Give In To Me – English Lyrics

• By: Michael Jackson, Slash
• Album: Dangerous

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a fantastic journey, and Michael Jackson's 'Give In To Me' offers a unique opportunity to explore the nuances of English expression. The song's raw emotion and direct lyrics provide a powerful context for understanding themes of love, frustration, and desire. What makes this song special is its fusion of pop and hard rock, a testament to Jackson's versatility, and the legendary collaboration with guitarist Slash, making it a culturally significant piece of music history.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
heart /hɑːrt/ A2	noun - the organ that pumps blood noun - feeling or emotion
lifetime /ˈlaɪfˌtaɪm/ B1	noun - the period of time a person lives
understand /ˌʌndərˈstænd/ B1	verb - to know and be aware of
simply /ˈsɪmpli/ B1	adverb - in a simple way
feelin' /ˈfiːlɪŋ/ B1	noun - an emotional state or reaction
desire /dɪˈzaɪər/ B2	noun - a strong feeling of wanting something verb - to want something very much
quench /kwɛntʃ/ B2	verb - to satisfy a thirst or desire
woman /ˈwʊmən/ A2	noun - an adult female human
kicks /kɪks/ B1	noun - pleasure or enjoyment
hurtin' /ˈhɜːrtɪn/ B2	verb - causing emotional pain
takin' /ˈteɪkɪn/ B1	verb - to lift or carry
higher /ˈhaɪər/ B1	adjective - at a greater height adverb - to a greater height
laughin' /ˈlɑːfɪn/ A2	verb - to make sounds expressing amusement
around /əˈraʊnd/ A2	adverb - in or to the vicinity of
satisfy /ˈsætɪsfaɪ/ B2	verb - to fulfill a desire or need
preacher /ˈpriːtʃər/ B2	noun - a person who delivers sermons

Key Grammar Structures

• She always takes it with a heart of stone

  ➔ Adverb of frequency + present simple tense, prepositional phrase as adverbial modifier

  ➔ "Always" indicates a habitual action. The phrase "with a heart of stone" modifies the verb "takes", describing *how* she takes it.

• Don't try to understand me

  ➔ Imperative mood, negative form

  ➔ This is a direct command. The 'don't' creates the negative imperative, telling someone *not* to do something.

• Love is a feelin'

  ➔ Noun as subject, copula verb 'is', noun as complement

  ➔ This sentence uses the verb 'is' to link the subject 'love' to its definition or characteristic – a 'feelin''.

• Quench my desire

  ➔ Imperative mood, transitive verb with object pronoun

  ➔ This is another imperative, a command. 'Quench' is a transitive verb, meaning it requires an object – in this case, 'my desire'.

• You always knew just how to make me cry

  ➔ Adverb of frequency + past simple, infinitive phrase as object complement

  ➔ "Always knew" indicates a past ability or consistent knowledge. The phrase "how to make me cry" explains *what* you knew.