Chandelier – English Lyrics

• By: Sia

Lyrics & Translation

Sia's "Chandelier" is a powerful electropop anthem that offers a raw and honest portrayal of vulnerability and the struggles with addiction. Its haunting lyrics and emotional delivery provide a glimpse into Sia's personal battles, making it a deeply relatable song for many listeners. Learning the lyrics can offer insights into nuanced English vocabulary related to emotional states, coping mechanisms, and the complexities of human struggles, all while experiencing Sia's unique and powerful vocal performance.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
hurt /hɜːrt/ A2	verb - to cause physical or emotional pain or injury to someone
learn /lɜːrn/ A1	verb - to gain knowledge or skill by studying, being taught, or experiencing something
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - an intense feeling of affection
drink /drɪŋk/ A1	verb - to swallow (liquid)
chandelier /ˌʃændəˈlɪər/ B2	noun - a decorative light fixture hanging from a ceiling, usually with branches for several light bulbs or candles.
live /lɪv/ A1	verb - to remain alive
tomorrow /təˈmɒroʊ/ A1	noun - the day after today
fly /flaɪ/ A2	verb - to move through the air using wings
bird /bɜːrd/ A1	noun - a warm-blooded vertebrate animal of a class that is distinguished by having feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong yet lightweight skeleton.
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period from sunset to sunrise in each twenty-four hours
tears /tɪərz/ A2	noun - drops of clear salty liquid secreted from glands in the eye
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - each of a pair of globular organs in the head through which people and vertebrate animals see
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible
morning /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/ A1	noun - the period of time between sunrise and noon
mess /mes/ B1	noun - a state of disorder or untidiness
shame /ʃeɪm/ B2	noun - a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.

Key Grammar Structures

• Party girls don't get hurt

  ➔ Simple Present Negative: "don't get"

  ➔ This line uses the simple present tense in its negative form to express a general truth or characteristic about "party girls". The auxiliary verb "do" is used with "not" to form the negative: do + not = "don't". "Get hurt" is the main verb phrase.

• Can't feel anything, when will I learn?

  ➔ Modal verb of ability (can't), Future Simple (when will I learn?)

  ➔ "Can't feel" uses the modal verb "can" in its negative form to express the inability to feel something. "When will I learn?" is a question using the future simple tense, expressing a question about a future action or realization.

• I'm gonna swing from the chandelier

  ➔ Future with "gonna" (going to)

  ➔ "Gonna" is a colloquial contraction of "going to," used to express a future intention or prediction. The structure is: subject + be verb (am/is/are) + gonna + base form of the verb.

• Like it doesn't exist

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood (hypothetical situation)

  ➔ This phrase implies that the speaker is acting as if tomorrow is not real. Although not explicitly using "were" (which is common for subjunctive), the phrase functions similarly by suggesting a scenario contrary to reality. It's showing a false belief or pretending that tomorrow doesn't exist to justify present behavior.

• Feel my tears as they dry

  ➔ Imperative (Feel), Subordinating conjunction "as"

  ➔ "Feel" is the imperative form of the verb, giving a direct instruction or command (though here it's more poetic). "As they dry" uses "as" as a subordinating conjunction to indicate a simultaneous action; while the tears dry, she feels them.

• But I'm holding on for dear life

  ➔ Present Continuous (I'm holding) emphasizing duration and temporary action. Use of adjective "dear" to intensify the noun "life".

  ➔ The present continuous tense ("I'm holding") signifies an action happening at the moment of speaking and emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action. "Dear" functions as an adjective to intensify the value or importance of "life", meaning she's holding on very tightly because she values her life immensely.

• Keep my glass full until morning light

  ➔ Imperative Mood (Keep). Use of "until" as a time conjunction.

  ➔ "Keep" is in the imperative mood, giving a command or instruction. "Until" is used to indicate a time limit; the action of keeping the glass full continues up to the point of morning light.