Bang!
K'naan & Adam Levine Lyrics

She shot me, she shot me
Repeating the idea of being shot by the woman

Bang, bang, she shot me (uh)
Emphasizing the impact of the shooting with onomatopoeia

Ah, there she goes again, the dopest Ethiopian
Describing the woman as impressive and Ethiopian

In other words, she came through explodin' in the podium
Clarifying the woman's confidence and presence in public speaking situations

Dynamite Napoleon like sodium mixed with petroleum
Comparing the woman to a powerful, explosive figure

Slowly but surely, she was walking toward me
Highlighting the woman's slow, intentional approach

Cut the convo short 'cause she had to wake up early
Ending a conversation due to the woman's schedule

But continuing the story, don't worry
Assuring the listener that the story will continue

She gave me digits for her Blackberry
Offering phone numbers as a way to stay in contact

"You're very handsome" is what she said
Complimenting the artist on their appearance

And the way she looked in my eyes said, "Put me to bed"
Suggesting a sexual encounter with just a glance

Oh my, oh my, I should have known when she said to me on the phone
Regretting not seeing the signs of the woman's true intentions

"You do not know me very well, but I would never hurt a fly"
Hearing a contradiction between a statement and the woman's actions

Then she aimed for my chest with love in her eye
Attacked with violent intentions, but perhaps still with feelings involved

Said she aimed for my chest with love in her eye
Reiterating the lover's feelings as they shot the singer

She was walkin' around with a loaded shotgun
Revealing the woman's intent to hurt the artist

Ready to fire me a hot one
Preparing to shoot the artist with intention

Although I could have walked away
Implying an opportunity to avoid conflict before the shooting

I stood my ground and let her spray
Choosing to confront the woman and accept the consequences

Scorpion, she's so hot, she's a scorch-ian
Comparing the woman to a dangerous creature that can easily wound others

Killing me softly, Lauryn or Kevorkian
Hypnotizing and harming the artist at the same time, in reference to a song by Lauryn Hill and a doctor known for assisted suicides

Couldn't tell if she's cuckoo or quirky, when
Describing the woman's erratic behavior and questioning its cause

I asked her her name, she said, "Call me Ten"
Receiving a vague, pseudonym response to a normal question

Testing, testing
Introducing a new phase of the interaction

Things just got more interesting
Implying that the woman's true intentions are becoming more clear

She's dressed in a vest pin, double-breasted holster
Describing the woman's unconventional attire, with weapons being a central feature

A very Western toaster
Adding another layer of description to the woman's look and weaponry

She ain't nothing Kosher
Suggesting that the woman's behavior goes against rules or standards

Ah, she lets me closer
Implying the woman is intentionally bringing the artist closer to her, perhaps for another attack

Hotter than a pepper-crusted samosa
Comparing the woman's physical attractiveness to a spicy, flavorful dish

While I try to keep my composure
Acknowledging an attempt to maintain calm despite the unsettling situation

Am I wrong?
Questioning the choices that led to being shot

But what is love without the pain to go along?
Arguing that pain and love are often intertwined, and that love can involve suffering

And what is pain?
Asking a rhetorical question about a common human experience

If not the reason for me to sing this song?
Asserting that pain is a driving force behind creativity and self-expression

And this song is for the weak and for the strong
Stating the intended audience for the song

'Cause I was strong
Claiming personal resilience despite being shot

And still, she got me, she got me
Acknowledging that the shooter ultimately prevailed

She got me, she got me
Repeating the idea of being defeated by the shooter