Good Times – English Lyrics

• By: Chic
• Album: Dance, Dance, Dance: The Best of Chic

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a fantastic journey, and Chic's "Good Times" is an excellent starting point. The lyrics are clear, repetitive, and convey a universal message of joy and optimism. This song is special not only for its infectious groove but also for its clever use of cultural references, offering a glimpse into the socio-economic context of its time. By exploring "Good Times," you'll not only improve your English but also understand the powerful role music plays in reflecting and shaping society.

[English]

Good times, these are the good times

Leave your cares behind, these are the good times

Good times, these are the good times

Our new state of mind, these are the good times

Happy days are here again

The time is right for makin' friends

Let's get together, how 'bout a quarter to ten

Come tomorrow, let's all do it again

Boys will be boys, better let them have their toys

Girls will be girls, cute pony tails and curls

Must put an end to this stress and strife

I think I want to live the sporting life

Good times, these are the good times

Leave your cares behind, these are the good times

Good times, these are the good times

Our new state of mind, these are the good times

A rumor has it that it's getting late

Time marches on, just can't wait

The clock keeps turning, why hesitate

You silly fool, you can't change your fate

Let's cut the rug, little jive and jitterbug

We want the best, we won't settle for less

Don't be a drag, participate

Clams on the half shell and roller skates, roller skates

Good times, these are the good times

Leave your cares behind, these are the good times

Good times, these are the good times

Our new state of mind, these are the good times

...

A rumor has it that it's getting late

...

Time marches on, just can't wait

The clock keeps turning, why hesitate

You silly fool, you can't change your fate

Let's cut the rug, little jive and jitterbug

We want the best, we won't settle for less

Don't be a drag, participate

Clams on the half shell and roller skates, roller skates

Good times, these are the good times

Leave your cares behind, these are the good times

Good times, these are the good times

Our new state of mind, these are the good times

Good times, these are the good times

Leave your cares behind, these are the good times

Good times, these are the good times

Our new state of mind, these are the good times

Good times, these are the good times

Leave your cares behind, these are the good times

Good times, these are the good times

Our new state of mind, these are the good times

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
good /ɡʊd/ A1	adjective - of high quality; excellent
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole
cares /keərz/ B1	noun - serious attention or consideration applied to doing something correctly or to avoid damage or risk verb - feel concern or interest; attach importance to something
state /steɪt/ B1	noun - the condition of someone or something at a particular time
mind /maɪnd/ A2	noun - the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel; the faculty of consciousness
happy /ˈhæpi/ A1	adjective - feeling or showing pleasure or contentment
days /deɪz/ A1	noun - each of the twenty-four-hour periods, reckoned from one midnight to the next, into which a year is divided
friends /frendz/ A1	noun - a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations
boys /bɔɪz/ A1	noun - a male child or young man
girls /ɡɜːrlz/ A1	noun - a female child or young woman
toys /tɔɪz/ A1	noun - an object for a child to play with
stress /stres/ B1	noun - a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances
strife /straɪf/ C1	noun - angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict
sporting /ˈspɔːrtɪŋ/ B2	adjective - connected with or interested in sport
rumor /ˈruːmər/ B2	noun - a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth
late /leɪt/ A1	adjective - after the expected, proper, or usual time
clock /klɒk/ A1	noun - an instrument for measuring and indicating time
fool /fuːl/ B1	noun - a person who acts unwisely or imprudently; a silly person
fate /feɪt/ B2	noun - the development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as predetermined by a supernatural power
best /best/ A1	adjective - of the most excellent or desirable type or quality
skates /skeɪts/ A2	noun - boots or shoes with blades or sets of wheels attached for gliding over ice or a surface

Key Grammar Structures

• Good times, these are the good times

  ➔ Demonstrative pronouns: "these"

  ➔ "These" refers to the plural noun "times". It indicates the "good times" being experienced at the moment of speaking.

• Leave your cares behind, these are the good times

  ➔ Imperative mood: "Leave"

  ➔ "Leave" is used to give a command or instruction. Here, it encourages listeners to abandon their worries.

• Happy days are here again

  ➔ Subject-verb agreement: "days are"

  ➔ The plural subject "days" requires the plural verb "are".

• Let's get together, how 'bout a quarter to ten

  ➔ Shortened form/Contraction: "how 'bout"

  ➔ "How 'bout" is a shortened, informal way of saying "How about". It's used to make a suggestion.

• Boys will be boys, better let them have their toys

  ➔ Conditional: "better let"

  ➔ "Better let" implies a conditional statement. "It's better to let them have their toys" suggests that there may be negative consequences if they don't.

• Must put an end to this stress and strife

  ➔ Modal verb "must"

  ➔ "Must" expresses obligation or strong necessity. It indicates that ending the stress and strife is crucial.

• A rumor has it that it's getting late

  ➔ Impersonal "it" (Impersonal subject)

  ➔ Here, "it" doesn't refer to anything specific. It introduces the rumor about the lateness of the hour. It is used as a placeholder to allow the sentence to follow a subject-verb structure.

• You silly fool, you can't change your fate

  ➔ Modal verb "can't"

  ➔ "Can't" expresses an inability or lack of possibility. In this context, it states the impossibility of altering one's predetermined destiny.