Father Figure – English Lyrics

• By: George Michael

Lyrics & Translation

George Michael's "Father Figure" is a captivating song that encourages listeners to delve into its lyrical depth. The track, a blend of pop, R&B, blue-eyed soul, and gospel, offers a rich vocabulary related to love, commitment, and complex relationships. Its intricate lyrics, often open to interpretation, make it an excellent choice for understanding nuanced English expressions and exploring themes of seeking guidance and security in a partner.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
special /ˈspeʃ(ə)l/ A2	adjective - different from what is usual, better or more important than others
sacred /ˈseɪkrɪd/ B2	adjective - connected with God (or the gods) or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration.
bold /bəʊld/ B2	adjective - showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous.
naked /ˈneɪkɪd/ B1	adjective - without clothes
understand /ˌʌndərˈstænd/ A2	verb - to perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or a speaker).
forever /fərˈevər/ A2	adverb - for all future time; for always
warm /wɔːrm/ A1	adjective - having or producing a comfortably high temperature
happy /ˈhæpi/ A1	adjective - feeling or showing pleasure or contentment
figure /ˈfɪɡjər/ B1	noun - a person or animal, especially one of significance. verb - calculate
tiny /ˈtaɪni/ A2	adjective - very small
preacher /ˈpriːtʃər/ B2	noun - a person who preaches, especially a minister of religion.
mind /maɪnd/ A1	noun - the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel; the faculty of consciousness. verb - be annoyed or worried by
crime /kraɪm/ B1	noun - an action or omission that constitutes an offense that may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law.
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - have a strong feeling of affection for (someone). noun - an intense feeling of affection.
mistaken /mɪˈsteɪkən/ B2	adjective - wrong in one's opinion or judgment.
blue /bluː/ A1	adjective - of a colour intermediate between green and violet, as of the sky or sea on a sunny day.
shine /ʃaɪn/ A2	verb - give out a bright light.
faith /feɪθ/ B1	noun - complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
strong /strɒŋ/ A1	adjective - having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.
desert /ˈdezərt/ B1	noun - a waterless, desolate area with little or no vegetation, typically one covered with sand. verb - abandon (a person, cause, or organization) in a way considered disloyal or treacherous.
sea /siː/ A1	noun - the expanse of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface and surrounds its land masses.
hunger /ˈhʌŋɡər/ B2	noun - a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat. verb - feel hunger; want food.
lied /laɪd/ A2	verb - past tense of lie; to speak falsely or deceptively.
cared /keərd/ A2	verb - past tense of care; feel concern or interest; attach importance to something.
laughed /læft/ A1	verb - past tense of laugh; make the sounds and movements of the face and body that express lively amusement or pleasure.
cried /kraɪd/ A1	verb - past tense of cry; shed tears, typically as an expression of distress, pain, or sorrow.
beautiful /ˈbjuːtɪfl/ A2	adjective - pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically.
darling /ˈdɑːrlɪŋ/ A2	noun - a favourite or much-loved person.
child /tʃaɪld/ A1	noun - a young human being below the age of puberty or full physical development.
heaven /ˈhevən/ B1	noun - a place of supreme bliss or happiness.
kiss /kɪs/ A2	verb - touch or caress with the lips as a sign of love, sexual desire, or greeting. noun - an act of kissing someone.
smile /smaɪl/ A1	verb - form one's features into a pleased, kind, or amused expression, typically with the corners of the mouth turned up and the front teeth exposed. noun - an expression of pleasure or amusement, typically with the corners of the mouth turned up and the front teeth exposed.

Key Grammar Structures

• Sometimes I think that you'll never understand me

  ➔ Future Tense (will) and Subordinate Clause with 'that'

  ➔ Use of "will" for future prediction. The "that" introduces a subordinate clause functioning as the object of the verb "think".

• I will be your father figure

  ➔ Future Simple (will be) - Offer or promise

  ➔ "Will be" expresses a future intention or role the speaker is offering to take. It shows a strong commitment.

• Anything you have in mind

  ➔ Relative Clause (reduced)

  ➔ The full clause would be 'Anything that you have in mind.' The relative pronoun 'that' is omitted, common in informal speech and song lyrics. The phrase means: whatever you are thinking of.

• I have had enough of crime

  ➔ Present Perfect (have had) with 'enough of'

  ➔ "Have had enough of" indicates that the speaker has reached their limit with something and doesn't want any more of it.

• If you are the desert, I'll be the sea

  ➔ First Conditional (If + present simple, will + infinitive)

  ➔ Expresses a real and likely possibility. If one thing is true (you are the desert), then another thing will happen (I'll be the sea).

• Who said that they cared?

  ➔ Past Simple, Embedded question using 'who' as a relative pronoun, Subordinate clause with 'that'

  ➔ "Who said that they cared?" Here, 'who' is the subject of the verb 'said', and the whole phrase acts as a question within the larger context. 'That they cared' is a noun clause acting as the object of 'said'.

• But then laughed as you cried

  ➔ Past Simple, Conjunction "as" meaning "while" (simultaneous action).

  ➔ This shows two actions happening at the same time in the past. The laughing occurred simultaneously with the crying.

• Greet me with the eyes of a child

  ➔ Imperative Mood (Greet) with a prepositional phrase

  ➔ "Greet" is the imperative form of the verb 'to greet,' giving a direct command or request. "With the eyes of a child" is a prepositional phrase describing how to greet.