I deserve a Grammy! Come on, I know none of you would vote for me. Still, it takes guts to affirm that — positive affirmations — and that’s exactly what this music duo was doing. This cover for “Grammy” by Purity Ring was released as a single in 2013. It takes inspiration from Soulja Boy’s song of the same name on his 2010 album, The DeAndre Way. Below are the lyrics for you to enjoy, as well as the music video. I’ll also add the original song for you all to compare the two. Go ahead!
For better practice, try: First, listen to the song while reading the lyrics. This will help you get familiar with the sounds and rhythm along with the words used. Second, read through the lyrics without the music. Take your time and make sure you understand the words and meanings. Third, listen to the song without reading lyrics. Notice if your understanding of the song / words has improved!
Feel free to ask in the comments if there is something else you didn’t understand or want to know more about. Want more songs like this? Let me know! Now enjoy, and happy listening.
*I want to reiterate that I am not trying to correct anyone’s informal speech or grammar. As native speakers, these concepts come easier to us, but English learners may need help in understanding what the correct way to speak is so they know when and where to break those rules! Thanks for bearing with me.
Videos
“Grammy” (Cover) Lyrics – Purity Ring
What do you want from me?
‘Cause I’ve given you everything
- Informal Speech: *”Because I’ve given …”
What do you need from me?
Are you not happy with anything?
[Verse]
Party like a rock star, hit ’em with the hot bars
- Music Reference: “Party Like a Rock Star” was a popular song by hip hop group, the Shop Boyz, from 2007, and this is probably a reference to that.
- Informal Speech: “*Hit them with the hot bars …”
- Slang: “Hit” here has a figurative meaning. It’s about the same as offer or give but in an impactful way. “Hot” here means something very good, of excellent quality, and impressive. “Bars” is a slang specific to hip hop and rap music, and describes the lines in the lyrics (like lines in a paragraph or story). So, hot bars are impressive lyrics, basically.
Fast like a NASCAR, lime like my dad’s car
- Informal Speech: It’s more correct to say, “Fast like NASCAR,” but she conjugated it as if she were only talking about a car, not the whole sports organization. “Fast like a car.” “Lime” describes the color of the car, green.
I deserve a Grammy; will I fly away
Or land on Miami? I don’t have time to rhyme
- Informal Speech / Grammar: Normally for cities, countries, states, etc., we would say “Land in Miami.” (As in, land down in a plane). The conjugation is interesting though, as if she wants to land on top of Miami, making a huge impact.
But I do have time to grind
- Slang: “Grind” here means to hustle, put in work to make money.
S.O.D. pirates, I don’t need a hook
- Cultural References: S.O.D. is something associated with Soulja Boy, the original artist of this song. “Pirates” here probably was used to refer to the treasure-hungry and ruthless reputation of pirates, though it also refers to the famous Captain Hook, a pirate from Peter Pan.
- Musical Terms / Figurative Speech: A “hook” in music refers to a specific part of the lyrics, similar to bridge and chorus.
My lyrics illustrated verses taken from a book
- Grammar: *”My lyrics are illustrated, my verses are taken from a book …” Literally, if he’s talking about Peter Pan.
I understand the fans, supply and demand
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Crunk at command, fight and we’ll stand
- Slang / Cultural Reference: “Crunk” refers to a popular hip hop dance style that was especially big in the late ’90s to early 2000s. It is known for being very aggressive, and some people refer to “getting crunk” when they mean to get aggressive or hostile.
- Expressions: Being “at command” is being ready to do something at any moment.
Lyrics from a true legend, livin’ life through God’s blessing
Big papers, long acres, top flight, no security
- Casual Speech / Expressions: “Papers” here refers to money, most likely. It could also be contracts or music deals. “Long acres” refer to big properties with lots of land.
- Other Meanings: “No security” refers to how people who travel on private jets don’t have to pass through airport security.
Black ice on me, call the jury
- Slang / Figurative Speech: “Ice” in this case means jewelry. I don’t know of any jewelry that is black, so Soulja Boy might just have been referring to the fact that he is black. “Black ice” in the literal sense is a very thin layer of ice on the road that can’t really be seen but is dangerous for causing skidding and accidents. Maybe the jewelry is so pretty, it’s “dangerous”.
- Pronunciation: The “jury” is the audience who watches and decides on a verdict during a criminal trial. It also sounds like the way some American accents might pronounce “jewelry – jury.”
Yeah trick yeah, and we call it magic
- Slang: “Trick” here is a derogatory term against women. Interesting, since Megan from Purity Ring is singing it.
- Figurative Speech: Also, a trick in normal terms is what a magician would do to deceive the audience, like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. Hence, “call it magic.”
My style may change if you call it drastic
Money so long and we is the measure
- Slang: “Money is long” means that the money goes a long way. There is a lot of money.
- Grammar: *”And we are the measure(ment)”
I love my business and I love my pleasure
Live now, die later, internet genius
Self proclaimed, he a critically acclaimed
- Grammar: *”He is critically acclaimed …”
For the fortune and fame, he’ll run through the rain
- Expressions: “The rain” here means hard times and difficulties.
For a million in change, takin’ over the game
- Vocabulary: “Change” is what we call coins or money left over after a purchase. If she has a million left over after buying, imagine how much she spent.
- Slang: “The game” in this sense refers to a kind of situation or industry. Specifically here, it can be the music game.
18-year-old with a drop top Phantom
- Cars: This is the Rolls-Royce Phantom. “Drop top” means the top of the car comes down or opens, like a convertible.
Kidnap the world ’til they pay my ransom
DeAndre Way, look what’s tatted on my face
- Music Reference: The DeAndre Way was a Soulja Boy album from 2010. In the original lyrics, he’s probably referring to the image of his face on the album’s cover.
- Slang: “Tatted” is a slang word for tattooed, like “tat” is for tattoo. “How do you like my new tats?”
Four words to say: I deserve a Grammy
[Chorus]
What do you want from me?
‘Cause I’ve given you everything
What do you need from me?
Are you not happy with anything?
Is it not good enough?
Am I not good enough?
Have I not gave enough?
- Grammar: *”Have I not given enough?”
Tell me what do you want from me?
What do you want from me?
‘Cause I’ve given you everything
Then it repeats.
Thank you again for reading and practicing your English (or simply enjoying good music). Check Lyrics “Explained” to find similar songs and practice more. Make sure to post a comment or send us a message, if that sounds better to you 😉 Give Me a Shout! Otherwise, take care, y’all. Peace!
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