8 Tips for Your English with Sylvan Esso
Learn English with the song ‘Hey Mami’
Today’s subject is the song ‘Hey Mami’ by duo Sylvan Esso. This funky electronic chant was released with their 2014 album Sylvan Esso. It follows a pleasant young lady as she walks around, receiving some flattering compliments as she goes (or offensive, depending on how you look at it). Interestingly, the one singing these compliments is none other than a woman. That’s saying something.
Read below to learn some words, expressions, and grammar tips used in English. You can listen to the song with the embed.
Borrowed from Spanish
Mami
A Spanish term of endearment meaning “mommy”. In Latin American slang, it usually refers to a woman and means something like “gorgeous”, “cutey”, or “sweetheart”.
Hey, mami, I know what you want, mami —
In regions with lots of Hispanic influence, some English speakers may also say “mami” when referring to an attractive woman, especially if she is of Hispanic origin. This can be seen as offensive, depending on the woman or situation.
Slang & Expressions
Own
As a verb, it means to have (something) as property, or to legally possess (something). It also has some slang meanings. One of the meanings used in this song is to control or dominate something. Another meaning is to accept and admit to one’s own mistakes or wrongdoings.
She owns the eyes as she flies — (have control and domination)
Dudes at bodegas will hold their lips and own this s*** — (accept and admit to bad behavior)
Some other examples:
- You have to own (admit to) your mistakes.
- Sylvan Esso are so good, they just own (dominate over) any other music group.
Around town
To do something “around town” is to do it in many different places, usually to the point that many people will know about it. It can refer to a person doing things around a single town or city, or doing things in a general place, even on the internet.
Moving her body all around town —
She also says “all around” which can have the same meaning as “around town”; in many places, everywhere. Saying them together adds more emphasis.
(Verb) along
To do something “along” is to do it continually, from one place to another.
She floats along as she goes —
Other expressions that use this format are “run along” and “go along” (but not the same as “go along with”). These expressions mostly work with actions of movement, though, and it can be different for other types of verbs. For example, the phrasal verb, to “sing along” means to sing together with another person or group.
Hold (one’s) lips
To “hold your lips” means to keep your mouth closed, or not say anything. This is a slang expression, but it’s not very common.
Dudes at bodegas will hold their lips —
More popular expressions you might hear with the same meaning are “hold your mouth”, “hold your tongue”, or “keep your lips sealed”, and of course, “shut up”. Depending on the situation and tone, these phrases could sound very rude.
On a (something) tip
“On a tip” is usually said to describe a habit or trend that a person is following, probably for a short amount of time. To say what that habit or trend is, we just add it to the phrase.
For example, if you are in the habit of caring for your health, you might say, “I’m on my health tip these days.” This means you have recently adopted healthy habits. “I’m on my hip hop tip this month,” would mean that you are listening to lots of hip hop music this month.
Curling their toes on a chivalry tip —
Or, in the habit of being “chivalrous” (basically, men being respectful to women).
Some lyrics show her singing, “shivery tip”, which has a different meaning. I like the sound and meaning of “chivalry tip” better though, and it brings up an interesting English expression to talk about.
Grammar Habits
Omitting “to be” with -ing verbs
In informal English or some accents, it can be common to omit (or not use) the verb “to be”, especially in sentences with -ing verbs. It’s possible to hear phrases like:
- “We going to the store” (We are going to the store)
- or, “What she doing?” (What is she doing?)
She walking so fast —
With correct grammar, she would say “She is walking so fast.” This way of speech is informal and is best used in casual settings.
*In the U.S., it’s most common to do this in African American Vernacular English (AAVE). I don’t believe the singer, Amelia Meath, is African American, but people of all backgrounds use AAVE. Sylvan Esso is based in North Carolina, where they speak a type of Southern accent. Southern U.S. English varieties have been highly influenced by AAVE, so she might just be reflecting their Southern roots. It also could be reflecting the popularity of hip hop and the use of AAVE in the music world.
Not conjugating the third-person
Sometimes, people don’t conjugate verbs in the third person correctly. This means, instead of saying “What does he think?” you might hear, “What do he think?” Or, “He go there all the time” instead of “He goes there all the time.”
The same goes for negative sentences, like in this song:
She don’t know how she go
In proper English, this would be “She doesn’t know how she goes.”
*This habit is also very common with AAVE in the U.S. It does sound informal/improper to most people.
That was fun! What did you think of these tips? Do you like Sylvan Esso? Comment and share your thoughts. Don’t hold your lips!
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