Switch – English Lyrics

• By: TLC

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the confident and empowering lyrics of TLC's "Switch"! This R&B classic offers a fantastic opportunity to learn English through its assertive vocabulary and relatable themes of independence and self-respect in relationships. Discover how T-Boz, Chilli, and Left Eye deliver a powerful message, making it a perfect song for understanding everyday expressions about setting boundaries and moving forward.

[English]

Switch

Switch

Switch

Switch

I ain't one to be questioned

About who and where I've been

I ain't one to be questioned

About what time I came in

Tryna squeeze, baby please

Hit the road and don't come back

'Cause I can't trust a relationship

With no trust and that's a fact

Switch

Don't take no mess from nobody

Switch

If they act up just leave 'em alone

Switch

Don't take no mess from nobody

Switch

When ya done wit 'em you can send 'em home

I won't answer to no one

Until I feel I'm ready to

I'm gonna have my fun

Doin' the things I like to do

See I need space, get off my case

Stop breathin' down my back

'Cause we ain't gotta relationship

If that's how you have to act

Commitment true devotion

Right now is not the way

For you to come at me

When I need it

I'm sure you'll be the first to know

But for now, in my plans, no demands

I'm gonna have to make a switch

Switch

Throw his behind in a ditch

While my definition states as it relates

To us mates, one eliminates

Solely contemplates n' de associates

Like my new drink was V-8's

Just as quick as I get in it

I'll drop 'em in a minute Like the dollaz

In my pocket, Speedy Gonzalez

Couldn't stop the way I spin it

I'm known for breakin' every speed limit

This switch could be infinite

I said L to da E to da F to the T to da E to the Y

Because I'm so fly

Bring it back to the E so come and see me

At the hotel, motel, Holiday Inn

I said if you man starts actin' upu

Switch and take his friend

Erase, replace, embrace new face come on

Erase, replace, embrace new face

Switch

Don't take no mess from nobody

Switch

If they act up just leave 'em alone

Switch

Don't take no mess from nobody

Switch

When ya done wit 'em you can send 'em home

Switch

Don't take no mess from nobody

Switch

If they act up just leave 'em alone

Switch

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
switch /swɪtʃ/ A1	verb - to change or shift from one thing to another noun - a change or shift
trust /trʌst/ A2	noun - firm belief in the reliability of someone or something verb - to believe in the reliability of someone or something
commitment /kəˈmɪtmənt/ B1	noun - a pledge or promise to do something
devotion /dɪˈvoʊʃən/ B1	noun - loyalty or dedication to someone or something
eliminate /ɪˈlɪmɪneɪt/ B2	verb - to remove or get rid of something
contemplate /ˈkɒntəmpleɪt/ C1	verb - to think about something carefully, especially over a period of time
associate /əˈsoʊʃieɪt/ B2	verb - to connect or relate one thing to another noun - a person with whom one works or interacts
infinite /ˈɪnfɪnɪt/ B2	adjective - without limits or end
erase /ɪˈreɪz/ A2	verb - to remove or delete something, especially writing or data
replace /rɪˈpleɪs/ A2	verb - to put something new in the place of something old
embrace /ɪmˈbreɪs/ B1	verb - to accept or support something willingly
squeeze /skwiːz/ A2	verb - to press or apply force to something
relationship /rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪp/ A2	noun - the connection or association between people
demand /dɪˈmænd/ A2	noun - a strong request or requirement verb - to ask for something forcefully
spin /spɪn/ A1	verb - to rotate or turn rapidly
speed /spiːd/ A1	noun - the rate at which someone or something moves verb - to move quickly

Key Grammar Structures

• I ain't one to be questioned

  ➔ Nonstandard negation with ain't and passive infinitive after 'to be'.

  ➔ The word 'ain't' is a nonstandard contraction for 'am not / is not / are not', used here before the passive infinitive 'to be questioned' to describe a kind of person.

• Tryna squeeze, baby please

  ➔ Informal contraction 'tryna' = 'trying to'.

  ➔ The form 'tryna' is a spoken, informal reduction of 'trying to' before a verb; here it introduces the verb 'squeeze'.

• Hit the road and don't come back

  ➔ Imperative mood with negative imperative; implied subject 'you'; coordinated with 'and'.

  ➔ Two imperative verbs joined by 'and'; the second is a negative command ('don't come back'), with an understood subject 'you'.

• Cause I can't trust a relationship

  ➔ Contraction 'Cause' for 'Because' at sentence start; 'can't' = 'cannot'.

  ➔ The word 'Cause' is informal for 'Because'; 'can't' is the contraction of 'cannot', combining to give a casual reason for withholding trust.

• Don't take no mess from nobody

  ➔ Double negation for emphasis; nonstandard but common in lyrics.

  ➔ The line uses a 'don't' plus 'no' and 'nobody' for emphasis; in standard grammar you would say 'Don't take any mess from anybody'.

• When ya done wit 'em you can send 'em home

  ➔ Be done with + object; 'ya done wit' em' is a slangy version of 'you are done with them'; 'you can' indicates ability/permission.

  ➔

• I'm gonna have my fun

  ➔ Gonna = going to; expresses future intention or plan.

  ➔ The word 'gonna' is an informal contraction of 'going to', used here to signal the speaker's plan to enjoy themselves.

• Stop breathin' down my back

  ➔ Stop + gerund (breathing) with g-dropping in informal speech; imperative.

  ➔ The verb 'Stop' is followed by the -ing form; 'breathin'' shows g-dropping in casual speech, giving a forceful imperative.

• Erase, replace, embrace new face

  ➔ Parallel bare verbs (imperatives) in a list; asyndetic listing emphasizes urgency.

  ➔ Erase, replace, embrace are base forms used as a rapid, parallel set of commands; no subject is stated, implied 'you'.

• I said if you man starts actin' up

  ➔ Third-person singular present simple with 'starts' after 'man' and -in' drop in 'actin''.

  ➔ The verb 'starts' shows subject-verb agreement with 'man' (singular); 'actin'' is the dialectal pronunciation of 'acting' with g-dropping.