GoldenEye – English Lyrics

• By: Tina Turner

Lyrics & Translation

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
reflection /rɪˈflekʃən/ B2	noun - an image seen in a mirror or water
darkness /ˈdɑːrknəs/ B1	noun - the state of being dark or without light
surface /ˈsɜːrfəs/ B1	noun - the outermost layer or boundary of an object or place
shadow /ˈʃædoʊ/ A2	noun - a dark shape made when something blocks light
wind /wɪnd/ A1	noun - the movement of air
breath /brɛθ/ A2	noun - the act of taking air into the lungs and then releasing it
weakness /ˈwiːknəs/ B2	noun - a lack of strength or power
please /pliːz/ A2	verb - to make someone happy or satisfied by doing what they want
kiss /kɪs/ A2	noun - a touch with the lips as a sign of love or greeting
knees /niːz/ A2	noun - the joint connecting the leg to the foot
forever /fɚˈɛvər/ B2	adverb - for all time; for eternity
trap /træp/ B2	noun - a device or situation that catches or tricks someone
revenge /rɪˈvɛndʒ/ C1	noun - the act of harming someone in response to a hurt or wrong

Key Grammar Structures

• See reflections on the water

  ➔ Imperative form (See)

  ➔ While it appears to be a simple observation, 'See' is being used here as an imperative, perhaps suggesting a directive or an invitation to observe something specific. Although atypical, in song lyrics, it can set a tone of foreboding or awareness.

• On the wind I feel his breath

  ➔ Subject-Verb Inversion (I feel => feel I)

  ➔ The usual word order would be 'I feel his breath on the wind.' Inverting the subject and verb ('feel I') adds emphasis and a more poetic quality. It is not grammatical in everyday speech, but used for stylistic effect.

• Goldeneye he'll do what I please

  ➔ Future Simple (he'll do)

  ➔ "he'll do" is a contracted form of "he will do", indicating a future action. This highlights a sense of control and power the speaker has over the "Goldeneye".

• But a bitter kiss will bring him to his knees

  ➔ Future Simple (will bring)

  ➔ "will bring" expresses a future action that is anticipated as a consequence of the bitter kiss. It suggests inevitability and the power of the speaker's actions.

• You'll never know how I watched you

  ➔ Future Simple (You'll never know) + Embedded Question (how I watched you)

  ➔ "You'll never know" indicates a future impossibility of knowing. The embedded question 'how I watched you' is a noun clause functioning as the object of 'know'. The subject-verb order is preserved within the embedded question, rather than using a direct question form (e.g., 'how did I watch you?').

• Time is not on your side

  ➔ Present Simple (is)

  ➔ The use of the present simple tense here indicates a general truth or a current, unchanging situation. 'Time' is personified and said to be against the subject, implying a sense of urgency and impending doom.

• If I had him I wouldn't let him out

  ➔ Second Conditional (If + past simple, would + infinitive)

  ➔ This is a second conditional sentence, used to describe a hypothetical situation that is unlikely or contrary to fact. The "if" clause describes the hypothetical condition, and the main clause describes the result of that condition.

• It'll take forever to see What I've got

  ➔ Future Simple (It'll take) + Infinitive (to see) + Noun Clause (What I've got)

  ➔ "It'll take" is a contraction of "it will take", indicating a future action. "To see" is an infinitive of purpose, explaining the reason for the extensive amount of time required. "What I've got" is a noun clause acting as the object of the infinitive phrase "to see". 'What' is functioning as a relative pronoun introducing the noun clause.

• Revenge it's a kiss, this time I won't miss

  ➔ Ellipsis (Revenge is a kiss) + Future Negative (won't miss)

  ➔ There is an ellipsis of the verb 'is' to create a stronger, more impactful statement. 'Revenge is a kiss'. 'Won't miss' is a contraction of 'will not miss' indicating a firm intention not to fail in the future.