ICU – English Lyrics

• By: Coco Jones

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the soulful depths of Coco Jones' hit song “ICU,” a poignant R&B ballad that delves into the complexities of love, loss, and personal growth. Discover the heartfelt story behind the lyrics, the inspiration from Jones' own experiences, and the musicality that has captivated listeners worldwide. Learn how “ICU” offers a vulnerable and relatable exploration of the challenges of balancing love and career, making it a must-listen for anyone navigating the intricacies of modern relationships .

[English]

♪♪♪

[INDISTINCT]

♪♪♪

♪ SOMETHING BOUT YOUR HANDS ON MY BODY ♪

♪ FEELS BETTER THAN ANY MAN I EVER MET ♪

♪ SOMETHING BOUT THE WAY YOU JUST GET ME ♪

♪ I TRY AND I DON'T 'CAUSE I CAN'T FORGET ♪

♪ YOU GOT A FEEL AND A SOUL ♪

♪ THAT I NEED IN MY LIFE ♪

[INDISTINCT]

♪ OOOH ♪

♪ AND THOUGH WE MAY GROW ♪

♪ I DON'T KNOW WHY WE DON'T GROW APART ♪

♪ MAYBE I NEED YOU ♪

♪ I BREATHE YOU ♪

♪ TURNING MY HEART BLUE ♪

♪ MAYBE I NEED YOU ♪

♪ WHEN I LEAVE YOU ♪

♪ I SEE YOU ♪

[VOCALIZING]

♪ FIRST WE AGREE THAT WE'RE BETTER AS FRIENDS ♪

♪ I DELETE EVERY MESSAGE THAT WE SENT ♪

♪ TRY TO MOVE ON WITH SOMEBODY LESS LIKE YOU ♪

♪ I DON'T KNOW HOW WE END UP IN THE RED ♪

♪ FIND MYSELF READING YOUR COMMENTS AGAIN ♪

♪ AND THEN END UP IN EACH OTHER'S HEADS ♪

♪ IT ALL MAKES SENSE BECAUSE ♪

♪ YOU'VE GOT A FEEL AND A SOUL ♪

♪ THAT I NEED IN MY LIFE, BABE ♪

♪ OOOH, OOOH ♪

♪ AND THOUGH WE MAY GROW ♪

♪ I DON'T KNOW WHY WE DON'T GROW APART, BABE ♪

♪ BABY ♪

♪ MAYBE I NEED YOU ♪

♪ I BREATHE YOU ♪

♪ TURNING MY HEART BLUE ♪

♪ MAYBE I NEED YOU ♪

♪ WHEN I LEAVE YOU ♪

♪ I SEE YOU ♪

[VOCALIZING]

♪ MAYBE I JUST FEEL LOST WITHOUT YOU ♪

♪ MAYBE I'M JUST PISSED OFF WITHOUT YOU ♪

♪ BABY, MY LIFE'S JUST OFF WITHOUT YOU ♪

♪ MAYBE YOUR WORTH IT ALL TO ME, BABY ♪

♪ MAYBE, MAYBE ♪

♪ JUST MAYBE ♪

♪♪♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
hands /hændz/ A1	noun - the terminal part of the human arm beyond the wrist
body /ˈbɒdi/ A1	noun - the physical structure of a human or an animal
man /mæn/ A1	noun - an adult male human being
way /weɪ/ A1	noun - a method, style, or manner of doing something
forget /fərˈɡet/ A2	verb - to fail to remember
need /niːd/ A2	verb - require (something) because it is essential or very important. noun - a thing that is necessary or desirable.
grow /ɡroʊ/ A2	verb - to increase in size or amount
heart /hɑːrt/ A2	noun - a hollow muscular organ that pumps the blood through the circulatory system by rhythmic contraction and dilation.
friends /frendz/ A1	noun - a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection
message /ˈmesɪdʒ/ A2	noun - a verbal, written, or recorded communication sent to or left for someone
comments /ˈkɒments/ B1	noun - a verbal or written remark expressing an opinion or reaction
sense /sens/ B1	noun - a feeling that something is the case.
soul /soʊl/ B2	noun - the nonphysical part of a person regarded as their true self.
blue /bluː/ A1	adjective - of a color intermediate between green and violet; having a color like that of a clear unclouded sky at noon adjective - sad or depressed
lost /lɒst/ B1	adjective - unable to find one's way; having disappeared or been taken away.
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
worth /wɜːrθ/ B1	noun - the level at which someone or something deserves to be valued or rated

Key Grammar Structures

• Something 'bout your hands on my body

  ➔ Ellipsis ('bout instead of about')

  ➔ The word "about" is shortened to "'bout" for a more casual, conversational tone. This is common in informal speech and song lyrics.

• Feels better than any man I ever met

  ➔ Superlative comparison (implied) and Relative Clause

  ➔ It implies that the feeling is better than the feeling of being with *any* man she has ever met. "I ever met" is a relative clause modifying "any man". The superlative is implied, not explicitly stated (e.g., 'the best').

• I try and I don't 'cause I can't forget

  ➔ Ellipsis and Conjunctions ('cause')

  ➔ "And" is used to connect two related actions. "'Cause" is a shortened form of "because," a subordinating conjunction. The full sentence would be "I try, and I don't succeed because I can't forget."

• That I need in my life

  ➔ Relative Clause with Preposition Stranding

  ➔ "That I need in my life" is a relative clause modifying "a feel and a soul". The preposition "in" is stranded at the end of the clause, which is common in informal English. More formal: "That I need in my life *for*. "That I need *in* my life" is another alternative.

• Though we may grow, I don't know why we don't grow apart

  ➔ Concession Clause (Though) and Negative Contraction

  ➔ "Though" introduces a concession clause, indicating a contrast with the main clause. "Don't" is a contraction of "do not". The sentence expresses surprise that despite the possibility of growing apart, they haven't.

• Maybe I need you, I breathe you, turning my heart blue

  ➔ Modal Adverb (Maybe), Verb + Object, Present Participle Clause (turning)

  ➔ "Maybe" expresses possibility. The structure "I breathe you" is a metaphorical way of expressing dependence. "Turning my heart blue" is a present participle clause describing the effect of breathing/needing the person.

• First we agree that we're better as friends

  ➔ Subject-Verb Agreement, Indirect Speech (that clause), Comparative Adjective

  ➔ "We" (plural subject) agrees with "are" (plural verb). The "that" clause introduces what they agreed upon, functioning as the object of the verb "agree". "Better" is a comparative adjective showing a comparison.

• Maybe I just feel lost without you

  ➔ Modal Adverb (Maybe), Adjective + Preposition

  ➔ "Maybe" expresses possibility. The phrase "lost without you" uses the adjective "lost" followed by the preposition "without" to indicate the cause of the feeling. The adjective describes the speaker's state.