Grim Generation – English Lyrics

• By: Portugal. The Man
• Album: Chris Black Changed My Life

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw and reflective soundscape of Portugal. The Man's "Grim Generation." This track offers a powerful journey through contemporary societal critiques and personal introspection, all while showcasing the band's unique blend of psychedelic rock and indie elements. Learning English through its thought-provoking lyrics will not only deepen your appreciation for its artistic depth but also connect you to the complex emotions and universal themes it explores, making it a special and meaningful listening experience.

[English]

One, two, three

Dream killer

Don't be naive

There's a darkness deep in the stream

Smile and wave as it floats on by

Or dive on in and enjoy the ride

There's a stranger at my door

(Knocking)

Toy soldier coming home from war

Now I adore (darkness)

And out of darkness

I was born (I was born)

So bittersweet (I was born)

This grim generation (ooh-ooh-ooh)

Got a hold on me (ah-ah-ah-ah)

This grim generation (ooh-ooh-ooh)

Got a hold on me

...

Television's on

Paint it black

See the bobber going down

Baby, reel it in

Got a monkey on my back

But I'm cool with that

We're right back where we started

Daddy's coming back, let's get started (hey)

There's a stranger at my door

(Knocking)

Toy soldier coming home from war

Now I adore (darkness)

Like it's all never been done before

At my door (knocking)

Like it's all never been done before

At my door (knocking)

I was born (I was born)

So bittersweet (so bittersweet)

This grim generation (ooh-ooh-ooh)

Got a hold on me (ah-ah-ah-ah)

This grim Generation (ooh-ooh-ooh)

I was born (I was born)

So bittersweet (I was born)

This grim generation (ooh-ooh-ooh)

Got a hold on me (ah-ah-ah-ah)

This grim generation (ooh-ooh-ooh)

Gotta let it be

I was born, I came to be

I was born, I came to be

I was born, I came to be

I came to be

I was born

So bittersweet

This grim generation

Got a hold on me

It's got a hold on me

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
grim /ɡrɪm/ B2	adjective - causing fear or dread; gloomy
generation /ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃən/ A2	noun - all the people born and living at about the same time
darkness /ˈdɑːrknəs/ A1	noun - the state of being dark
bittersweet /ˌbɪtərˈswiːt/ B1	adjective - having a pleasant taste with a mixture of bitter and sweet
stranger /ˈstreɪndʒər/ A1	noun - a person whom one does not know
knock /nɒk/ A1	verb - to hit a surface with one's hand or an object to make a sound
adore /əˈdɔːr/ B1	verb - to love or like something very much
born /bɔːrn/ A1	verb - to be brought into existence
hold /həʊld/ A1	verb - to have or keep something in one's hand or arms noun - a grasp or grip
stream /striːm/ A2	noun - a small river or a flow of water
float /fləʊt/ A1	verb - to stay on the surface of a liquid without sinking
dive /daɪv/ A2	verb - to jump into water headfirst
soldier /ˈsəʊldʒər/ A1	noun - a person who serves in an army
monkey /ˈmʌŋki/ A1	noun - a tailless primate mammal
naive /nɑːˈiːv/ B1	adjective - lacking experience or understanding
television /ˈtɛlɪvɪʒən/ A1	noun - a device for receiving television signals and displaying them on a screen

Key Grammar Structures

• Don't be naive

  ➔ Imperative form with 'don't' (contraction of 'do not') + base form

  ➔ 'Don't' is a contraction of 'do not', used here to give a negative command or advice.

• Gotta let it be

  ➔ Informal phrase with 'gotta' (contraction of 'got to') + base verb

  ➔ 'Gotta' is an informal contraction of 'got to', meaning 'have to' or 'must', expressing necessity or obligation.

• I was born

  ➔ Past simple passive form of 'to be' + past participle

  ➔ 'Was born' is used to indicate the passive voice in the past, meaning someone came into existence by being born.

• So bittersweet

  ➔ Adjective phrase describing a mixed feelings of sweetness and sadness

  ➔ 'So bittersweet' is an adjective phrase that expresses a feeling that is both sweet and sad at the same time.

• Got a monkey on my back

  ➔ Idiom using 'got' + noun phrase to describe being burdened or troubled

  ➔ 'Got a monkey on my back' is an idiom meaning someone is dealing with a difficult problem or burden they cannot easily escape.

• See the bobber going down

  ➔ Present participle 'going' used to form a continuous aspect, describing ongoing action

  ➔ 'Going' is the present participle of 'go', used here to describe an ongoing action happening in real-time.