Holiday – English Lyrics

• By: Calvin Harris, Snoop Dogg, John Legend, Takeoff
• Album: Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the laid-back grooves of Calvin Harris's "Holiday," a standout track from his 'Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1' album featuring Snoop Dogg, John Legend, and Takeoff. This song offers a fantastic opportunity to explore English through its relaxed, aspirational lyrics about living a carefree life. Its smooth blend of funk, R&B, and hip-hop, combined with distinct vocal styles from each artist, makes it a rich and enjoyable song for language learners to pick up new vocabulary and common phrases related to leisure, travel, and positive feelings.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
focus /ˈfoʊkəs/ B1	noun - the center of interest or activity verb - to concentrate on
ready /ˈredɪ/ A2	adjective - prepared for something
reservations /ˌrezərˈveɪʃənz/ B2	noun - the act of reserving something
action /ˈækʃən/ B1	noun - something done; activity
relax /rɪˈlæks/ A2	verb - to become calm
climb /klaɪm/ A2	verb - to go up or ascend
ride /raɪd/ A2	verb - to sit on and control the movement of
sky /skaɪ/ A1	noun - the atmosphere seen from the earth
stereo /ˈstɪrioʊ/ B1	noun - a sound system
roll /roʊl/ A2	verb - to make something into a cylinder
hope /hoʊp/ A2	noun - a feeling of expectation
problem /ˈprɑːbləm/ B1	noun - a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome
close /kloʊs/ A2	adjective - near verb - to shut
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter
boss /bɑːs/ A2	noun - a person with authority
step /step/ A1	verb - to put foot forward noun - one of a series of movements
announcement /əˈnaʊnsmənt/ B2	noun - a public statement

Key Grammar Structures

• I'm so true, I love that, 'cause who woulda knew?

  ➔ Conditional Perfect (would have known)

  ➔ This line uses 'woulda knew' which is a contraction of 'would have known'. It expresses a hypothetical situation in the past – something that didn't happen, and the speaker is expressing surprise that it didn't.

• Question: is your bath water ready for ya?

  ➔ Direct Question

  ➔ This is a straightforward question using the standard question word order (Auxiliary verb + Subject + Main verb).

• Looks like I'm the one for ya

  ➔ Informal Contraction & Subject Pronoun

  ➔ The use of 'I'm' (I am) is a common contraction. The phrase 'the one for ya' is informal and colloquial, using 'ya' instead of 'you'.

• I'll crack the whip and get a little action in here, my dear

  ➔ Future Simple (will)

  ➔ The phrase 'I'll crack the whip' uses 'will' to express a future action. It's a figurative expression, meaning to take control or initiate something.

• Let's make everyday a holiday

  ➔ Let's (Let us)

  ➔ 'Let's' is a contraction of 'Let us'. It expresses a suggestion or invitation to do something together.

• I got my eyes on you (eyes)

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense (got)

  ➔ Here, 'got' functions as the present perfect tense, indicating a state that started in the past and continues to the present. It means 'I have my eyes on you'.

• I wanna climb on you

  ➔ Informal Contraction (wanna)

  ➔ 'Wanna' is a colloquial contraction of 'want to'. It's common in informal speech.

• Say the place and we go where you wanna go

  ➔ Conditional Clause (if/when)

  ➔ This line implies a condition: 'if you tell me the place, then we will go'. The 'wanna' is used informally as before.

• I'ma roll one, I know that you don't smoke

  ➔ Slang Contraction (I'ma)

  ➔ 'I'ma' is a slang contraction of 'I am going to'. It's a very informal and colloquial expression.