I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Anymore – English Lyrics

• By: Pet Shop Boys

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the nuanced English of the Pet Shop Boys with “I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Anymore.” This song offers a rich vocabulary for expressing relationship difficulties and features a distinctive lyrical structure composed entirely of questions, making it a fascinating study in conversational English and emotional depth through its blend of melancholic themes and energetic dance-pop.

[English]

Did you get what you want?

Do you know what it is? Do you care?

Is he better than me?

Was it your place or his? Who was there?

Did you think it was wrong?

Do you find that it's worse than it was?

Has it gone on too long?

Do you mind that it hurts me? Because

You're breaking my heart

I don't know what you want but I can't give it any more

I don't know what you want but I can't give it any more

You're breaking my heart

Was it cracking the code

Or just filling in time? Was that all?

So then why'd you go back

To the scene of the crime? Did he call?

Shall I take further blame

Or another assault on how it was

Then we'll get to the fact

That it's always my fault just because

You're breaking my heart

I don't know what you want but I can't give it any more

I don't know what you want but I can't give it any more

You're breaking my heart

I don't know what you want but I can't give it any more

I don't know what you want but I can't give it any more

You're breaking my heart

Don't know what you want

Don't know what you want

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
break /breɪk/ A1	verb - to separate into pieces
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - the organ that pumps blood
want /wɒnt/ A1	verb - to desire or wish for something
blame /bleɪm/ A2	noun - responsibility for a fault verb - to hold responsible for a fault
crack /kræk/ A2	verb - to break or split
fault /fɔːlt/ A2	noun - a mistake or error
hurt /hɜːrt/ A2	verb - to cause physical pain or emotional distress
scene /siːn/ B1	noun - a place where something happens
crime /kraɪm/ B1	noun - an illegal act
assault /əˈsɔːlt/ B2	noun - a physical attack
further /ˈfɜːrðər/ B1	adverb - additional or more
mind /maɪnd/ B1	verb - to be bothered or care about
code /kəʊd/ B2	noun - a system of words or symbols for communication
fill /fɪl/ A2	verb - to put something into an empty space
call /kɔːl/ A1	verb - to speak to someone on the telephone

Key Grammar Structures

• Did you get what you want?

  ➔ Question formation with auxiliary verb 'did'

  ➔ The auxiliary verb 'did' is used to form a question in the past simple tense, emphasizing the action of 'get'.

• Do you know what it is?

  ➔ Present simple question with 'do'

  ➔ The auxiliary verb 'do' is used to form a present simple question, asking about the state of 'what it is'.

• You're breaking my heart

  ➔ Present continuous for ongoing action

  ➔ The present continuous tense with 'are breaking' indicates an action that is happening now, emphasizing the ongoing emotional pain.

• I don't know what you want but I can't give it any more

  ➔ Use of 'but' to contrast ideas

  ➔ The conjunction 'but' is used to connect two contrasting ideas: not knowing what is wanted and the inability to give it anymore.

• Was it cracking the code or just filling in time?

  ➔ Past simple question with 'was'

  ➔ The auxiliary verb 'was' is used to form a past simple question, inquiring about past actions or states.