Lyrics & Translation
Dive into Beyoncé's "TEXAS HOLD 'EM," a groundbreaking country-infused track that defies genre boundaries and celebrates the rich Black heritage of country music. This song offers a unique opportunity to explore English through its playful lyrics and metaphors, like using poker terms to discuss open communication in relationships ("lay your cards down"). Its blend of country, pop, and soul, along with its cultural significance, makes it a compelling and special piece to learn with.
[English]
This ain’t Texas, ain’t no Hold Em’So lay your cards down down down down
So park your Lexus
And throw your keys up
Stick around round round round round
And I’ll be damned if I can’t slow dance with you
Come pour some sugar on me honey too
It’s a real life boogey and a real life hoedown
Don’t be a bitch come take it to the floor now
Woo!
There’s a tornado in my city
Hit the basement, that shit ain't pretty
Rugged Whiskey cause we surviving
Off red cup kisses sweet redemption passing time yeah
Oooh
One step to the right
We heading to the dive bar
We always thought was nice
Oooh
Run me to the left
Then spin me in the middle boy I can’t read your mind
This ain’t Texas, ain’t no Hold Em’
So lay your cards down down down down
So park your Lexus
And throw your keys up
Stick around round round round round
And I’ll be damned if I can’t slow dance with you
Come pour some sugar on me honey too
It’s a real life boogey and a real life hoedown
Don’t be a bitch come take it to the floor now
And I’ll be damned if I cannot dance with you
Come pour some sugar on me honey too
It’s a real life boogey and a real life hoedown
Don’t be a bitch come take it to the floor now
Woo!
There’s a heat wave coming at us
Too hot to think straight, too cold to panic
All of the problems just feel dramatic
Now we’re running to the first bar that we find yeah
Oooh
One step to the right
We headin’ to the dive bar
We always thought was nice
Oooh
You run to the left
Just work me in the middle boy I can’t read your mind
This ain’t Texas, ain’t no Hold Em’
So lay your cards down down down down
So park your Lexus
And throw your keys up
Stick around round round round round
And I’ll be damned if I cannot dance with you
Come pour some sugar on me honey too
It’s a real life boogey and a real life hoedown
Don’t be a bitch come take it to the floor now
And I’ll be damned if I cannot dance with you
Come pour some liquor on me honey too
It’s a real life boogey and a real life hoedown
Don’t be a, come take it to the floor now
Take it to the floor now
Oops, spurs, boots
To the floor now, ooh
Tuck, back, oops
Shoot
Come take it to the floor now
And I’ll be damned if I cannot dance with you
Baby pour that sugar and liquor on me too
Oops, spurs, boots
Solargenic photogenic shoot
Key Vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meanings |
|---|---|
|
hold /hoʊld/ A1 |
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cards /kɑːrdz/ A1 |
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dance /dæns/ A1 |
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sugar /ˈʃʊɡər/ A1 |
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life /laɪf/ A1 |
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tornado /tɔːrˈneɪdoʊ/ B2 |
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city /ˈsɪti/ A1 |
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whiskey /ˈwɪski/ B1 |
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kisses /ˈkɪsɪz/ A2 |
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redemption /rɪˈdɛmpʃən/ C1 |
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dive /daɪv/ B2 |
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bar /bɑːr/ A2 |
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heat /hiːt/ A2 |
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hot /hɒt/ A1 |
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cold /koʊld/ A1 |
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problems /ˈprɒbləmz/ A2 |
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boots /buːts/ A1 |
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liquor /ˈlɪkər/ B1 |
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“hold, cards, dance” – got them all figured out?
⚡ Dive into vocabulary challenges in the app and lock in your knowledge right after jamming to "TEXAS HOLD 'EM"
Key Grammar Structures
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This ain’t Texas, ain’t no Hold Em’
➔ Non-standard dialect / colloquialism (Ain't)
➔ "Ain't" is a contraction of "am not", "is not", "are not", "has not", or "have not". It's common in some dialects and informal speech. Using it creates a more relaxed, conversational tone, suggesting informality and authenticity.
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So lay your cards down down down down
➔ Imperative verb ("lay") and Repetition
➔ The sentence starts with the imperative form of the verb "lay", which is a command. The repetition of "down" emphasizes the action and adds a rhythmic effect. It makes the command more forceful and memorable.
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And I’ll be damned if I can’t slow dance with you
➔ Idiomatic expression ("I'll be damned if...") and Modal verb ("can't")
➔ "I'll be damned if..." expresses strong determination or disbelief that something will happen. Using "can't" (cannot) strengthens the meaning, indicating a confident ability to slow dance.
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Come pour some sugar on me honey too
➔ Imperative verb ("Come pour") and use of "too"
➔ The phrase begins with an invitation or command: "Come pour." The word "too" indicates addition, suggesting that the speaker wants to be pampered in the same way as someone mentioned or implied before.
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Don’t be a bitch come take it to the floor now
➔ Imperative (negative) and Colloquialism
➔ This line uses a negative imperative ("Don't be a bitch") followed by a positive imperative ("come take it to the floor now"). "Bitch" is used colloquially, often (though not always) in a negative way. The overall effect is confrontational but also energetic and encouraging participation on the dance floor.
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Rugged Whiskey cause we surviving
➔ Informal conjunction ('cause) and present continuous tense
➔ "Cause" is an informal shortening of "because." "We surviving" uses the present continuous tense to indicate an action that is ongoing, often implying difficulty or effort.
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Too hot to think straight, too cold to panic
➔ "Too + adjective + to + infinitive" structure
➔ This structure expresses that something is excessive or prevents an action. In both clauses, the extreme temperature prevents clear thinking or action. It creates a sense of being overwhelmed by circumstances.
