I’m A Ruin – English Lyrics

• By: MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS
• Album: FROOT

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a powerful tool, and MARINA's “I'm A Ruin” offers a unique opportunity to explore complex emotions in English. The song's introspective and honest lyrics about heartbreak from the perspective of the one causing it provide a rich vocabulary for expressing feelings of guilt, longing, and the desire for freedom. Its clear and emotive vocal delivery makes it an excellent song for learners to follow along and appreciate the nuances of lyrical storytelling.

[English]

 ♪♪ 

 ♪ I know that I can’t have it all ♪ 

 ♪ But without you I am afraid I’ll fall ♪ 

 ♪ I know I’m playing with your heart ♪ 

 ♪ And I could treat you better but I’m not that smart ♪ 

 ♪ When it comes to love, you’re an easy fight ♪ 

 ♪ A flower in a gun, a bird in flight ♪ 

 ♪ It isn’t fair and it isn’t right ♪ 

 ♪ To lead you on like it’s all alright ♪ 

 ♪ I played with your heart ♪ 

 ♪ And I could treat you better but I’m not that smart ♪ 

 ♪ You still mean everything to me, to me ♪ 

 ♪ But I wanna be free ♪ 

 ♪ I’ll ruin, yeah, I’ll ruin you ♪ 

 ♪ I'll ruin ♪ 

 ♪ I’ve been doing things I shouldn’t do ♪ 

 ♪ Things I shouldn't do ♪ 

 ♪ Yeah, uh huh, ooh, yeah ♪ 

 ♪ Yeah, uh huh, ooh, yeah ♪ 

 ♪ It’s difficult to move on ♪ 

 ♪ When nothing was right and nothing’s wrong ♪ 

 ♪ You still can’t look me in the eye ♪ 

 ♪ 'Cause you’ve been bitten once and now you’re twice as shy ♪ 

 ♪ And I’ve tried to say ♪ 

 ♪ Babe, I’m gonna ruin you if you let me stay ♪ 

 ♪ You still mean everything to me, to me ♪ 

 ♪ But I wanna be free ♪ 

 ♪ I’ll ruin, yeah, I’ll ruin you ♪ 

 ♪ I'll ruin ♪ 

 ♪ I’ve been doing things I shouldn't do ♪ 

 ♪ Things I shouldn't do ♪ 

 ♪ Yeah, uh huh, ooh, yeah ♪ 

 ♪ Yeah, uh huh, ooh, yeah ♪ 

 ♪ It doesn’t feel right and it doesn’t feel fair ♪ 

 ♪ When I’m planning to move on and you’re still standing there ♪ 

 ♪ Don’t wanna keep a secret but I don’t know how to keep it fair, yeah ♪ 

 ♪ I’ll ruin, yeah, I’ll ruin you ♪ 

 ♪ I'll ruin ♪ 

 ♪ I’ve been doing things I shouldn’t do ♪ 

 ♪ Things I shouldn't do ♪ 

 ♪ Yeah, uh huh, ooh, yeah ♪ 

 ♪ Yeah, uh huh, ooh, yeah ♪ 

 ♪ Yeah, uh huh ♪ 

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - a deep affection or strong feeling of attachment toward someone or something
heart /hɑːt/ A1	noun - the muscular organ that pumps blood; also the centre of emotions
ruin /ˈruːɪn/ B2	verb - to destroy or cause severe damage to something noun - the remains of a building or structure that has been destroyed
free /friː/ A1	adjective - not under the control of another; able to act or move without restraint
afraid /əˈfreɪd/ A2	adjective - feeling fear or anxiety; frightened
smart /smɑːt/ A2	adjective - having or showing a quick-witted intelligence
easy /ˈiːzi/ A1	adjective - achieved without great effort; not difficult
fair /feə/ B1	adjective - treating people equally without favoritism or discrimination
right /raɪt/ A1	adjective - correct or true; in accordance with fact or truth
wrong /rɒŋ/ A1	adjective - not correct or true; erroneous
shy /ʃaɪ/ A2	adjective - reserved or lacking self‑confidence in the presence of other people
fight /faɪt/ A2	noun - a violent confrontation or struggle between opponents verb - to engage in a physical or verbal struggle
flower /ˈflaʊər/ A1	noun - the colorful reproductive structure of a plant
bird /bɜːd/ A1	noun - a warm‑blooded egg‑laying vertebrate distinguished by feathers and wings
flight /flaɪt/ A2	noun - the act or process of flying through the air
secret /ˈsiːkrət/ B1	noun - something kept hidden or unknown from others
move /muːv/ A1	verb - to change position or go from one place to another
stay /steɪ/ A1	verb - to remain in the same place or condition
bite /baɪt/ A2	verb - to cut, grip, or tear with the teeth
mean /miːn/ B1	verb - to intend to convey, indicate, or refer to something adjective - unkind or spiteful