The Payback

• By: James Brown

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
payback /ˈpeɪbæk/ B2	noun - retribution or revenge
revenge /rɪˈvɛndʒ/ B2	noun - the action of inflicting hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong suffered by oneself verb - inflict hurt or harm on someone for (a wrong done to oneself)
mad /mæd/ A2	adjective - angry, annoyed
girlfriend /ˈɡɜːrlfrɛnd/ A2	noun - a female friend who is a person's romantic partner
fight /faɪt/ A2	verb - take part in a violent struggle involving physical force or weapons. noun - a violent confrontation or struggle involving physical force or weapons.
thing /θɪŋ/ A1	noun - an object that one need not, cannot, or does not wish to give a specific name to.
brother /ˈbrʌðər/ A1	noun - a man or boy in relation to other sons and daughters of his parents
sold /soʊld/ A2	verb - past tense of sell - give something to someone else in return for money
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A1	noun - money in the form of coins or small denominations
punk /pʌŋk/ B2	noun - a worthless person
ready /ˈrɛdi/ A1	adjective - prepared for an activity or situation
deal /diːl/ B1	verb - take part in commercial trading of a particular commodity. noun - an agreement entered into willingly by two or more parties
backstabbin' /ˈbækˌstæbɪŋ/ C1	noun - the act of betraying someone, especially secretly and maliciously
money /ˈmʌni/ A1	noun - a current medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes
honey /ˈhʌni/ A2	noun - a sweet, sticky yellowish fluid produced by bees noun - a term of endearment
woman /ˈwʊmən/ A1	noun - an adult female human being
favor /ˈfeɪvər/ B1	noun - an act of kindness beyond what is due or usual. verb - to approve of, prefer, or support
son /sʌn/ A1	noun - a male child
patience /ˈpeɪʃəns/ B1	noun - the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.

Grammar:

• You get down with my girlfriend, that ain't right

  ➔ Nonstandard English (ain't); colloquial verb "get down with"

  ➔ "ain't" is a contraction of "is not", "are not", or "am not" and is considered nonstandard. "Get down with" in this context means to have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone.

• Brother do any damn thing to me

  ➔ Use of "damn" as an intensifier.

  ➔ The word "damn" is used to emphasize "thing", adding a sense of anger or frustration to the statement.

• You sold me out for chicken change

  ➔ Idiomatic expression: "chicken change"

  ➔ "Chicken change" is an idiom referring to a very small amount of money. It implies betrayal for an insignificant gain.

• I can dig rappin', I'm ready! I can dig scrapping

  ➔ Colloquial use of "dig"; parallel structure with "I can dig..."

  ➔ "Dig" is used informally to mean "understand" or "enjoy". The parallel structure emphasizes the speaker's willingness to engage in different types of activities.

• Don't do me no darn favor

  ➔ Double negative ("don't...no"); use of "darn" as a mild curse word

  ➔ The double negative is nonstandard English, but common in some dialects. "Darn" is a less offensive alternative to "damn".

• I don't know karate, but I know ka-razor

  ➔ Wordplay (Ka-razor)

  ➔ The song uses wordplay, twisting the word "karate" to create "ka-razor", implying the use of a razor as a weapon.

• Take those kids and raise them up

  ➔ Phrasal verb: "raise up"

  ➔ "Raise up" means to nurture and bring up children; to help them grow and develop.

• Somebody drink out the righteous cup

  ➔ Figurative language (righteous cup)

  ➔ The "righteous cup" is a metaphor representing the reward or blessing for good behavior and doing what is right.