The Payback – English Lyrics

• By: James Brown

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw, unapologetic funk of James Brown's "The Payback"! This iconic track is a masterclass in rhythm and a testament to the power of language in expressing fierce emotion and defiance. By immersing yourself in its potent lyrics and the Godfather of Soul's distinctive vocal delivery, you can gain a deeper appreciation for how English can be used to convey strength, anger, and the unwavering demand for justice. The song's rhythmic phrasing and Brown's improvisational style offer a unique window into the dynamic and expressive nature of the English language within a musical context. Get ready to feel the groove and understand the 'payback' in every powerful word!

[English]

Hey! Gotta, gotta payback!

(The big payback)

Revenge! I'm mad!

(The big payback)

Got to get back!

I need some get-back!

Payback!

Payback!(The big payback)

That's it! Payback!

Revenge!

I'm mad!

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

Wow! Smokin'!

Hollerin' n' cussin', you wanna fight

Payback is a thing you gotta see

Hell! Brother do any damn thing to me

You sold me out for chicken change

(Yes you did)

You told me that they, they had it all arranged

You had me down, and that's a fact

And now you punk, you gotta get ready

For the big payback

(The big payback)

That's where I land, on the big payback

(The big payback)

I can do wheelin', I can do dealin'

(Yes we can)

But I don't do no damn squealin'

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

But I can't dig that backstabbin'

(Oh no)

The brother get ready, that's a fact

Get ready you mother for the big payback

(The big payback)

Let me hit them, hit them, Fred hit them

Lord!

You took my money, you got my honey

Don't want me to see what you doin' to me

I can get back! I got to deal with you!

Gotta deal with ya, gotta deal with ya!

I... gotta deal with...!

Hey, let me tell you!

Get down with my woman, that ain't right

You hollerin' and cussing, you wanna fight

Lookie here!

Don't do me no darn favor

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

(Yes we do)

Hey! Get ready, that's a fact

Get ready you mother for the big payback

(The big payback)

Hey, I'm a man, I'm a man...

I'm a son of a man, but don't they tell you that pappa can

Get ready for the big payback

(The big payback)

Hit me again!

No, don't...

Get ready, I need it, I need a hit again

The same one, the same one, the same one

Hit me back

Lord!

(The big payback)

Sold me out for chicken change

You said my woman had it all arranged

Tried to make a deal, she wanted to squeal

But I had my boys on her heels

Saw what she had comin', told a lie

She broke down and she wanted to cry

I don't care what she does

She'll be doing just like she was

Take those kids and raise them up

Somebody drink out the righteous cup

Take her, take that woman, it's one place she found

Just run that mother out of town

Make her get up, make her get up, get out

Make her get up, make her get up, get out

I'm mad!

I want revenge, I want revenge, my...

(The big payback)

My patience ends, I want revenge

My patience ends, I want revenge

I want revenge, I want revenge

(The big payback)

Gonna get some hits, I need those hits

I need those hits, hit me!

Lord, I need those hits

Carry on, carry on, payback melody

(The big payback)

(The big payback)

Alright!

Da-dee-ra-da, da-dee-ra-da, da-dee-ra-da!

(The big payback)

...

Key Vocabulary

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.

Key Grammar Structures

• 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.