What You Get Is What You See – English Lyrics

• By: Tina Turner
• Album: Break Every Rule

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the powerful message of honesty and self-acceptance in Tina Turner's "What You Get Is What You See." This country-tinged rock anthem encourages listeners to embrace authenticity and look beyond surface appearances, offering valuable lessons in communication and relationships while showcasing Turner's dynamic vocal performance.

[English]

Ooh, yeah

Some boys has got the look of a Greek Adonis

Some boys try to talk you off of your feet

Hmm

Some boys think they're God's gift to woman Some boys just think they're sweet enough to eat

Try to change the habit of a lifetime Don't even try

'Cause when you cut down deeper than the icing You realize

What you get is what you see Ain't nothin' more to it

And if you wanna love a woman like a me It takes a man to do it

If what you get is what you see Then I don't want your kind of love, hmm

Some guys has got lips that you can't help kissing

Mwah, mwah, mwah

And some guys has got a smile that you can't resist

Hmmm, some guys has gotta build their reputation

They just want to add you to their list

You gotta a lotta physical attraction, I can't deny

But can you guarantee me satisfaction

Well, I'm still waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting

What you get is what you see

Ain't nothin' more to it

And if you wanna love a woman like a me

It takes a man to do it

If what you get is what you see Then I don't want your kind of love, hmmm hey

So let me see your cards on the table

Before I buy I always read the writing on the label

So give me reason to believe There's more to you than meets the eye

What you get is what you see Ain't nothin' more to it

And if you wanna love a woman like a me It takes a man to do it

If what you get is what you see Then I don't want your kind of love

Then I don't want your kind of love

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - deep affection verb - to feel deep affection for someone
man /mæn/ A1	noun - adult male human
woman /ˈwʊmən/ A1	noun - adult female human
get /ɡɛt/ A2	verb - to obtain, receive verb - to become (e.g., get tired)
see /siː/ A1	verb - to perceive with the eyes
want /wɒnt/ A1	verb - to desire or wish for
kind /kaɪnd/ B1	adjective - of a particular type or sort noun - a category or type
smile /smaɪl/ A1	noun - a facial expression showing pleasure verb - to form a smile
lips /lɪps/ A2	noun - the two fleshy parts surrounding the mouth
attraction /əˈtrækʃən/ B2	noun - the action of drawing something towards oneself
guarantee /ˌɡærənˈtiː/ C1	verb - to promise something will definitely happen noun - a formal promise or assurance
satisfaction /ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən/ C1	noun - a feeling of contentment when desires are fulfilled
habit /ˈhæbɪt/ B1	noun - a regular practice or routine
reputation /ˌrepjʊˈteɪʃən/ C1	noun - the beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something
cards /kɑːdz/ A2	noun - stiff pieces of paper used for games, identification or information
table /ˈteɪbəl/ A1	noun - a piece of furniture with a flat top and legs
writing /ˈraɪtɪŋ/ B1	noun - the activity or skill of forming letters and symbols on a surface
label /ˈleɪbəl/ B1	noun - a piece of paper, fabric, or other material attached to an object giving information about it

Key Grammar Structures

• Some boys have got the look of a Greek Adonis

  ➔ Present perfect (have got) for possession

  ➔ The phrase "have got" is used to show possession: "Some boys "have got" the look..."

• Some boys try to talk you off your feet

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose after a verb (try + to + verb)

  ➔ "try" is followed by the infinitive "to talk" to show the intended action: "try "to talk" you off your feet".

• Try to change the habit of a lifetime

  ➔ Imperative mood + infinitive

  ➔ "Try" at the beginning forms an imperative command, followed by the infinitive "to change".

• when you cut down deeper than the icing

  ➔ Comparative clause with "than"

  ➔ "deeper" is compared using the comparative "than": "deeper "than" the icing".

• It takes a man to do it

  ➔ Dummy subject "it" with the verb "takes"

  ➔ "It" is a dummy subject; the real meaning is in the infinitive phrase "to do it".

• If what you get is what you see

  ➔ Zero conditional (if + present simple, present simple)

  ➔ "If" introduces a general truth; both clauses use the present simple: "what you get" and "what you see".

• So let me see your cards on the table

  ➔ Causative verb "let" + object + bare infinitive

  ➔ "let" permits the speaker to do something: "let "me" see" (no "to" before "see").

• I always read the writing on the label

  ➔ Simple present for habitual actions + gerund as noun

  ➔ "always" shows frequency; "reading" is expressed by the noun "writing" (a gerund).