Breathing – English Lyrics

• By: Kate Bush
• Album: Never For Ever

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Kate Bush's 'Breathing,' a chilling exploration of nuclear annihilation through the eyes of an unborn child. This song is not just a musical masterpiece; it's a poignant lesson in environmental awareness and the preciousness of life. Discover how Bush's unique storytelling and haunting vocals create a powerful narrative that resonates even today, offering a profound understanding of humanity's impact on the world.

[English]

Outside

Gets inside, ooh-ooh-ooh

Through her skin

I've been out before, but this time it's much safer in

Last night

In the sky, ooh-ooh-ooh

Such a bright light

My radar send me danger

But my instincts tell me to

Keep breathing

Out, in, out, in, out, in

Breathing

Breathing my mother in

Breathing my beloved in

Breathing, breathing her nicotine

Breathing

Breathing the fall-out in, out in, out in, out in, out in

We've lost our chance

We're the first and last, ooh-ooh-ooh

After the blast

Chips of plutonium are twinkling in every lung

I love my beloved, ooh-ooh-ooh

All and everywhere

Only the fools blew it

You and me knew life itself is breathing

Out, in, out, in, out, in

Breathing

Breathing my mother in

Breathing my beloved in

Breathing, breathing her nicotine, breathing

Breathing the fall-out in, out in, out in, out in, out in

Out in, out in, out in, out

Out, out, out, out

...

(What are we going to do without?)

Oh, please

(What are we going to do without?)

Oh, let me breathe

(What are we going to do without?)

Quick, breathe in deep

(We are all going to die without)

Oh, leave me something to breathe

(What are we going to do without?)

Oh, leave me something to breathe

(We are all going to die without?)

Oh God, please leave us something to breathe

(What are we going to do without?)

Oh, life is

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
breathing /ˈbriːðɪŋ/ A1	verb - to take air into the lungs and then expel it
outside /ˌaʊtˈsaɪd/ A1	noun - the outer side or surface of something
inside /ɪnˈsaɪd/ A1	noun - the inner part or surface of something
skin /skɪn/ A1	noun - the outer layer of the body
bright /braɪt/ A2	adjective - giving out or reflecting much light; shining
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - the natural agent that stimulates sight
danger /ˈdeɪnʤər/ A1	noun - the possibility of harm or injury
instincts /ˈɪnstɪŋ(k)ts/ B1	noun - an innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior
fall-out /ˈfɔːl aʊt/ B2	noun - radioactive particles from a nuclear explosion
plutonium /pluːˈtoʊniəm/ C1	noun - a highly toxic radioactive metallic element
twinkling /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/ B2	verb - to shine with a flickering light
beloved /bɪˈlʌvɪd/ A2	adjective - much loved or cherished
nicotine /ˈnɪkətiːn/ B1	noun - a toxic alkaloid found in tobacco
blast /blæst/ B1	noun - a violent gust of wind or explosion
fools /fuːlz/ A2	noun - a person who acts unwisely or imprudently
deep /diːp/ A1	adjective - extending far down from the top or surface

Key Grammar Structures

• Outside gets inside, ooh-ooh-ooh

  ➔ Present Simple Tense

  ➔ The verb 'gets' is in the present simple tense, indicating a habitual or general action.

• I've been out before, but this time it's much safer in

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense

  ➔ 'I've been' is the present perfect tense, used to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present.

• My radar send me danger

  ➔ Subject-Verb Agreement Error (Intentional for Artistic Effect)

  ➔ The verb 'send' should agree with the singular subject 'radar', but it is written as 'send' instead of 'sends' for artistic effect.

• Breathing my mother in

  ➔ Gerund as Object

  ➔ 'Breathing' is a gerund functioning as the object of the preposition 'in'.

• We've lost our chance

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense

  ➔ 'We've lost' is the present perfect tense, indicating an action that occurred in the past with results relevant to the present.

• Only the fools blew it

  ➔ Past Simple Tense

  ➔ 'Blew' is the past simple tense, used to describe a completed action in the past.

• Oh, please

  ➔ Interjection

  ➔ 'Oh' is an interjection used to express emotion or reaction.

• Oh God, please leave us something to breathe

  ➔ Direct Address

  ➔ 'God' is used as a direct address, a way to call out to a specific person or entity.