Shadowing Practice: Mariah Carey - Obsessed (Lyrics) - Learn English Speaking with Video

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And I was like, why are you so obsessed with me?
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Saying we up in your house, saying I'm up in your car But you in LA and I'm out of your mains I'm up in the A,
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you so, so lame And no one here even matches your name It must be the we, it must be the E Cause you be poppin',
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heard you get it poppin' Why you so obsessed with me?
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Boy, I wanna know Lying that you're sexin' me When everybody knows It's clear that you're upset with me,
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oh Finally found a girl that you couldn't impress Last man on the earth, still couldn't get this You're delusional,
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you're delusional Well, you're losin' your mind It's confusing you, you're confused, you know Why you wastin' your time?
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Got you all fired up with your Napoleon complex I see you right through it like you're bathing in windex Boy,
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why you so obsessed with me?
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And all my ladies say
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And all my girls
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say You on your job,
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you hating hard Ain't gon' feed you, I'ma let you stop Busting for air, I'm in elation You had a breath,
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hope you ain't waiting Telling the world how much you miss me But we never were, so why you tripping?
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You a mom and pop, I'm a corporation I'm the press conference,
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you a conversation Why you so obsessed with me?
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And boy, I wanna know Lying that you're sexing me when everybody knows It's clear that you're upset with me
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Finally found a girl that you couldn't have met Last man on the earth still couldn't get this You're delusional,
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you're delusional Well you're losing your mind It's confusing you, you're confused you know Why you wasting your time?
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Got you all fired up, put your Napoleon complex See it right through you like a baby Then it wins like Oh,
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oh, oh Boy, why you so obsessed with me?
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And I'm a lady saying And I'm a girl saying And I'm a girl saying
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And I'm a girl saying And I'm a girl saying
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And I'm a girl saying He's gonna think what's up with me You know,
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lying that you're sex with me And everybody knows it's clear that you're upset with me Funny,
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funny girl that you couldn't ever get I still couldn't get me He's gonna think what's up with me It's confusing,
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it's confusing I'm telling you what you're feeling tonight That you love, that you love

Context & Background

The lyrics of Mariah Carey's song "Obsessed" delve into themes of infatuation and perceived obsession between individuals. The speaker questions why someone is so fixated on her, especially when their relationship was non-existent. The dialogue reflects a mix of confidence and disbelief, making the lyrics a compelling choice for English learners. Understanding this context can help you grasp the nuances in tone and emotion, which are essential for effective communication in English.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “Why are you so obsessed with me?” - A direct expression of curiosity about someone's excessive interest.
  • “It's clear that you're upset with me.” - A straightforward way to identify someone's feelings of displeasure.
  • “You're delusional.” - A colloquial phrase to indicate that someone has a distorted perception of reality.
  • “Why are you wasting your time?” - A rhetorical question that challenges someone’s priorities.
  • “I see you right through it.” - A metaphorical way to convey that you can understand someone's true intentions.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To improve your English speaking practice using the shadowing technique, follow these steps while listening to "Obsessed":

  1. Listen Actively: Start by listening to the song without reading the lyrics. This will help you get familiar with the pronunciation and rhythm.
  2. Read Along: Once you are comfortable, read the lyrics while listening. Pay attention to the stress and intonation patterns.
  3. Begin Shadowing: Choose short sections of the song (1-2 lines) and repeat after Mariah Carey. Try to mimic her tone and emotion. This is where the shadow speaks method helps you grasp natural conversational flow.
  4. Record Yourself: Use a recording app to capture your attempts. Listen to yourself and compare it with the original. This will highlight areas of improvement.
  5. Revise and Repeat: Pick a different section and repeat the process. Consistent practice on a reliable shadowing site or tool will lead to significant progress in your speaking skills.

By focusing on phrases that reflect real emotions and conversational dynamics, you can enhance your understanding and usage of English in daily conversations.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.