Lyrics & Translation
Dive into the socially conscious world of Gorillaz's "Dirty Harry," a track that brilliantly blends funk, hip-hop, and a children's choir to deliver a potent anti-war message. By exploring its politically charged lyrics, you can learn English vocabulary related to conflict, rhetoric, and social commentary, all set to an infectious, genre-bending beat that showcases the unique, collaborative style of Damon Albarn's virtual band.
Key Vocabulary
Vocabulary | Meanings |
---|---|
gun /ɡʌn/ B1 |
|
dance /dæns/ A1 |
|
need /niːd/ A1 |
|
keep /kiːp/ A2 |
|
poor /pʊər/ A2 |
|
burning /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/ B2 |
|
chance /tʃæns/ A2 |
|
act /ækt/ A2 |
|
retaliation /rɪˈtæliˌeɪʃən/ C1 |
|
impulsive /ˈɪmpʌlsɪv/ C1 |
|
thunder /ˈθʌndər/ B2 |
|
reflexes /rɪˈflɛksɪz/ B2 |
|
conceal /kənˈsiːl/ B2 |
|
guilt /ɡɪlt/ B2 |
|
war /wɔːr/ A2 |
|
pawn /pɔːn/ B2 |
|
desert /ˈdɛzərt/ B2 |
|
remember /rɪˈmɛm.bər/ B1 |
|
What does “gun” mean in the song "Dirty Harry"?
Learn fast – go deep – and remember longer with interactive exercises in the app!
Key Grammar Structures
-
I need a gun to keep myself among
➔ Infinitive of purpose (to + base verb)
➔ The phrase "to keep" shows the reason for needing a gun.
-
The poor people are burning in the sun
➔ Present continuous for actions happening now
➔ "are burning" indicates an ongoing situation.
-
But they ain’t got a chance
➔ Colloquial negative contraction "ain’t" + present simple "got" (have)
➔ "ain’t got" is an informal way of saying "do not have".
-
I need a gun ’cause all I do is dance
➔ Conjunction ’cause (because) and dummy verb construction "all I do is"
➔ "’cause" replaces "because", and "all I do is" emphasizes the only activity – "dance".
-
In my backpack, I got my act right
➔ Present simple "got" used colloquially for "have"
➔ "got" here means "possess" – "I possess my act right".
-
I’m a peace‑loving decoy, ready for retaliation
➔ Compound adjective with –ing (peace‑loving) and participial phrase (ready for)
➔ "peace‑loving" describes the decoy; "ready for" shows preparedness.
-
I change your whole location to a pine box six‑under
➔ Infinitive of result (to + noun phrase) indicating purpose of change
➔ "to a pine box" shows where the location is being changed.
-
Orders given to me is strike
➔ Passive participle phrase "given to me" used as adjective before noun
➔ "given to me" modifies "Orders" and functions like an adjective.
-
I’m thunder with lightning‑fast reflexes on constant alert
➔ Prepositional phrase "with lightning‑fast reflexes" indicating accompaniment
➔ "with lightning‑fast reflexes" describes the manner of being "thunder".
Album: Demon Days
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