Highway Star – English Lyrics

• By: Deep Purple
• Album: Made In Japan

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the raw power of the English language through Deep Purple's 'Highway Star.' This song is a masterclass in using vivid, action-oriented verbs and descriptive adjectives to create a palpable sense of speed and excitement. For language learners, it's a fantastic opportunity to explore vocabulary related to cars, motion, and intense emotions. What makes 'Highway Star' special is its unbridled energy and the storytelling prowess of its lyrics, which paint a clear and thrilling picture of life in the fast lane.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
race /reɪs/ A2	verb - to compete in a contest of speed
speed /spiːd/ A1	noun - the rate at which someone or something moves
break /breɪk/ A2	verb - to exceed a limit or record
killing /ˈkɪlɪŋ/ B1	adjective - extremely effective or impressive
machine /məˈʃiːn/ A1	noun - a mechanical device or tool
wild /waɪld/ A2	adjective - uncontrolled or fierce
hurricane /ˈhɜːrɪkən/ B1	noun - a violent tropical storm
tight /taɪt/ A2	adjective - firmly fixed or held
beat /biːt/ A2	verb - to defeat or surpass
sound /saʊnd/ A1	noun - a noise or vibration
power /ˈpaʊər/ A1	noun - the ability to control or influence
tyre /ˈtaɪər/ A2	noun - a rubber covering on a wheel
control /kənˈtroʊl/ A2	noun - the power to influence or direct
cylinder /ˈsɪlɪndər/ B1	noun - a cylindrical chamber in an engine
ground /ɡraʊnd/ A1	noun - the solid surface of the earth
bend /bɛnd/ A2	noun - a curve in a road

Key Grammar Structures

• Nobody gonna take my car

  ➔ Informal future construction with 'gonna' (going to)

  ➔ The song uses "gonna" instead of the full "going to" to indicate future plans. This is common in informal spoken English and song lyrics. "Nobody "gonna" take my car" means "Nobody is going to take my car".

• I love it and I need it I bleed it

  ➔ Ellipsis in parallel structures

  ➔ The line uses parallel structure with ellipsis (omission of repeated words). Instead of "I love it and I need it and I bleed it", the conjunction "and" is omitted before the final verb phrase. This creates rhythmic emphasis and is common in poetry and song lyrics.

• Ooh it's killing machine

  ➔ Article omission in informal speech

  ➔ The line omits the indefinite article "a" before "killing machine". In standard English, it would be "Ooh it's a killing machine". This article omission is common in informal speech, song lyrics, and poetic expressions to create rhythm or emphasis.

• I'm a highway star

  ➔ Simple present for identification/state

  ➔ The line uses the simple present tense with the copular verb "am" to express identity or a permanent state. "I'm a highway star" establishes the speaker's self-identification, not as a temporary action but as an inherent characteristic or role.

• Now that I'm on the road again

  ➔ Subordinate clause with 'now that'

  ➔ The line uses the subordinating conjunction "now that" to introduce a subordinate clause expressing cause or reason. "Now that I'm on the road again" establishes a condition that explains why the speaker feels a certain way (expressed in the following lines). This structure connects two ideas showing cause and effect.

• I got everything

  ➔ Informal use of 'got' for possession

  ➔ The line uses "got" instead of the standard "have" to indicate possession. In formal English, it would be "I have everything". This informal usage of "got" is common in spoken English, song lyrics, and informal writing to create a more casual tone.

• Yeah she turns me on

  ➔ Phrasal verb 'turn on'

  ➔ The line uses the phrasal verb "turn on" which means to excite or stimulate someone, often in a sexual or romantic context. Phrasal verbs like "turn on" consist of a main verb combined with a preposition or adverb, creating a meaning different from the original verb alone.

• Eight cylinders all mine

  ➔ Noun phrase as complement with possessive pronoun

  ➔ The line uses a noun phrase "Eight cylinders" followed by the possessive pronoun "mine" as a complement. This structure omits the verb "are" (which would make it "Eight cylinders are all mine") for poetic and rhythmic effect. This elliptical construction is common in informal contexts, poetry, and song lyrics.