cliché – English Lyrics

• By: mgk

Lyrics & Translation

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
rolling /ˈroʊlɪŋ/ B2	adjective - moving in a circle or curve verb (participle of 'roll') - to move or cause to move by turning over and over
shine /ʃaɪn/ B2	verb - to emit light; to be bright noun - a bright light
escape /ɪˈskeɪp/ B2	verb - to break free from confinement or control
struggle /ˈstrʌɡl/ B2	verb - to make strenuous efforts in the face of difficulty noun - a vigorous effort to overcome difficulty
numb /nʌm/ B2	adjective - lacking physical sensation or emotion
confession /kənˈfeʃən/ B2	noun - a formal statement admitting guilt
narrow /ˈnær.oʊ/ B2	adjective - limited in width; tight
doubt /daʊt/ B2	noun - a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction verb - to be uncertain about
alone /əˈloʊn/ A2	adjective - without anyone else
destiny /ˈdɛs.tɪ.ni/ B2	noun - the course of events considered as predetermined
passion /ˈpæʃ.ən/ B2	noun - a strong emotion or enthusiasm

Key Grammar Structures

• TELL ME WOULD YOU WAIT FOR ME

  ➔ Inversion in a question (indirect question).

  ➔ Normally it would be 'Would you tell me...', but in song lyrics, word order can be manipulated. 'Tell me' acts as an introductory phrase before the indirect question. The typical word order in the subordinate clause of an indirect question would be 'if/whether + subject + verb'. The word order gets inverted ('would you wait') when the speaker is requesting/begging

• BABY I'M A ROLLING STONE

  ➔ Metaphor. Use of the indefinite article 'a'.

  ➔ 'Rolling stone' is a metaphor for someone who doesn't settle down. The indefinite article 'a' is used because he's describing himself as one example of many possible rolling stones.

• EVEN IF YOU'RE BETTER OFF ALONE

  ➔ Subordinating conjunction 'even if' introducing a conditional clause.

  ➔ 'Even if' indicates that the main clause is true regardless of whether the conditional clause is true or not. It emphasizes a contrast between his desire for her to run away with him and the possibility that she would be better off alone.

• I COULD CLOSE MY EYES AND DRAW YOUR FACE

  ➔ Second conditional: 'could' + base form of the verb.

  ➔ The second conditional expresses an unreal or hypothetical situation. It indicates that it's possible but not very likely that he can draw her face with eyes closed.

• IF YOU TAKE THIS CHANCE, I'LL GIVE YOU OXYGEN TO BREATHE ME IN

  ➔ First conditional: 'if' + present simple, 'will' + base form.

  ➔ This is a first conditional sentence, used to express a real possibility in the present or future. The oxygen metaphor suggests intense dependency and engulfment.

• BUT I'LL SAY SORRY IN ADVANCE

  ➔ Future tense with 'will'.

  ➔ 'I'll say' uses 'will' to express a future action (saying sorry). 'In advance' indicates that the apology is preemptive, suggesting anticipation of causing harm or distress.

• LET'S LEAVE THIS TOWN, GET MARRIED, GO TO VEGAS AND CREATE NOSTALGIA

  ➔ Imperative sentences with ellipsis (omission of 'let us'). Parallel structure with coordinating conjunction 'and'.

  ➔ These are all imperative sentences with the subject 'let us' understood but omitted. They're strung together using 'and' to create a sense of escalating, impulsive action.

• I FEEL MY KNEES GET WEAK BENEATH ME

  ➔ Causative verb 'feel' followed by an object and base form of the verb.

  ➔ 'Feel' here means 'to perceive' or 'experience'. It takes an object ('my knees') and then the base form of the verb ('get weak') to describe the sensation of his knees becoming weak. Alternative would be 'I feel my knees getting weak', but the lyrics go for a simple form