Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – English Lyrics

• By: Elton John

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the lyrical genius of 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,' a sweeping classic that offers learners an excellent study in English allegorical storytelling and expressive vocabulary. The song's central metaphor, borrowed from 'The Wizard of Oz,' provides a unique way to explore English idioms related to wealth, fame, and home. Its dramatic, heartfelt delivery makes it a powerful, memorable piece for language and music enthusiasts alike.

[English]

When are you gonna come down?

When are you going to land?

I should have stayed on the farm

I should have listened to my old man

You know you can't hold me forever

I didn't sign up with you

I'm not a present for your friends to open

This boy's too young to be singing

The blues,

ah,

ah

So goodbye yellow brick road

Where the dogs of society howl

You can't plant me in your penthouse

I'm going back to my plough

Back to the howling old owl in the woods

Hunting the horny back toad

Oh, I've finally decided my future lies

Beyond the yellow brick road

Ah,

ah

What do you think you'll do then?

I bet they'll shoot down the plane

It'll take you a couple of vodka and tonics

To set you on your feet again

Maybe you'll get a replacement

There's plenty like me to be found

Mongrels who ain't got a penny

Sniffing for tidbits like you

On the ground,

ah,

ah

So goodbye yellow brick road

Where the dogs of society howl

You can't plant me in your penthouse

I'm going back to my plough

Back to the howling old owl in the woods

Hunting the horny back toad

Oh, I've finally decided my future lies

Beyond the yellow brick road

Solo

So goodbye yellow brick road

Where the dogs of society howl

You can't plant me in your penthouse

I'm going back to my plough

Back to the howling old owl in the woods

Hunting the horny back toad

Oh, I've finally decided my future lies

Beyond the yellow brick road

Ah,

ah

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
yellow /ˈjɛloʊ/ A1	adjective - the colour between green and orange
brick /brɪk/ A2	noun - a rectangular block used for building
road /roʊd/ A1	noun - a paved way for vehicles
dogs /dɔgz/ A1	noun - domestic canine animals
society /səˈsaɪəti/ B2	noun - a community of people living together
howl /haʊl/ B2	verb - to make a long, loud, mournful cry
penthouse /ˈpɛntˌhaʊs/ C1	noun - a luxurious top‑floor apartment
plough /plaʊ/ C1	noun - a farm implement for turning over soil verb - to turn over the soil with a plough
owl /aʊl/ A1	noun - a nocturnal bird of prey with a flat face
woods /wʊdz/ A2	noun - a forest or a group of trees
hunting /ˈhʌntɪŋ/ B1	noun - the activity of pursuing wild animals for sport or food verb - to pursue and kill wild animals
toad /toʊd/ A2	noun - a broad, warty amphibian
future /ˈfjuːtʃər/ A2	noun - the time that is yet to come
plane /pleɪn/ A1	noun - an aircraft that flies in the sky
vodka /ˈvɒd.kə/ B2	noun - a clear distilled alcoholic beverage
tonic /ˈtɒnɪk/ B2	noun - a carbonated drink flavored with quinine; also a medicinal dose
replacement /rɪˈpleɪsmənt/ B2	noun - something that takes the place of another
mongrels /ˈmʌŋɡrəlz/ C1	noun - mixed‑breed dogs; animals of uncertain origin
penny /ˈpɛni/ A2	noun - a one‑cent coin
ground /ɡraʊnd/ A1	noun - the solid surface of the earth