Car's Outside – English Lyrics

• By: James Arthur

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw, conversational emotion of James Arthur’s 'Car’s Outside' to master English vocabulary related to love, longing, and travel. The lyrics are incredibly descriptive and clear, using everyday phrases like 'tag line,' 'Addison Lee' (a specific taxi company), and 'loving from afar' to tell a relatable story of a painful goodbye. Listening to this soulful ballad provides an excellent opportunity to understand natural, expressive English used in a powerful, relatable context.

[English]

I'm packin' my bags that I didn't unpack the last time

I'm sayin', "See you again, " so many times, it's becoming my tagline

But you know the truth, I'd rather hold you Than try to catch this flight

So many things I'd rather say But for now, it's goodbye

You say I'm always leavin'

You, when you're sleepin' alone

But the, the car's outside But I don't wanna go tonight

I'm not gettin' in the Addison Lee

Unless you pack your bags You're comin' with me

I'm tired of lovin' from afar And never being where you are

Close the windows, lock the doors Don't wanna leave you anymore

I'm starin' at the same four walls in a different hotel

It's an unfamiliar feelin' but I know it so well

Oh, but you know the truth, I'd rather hold you Than this mobile in my hand

But I guess it'll do, 'cause for you I would run up my phone bill

You say I'm always leavin'

You, when you need me the most

But the, the car's outside But I don't wanna go tonight

I'm not gettin' in the Addison Lee

Unless you pack your bags You're comin' with me

I'm tired of lovin' from afar And never being where you are

Close the windows, lock the doors Don't wanna leave you anymore

Ooh-ooh, ah (3x) No, I don't wanna leave you anymore

Oh, darling, all of the city lights Never shine as bright as your eyes

I would trade them all for a minute more But the car's outside

And he's called me twice But he's gonna have to wait tonight

I'm not gettin' in the Addison Lee

Unless you pack your bags You're comin' with me

I'm tired of lovin' from afar And never being where you are

Close the windows, lock the doors Don't wanna leave you anymore

Ooh-ooh, ah (3x) No, I don't wanna leave you anymore

I don't wanna leave you

Don't wanna leave you anymore

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
pack /pæk/ A2	verb - to put clothes or other things into a bag or container, ready to travel
unpack /ʌnˈpæk/ B1	verb - to remove things from a bag or container
outside /aʊtˈsaɪd/ A2	noun - the outer part or surface of something
hold /hoʊld/ B1	verb - to carry or support something with your hands or arms
flight /flaɪt/ B1	noun - the act of flying through the air, usually in an airplane
goodbye /ɡʊdˈbaɪ/ A2	noun - a phrase used when parting from someone
leaving /ˈliːvɪŋ/ B1	verb - the act of departing from a place
window /ˈwɪndoʊ/ A2	noun - an opening in a wall or vehicle that allows light and air in
lock /lɒk/ A2	verb - to secure something with a key or mechanism
city /ˈsɪti/ A1	noun - a large town
shine /ʃaɪn/ B2	verb - to produce light or to be bright
eyes /aɪz/ A2	noun - organs of sight

Key Grammar Structures

• I'm packin' my bags that I didn't unpack the last time

  ➔ Present continuous tense with 'be' + -ing form

  ➔ The phrase "I'm packin'" uses the present continuous tense to describe an action happening now or around now. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of packing.

• You say I'm always leavin'

  ➔ Present continuous tense with 'be' + -ing for habitual actions

  ➔ The phrase "I'm always leavin'" uses the present continuous tense to describe a habitual action, even though it literally means an ongoing action. It implies a repeated pattern of leaving.

• But the, the car's outside

  ➔ Present simple tense with 'be' for a current state

  ➔ The phrase "the car's outside" uses the present simple tense with 'be' to indicate a current state or condition. It shows that the car is currently outside.

• Unless you pack your bags, you're comin' with me

  ➔ Conditional sentence with 'unless'

  ➔ The phrase "Unless you pack your bags, you're comin' with me" uses a conditional sentence with 'unless' to express a condition that must be met for the main clause to be true. It implies that if the condition is not met, the opposite will happen.

• I'm tired of lovin' from afar

  ➔ Present perfect continuous tense with 'be' + -ing

  ➔ The phrase "I'm tired of lovin' from afar" uses the present perfect continuous tense to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present, causing a current state of fatigue. It emphasizes the duration and ongoing nature of the action.

• Don't wanna leave you anymore

  ➔ Modal verb 'wanna' for informal expression of desire

  ➔ The phrase "Don't wanna leave you anymore" uses the modal verb 'wanna' as an informal way to express desire or intention. It is a contraction of 'want to' and is commonly used in spoken English.