ➔ The present simple tense is used to describe habits, general truths, or facts. "Don't like" is a negative statement.

• **Be** who you wanna **be**, girl!

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ The imperative mood is used to give a command, instruction, or advice. It starts with the base form of the verb (e.g., "Be").