A Pain That I'm Used To – English Lyrics

• By: Depeche Mode

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the depths of self-awareness and the comfort found in familiar struggles with Depeche Mode's "A Pain That I'm Used To." This song offers a rich vocabulary for discussing complex emotions and the search for authenticity, all while showcasing the band's signature synth-pop sound.

[English]

I'm not sure what I'm looking for anymore

I just know that I'm harder to console

I don't see who I'm trying to be instead of me

But the key is a question of control

Can you say what you're trying to play anyway?

I just pay while you're breaking all the rules

All the signs that I find have been underlined

Devils thrive on the drive that is fueled

All this running around, well, it's getting me down

Just give me a pain that I'm used to

I don't need to believe all the dreams you conceive

You just need to achieve something that rings true

There's a hole in your soul like an animal

With no conscience, repentance, oh no

Close your eyes, pay the price for your paradise

Devils feed on the seeds of the soul

I can't conceal what I feel, what I know is real

No mistaking the faking, I care

With a prayer in the air, I will leave it there

On a note full of hope, not despair

All this running around, well, it's getting me down

Just give me a pain that I'm used to

I don't need to believe all the dreams you conceive

You just need to achieve something that rings true

All this running around, well, it's getting me down

Just give me a pain that I'm used to

I don't need to believe all the dreams you conceive

You just need to achieve something that rings true

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
console /kənˈsoʊl/ B2	verb - to comfort someone at a time of grief or disappointment
drive /draɪv/ B2	noun - a journey in a vehicle; motivation or determination verb - to operate a vehicle; to propel or motivate
thrive /θraɪv/ C1	verb - to grow or develop well; to be successful
conceal /kənˈsiːl/ C1	verb - to hide or keep secret
achieve /əˈtʃiːv/ B2	verb - to successfully complete or accomplish a goal
paradise /ˈpærədaɪs/ B2	noun - a place of perfect happiness or beauty
thrill /θrɪl/ C1	noun - a sudden feeling of excitement or pleasure
faking /ˈfeɪkɪŋ/ C2	verb (gerund) - to pretend or simulate something falsely
pray /preɪ/ B2	verb - to speak to a deity or to address a prayer
seeds /siːdz/ A2	noun - small reproductive part of a plant
fears /fɪərz/ B1	noun - an unpleasant emotion caused by danger or threat

Key Grammar Structures

• I'm not sure what I'm looking for anymore

  ➔ Indirect Question with 'what' and 'anymore'

  ➔ The sentence uses an indirect question structure. 'What I'm looking for' acts as the subject complement after 'sure'. 'Anymore' indicates that the search has been ongoing but is now uncertain.

• I just know that I'm harder to console

  ➔ 'Harder' as a comparative adjective, 'to console' as an infinitive of purpose.

  ➔ 'Harder' compares the current state of being comforted with a previous state. 'To console' expresses the difficulty in providing comfort.

• Can you say what you're trying to play anyway?

  ➔ Modal verb 'can' for ability or request, indirect question 'what you're trying to play'.

  ➔ 'Can' is used to ask a question about the ability to express something. 'What you're trying to play' is an embedded question functioning as the object of 'say'.

• All the signs that I find have been underlined

  ➔ Relative clause 'that I find' modifying 'signs', Present Perfect Passive 'have been underlined'.

  ➔ The relative clause identifies which signs are being referred to. The passive voice emphasizes that the signs were acted upon, rather than acting themselves.

• Devils thrive on the drive that is fueled

  ➔ Relative clause 'that is fueled' modifying 'drive', intransitive verb 'thrive'.

  ➔ The relative clause describes the kind of 'drive' being talked about. 'Thrive' is used intransitively, meaning it does not take a direct object.

• Just give me a pain that I'm used to

  ➔ Imperative 'give', relative clause 'that I'm used to' modifying 'pain', 'used to' for past habits or states.

  ➔ 'Give' is an instruction or request. The relative clause specifies which kind of pain is desired. 'Used to' describes a familiarity with the pain.

• I don't need to believe all the dreams you conceive

  ➔ 'Need to' for necessity, 'conceive' as a transitive verb.

  ➔ 'Need to' expresses that belief is not required. 'Conceive' takes 'dreams' as its direct object, indicating the act of creating the dreams.

• You just need to achieve something that rings true

  ➔ 'Need to' for obligation, relative clause 'that rings true' modifying 'something', intransitive verb 'ring' used metaphorically.

  ➔ 'Need to' expresses a requirement or expectation. The relative clause describes the quality of 'something' – it must be authentic. 'Ring' is used metaphorically to mean 'seems genuine'.