Elizabeth Taylor – English Lyrics

• By: Taylor Swift
• Album: The Life of a Showgirl

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the intersection of celebrity culture and storytelling through this track. It is a great way to learn English vocabulary related to luxury, legacy, and the complexities of public life.

[English]

Elizabeth Taylor

Do you think it's forever?

That view of Portofino was on my mind when you called me at the Plaza Athénée

Ooh-ooh, oftentimes it doesn't feel so glamorous to be me

All the right guys promised they'd stay

Under bright lights, they withered away, but you bloom

Portofino was on my mind (And I think you know why)

And if your letters ever said, "Goodbye"

I'd cry my eyes violet, Elizabeth Taylor

Tell me for real, do you think it's forever?

Been number one, but I never had two

And I can't have fun if I can't have— (Uh)

Be my NY whеn Hollywood hates me

You're only as hot as your last hit, baby

Been numbеr one, but I never had two

And I can't have fun if I can't have you

Hey-ey, what could you possibly get for the girl who has everything and nothing all at once?

Babe, I would trade the Cartier for someone to trust (Just kidding)

We hit the best booth at Musso and Frank's

They say I'm bad news, I just say, "Thanks"

And you look at me like you're hypnotized

And I think you know why

And if you ever leave me high and dry

I'd cry my eyes violet, Elizabeth Taylor

Tell me for real, do you think it's forever?

Been number one, but I never had two

And I can't have fun if I can't have— (Uh)

Be my NY when Hollywood hates me

You're only as hot as your last hit, baby

Been number one, but I never had two

And I can't have fun if I can't have (Uh) you

Elizabeth Taylor (Oh)

Do you think it's forever? (Oh)

If I can't have you

All my white diamonds and lovers are forever

In the papers, on the screen, and in their minds

All my white diamonds and lovers are forever

Don't you ever end up anything but mine

I'd cry my eyes violet, Elizabeth Taylor

Tell me for real, do you think it's forever?

Been number one, but I never had two

And I can't have fun if I can't have— (If I can't have you)

Be my NY when Hollywood hates me

You're only as hot as your last hit, baby

Been number one, but l never had two

And I can't have fun if I can't have (If I can't have you)

All my white diamonds and lovers are forever

(Elizabeth Taylor, do you think it's forever?)

In the papers, on the screen, and in their minds

All my white diamonds and lovers are forever

Don't you ever end up anything but mine

Oh, woah

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
forever /fɔːˈrɛvər/ B1	adverb - for all time; eternally
glamorous /ˈɡlæmərəs/ C1	adjective - having an alluring beauty or charm; fashionable
withered /ˈwɪðərd/ C1	verb (past participle) - to become dried up, shrunken, or weak
bloom /bluːm/ B2	verb - to produce flowers; to flourish
violet /ˈvaɪələt/ B1	adjective - of a deep purple color
Elizabeth /ɪˈlɪzəbəθ/ A1	proper noun - a female given name
Taylor /ˈteɪlər/ A1	proper noun - a surname; also a given name
Hollywood /ˈhɒlɪwʊd/ B1	proper noun - the American film industry centered in Los Angeles
Cartier /kɑːrˈtiːeɪ/ B2	proper noun - a luxury French jewellery and watch brand
hypnotized /ˈhɪpnətaɪzd/ C1	verb (past participle) - to have induced a trance-like state in someone
diamonds /ˈdaɪəməndz/ B2	noun (plural) - precious stones of clear, sparkling carbon
lovers /ˈlʌvərz/ B2	noun (plural) - people who are in a romantic relationship
white /waɪt/ A1	adjective - of the colour of milk or snow
Portofino /pɔːrˈtɒfiːnoʊ/ B2	proper noun - a picturesque seaside town on the Italian Riviera
Plaza /ˈplɑːzə/ B1	noun - a public square or a name used for luxury hotels
Athénée /aθeˈneɪ/ C1	proper noun - a prestigious luxury hotel in Paris; also French for “academy”
bright /braɪt/ B1	adjective - giving out a lot of light; vivid
lights /laɪts/ A2	noun (plural) - sources of illumination
promised /ˈprɒmɪst/ B2	verb (past participle) - gave one's word that something would be done
goodbye /ɡʊdˈbaɪ/ A2	interjection - a farewell phrase

Key Grammar Structures

• That view of Portofino was on my mind when you called me at the Plaza Athénée

  ➔ Past Continuous in a time clause

  ➔ The phrase "when you called" uses the Past Simple ("called") to describe a completed action in the past, while the main clause uses Past Continuous ("was on my mind") to describe a state that existed *during* that action. The 'when' introduces a time clause.

• Oftentimes it doesn't feel so glamorous to be me

  ➔ Inversion for emphasis with adverbs of frequency

  ➔ Normally, we'd say "It doesn't often feel glamorous to be me". However, placing "Oftentimes" at the beginning of the sentence causes an inversion of the subject and auxiliary verb ("does it"). This emphasizes the frequency.

• And if your letters ever said, "Goodbye"

  ➔ First Conditional with 'ever'

  ➔ "If your letters ever said" introduces a possible future condition. The 'ever' emphasizes the possibility, however small. The full conditional would continue with a result clause (e.g., "I'd cry...").

• I'd cry my eyes violet, Elizabeth Taylor

  ➔ Conditional Mood (contraction of 'I would')

  ➔ The "I'd" is a contraction of "I would". It expresses a hypothetical result of a condition. The phrase "cry my eyes violet" is a metaphorical expression meaning to cry intensely.