Tell It Like It Is

• By: Aaron Neville
• Album: Tell It Like It Is - The Par Lo Years

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
play /pleɪ/ A1	verb - to engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose noun - activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation, especially by children.
toy /tɔɪ/ A1	noun - an object for a child to play with
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole
boy /bɔɪ/ A1	noun - a male child or young man
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - a hollow muscular organ that pumps the blood through the circulatory system by rhythmic contraction and dilation.
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - have a strong feeling of affection for noun - an intense feeling of deep affection
girl /ɡɜːrl/ A1	noun - a female child or young woman
ashamed /əˈʃeɪmd/ B1	adjective - feeling shame or embarrassment about something
conscience /ˈkɒnʃəns/ B2	noun - a person's moral sense of right and wrong, viewed as acting as a guide to one's behavior.
guide /ɡaɪd/ B1	noun - a person who shows the way to others verb - show or direct (someone) along a way
pride /praɪd/ B1	noun - a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of one's close associates, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
short /ʃɔːrt/ A1	adjective - measuring a small distance from end to end.
sorrow /ˈsɒroʊ/ B2	noun - a feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others.
expensive /ɪkˈspɛnsɪv/ B1	adjective - costing a lot of money
serious /ˈsɪəriəs/ B1	adjective - (of a subject, matter, or event) demanding careful consideration or thought
furious /ˈfjʊəriəs/ B2	adjective - extremely angry

Grammar:

• If you want something to play with

  ➔ Conditional Sentence (Type 1)

  ➔ This is a Type 1 conditional, expressing a real and possible situation. "If" + present simple, then future simple (implied in the next line). It implies that **if** the listener wants entertainment, they should look elsewhere.

• Baby, my time is too expensive

  ➔ Adjective of Degree (too + adjective)

  ➔ The word "too" indicates that something exceeds a reasonable limit. "Too expensive" means the speaker's time has a high value, making it unsuitable for trivial pursuits.

• If you are serious, Don't play with my heart, it makes me furious

  ➔ Imperative Mood (Don't play...)

  ➔ "Don't play with my heart" is a direct command, expressing a strong desire to avoid emotional manipulation. It emphasizes the speaker's vulnerability and sets a boundary.

• But if you want me to love you, Then baby I will, girl, you know that I will

  ➔ Ellipsis and emphatic repetition (I will)

  ➔ The "love you" part of "I will love you" is omitted after "I will" to avoid redundancy (ellipsis). Repeating "I will" emphasizes the speaker's willingness to reciprocate love **if** the condition (you want me to) is met.

• Don't be ashamed to let your conscience be your guide

  ➔ Infinitive of Purpose (to let...)

  ➔ The infinitive phrase "to let your conscience be your guide" explains the *purpose* of not being ashamed. It suggests that acting according to one's moral principles is a worthwhile goal.

• You might as well get what you want

  ➔ Modal Verb (might as well)

  ➔ "Might as well" indicates that there is no good reason *not* to do something. In this context, it suggests a fatalistic acceptance: since life is short, the listener should pursue their desires.