Yo (Excuse Me Miss) – English Lyrics

• By: Chris Brown

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the world of R&B with Chris Brown's classic hit, "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)." This song offers a fantastic opportunity to learn English through its clear, conversational lyrics about navigating a first encounter and expressing admiration. You'll pick up everyday expressions for attraction and polite approaches, all set to a catchy beat that perfectly captures the excitement of young love. Its direct and relatable narrative makes it an engaging way to understand common English phrases in a real-world social context.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
attention /əˈtenʃən/ B1	noun - the focusing of the mind or senses on something
smile /smaɪl/ A1	noun - a facial expression formed by curving the lips upwards verb - to form a facial expression formed by curving the lips upwards
dance /dæns/ A1	verb - to move rhythmically to music noun - a series of movements that match the rhythm of music
hand /hænd/ A1	noun - the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist
room /ruːm/ A1	noun - a part of a building
stop /stɒp/ A1	verb - to cease movement or operation
time /taɪm/ A2	noun - the indefinite continued progress of existence
minute /ˈmɪnɪt/ A2	noun - a unit of time equal to sixty seconds
fellas /ˈfeləz/ B1	noun - informal term for 'guys' or 'men'
proper /ˈprɒpə/ B1	adjective - correct or appropriate
obvious /ˈɒbviəs/ B2	adjective - easily perceived or understood
romantic /roʊˈmæntɪk/ B2	adjective - concerning or evocative of love
understand /ˌʌndərˈstænd/ B1	verb - perceive the intended meaning of
building /ˈbɪldɪŋ/ A2	noun - a structure with a roof and walls
traffic /ˈtræfɪk/ B1	noun - the movement of vehicles
sweeties /ˈswiːtiːz/ A2	noun - term of endearment for women

Key Grammar Structures

• I get what you saying,

  ➔ Gerund as Subject Complement

  ➔ Here, 'saying' functions as a noun, acting as the complement to 'get.' It means 'I understand what you are saying.'

• Time means something different, you feel what I mean?

  ➔ Idiomatic Expression & Tag Question

  ➔ This uses the idiom 'Time means something different' to imply a different perspective on time. The tag question 'you feel what I mean?' seeks confirmation from the listener.

• I gotta give her game proper,

  ➔ Slang/Informal 'gotta' & 'proper'

  ➔ 'Gotta' is a colloquial contraction of 'got to.' 'Proper' here means 'in a skillful or appropriate way.' The line means 'I have to approach her skillfully.'

• Or should I talk about her smile?

  ➔ Conditional Sentence (Type 1)

  ➔ This is a first conditional, expressing a possible future action and its consequence. 'If I talk about her smile, then...' It suggests a potential course of action.

• I saved the last dance for you

  ➔ Past Simple (saved) & Present Perfect (for you)

  ➔ The past simple 'saved' indicates a past action of reserving something. 'For you' is a prepositional phrase indicating the recipient of the action.

• Now shorty, grab hold on my hand

  ➔ Informal Address ('shorty') & Phrasal Verb

  ➔ 'Shorty' is a slang term. 'Grab hold on' is a phrasal verb meaning 'to take hold of firmly.'

• Momma, you may be three years older, but you hot

  ➔ Conditional Clause & Informal Address ('Momma')

  ➔ The phrase 'you may be three years older' is a conditional clause, acknowledging a potential difference in age. 'Momma' is a slang term of endearment.