What You Did

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

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

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

Grammar:

• 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".