Violence – English Lyrics

• By: Grimes, i_o
• Album: Miss Anthropocene

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the intricate storytelling of Grimes in her song "Violence." This track offers a unique opportunity to delve into metaphorical lyrics, where the English words paint a picture of an abusive relationship to represent humanity's impact on Earth. It's a great way to learn how language can be used to convey complex, layered meanings in a pop song format, all while enjoying its infectious electronic beat.

[English]

I am, like, begging for you, baby

Makes you wanna party, wanna break up

Baby, it's violence, violence

Baby, it's violence

You can't see what I see

You can't see what I see

'Cause you, ha-ha

You feed off hurting me, hurting me, ha

I am, like, begging for you, baby

Makes you wanna party, wanna wake up

Baby, it's violence, violence

Baby, it's violence

You can't see what I see

You can't see what I see

'Cause you, ha-ha

You feed on hurting me, off hurting me, oh, ha

You wanna make me bad, make me bad

And I like it like that, and I like it like that

You wanna make me bad, pay me back

Said I like it like that, said I like it like that

I am, like, begging for you, baby

Makes you wanna party, wanna wake up

Baby, it's violence, violence

Baby, it's violence

But you can't see what I see

You can't see what I see

'Cause you, ha-ha

You feed off hurting me, off hurting me, oh, me, oh, me

You wanna make me bad, make me bad

And I like it like that, and I like it like that

You wanna paint me bad, pay me back

Said I like it like that, said I like it like that

You wanna make me bad, make me bad

And I like it like that, and I like it like that

You wanna paint me bad, pay me back

Said I like it like that, said I like it like that

You wanna make me, make me, make me, make me, make me

And I like it like that, and I like it like that

You wanna pay me, pay me, pay me back, pay me back

Said I like it like that, said I like it like that

...

And I like it like that, and I like it like that

...

And I like it like that

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
violence /ˈvaɪələns/ B1	noun - physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.
hurt /hɜːrt/ A2	verb - to cause pain or injury to (yourself or someone else). adjective - suffering from an injury or pain.
bad /bæd/ A1	adjective - of poor quality or low standard; not good. adjective - immoral or evil.
beg /beɡ/ B1	verb - to ask someone for something in an anxious or urgent way.
feed /fiːd/ A2	verb - to give food to. verb - to get something, such as energy, power, or pleasure, from something else.
break /breɪk/ A1	verb - to separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain. verb - to end a relationship (as in 'break up').
wake /weɪk/ A2	verb - to emerge or cause to emerge from sleep. verb - to stop sleeping (as in 'wake up').
pay /peɪ/ A1	verb - to give money to someone for goods or services. verb - to return money to someone; to get revenge on someone (as in 'pay back').
paint /peɪnt/ A2	verb - to apply paint to (a surface). verb - to describe or represent (someone or something) in a particular way, especially in words (as in 'paint me bad').
baby /ˈbeɪbi/ A1	noun - a very young child or animal. noun - used as a term of endearment for a lover or partner.
party /ˈpɑːrti/ A1	noun - a social gathering of people for entertainment or celebration. verb - to enjoy oneself at a party or other lively gathering, typically with drinking and dancing.
see /siː/ A1	verb - to perceive with the eyes; discern visually. verb - to understand or realize.
make /meɪk/ A1	verb - to form (something) by putting parts together or combining substances; to create. verb - to cause (something) to happen or (someone) to do something.
like /laɪk/ A1	verb - to find (something or someone) pleasant, enjoyable, or satisfactory.
say /seɪ/ A1	verb - to utter words or sounds; to express (something) in words.

Key Grammar Structures

• I am, like, begging for you, baby

  ➔ Present Continuous for emphasis / 'like' as a discourse marker

  ➔ The present continuous "am begging" emphasizes an ongoing, intense action. "Like" is used informally as a filler word or to soften the statement.

• Makes you wanna party, wanna break up

  ➔ Causative verb 'make' + object + bare infinitive (and informal 'wanna')

  ➔ "Makes" causes "you" to "party" or "break up". "Wanna" is an informal contraction of "want to".

• You can't see what I see

  ➔ Noun clause with 'what'

  ➔ "What I see" acts as the direct object of the verb "see", referring to the thing or things that the speaker sees.

• You feed off hurting me

  ➔ Phrasal verb 'feed off' and Gerund after preposition

  ➔ "Feed off" means to gain energy, benefit, or thrive from something, often in a negative sense. "Hurting" is a gerund, functioning as a noun, which follows the preposition "off".

• You wanna make me bad, make me bad

  ➔ Causative verb 'make' + object + adjective

  ➔ "Make me bad" means to cause me to become bad or appear bad. "Bad" here is an adjective describing the state of "me".

• And I like it like that, and I like it like that

  ➔ 'Like' as a preposition/idiomatic phrase 'like that'

  ➔ The first "like" is the verb "to like". The second "like" is a preposition meaning "in the manner of" or "similar to", forming the idiomatic phrase "like that" (in that way).

• You wanna paint me bad, pay me back

  ➔ Phrasal verb 'pay back' and metaphorical 'paint me bad'

  ➔ "Paint me bad" is a metaphorical expression meaning to portray or represent someone negatively. "Pay back" is a phrasal verb meaning to return money or to get revenge.

• You wanna make me, make me, make me, make me, make me

  ➔ Ellipsis and implied meaning in repetition

  ➔ The verb "make me" is repeated, implying an unstated consequence or state (e.g., "make me bad," "make me suffer," "make me do something"). The repetition emphasizes the intensity of the desire.

• You wanna pay me, pay me, pay me back, pay me back

  ➔ Repetition for emphasis and phrasal verb 'pay back'

  ➔ The repetition of "pay me back" emphasizes the desire for revenge or retribution. "Pay back" is a phrasal verb meaning to return something, often in a negative, retaliatory sense.