BIRDS OF A FEATHER

• By: Billie Eilish

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
grave /ɡreɪv/ B2	noun - a hole dug in the ground to bury a dead body or coffin
rot /rɒt/ B2	verb - to decay; decompose
casket /ˈkæskɪt/ B2	noun - a coffin
blue /bluː/ A1	adjective - of the colour of the clear sky or the deep sea.
birds /bɜːrdz/ A1	noun - a warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrate animal distinguished by the possession of feathers, wings, a beak, and typically able to fly.
feather /ˈfeðər/ A2	noun - one of the light horny structures forming the external covering of birds.
stick /stɪk/ A2	verb - adhere or cling to a substance or surface.
weather /ˈweðər/ A2	noun - the state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.
forever /fərˈevər/ A2	adverb - for all future time; for always.
crying /ˈkraɪɪŋ/ A1	verb - shed tears, typically as an expression of distress, pain, or sorrow.
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible.
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - each of a pair of globular organs in the head through which people and vertebrate animals see.
compliments /ˈkɒmplɪmənts/ B2	noun - a polite expression of praise or admiration.
shit /ʃɪt/ B1	noun - excrement.
mind /maɪnd/ A2	noun - the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel; the faculty of consciousness and thought.
polluted /pəˈluːtɪd/ B2	adjective - containing extraneous substances that contaminate or degrade the purity of something.
stupid /ˈstjuːpɪd/ B1	adjective - lacking intelligence or common sense.
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
buzzing /ˈbʌzɪŋ/ B1	verb - make a low, continuous humming sound.

Grammar:

• I WANT YOU TO STAY 'TIL I'M IN THE GRAVE

  ➔ `'Til` (contraction of `until`) with the present simple in the main clause and the present simple in the time clause

  ➔ Using "'til" (until) to express a duration of time that extends to the future (death). This shows the singer's deep desire for the other person to remain with them until the very end.

• IF YOU GO, I'M GOING TOO, UH

  ➔ First conditional (If + present simple, future simple)

  ➔ The "if" clause expresses a possible condition, and the main clause expresses a likely result in the future. "If" "you go", I am "going too" indicates dependence.

• BIRDS OF A FEATHER, WE SHOULD STICK TOGETHER, I KNOW

  ➔ Modal verb `should` for advice/suggestion, and elliptical clause (`I know` implying `I know we should stick together`)

  ➔ `Should` here expresses a strong suggestion or belief about the necessity of sticking together. The elliptical clause 'I know' reinforces the speaker's conviction.

• I SAID I'D NEVER THINK I WASN'T BETTER ALONE

  ➔ Reported speech (`I said`), negative concord (`never think I wasn't better`), past perfect subjunctive (`I'd` = `I would`) with `better`

  ➔ This line highlights a change in perspective. The singer initially believed she was better off alone, but now expresses that she would "never think" that way again. The double negative reinforces the strength of her changed belief.

• CAN'T CHANGE THE WEATHER, MIGHT NOT BE FOREVER

  ➔ Modal verb of possibility `might`, short sentences for emphasis.

  ➔ `Might` expresses uncertainty about the future's duration. Short sentences create a sense of resignation and acceptance of impermanence. The line acknowledges the unpredictable nature of relationships and life in general.

• BUT IF IT'S FOREVER, IT'S EVEN BETTER

  ➔ Second conditional variant (Implied condition: If it were to be forever), comparative adjective (`better`)

  ➔ This is a counterfactual conditional expressing a hypothetical situation and its (positive) outcome. This highlights the speaker's wishful thinking – the ideal scenario is for the relationship to last forever.

• I DON'T THINK I COULD LOVE YOU MORE

  ➔ Modal verb of speculation (`could`), comparative (`more`) with an unquantifiable noun (`love`) emphasizing the limitlessness of their affection.

  ➔ "Could" shows uncertainty, but emphasizes that their love is already at its peak. Implying the love is already so great it's hard to imagine surpassing it.

• YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE IF I TOLD YA

  ➔ Second conditional (If + past simple, would + infinitive)

  ➔ The "if" clause presents an unreal or unlikely condition, and the main clause describes the hypothetical result. It suggests the singer's feelings are so strong that they are beyond belief.