We Made It – English Lyrics

• By: H.E.R.
• Album: Back Of My Mind

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a musical journey with H.E.R.'s "We Made It" and discover the power of language through its heartfelt lyrics. This R&B track beautifully blends personal triumph with broader messages of perseverance and collective hope, making it a rich resource for English learners. You can pick up expressions of gratitude, determination, and celebration, all while appreciating H.E.R.'s soulful vocals and unique musical style that bridges old-school R&B with a fresh, contemporary sound. Its clear narrative and emotional depth make it an engaging way to connect with English in a meaningful context.

[English]

I've been really feeling like

Oh it's been a long time

It was early morning, late nights

We was praying for the sunshine

Oh and this whole time I been at it

If you're on the outside, you won't get it

Can't break me I, won't let it, won't let it

And now I feel like a milli'

I hope you rockin' with me

Before we was hot like the summer

Before the wrist was chilly

Before conversations on the terrace with a view

Ooh, you know I always wanted you

Ooh, you know I always wanted to

Wanted to, yeah

All those nights

Hoping that we find it

Looking at the sky

Like thank God that you're with me

You're with me

Running red lights

And following the signs

It's been a long ride

And I just can't believe

Can't believe we made it

We made it

Celebrate it for the one time

No matter where this all goes

I'ma always be on mines

And I know I'll always have you, yeah

'Cause I did what I had to

The moment it was past due

It ain't magic, it ain't

They said I won't come up with the family

And cop a couple Grammy's

All the things they said that I can't be

Revenge taste just like candy, yeah

And now we eating up in Paris with a view

Ooh, you know I always wanted to

Ooh you know I always wanted you

Wanted you

All those nights

Hoping that we find it

Looking at the sky

Like thank God that you're with me

You're with me

Running red lights

And following the signs

It's been a long ride

And I just can't believe

Can't believe we made it

We made it

We made it

Running red lights

Lucky we survived

Those were the times

I thank God that you were with me

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
praying /ˈpreɪɪŋ/ A2	verb - to speak to a god or gods
sunshine /ˈsʌnʃaɪn/ A1	noun - light from the sun
break /breɪk/ A1	verb - to separate into pieces
celebrate /ˈsɛlɪbreɪt/ A2	verb - to honor a special event
terrace /ˈtɛrəs/ B1	noun - a flat area outside a building
view /vjuː/ A1	noun - the ability to see something
running /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot
survived /sərˈvaɪvd/ A2	verb - to continue to live after a difficult time
Grammy /ˈɡræmi/ B1	noun - an award for music achievement
revenge /rɪˈvɛndʒ/ B1	noun - action to hurt someone who hurt you
candy /ˈkændi/ A1	noun - sweet food
Paris /ˈpærɪs/ A1	noun - the capital of France
hoping /ˈhoʊpɪŋ/ A2	verb - to want something to happen
signs /saɪnz/ A1	noun - an object giving information
ride /raɪd/ A1	noun - a journey in a vehicle

Key Grammar Structures

• I've been really feeling like

  ➔ Present Perfect Continuous

  ➔ This tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present, or has recently stopped but has a clear connection to the present. It emphasizes the duration or the ongoing nature of the activity. Here, "I've been feeling" indicates that the feeling started in the past and continues up to now.

• If you're on the outside, you won't get it

  ➔ First Conditional

  ➔ The First Conditional is used to talk about a real or very probable situation in the present or future. The structure is "If + Present Simple, Will + Base Verb". Here, "If you're on the outside" describes a possible present situation, and "you won't get it" is the probable consequence.

• 'Cause I did what I had to

  ➔ Modal Verb: Past Obligation ("had to")

  ➔ "Had to" is the past form of "must" or "have to" and expresses an obligation or necessity that existed in the past. It indicates that the speaker was required or compelled to do something. Here, "I had to" means "I was obligated to do it."

• All the things they said that I can't be

  ➔ Defining Relative Clause (with 'that')

  ➔ A defining relative clause provides essential information about the noun it modifies (here, "the things"). It tells us which "things" are being referred to. The relative pronoun "that" (which could also be "which" or omitted if it's the object) introduces the clause "I can't be," specifying the nature of those things.

• No matter where this all goes

  ➔ Adverbial Clause of Concession ('No matter where')

  ➔ "No matter where" introduces a clause that expresses a concession, meaning that the main clause's statement will remain true regardless of the place or situation described in the concession clause. It emphasizes that the outcome is independent of the location or direction.

• Lucky we survived

  ➔ Ellipsis (Omission of 'It's' and 'that')

  ➔ Ellipsis is the omission of words from a sentence because they are understood from the context. In informal speech or song lyrics, it's common to drop "It's" and "that" from phrases like "It's lucky that we survived," making it more concise and natural-sounding.

• Oh it's been a long time

  ➔ Present Perfect Simple (Duration)

  ➔ The Present Perfect Simple is used to describe a state or situation that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. It often implies a period of time, even without explicit "for" or "since." Here, "it's been a long time" means "a long period of time has passed from a point in the past until now."

• Running red lights

  ➔ Present Participle as an Action Descriptor (Implied Continuous Action)

  ➔ The present participle (the "-ing" form) is used here to describe an ongoing action or a series of actions that were happening. It often implies a continuous tense, like "We were running red lights," or acts as a vivid descriptive phrase, adding dynamism to the narrative.

• We was praying for the sunshine

  ➔ Colloquial 'was' for 'were' (Subject-Verb Agreement)

  ➔ In standard English, the past tense of "to be" for plural subjects (like "we") is "were." However, in some informal dialects, particularly African American Vernacular English (AAVE), "was" is often used for both singular and plural subjects. This is a common feature in song lyrics for authenticity and informal tone.