Flashback – English Lyrics

• By: Kavinsky
• Album: 1986

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the evocative synthwave soundscape of Kavinsky's "Flashback" to experience a unique blend of 80s nostalgia and a compelling narrative. Through its melancholic yet driving melodies and intriguing lyrics, you can explore themes of memory, introspection, and the mysterious backstory of the artist's persona. This song is special for its atmospheric depth and its ability to transport listeners into a distinct retro-futuristic world, making it an excellent piece to understand the mood and storytelling capabilities of instrumental and subtly vocal electronic music.

[English]

The dolls, the hide and seek

We dreamed of better things

In the tall weeds

I rolled with youFlashback

Silhouette of the memory

You're eyes are getting heavy

And when I speak

You sleep on cue3, 2, 1Did they make you wear a dress, did they

Held you down and tickled you, did they

Did they laugh and make you watch, did they

They wish they had a little girlie

Come closer take a look insideFlashback

Blueprints have been erased

Matchbooks, butterflies, mornings

The grass was wet

I rolled with youFlashback

Tentacles of my spirit grow

Sit back, relax and hope

The second time

Ain't like the firstI'm a schoolboy why don't you teach me

Bend over and we'll hush the squealing

Put on the mask and dance for daddy

Wait for the world to say it's sorry

You show me yours, I'll show you mineFlashback

FlashbackListen to the song my blood is singing

Listen to the song my blood is drivin'

Drivin', drivin', drivin' at you

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
flashback /ˈflæʃbæk/ B1	noun - a sudden, vivid recollection of a past event
silhouette /ˌsɪl.uˈɛt/ B2	noun - the dark shape and outline of someone or something visible against a brighter background
memory /ˈmɛməri/ A2	noun - the faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information
heavy /ˈhɛvi/ A1	adjective - of great weight; difficult to lift or move
speak /spiːk/ A1	verb - to communicate by voicing words
blueprint /ˈbluːprɪnt/ B2	noun - a detailed plan or design
butterfly /ˈbʌtərflaɪ/ A1	noun - a flying insect with large wings that are often brightly colored
tentacle /ˈtɛntəkəl/ B2	noun - a long, flexible organ used for feeling or grasping by certain animals
spirit /ˈspɪrɪt/ A2	noun - the non-physical part of a person, often associated with emotions and character
mask /mæsk/ A1	noun - a covering for the face, worn for disguise or protection
dance /dæns/ A1	verb - to move rhythmically to music, typically following a set of steps or a pattern
drive /draɪv/ A2	verb - to operate and control the direction of a vehicle
wet /wɛt/ A1	adjective - covered or saturated with water or another liquid
relax /rɪˈlæks/ A2	verb - to become less tense or anxious
squeal /skwiːl/ B1	verb - to emit a high-pitched sound, often expressing fear or excitement

Key Grammar Structures

• We dreamed of better things

  ➔ Simple Past Tense

  ➔ The verb 'dreamed' is in the simple past tense, indicating a completed action in the past.

• You're eyes are getting heavy

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense

  ➔ 'are getting' is in the present continuous tense, describing an action happening now.

• Did they make you wear a dress, did they?

  ➔ Past Simple Interrogative

  ➔ The sentence uses the past simple interrogative form with 'did' to ask a question about a past action.

• The grass was wet

  ➔ Simple Past Tense

  ➔ 'was wet' is in the simple past tense, describing a past condition.

• The second time ain't like the first

  ➔ Contraction with 'ain't'

  ➔ 'ain't' is a contraction of 'is not', used informally here.

• You show me yours, I'll show you mine

  ➔ Future with 'will'

  ➔ 'I'll show' uses 'will' to indicate a future action based on a condition.

• Listen to the song my blood is singing

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense

  ➔ 'is singing' is in the present continuous tense, describing an action happening now.