Fragments Of Time – English Lyrics

• By: Daft Punk, Todd Edwards

Lyrics & Translation

Unlock the essence of a fleeting moment made eternal with "Fragments of Time" by Daft Punk and Todd Edwards. This smooth, soulful track from *Random Access Memories* offers not only a rich sonic experience but also a unique linguistic journey. Listen closely to Todd Edwards' heartfelt lyrics, which were inspired by his personal experiences during the song's creation, to learn how English can beautifully convey introspection, nostalgia, and the desire to immortalize precious memories. The song's 'meta' narrative makes it a special piece for understanding how language can tell a story about the very act of storytelling itself.

[English]

Driving this road down to paradise

Letting the sunlight into my eyes

Our only plan is to improvise

And it's crystal clear that I don't ever want it to end

If I had my way, I would never leave

Keep building these random memories

Turning our days into melodies

But since I can't stay

I'll just keep playing back

These fragments of time

Everywhere I go

These moments will shine

I'll just keep playing back

These fragments of time

Everywhere I go

These moments will shine

...

Familiar faces I've never seen

Living the gold and the silver dream

Making me feel like I'm 17

And it's crystal clear that I don't ever want it to end

If I had my way, I would never leave

Keep building these random memories

Turning our days into melodies

But since I can't stay

I'll just keep playing back

These fragments of time

Everywhere I go

These moments will shine

I'll just keep playing back

These fragments of time

Everywhere I go

These moments will shine

...

I'll just keep playing back

These fragments of time

Everywhere I go

These moments will shine

I'll just keep playing back

These fragments of time

These moments will shine

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
driving /ˈdrɪvɪŋ/ B1	verb - to operate a vehicle adjective - causing great excitement or momentum
road /roʊd/ A1	noun - a way for traveling on land
paradise /ˈpærədaɪs/ B2	noun - an ideal place of happiness and peace
sunlight /ˈsʌnlaɪt/ B2	noun - light from the sun
improvise /ˈɪmprəvaɪz/ C1	verb - to create or perform spontaneously without preparation
crystal /ˈkrɪstəl/ C1	noun - a clear, transparent mineral or glass adjective - clear and pure
clear /klɪr/ A2	adjective - easy to perceive, understand, or interpret
memories /ˈmɛməriːz/ B1	noun - recollections of past experiences
melodies /ˈmɛlədiːz/ C1	noun - a sequence of musical notes that is musically satisfying
fragments /ˈfræɡmənts/ C1	noun - small pieces or portions broken off from something larger
moments /ˈmoʊmənts/ B1	noun - a very short period of time
shine /ʃaɪn/ B1	verb - to emit light or be bright
familiar /fəˈmɪliər/ B1	adjective - well known from long exposure or association
faces /feɪsɪz/ A2	noun - the front part of a person's head
gold /ɡoʊld/ A1	noun - a precious yellow metal
silver /ˈsɪlvər/ A1	noun - a shiny grey-white precious metal
dream /driːm/ A2	noun - a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep; also an aspiration verb - to experience dreams while sleeping or to imagine something desired
random /ˈrændəm/ B2	adjective - made, done, or happening without method or conscious decision
turning /ˈtɜːrnɪŋ/ B1	verb - to cause to move around an axis or to change direction
building /ˈbɪldɪŋ/ B1	noun - a structure with a roof and walls verb - to construct or put together

Key Grammar Structures

• Driving this road down to paradise

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense

  ➔ The phrase 'Driving this road' uses the present continuous tense to describe an action happening now or in the near future.

• Letting the sunlight into my eyes

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense with 'Letting'

  ➔ 'Letting' is used in the present continuous to describe an ongoing action that allows something to happen.

• Our only plan is to improvise

  ➔ Present Simple with 'is' (to be) + Infinitive

  ➔ The structure 'Our only plan is to improvise' uses the present simple with 'is' to state a fact or a fixed arrangement.

• And it's crystal clear that I don't ever want it to end

  ➔ Present Simple with 'don't ever' for emphasis

  ➔ The phrase 'I don't ever want it to end' uses 'don't ever' in the present simple to strongly emphasize a negative desire.

• Keep building these random memories

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ 'Keep building' is in the imperative mood, used to give a command or make a request.

• Turning our days into melodies

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense with 'Turning'

  ➔ 'Turning' is used in the present continuous to describe an ongoing action of transformation.

• But since I can't stay

  ➔ Present Simple with 'can't' for ability

  ➔ 'I can't stay' uses 'can't' in the present simple to express the inability to perform an action.

• I'll just keep playing back

  ➔ Future Simple with 'will'

  ➔ 'I'll just keep playing back' uses the future simple with 'will' to express a future action or intention.