Lyrics & Translation
Explore Tina Turner's empowering anthem, "What You Get Is What You See," and learn how its lyrics promote honesty and self-acceptance. This country-tinged rock song offers valuable insights into understanding relationships and staying true to oneself, making it a fantastic choice for English language learners.
[English]
Ooh, yeahSome 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 |
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love /lʌv/ A1 |
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man /mæn/ A1 |
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woman /ˈwʊmən/ A1 |
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get /ɡɛt/ A2 |
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see /siː/ A1 |
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want /wɒnt/ A1 |
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kind /kaɪnd/ B1 |
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smile /smaɪl/ A1 |
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lips /lɪps/ A2 |
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attraction /əˈtrækʃən/ B2 |
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guarantee /ˌɡærənˈtiː/ C1 |
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satisfaction /ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən/ C1 |
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habit /ˈhæbɪt/ B1 |
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reputation /ˌrepjʊˈteɪʃən/ C1 |
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cards /kɑːdz/ A2 |
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table /ˈteɪbəl/ A1 |
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writing /ˈraɪtɪŋ/ B1 |
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label /ˈleɪbəl/ B1 |
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Key Grammar Structures
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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..."
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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".
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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".
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when you cut down deeper than the icing
➔ Comparative clause with "than"
➔ "deeper" is compared using the comparative "than": "deeper "than" the icing".
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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".
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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".
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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").
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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).
