CHESS – English Lyrics

• By: Dahyun
• Album: TEN: The Story Goes On

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Dahyun's "CHESS," a captivating song that masterfully weaves classical melodies with modern pop to express themes of resilience and self-empowerment. Its eloquent lyrics offer a fantastic opportunity to explore English vocabulary related to strategy and personal growth, making it a special track for language learners and music lovers alike.

[English]

Oh I used to be

unskilled and naïve

You deceived me for your own benefit

With a cunning trick more than anything

Calculated, educated

I'm the monster you created

So you changed me, I've upgraded

I'ma tell ya

I ain't playin' checkers, I play chess

Became the best and nothing less

Yeah, that's what I do, I'm making moves

I never lose and that's on you (Yeah, that's on you)

I dominate the outcome of this game

It's getting more and more interesting

Victory is mine, obviously, I

Know I'm not the same person I used to be

Calculated, educated

I'm the monster you created

So you changed me, I've upgraded

I'ma tell ya

I ain't playin' checkers, I play chess (I make 'em sweat)

Became the best and nothing less (I make a mess, I must confess)

Yeah, that's what I do, I'm making moves (I bet ya knew)

I never lose and that's on you (I never do, and that's on you)

Because of you

I've become stronger

And I can go with the flow

Uh, better without you, better now

With or without you, ain't no doubt

You know you gotta

You gotta show me your manners, bow down

Better without you, better now

Want me to lose, I don't know how

You know you gotta

You gotta, you gotta, uh

Let you shoot your shot

Now that's on you

Shoulda done it better when you had it all together

What now?

Now you're really running out of moves

Oh, oh

Yeah, that's what I do, I'm making moves (I bet ya knew)

I never lose and that's on you (I never do and that's on you)

I ain't playin checkers, I play chess (I make 'em sweat)

Became the best, and nothing less (I make a mess, I must confess)

Yeah that's what I do I'm making moves (I bet ya knew)

I never lose and that's on you (I never do and that's on you)

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
deceive /dɪˈsiːv/ B2	verb - to make someone believe something that is not true
calculated /ˈkælkjuleɪtɪd/ B2	adjective - done with full awareness of the likely consequences
upgrade /ˈʌpˌɡreɪd/ B2	verb - to raise to a higher standard or quality
dominate /ˈdɒmɪneɪt/ B2	verb - to have control over something
outcome /ˈaʊtˌkʌm/ B1	noun - the result or effect of an action or event
interesting /ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/ B1	adjective - causing curiosity or engaging attention
victory /ˈvɪktəri/ B2	noun - success in a contest or battle
confess /kənˈfɛs/ B2	verb - to admit to wrongdoing or a mistake
stronger /ˈstrɒŋgər/ B2	adjective - having more strength
flow /floʊ/ A2	verb - to move steadily and continuously
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot
move /muːv/ A2	verb - to change position
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A2	verb - to become different

Key Grammar Structures

• Oh I used to be unskilled and naïve

  ➔ Used to + Infinitive (Past Habits)

  ➔ In the sentence "Oh I ""used to"" be unskilled and naïve," ""used to"" is used to describe a habitual state or action in the past that no longer applies in the present, indicating the speaker's former naivety.

• You deceived me for your own benefit

  ➔ Past Simple (Completed Actions)

  ➔ In the sentence "You ""deceived"" me for your own benefit," ""deceived"" is in the past simple tense, describing a finished action in the past where someone tricked the speaker for personal gain.

• I'm the monster you created

  ➔ Passive Voice (Past Tense)

  ➔ In the sentence "I'm the monster ""you created""," the structure is passive voice in the past tense, emphasizing that the speaker was transformed by the other person, not active in the creation.

• So you changed me, I've upgraded

  ➔ Present Perfect (Recent Past to Present)

  ➔ In the sentence "So you changed me, ""I've upgraded"" ," ""I've upgraded"" uses the present perfect to show a change that occurred at an unspecified time and continues to affect the present, indicating the speaker's improvement.

• Became the best and nothing less

  ➔ Past Simple (Transformation)

  ➔ In the sentence """Became"" the best and nothing less," ""Became"" is in the past simple to describe a completed transformation or achievement in the past, showing the speaker's rise to excellence.

• Yeah, that's what I do, I'm making moves

  ➔ Present Continuous (Ongoing Actions)

  ➔ In the sentence "Yeah, that's what I do, """I'm making moves"""," """I'm making moves""" uses the present continuous to indicate an ongoing action in the present, emphasizing the speaker's active strategy.

• And I can go with the flow

  ➔ Modal Verb Can (Ability)

  ➔ In the sentence "And """I can""" go with the flow," """can""" is a modal verb expressing ability or permission, showing the speaker's adaptability in the present situation.

• Shoulda done it better when you had it all together

  ➔ Should Have + Past Participle (Unfulfilled Advice)

  ➔ In the sentence """Shoulda"" done it better when you """had"" it all together," """Shoulda"" (should have) expresses regret or advice that wasn't followed in the past, criticizing missed opportunities.