What You Did – English Lyrics

• By: Mahalia, Ella Mai
• Album: LOVE AND COMPROMISE

Lyrics & Translation

"What You Did" is a powerful R&B collaboration between Mahalia and Ella Mai that delves into themes of betrayal and self-respect in relationships. Learning the lyrics offers insight into expressing complex emotions and navigating difficult conversations in English, featuring relatable storytelling and a compelling narrative about moving on from heartbreak.

[English]

(Fire Crackling)

♪♪

♪ Oh baby ♪

♪ I know what you did ♪

♪ Yeah, I know, I know ♪

♪ And I wanna talk 'bout it ♪

♪ And I know you don't ♪

♪ I been holding guard for so long, so long ♪

♪ And I don't know where to start, I don't know where to start ♪

♪ Tell me where you hide, where do you go? ♪

♪ Tell me is she nice, does she know I know? ♪

♪ Tell me why you lie, tell me why ♪

♪ I don't know what you are, I don't know what you are, no ♪

♪ What you did ♪

♪ Yeah, you know I love you but I can't forgive it ♪

♪ You could tell me stay, but I have to go ♪

♪ 'Cause I would not expect someone to stay around ♪

♪ If I let them down, oh ♪

♪ Oh, it's funny how ♪

♪ Right when I let my guard down ♪

♪ You play around ♪

♪ And no, not this time, we can't hash it out ♪

♪ It's too late for me to stay ♪

♪ I wish all the things you say was what your behavior displayed ♪

♪ But, no, I could've done without lies, lies ♪

♪ And although I know love is blind, blind ♪

♪ This just don't feel right ♪

♪ Ain't no more we, ain't no more you with me ♪

♪ What you did (what you did) ♪

♪ You know I love you but I can't forgive it (I can't forgive) ♪

♪ You could tell me stay, but I have to go (I gotta go) ♪

♪ 'Cause I would not expect someone to stay around ♪

♪ If I let them down, oh ♪

♪ What you did (what you did) ♪

♪ Yeah, you know I love you but I can't forgive it (you know I love you, boy) ♪

♪ You could tell me stay, but I have to go (stay) ♪

♪ 'Cause I would not expect someone to stay around ♪

♪ If I let them down, oh ♪

♪ Oh, you've become the reason I'm so down (down, down) ♪

♪ Oh, I won't excuse you, I don't wanna go down, yeah (down, down) ♪

♪ Do you know that you've been the reason I'm so low? (So low) ♪

♪ So you told me to stay here, but you know that I won't ♪

♪ Cause I still can't believe ♪

♪ What you did, no ♪

♪ You know I love you but I can't forgive it ♪

♪ You could tell me stay, but I have to go ♪

♪ 'Cause I would not expect someone to stay around ♪

♪ If I let them down, oh ♪

♪ What you did (what you do, what you do) ♪

♪ Yeah, you know I love you but I can't forgive it ♪

♪ You could tell me stay, but I have to go (have to go) ♪

♪ Cause I would not expect someone to stay around ♪

♪ If I let them down, oh ♪

♪ Wow (don't apologize, please) ♪

♪ I would never, I would never do it, baby ♪

♪ (after all, you've had your fun; oh boy) ♪

♪ (Don't try change my mind, please) ♪

♪ Don't try change my mind ♪

♪ (Baby, me and you are done) ♪

♪ Me and you are done ♪

♪♪

♪ (Boy, oh boy) ♪

♪♪

♪ (Boy) ♪

♪♪

(Fire Crackling)

(Fire Crackling)

(Fire Crackling)

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - an intense feeling of affection verb - to feel deep affection for someone
forgive /fərˈɡɪv/ B2	verb - to stop feeling angry or resentful toward someone for an offense
stay /steɪ/ A1	verb - to remain in a place
down /daʊn/ A1	adjective - sad or depressed
guard /ɡɑːrd/ B1	noun - a person who protects or keeps watch verb - to protect
hide /haɪd/ A2	verb - to conceal or keep out of sight
lie /laɪ/ A2	verb - to tell an untruth noun - an intentionally false statement
expect /ɪkˈspekt/ B1	verb - to regard (something) as likely to happen or be the case
funny /ˈfʌni/ A2	adjective - causing amusement or laughter
play /pleɪ/ A1	verb - to engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation
hash /hæʃ/ C1	verb - to discuss something thoroughly
wish /wɪʃ/ A2	verb - to want something to be true or to happen
behavior /bɪˈheɪvjər/ B1	noun - the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others
blind /blaɪnd/ B1	adjective - unable to see
excuse /ɪkˈskjuːz/ B2	verb - to attempt to lessen the blame attaching to
believe /bɪˈliːv/ A2	verb - to accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of
apologize /əˈpɑːlədʒaɪz/ B2	verb - express regret for something done wrong
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A2	verb - to make or become different noun - the act or instance of making or becoming different

Key Grammar Structures

• I've been holding guard for so long, so long

  ➔ Present Perfect Continuous (have been + verb-ing)

  ➔ This tense emphasizes the duration of an action that started in the past and continues to the present. The speaker is highlighting how long she has been protecting herself emotionally.

• Tell me where you hide, where do you go?

  ➔ Indirect questions / Embedded questions

  ➔ The structure "Tell me + question" uses an indirect question format. Instead of saying "Where do you hide?", it's embedded within the main clause "Tell me."

• You could tell me stay, but I have to go

  ➔ Modal verb "could" for possibility/suggestion, "have to" for obligation

  ➔ "Could" suggests that it's *possible* for the other person to ask her to stay, but "have to" expresses the *necessity* of her leaving. These contrasting modal verbs show the internal conflict.

• 'Cause I would not expect someone to stay around if I let them down, oh

  ➔ Conditional Sentences (Type 2): If + Past Simple, would + infinitive

  ➔ This is a type 2 conditional sentence expressing an unreal or hypothetical situation in the present. It shows what the speaker *would* do in a given circumstance. It's expressing a personal principle or belief.

• Right when I let my guard down, you play around

  ➔ Time Clause (when), Phrasal Verb (play around)

  ➔ "When" introduces a time clause showing the timing of the actions. "Play around" is a phrasal verb meaning to not take something seriously, or to be unfaithful.

• I wish all the things you say was what your behavior displayed

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood (wish + past subjunctive)

  ➔ The structure "I wish + past subjunctive" expresses a desire for something to be different in the present or past. The use of "was" instead of "were" is common in informal speech, though "were" is grammatically correct.

• Although I know love is blind, blind, this just don't feel right

  ➔ Subordinate Clause (Although), Double Negative (don't feel right)

  ➔ "Although" introduces a subordinate clause expressing a contrast. "Don't feel right" is a common expression, though strictly speaking, "doesn't feel right" is more grammatically correct with "this".