Lyrics & Translation
Learning a language through music is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in a new culture, and Michael Jackson's "In the Closet" offers a unique opportunity. The song's clear, emotive vocals and repetitive chorus make it easier to pick up on the nuances of English pronunciation and vocabulary related to love and relationships. Beyond the language, you'll discover a pivotal moment in the career of a global icon as he explored more mature and provocative themes.
[English]
There's something I have to say to youIf you promise you'll understand
I cannot contain myself when in your presence
I'm so humble
Touch me
Don't hide our love
Woman to man
She's just a lover who's doin' me by
Is it worth the giving? Is it worth the try?
You cannot cleave it or put it in the furnace
You cannot wet it, you cannot burn it
She wants to give it
(She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it) dare me
(She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it)
She wants to give it, yeah
(She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it)
(She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it)
It's just a feeling, you have to soothe it
You can't neglect it, you can't abuse it
It's just desire, you cannot waste It
Then if you want it, then won't you taste it
She wants to give it
(She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it) dare me
(She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it)
She wants to give it, yeah
(She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it)
(She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it)
One thing in life you must understand
The truth of lust woman to man
So open the door and you will see
There are no secrets, make your move, set me free
Ah, because there's something about you, baby
That makes me want to give it to you
I swear there's something about you, baby
Just promise me whatever we say (and we get it)
Or whatever we do to each other
For now, we'll make a vow to just (never knew)
Keep it in the closet
If you can get it, is it worth the try?
I really want it, I can't deny
It's just desire, I really love it
'Cause if it's aching, you have to rub it
She wants to give it
(She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it) dare me
(She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it)
She wants to give it, yeah
(She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it)
(She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it)
Just open the door and you will see
This passion burns inside of me
Don't say to me, you'll never tell
Touch me there
Make the move
Cast the spell
Ah, because there's something about you, baby
That makes me want to give it to you
I swear there's something about you, baby
That makes me want
Just promise me whatever we say
Or do to each other
For now, we'll make a vow to just (whatever we do)
Keep it in the closet
Because there's something about you, baby
That makes me want to give it to you
Because there's something about you, baby
That makes me want to give it to you
I swear there's something about you, baby
That makes me want to give it to you
I swear there's something about you, baby
That makes me want to give it to you
I swear there's something about you, baby
That makes me want to give it to you
Somethin' about you, baby
That makes me want
Just promise me whatever we say
Or whatever we do to each other (yeah, what ever we do)
For now, we'll make a vow to just
Keep it in the closet
(She wants to give it) dare me
(Ah) keep it in the closet
(She wants to give it) dare me
(Ah) keep it in the closet
She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it
She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it
She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it
She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it
(Bring it down)
(She wants to give it)
(She wants to give it ah)
(She wants to give it) keep it in the closet
(She wants to give it)
(She wants to give it) keep it in the closet
(She wants to give it, ah, she wants to give it) dare me
Key Vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meanings |
|---|---|
|
promise /ˈprɒmɪs/ A2 |
|
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contain /kənˈteɪn/ B1 |
|
|
humble /ˈhʌmbəl/ B1 |
|
|
presence /ˈprezəns/ B2 |
|
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worth /wɜːθ/ A2 |
|
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cleave /kliv/ C2 |
|
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furnace /ˈfɜːrnəs/ B2 |
|
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neglect /nɪˈɡlekt/ B2 |
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abuse /əˈbjuːs/ B2 |
|
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desire /dɪˈzaɪər/ B1 |
|
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ache /eɪk/ B1 |
|
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lust /lʌst/ C1 |
|
|
passion /ˈpæʃən/ B2 |
|
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spell /spel/ A2 |
|
|
vow /vaʊ/ B2 |
|
“promise, contain, humble” – got them all figured out?
⚡ Dive into vocabulary challenges in the app and lock in your knowledge right after jamming to "In the Closet"
Key Grammar Structures
-
There's something I have to say to you
➔ Existential 'there' + infinitive construction
➔ The phrase introduces a statement the speaker needs to make. The 'there' doesn't refer to a place, but indicates existence. The infinitive 'to say' functions as the subject.
-
If you promise you'll understand
➔ First conditional + future in the 'if' clause (will)
➔ This is a classic conditional sentence. 'If' introduces the condition, and 'you'll understand' is the likely result. 'You'll' is a contraction of 'you will'.
-
You cannot cleave it or put it in the furnace
➔ Modal verb 'cannot' + base form of verb + coordinating conjunction 'or'
➔ This sentence uses 'cannot' to express impossibility. 'Cleave' means to split or sever, and 'furnace' is a very hot oven. The 'or' connects two impossible actions.
-
It's just desire, you cannot waste it
➔ Noun phrase as subject + copula 'is' + adjective + modal verb 'cannot' + base form of verb
➔ This sentence defines something as 'just desire' and then states that it shouldn't be wasted. 'Waste' here means to use carelessly or ineffectively.
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Then if you want it, then won't you taste it
➔ Conditional sentence (elliptical) + tag question
➔ The 'then' is redundant but adds emphasis. The sentence is a conditional asking if the listener desires something and, if so, will they experience it. 'Won't you' is a polite tag question.
