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 |
|---|---|
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break /breɪk/ A1 |
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heart /hɑːrt/ A1 |
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want /wɒnt/ A1 |
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blame /bleɪm/ A2 |
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crack /kræk/ A2 |
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fault /fɔːlt/ A2 |
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hurt /hɜːrt/ A2 |
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scene /siːn/ B1 |
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crime /kraɪm/ B1 |
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assault /əˈsɔːlt/ B2 |
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further /ˈfɜːrðər/ B1 |
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mind /maɪnd/ B1 |
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code /kəʊd/ B2 |
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fill /fɪl/ A2 |
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call /kɔːl/ A1 |
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Key Grammar Structures
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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'.
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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'.
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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.
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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.
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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.
