Learn English with Songs: “Fresh Prince of Bel-air”

Hello!

Do you want to join us and relax with Will Smith?

1. Read the lyrics
2. Understand the vocabulary
3. Sing along!

Lyrics

Now this is the story all about how
My life got flipped, turned upside down
And I’d like to take a minute just sit right there
I’ll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel-air

In west Philadelphia born and raised 
On the playground where I spent most of my days
Chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool
And all shooting some b-ball outside of the school
When a couple of guys, they were up to no good
Started making trouble in my neighbourhood
I got in one little fight and my mom got scared
And said “You’re moving with your auntie and uncle in Bel-air”

I begged and pleaded with her day after day
But she packed my suit case and sent me on my way
She gave me a kiss and then she gave me my ticket.
I put my Walkman on and said, ‘I might as well kick it’.

First class, yo this ain’t bad
Drinking orange juice out of a champagne glass.
Is this what the people of Bel-Air living like?
Hmmmmm this might be alright.

But wait I hear they’re prissy, bourgeois, all that
Is this the type of place that they just send this cool cat?
I don’t think so
I’ll see when I get there
I hope they’re prepared for the prince of Bel-Air

Well, the plane landed and when I came out
There was a dude who looked like a cop standing there with my name out
I ain’t trying to get arrested yet
I just got here
I sprang with the quickness like lightning, disappeared

I whistled for a cab and when it came near the
License plate said “fresh” and had a dice in the mirror
If anything I could say that this cab was rare 
But I thought nah, forget it, yo home to Bel-air!

I pulled up to a house about seven or eight
And I yelled to the cabby “Yo, ho smell you later!”
Looked at my kingdom I was finally there
To sit on my throne as the prince of Bel-air

Vocabulary

Flipped – to turn (something) over by throwing it up in the air with a quick movement.

Raised – to take care of and teach (a child) : to bring up or rear (a child).

Maxing – to spend all of the money that your credit card allows you to borrow : to use up all available credit on (a credit card).

Shooting some b-ball – playing basket ball.

Prissy – having or showing the annoying attitude of people who care too much about dressing and behaving properly and who are easily upset by other people’s behavior, language, etc.

Bourgeois – relating to or belonging to the middle class of society.

Whistled – to make a high sound by blowing air through your lips or teeth.

Rare – not common or usual : not often done, seen, or happening.

Cabby – A short way of saying “cab driver” or “taxi driver”.

Throne – the special chair for a king, queen, or other powerful person.

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