You Gotta Be – English Lyrics

• By: Des'ree

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment through Des'ree's timeless anthem, "You Gotta Be." This soulful track not only offers a powerful message of resilience and inner strength, but its clear, articulate lyrics and accessible R&B/pop style make it an excellent song for English language learners. By immersing yourself in its uplifting verses and catchy chorus, you can grasp common English phrases related to perseverance, emotional expression, and personal growth, making it a special and motivating tool for language acquisition.

[English]

Listen as your day unfolds

Challenge what the future holds

Try and keep your head up to the sky

Lovers, they may cause you tears

Go ahead release your fears

Stand up and be counted

Don't be ashamed to cry

You Gotta Be

You Gotta Be bad, You Gotta Be bold, You Gotta Be wiser

You Gotta Be hard, You Gotta Be tough, You Gotta Be stronger

You Gotta Be cool, You Gotta Be calm, you gotta stay together

All I know, all I know

Love will save the day

Herald what your mother said

Read the books your father read

Try to solve the puzzles in your own sweet time

Some may have more cash than you

Others take a different view

My oh my, yeah, eh, eh

You Gotta Be bad, You Gotta Be bold, You Gotta Be wiser

You Gotta Be hard, You Gotta Be tough, You Gotta Be stronger

You Gotta Be cool, You Gotta Be calm, you gotta stay together

All I know, all I know

Love will save the day

Time ask no questions, it goes on without you

Leaving you behind if you can't stand the pace

The world keeps on spinning

Can't stop it, if you tried to

The best part is danger staring you in the face

...

Remember listen as your day unfolds

Challenge what the future holds

Try to keep your head up to the sky

Lovers, they may cause you tears

Go ahead release your fears

My oh my, eh, eh, eh

You Gotta Be bad, You Gotta Be bold, You Gotta Be wiser

You Gotta Be hard, You Gotta Be tough, You Gotta Be stronger

You Gotta Be cool, You Gotta Be calm, you gotta stay together

All I know, all I know

Love will save the day

Yeah, yeah, yeah

You Gotta Be bad, You Gotta Be bold, You Gotta Be wiser

You Gotta Be hard, You Gotta Be tough, You Gotta Be stronger

You Gotta Be cool, You Gotta Be calm, you gotta stay together

All I know, all I know

Love will save the day

Yeah, yeah

Got to be bold

Got to be bad

Got to be wise

Do what others say

Got to be hard

Not too, too hard

All I know is love will save the day

You Gotta Be bad, You Gotta Be bold, You Gotta Be wiser

You Gotta Be hard, You Gotta Be tough, You Gotta Be stronger

You Gotta Be cool, You Gotta Be calm, you gotta stay together

Yeah!

You Gotta Be bad, You Gotta Be bold, You Gotta Be wiser

You Gotta Be hard, You Gotta Be tough, You Gotta Be stronger

You Gotta Be cool, You Gotta Be calm, you gotta stay together

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
listen /ˈlɪs.ən/ A2	verb - to pay attention to sound
challenge /ˈtʃæl.ɪndʒ/ B1	noun - a difficult task or situation verb - to invite someone to compete or to prove something
future /ˈfjuː.tʃər/ A2	noun - the time that will come after the present
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - a strong feeling of affection verb - to have a strong affection for someone
fear /fɪr/ A2	noun - an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous verb - to be afraid of someone or something
strong /strɔːŋ/ B1	adjective - having power or strength
bold /boʊld/ B2	adjective - showing courage or confidence
calm /kɑːm/ B1	adjective - not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other emotions
tough /tʌf/ B2	adjective - strong enough to withstand adverse conditions
hard /hɑːrd/ B1	adjective - solid, firm, and resistant to pressure
tears /tɪrz/ A2	noun - drops of clear salty liquid produced by the eyes
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth and all the people, places, and things on it
day /deɪ/ A1	noun - a period of 24 hours
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - the indefinite continued progress of existence and events
ask /æsk/ A1	verb - to say something in order to get information
stay /steɪ/ A2	verb - to remain in the same place or position

Key Grammar Structures

• You Gotta Be bad, You Gotta Be bold, You Gotta Be wiser

  ➔ Modal verbs (Gotta)

  ➔ The phrase "You Gotta Be" uses the modal verb "gotta" to express necessity or obligation.

• Try and keep your head up to the sky

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ The phrase "Try and keep" uses the imperative mood to give a command or suggestion.

• Love will save the day

  ➔ Future simple tense

  ➔ The phrase "Love will save" uses the future simple tense to indicate an action that will happen.

• Time ask no questions, it goes on without you

  ➔ Present simple tense

  ➔ The phrase "Time ask no questions" uses the present simple tense to express a general truth.

• Some may have more cash than you

  ➔ Modal verbs (may)

  ➔ The phrase "Some may have" uses the modal verb "may" to express possibility.

• Don't be ashamed to cry

  ➔ Negative imperative

  ➔ The phrase "Don't be ashamed" uses the negative imperative to advise against a certain action.

• The world keeps on spinning

  ➔ Present continuous tense

  ➔ The phrase "The world keeps on spinning" uses the present continuous tense to describe an ongoing action.