Clams Casino – English Lyrics

• By: Cassandra Jenkins
• Album: My Light, My Destroyer

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a unique journey, and Cassandra Jenkins' "Clams Casino" offers a beautiful opportunity for English learners. The song's narrative lyrics and clear, intimate vocal delivery make it easy to follow the story she tells of longing for connection. You'll encounter everyday language and poignant emotional expressions, all wrapped in a compelling indie rock soundscape. It's a special song for its honest portrayal of a universal human feeling.

[English]

I don't wanna laugh alone anymore

I knew it was time to put this suit away

When I ripped the knees open eating the pavement

Doris loved her American cars

This one's seen just about every state

When it came time to take the keys away

She said, "Hey, hey-hey-hey"

Why'd you have to go and do me like that?

Don't you know I don't wanna laugh alone anymore?

I don't wanna laugh alone anymore

No one's home at the hotel bar

I've been out looking for a silver lining

Just found a stray hair in the bedding

Maybe I'll drive out to the ocean

I heard someone order the Clams Casino

I said, "Hey, what's that?"

They said, "I don't know"

Her voice echoes in my head

Why'd you have to go and do me like that?

Don't you know I'm looking at my last chance?

...

Hey, I might never land on solid ground

Part of me will always be in the clouds

In my old suit in a hotel room but

I don't wanna laugh alone anymore

I don't wanna laugh alone anymore

I don't wanna laugh alone anymore

I don't wanna laugh alone anymore

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
laugh /læf/ A1	verb - to make a sound of amusement
alone /əˈloʊn/ A2	adjective - without anyone else
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - a point of time as measured in hours and minutes
suit /suːt/ B1	noun - a set of clothes made of the same fabric, usually worn for formal occasions
pavement /ˈpeɪv.mənt/ B2	noun - a hard surface for walking on, usually made of concrete or stones
keys /kiːz/ A2	noun - a small metal object used to open or close a lock
ocean /ˈoʊ.ʃən/ A2	noun - a large body of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface
voice /vɔɪs/ A1	noun - the sound produced by humans when speaking or singing
chance /tʃæns/ B1	noun - an opportunity to do something
hotel /hoʊˈtɛl/ A1	noun - a place that provides lodging, meals, and other services for travelers
drive /draɪv/ A2	verb - to operate and control the direction and speed of a vehicle
found /faʊnd/ B1	verb - to discover something by chance or after searching
hair /hɛr/ A1	noun - the fine thread-like strands that grow from the skin of humans and animals
order /ˈɔːrdər/ B1	verb - to request something to be made, supplied, or served
clouds /klaʊdz/ A2	noun - visible masses of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere

Key Grammar Structures

• I don't wanna laugh alone anymore

  ➔ Negative form with 'do not' (don't) and 'want to' (wanna).

  ➔ The phrase "don't wanna" expresses a desire not to do something.

• When I ripped the knees open eating the pavement

  ➔ Past tense with 'ripped' and gerund 'eating'.

  ➔ The use of the past tense indicates an action that has already happened.

• Don't you know I don't wanna laugh alone anymore?

  ➔ Interrogative form with 'do' and negative 'don't'.

  ➔ The question asks for confirmation of knowledge about the speaker's feelings.

• I heard someone order the Clams Casino

  ➔ Past tense with 'heard' and infinitive 'order'.

  ➔ The past tense indicates that the action of hearing occurred in the past.

• I might never land on solid ground

  ➔ Modal verb 'might' indicating possibility.

  ➔ The use of 'might' suggests uncertainty about the future.

• Part of me will always be in the clouds

  ➔ Future tense with 'will' and adverb 'always'.

  ➔ The future tense indicates an action that will happen at some point.