Lyrics & Translation
Dive into N.E.R.D.'s 'Lapdance,' a genre-bending blend of hip-hop and rock that offers a sharp, metaphorical critique of political deception. Learning the lyrics will not only expose you to vivid, rebellious English but also unveil the song's clever commentary on power and society, making it a powerful track for cultural and linguistic exploration.
Key Vocabulary
Vocabulary | Meanings |
---|---|
dirty /ˈdɜːrti/ A2 |
|
outlaw /ˈaʊtlɔː/ B1 |
|
quick /kwɪk/ A2 |
|
dare /deər/ B1 |
|
chrome /kroʊm/ B2 |
|
real /riːl/ A2 |
|
society /səˈsaɪəti/ B2 |
|
ill /ɪl/ A2 |
|
motorcycle /ˈmoʊtərˌsaɪkl/ B1 |
|
politician /ˌpɑːləˈtɪʃn/ B2 |
|
lapdance /ˈlæpdæns/ C1 |
|
raw /rɔː/ B1 |
|
fight /faɪt/ A2 |
|
baseball /ˈbeɪsbɔːl/ B1 |
|
burn /bɜːrn/ A2 |
|
cockpit /ˈkɒkpɪt/ C1 |
|
drop /drɒp/ A1 |
|
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Key Grammar Structures
-
I'M AN OUTLAW
➔ Present Simple Tense
➔ Used to state a fact or habitual action. The verb "**am**" is a form of "to be" used with the pronoun "I".
-
SOMETHING YOU'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE
➔ Present Perfect Tense
➔ Used to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present or has relevance to the present. The contraction "**you've**" is used.
-
AND I DARE A MOTHER TO COME IN MY FACE
➔ Infinitive Clause of Purpose
➔ The infinitive "**to come**" expresses purpose or intention. The verb "dare" is followed by the infinitive with "to".
-
IT'S SO REAL
➔ Exclamatory Sentence/Emphasis
➔ Uses the structure "It's + Adjective" to express strong feelings. "**So**" intensifies the adjective "real".
-
'CAUSE THIS SOCIETY THAT MAKE A WANNA KILL
➔ Relative Clause (Reduced/Elliptical)
➔ The relative pronoun "that" is implied and the verb "make" is present to describe the society. "**Wanna**" is a contraction of "want to".
-
RIDIN' MY MOTORCYCLE DOWN THE STREETS
➔ Present Continuous/Progressive Tense
➔ Describes an action happening now or around now. The verb "**ridin'**" (riding) is in the -ing form.
-
WHILE POLITICIANS IS SOUNDING LIKE STRIPPERS TO ME
➔ Subordinate Clause of Concession
➔ The word "while" introduces a subordinate clause. Although not a direct contrast, it sets a parallel between riding and how politicians sound.
-
THEY KEEP SAYING BUT I DON'T WANNA HEAR IT
➔ Reported Speech/Indirect Speech
➔ Reports what someone said. The original sentence is "I don't wanna hear it". The pronoun "I" is replaced by "They".
-
YOU CAN GET THIS LAP DANCE HERE FOR FREE
➔ Modal Verb - Can, Conditional Structure
➔ The modal verb "can" expresses possibility or ability. This is a zero conditional sentence indicating a general truth or a statement of fact.
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