Digital Witness – English Lyrics

• By: St. Vincent
• Album: Daddy's Home

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant, yet thought-provoking world of St. Vincent's "Digital Witness"! This song is a fantastic entry point to understanding complex lyrical themes in English, as it directly addresses our modern relationship with technology and social media. Its catchy, funky rhythms and insightful lyrics offer a unique lens into contemporary culture, making it a special track for both language learners and music enthusiasts alike. You'll not only grasp new vocabulary but also explore critical perspectives on daily life in the digital era.

[English]

Get back to your seats

Get back, gnashing teeth

...

I want all of your mind

...

People turn the TV on, it looks just like a window

Yeah

People turn the TV on, it looks just like a window

Yeah

Digital witnesses

What's the point of even sleeping?

If I can't show it, if you can't see me

What's the point of doing anything?

This is no time for confessing

...

I want all of your mind

...

People turn the TV on, it looks just like a window

Yeah

People turn the TV on, it looks just like a window

Yeah

Digital witnesses

What's the point of even sleeping?

If I can't show, if you can't see me

Watch me jump right off the London Bridge

This is no time for confessing

...

People turn the TV on and throw it out the window, yeah

Get back to your stare, I care but I don't care

Oh oh oh I want all of your mind

Gimme all of your mind

I want all of your mind

Gimme all of it

Digital witnesses

What's the point of even sleeping?

If I can't show it, if you can't see me

What's the point of doing anything?

What's the point of even sleeping?

So I stopped sleeping, yeah, I stopped sleeping

Won't somebody sell me back to me?

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
witness /ˈwɪtnəs/ B2	noun - a person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place verb - to see or experience an event
sleep /sliːp/ A1	verb - to rest by closing your eyes and becoming unconscious noun - the state of resting with your eyes closed
point /pɔɪnt/ A2	noun - a particular spot, place, or position in an area or on a map verb - to indicate a place or position
mind /maɪnd/ B1	noun - the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences verb - to be concerned about or to care for
care /kɛr/ B1	verb - to feel concern or interest noun - the feeling of concern or interest
jump /dʒʌmp/ A2	verb - to push oneself off the ground and into the air noun - an act of jumping
London /ˈlʌndən/ A1	noun - the capital city of England
teeth /tiːθ/ A1	noun - hard structures in the mouth used for biting and chewing
throw /θroʊ/ B1	verb - to propel something with force through the air
stop /stɑːp/ A1	verb - to cease movement or operation
back /bæk/ A1	adverb - to or toward the rear noun - the rear surface of the human body

Key Grammar Structures

• Get back to your seats

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ The sentence uses the imperative mood, formed by the base form of the verb ("get") to give a direct command or instruction.

• What's the point of even sleeping?

  ➔ Question with prepositional phrase and gerund

  ➔ The sentence uses "what's the point of" + gerund ("sleeping") to question the purpose or value of an action. The word "even" emphasizes the absurdity of the action.

• If I can't show it, if you can't see me

  ➔ Conditional clauses (zero conditional)

  ➔ This is similar to a zero conditional (though without the typical 'then' clause) implying a direct cause-and-effect relationship: if the condition (not being able to show/be seen) is true, then the subsequent feeling or action is triggered.

• This is no time for confessing

  ➔ Present simple with a noun phrase and gerund

  ➔ The sentence uses the present simple to state a general truth, and contains the noun phrase "no time" and the gerund "confessing". The structure implies that confessing is inappropriate or untimely in the current situation.

• Watch me jump right off the London Bridge

  ➔ Imperative with bare infinitive

  ➔ The sentence uses the imperative form of "watch" followed by the object pronoun "me" and the bare infinitive "jump". This construction expresses a direct order or invitation to observe an action.

• I care but I don't care

  ➔ Contradictory statement using conjunction 'but'

  ➔ This sentence uses the conjunction "but" to create a contradictory statement, expressing conflicting emotions or a state of ambivalence.

• Won't somebody sell me back to me?

  ➔ Question with negative auxiliary verb and reflexive pronoun

  ➔ The sentence is a question using the negative auxiliary verb "won't" to express a strong desire or plea. The reflexive pronoun "me" is used twice, emphasizing the speaker's desire to regain a sense of self.