Enjoy The Silence – English Lyrics

• By: Depeche Mode
• Album: Best of Depeche Mode, Vol. 1

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Depeche Mode's iconic "Enjoy The Silence" and explore how the simplicity of quiet can speak volumes. This song is a masterclass in conveying deep emotion and meaning through a minimalistic lyrical approach, amplified by its rich electronic soundscape. Learning its lyrics and understanding its context can offer fascinating insights into the nuances of English expression, particularly how the unsaid can be just as powerful as the spoken word. Its poetic message and catchy synth-pop style make it a compelling piece for language learners to connect with English on a deeper, more evocative level.

[English]

♪♪

♪ Words like violence ♪

♪ Break the silence ♪

♪ Come crashing in ♪

♪ Into my little world ♪

♪ Painful to me ♪

♪ Pierce right through me ♪

♪ Can't you understand ♪

♪ Oh, my little girl ♪

♪ All I ever wanted ♪

♪ All I ever needed is here in my arms ♪

♪ Words are very unnecessary ♪

♪ They can only do harm ♪

♪ Vows are spoken ♪

♪ To be broken ♪

♪ Feelings are intense ♪

♪ Words are trivial ♪

♪ Pleasures remain ♪

♪ So does the pain ♪

♪ Words are meaningless ♪

♪ And forgettable ♪

♪ All I ever wanted ♪

♪ All I ever needed is here in my arms ♪

♪ Words are very unnecessary ♪

♪ They can only do harm ♪

♪ All I ever wanted ♪

♪ All I ever needed is here in my arms ♪

♪ Words are very unnecessary ♪

♪ They can only do harm ♪

♪ All I ever wanted ♪

♪ All I ever needed is here in my arms ♪

♪ Words are very unnecessary ♪

♪ They can only do harm ♪

♪♪

♪ Enjoy the silence ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
words /wɜːdz/ A1	noun - units of language that have meaning and can be spoken or written
violence /ˈvaɪələns/ B2	noun - behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something
break /breɪk/ A1	verb - to separate into pieces as a result of a blow or strain. noun - an interruption of something; a pause
silence /ˈsaɪləns/ B1	noun - the state of not talking or making any noise
crashing /ˈkræʃɪŋ/ B2	verb - colliding violently with something.
world /wɜːld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all of its countries, people, and natural features.
painful /ˈpeɪnfəl/ B1	adjective - affected with, causing, or characterized by pain
pierce /pɪərs/ B2	verb - to go into or through (something), with a sharp point.
understand /ˌʌndərˈstænd/ A2	verb - perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or a speaker).
wanted /ˈwɒntɪd/ A2	verb - having a desire or need for something.
needed /ˈniːdɪd/ A2	verb - requiring something because it is essential or very important.
arms /ɑːrmz/ A1	noun - either of the two upper limbs of the human body, especially from the shoulder to the hand.
harm /hɑːrm/ B1	noun - physical injury, especially that which is deliberately inflicted. verb - to damage
vows /vaʊz/ B2	noun - a solemn promise.
broken /ˈbroʊkən/ B1	adjective - having been fractured or damaged and no longer in one piece or in working order. verb - past participle of break.
feelings /ˈfiːlɪŋz/ A2	noun - an emotional state or reaction.
intense /ɪnˈtɛns/ B2	adjective - of extreme force, degree, or strength.
trivial /ˈtrɪviəl/ B2	adjective - of little value or importance.
pleasures /ˈplɛʒərz/ B1	noun - a feeling of happy satisfaction and enjoyment.
remain /rɪˈmeɪn/ B1	verb - continue to exist, especially after other similar things have ceased to do so.
meaningless /ˈmiːnɪŋləs/ B2	adjective - having no meaning or significance.
forgettable /fərˈɡɛtəbəl/ B2	adjective - easily forgotten; not worth remembering.
enjoy /ɪnˈdʒɔɪ/ A2	verb - take pleasure in (an activity or possession).

Key Grammar Structures

• Words like violence

  ➔ Simile (using "like" for comparison)

  ➔ Compares words to violence. "Words" are presented as having similar destructive power to "violence".

• Come crashing in

  ➔ Phrasal verb ("come in") with adverb ("crashing")

  ➔ "Crashing" modifies the verb "come", emphasizing the sudden and forceful way the words enter.

• Painful to me

  ➔ Adjective + prepositional phrase

  ➔ The adjective "painful" describes the effect on the speaker, and "to me" specifies the recipient of the pain.

• All I ever wanted

  ➔ Noun clause as subject complement (reduced relative clause)

  ➔ The entire phrase "All I ever wanted" acts as a noun and serves as the subject complement defining what the subject "is". It's a shortened form of "All that I ever wanted".

• They can only do harm

  ➔ Modal verb ("can") + adverb ("only")

  ➔ "Can" expresses possibility or ability. "Only" limits the outcome, indicating the sole result of using words is negative.

• Vows are spoken

  ➔ Passive voice (simple present)

  ➔ The subject "Vows" is acted upon. The implied agent (who speaks the vows) is not specified.

• To be broken

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose in passive voice

  ➔ This phrase indicates the intended (but perhaps pessimistic) purpose of vows: They are "to be broken". The passive infinitive emphasizes that vows are expected to receive the action of being broken.

• Enjoy the silence

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ A direct command or request. The implied subject is "you".