Feels Like We Only Go Backwards – English Lyrics

• By: Tame Impala
• Album: Lonerism

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a linguistic and sonic journey with Tame Impala's "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards." This psychedelic rock anthem offers a profound exploration of human emotions surrounding stalled relationships and unfulfilled hopes. Its deeply introspective English lyrics, coupled with a dreamy, layered musical arrangement, provide an exceptional opportunity for English language learners to grasp nuanced vocabulary related to emotional states, longing, and the complexities of human connection, making it a truly special song for both musical and linguistic appreciation.

[English]

It feels like I only go backwards, baby

Every part of me says, "Go ahead"

But I got my hopes up again, oh, no, not again

Feels like we only go backwards, darling

I know that you think

You sound silly when you call my name

But I hear it inside my head all day

When I realise I'm just holding

Onto the hope that, maybe

Your feelings don't show

It feels like I only go backwards, baby

Every part of me says, "Go ahead"

Then I got my hopes up again, oh, no, not again

Feels like we only go backwards, darling

The seed of all this indecision isn't me, oh, no

'Cause I decided long ago

But that's the way it seems to go

When trying so hard to get to something real

It feels

It feels like I only go backwards, darling

Every part of me says, "Go ahead"

But I got my hopes up again, oh, no, not again

Feels like we only go backwards, darling

It feels like I only go backwards, baby

Every part of me says, "Go ahead"

But I got my hopes up again, oh, no, not again

Feels like we only go backwards, darling

It feels like I only go backwards, baby

Every part of me says, "Go ahead"

But I got my hopes up again, oh, no, not again

Feels like we only go backwards, darling

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
backwards /ˈbæk.wərdz/ A1	adverb - toward the back or rear; in reverse
go /ɡoʊ/ A1	verb - to move or travel to a place
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - to experience an emotion or sensation
hope /hoʊp/ A1	noun - a desire for something to happen verb - to want something to happen
part /pɑːrt/ A1	noun - a piece or segment of something
decide /dɪˈsaɪd/ A2	verb - to make a choice or judgment
realise /ˈriːəlaɪz/ A2	verb - to become aware of something
indecision /ˌɪn.dɪˈsɪʒ.ən/ B1	noun - the inability to decide
holding /ˈhoʊl.dɪŋ/ A1	verb - to grasp or carry something
seed /siːd/ A2	noun - a small object that grows into a plant
trying /ˈtraɪɪŋ/ A1	verb - to attempt to do something
hard /hɑːrd/ A1	adjective - requiring great effort
silly /ˈsɪli/ A2	adjective - foolish or ridiculous
call /kɔːl/ A1	verb - to speak to someone on the phone
show /ʃoʊ/ A1	verb - to be visible or apparent

Key Grammar Structures

• It feels like I only go backwards, baby

  ➔ Present Simple with 'feel like'

  ➔ The phrase 'feels like' is used to express a personal perception or opinion, often describing how a situation seems to the speaker.

• Every part of me says, 'Go ahead'

  ➔ Present Simple with reporting verbs

  ➔ The verb 'says' is used to report what 'every part of me' is expressing, without changing the tense of the reported statement.

• But I got my hopes up again, oh, no, not again

  ➔ Past Simple with emphasis

  ➔ The phrase 'got my hopes up' is in the past simple, indicating a completed action. The repetition of 'again' emphasizes frustration or disappointment.

• When I realise I'm just holding / Onto the hope that, maybe

  ➔ Present Simple in subordinate clauses

  ➔ The verb 'realise' is in the present simple within a subordinate clause, indicating a timeless action or a habitual realization.

• 'Cause I decided long ago

  ➔ Past Simple with contraction

  ➔ The contraction 'cause' is short for 'because', and 'decided' is in the past simple, indicating a past action.

• But that's the way it seems to go

  ➔ Present Simple with 'seem'

  ➔ The verb 'seems' is used to express an appearance or impression, often indicating how something appears to be.