Helena Beat – English Lyrics

• By: Foster The People

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the world of Foster the People's "Helena Beat," a song that dissects Hollywood's drug culture with a critical eye. Explore the song's themes of disillusionment and superficiality while learning about its musical composition and the story behind its creation. Discover how this indie-pop anthem uses its lyrics and rhythm to convey a powerful message about youth and self-destruction.

[English]

Sometimes life, it takes you by the hair

Pulls you down before you know it

It's gone and you're dead again

I've been in places and I won't pretend

That I'd make it out just to fall on my head

Wake up strange and take the walk downstairs

Hit the pawn up on the corner and pay for my rent

You know that I could not believe my own truth

Just show them what I choose, got nothing to lose, oh-oh

Yeah, yeah, and it's okay

I tie my hands up to a chair so I don't fall that way

Yeah, yeah, and I'm alright

I took a sip of something poisoned, but I'll hold on tight

...

You know those days when you want to just choose

To not get out of bed, you're lost in your head again

You play the game, but you're kind of cut

'Cause you're coming down hard, your joints are all stuck

I tried to say that it's not the only way

I never knew if I could face myself to change

You were pacin', I was insecure

Slip and fall, I'm dodging calls

Hug the prison I've been living in

Yeah, yeah, and it's okay

I tie my hands up to a chair so I don't fall that way

Yeah, yeah, and I'm alright

I took a sip of something poisoned, but I'll hold on tight

Yeah, yeah, and it's okay

I tie my hands up to a chair so I don't fall that way

Yeah, yeah, and I'm alright

I took a sip of something poisoned

Took a sip of something poisoned, poisoned

...

Yeah, yeah, and it's okay

I tie my hands up to a chair so I don't fall that way

Yeah, yeah, and I'm alright

I took a sip of something poisoned, but I'll hold on tight

Yeah, yeah, and it's okay

I tie my hands up to a chair so I don't fall that way

Yeah, yeah, and I'm alright

I took a sip of something poisoned

Took a sip of something poisoned, poisoned

(Ooh, whoo, ooh-ooh-ooh)

(Ooh, whoo, ooh-ooh)

(Ooh, whoo, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)

(Ooh, whoo, ooh-ooh-ooh)

(Ooh, whoo, ooh-ooh)

(Ooh, whoo, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)

(Ooh, whoo, ooh-ooh-ooh)

(Ooh, whoo, ooh-ooh)

(Ooh, whoo, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)

(Ooh, whoo, ooh-ooh-ooh)

(Ooh, whoo, ooh-ooh)

(Ooh, whoo, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
know /noʊ/ A1	verb - to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information
fall /fɔːl/ A2	verb - descend freely under the influence of gravity noun - the act of falling
head /hed/ A1	noun - the part of the body above the neck where the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth are located
take /teɪk/ A1	verb - to grasp or hold something
way /weɪ/ A1	noun - a method, style, or manner of doing something.
hands /hændz/ A1	noun - the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist, including the palm, fingers, and thumb.
chair /tʃeər/ A1	noun - a seat for one person, typically with a back and four legs.
poisoned /ˈpɔɪzənd/ B1	adjective - containing poison; having poison in it.
lose /luːz/ A2	verb - be deprived of or cease to have or retain something.
believe /bɪˈliːv/ A2	verb - accept something as true; feel sure of the truth of.
bed /bed/ A1	noun - a piece of furniture for sleeping on, typically a framework with a mattress.
game /ɡeɪm/ A1	noun - a form of play or sport, especially a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck.
cut /kʌt/ A1	verb - penetrate with a sharp-edged instrument or object. adjective - having been divided or severed with a knife or other sharp instrument.
joints /dʒɔɪnts/ B1	noun - a point at which parts of an object are joined.
prison /ˈprɪzən/ B1	noun - a building in which people are legally held as a punishment for a crime they have committed or while awaiting trial.
tight /taɪt/ A2	adjective - firmly or closely fixed or held in place; difficult or impossible to move.