Keep Cool – English Lyrics

• By: Major Lazer, Shaggy, Wynter Gordon
• Album: Free the Universe

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant fusion of reggae, dancehall, and electronic music with "Keep Cool" by Major Lazer, Shaggy, and Wynter Gordon. This standout track from the "Free The Universe" album offers a unique blend of infectious beats and poignant lyrics, perfect for exploring contemporary English expressions of love, struggle, and the pursuit of freedom within relationships. You'll encounter phrases that capture emotional depth alongside energetic rhythms, making it a special piece for language learners interested in modern music and its diverse lyrical storytelling.

[English]

Late night, wake up

I'm sick, I'm stuck

You're here, so near

Your dream – my fear

Your love, my loss

Your dime – my cost

My fate, your hands

My life, your brand

Living my life in spite like you

This is the best that I can do

Nothing left for me to prove

I give it all to you

Nothing's what we made it

And we're living like we hate it

I have given all I can

But I can't anymore

Freedom, I can taste it

And the truth, I need to face it

I've always been dedicated

But I can't anymore

Oh you know I love this kind of place yea

And no matter what you're still my lady

Oh oh oh oh oh oh

I know you're fienin up here weekly lately

Ah boy you'll find a stretch, you'll never leave me

Oh oh oh oh oh oh

When you woke me up and you give me the sweetest wind up

Take someone to loving, if you be young to time uh

Yea, I figured why I was so blind now

Even though your hurt was under surface and me ignored your signs girl

Limbered and teared up, can't leave me like this

Just give me a chance for me to right this

Girl I know you live my love despite this

Cannot let you go, I got to fight for this

Nothing's what we made it

And we're living like we hate it

I have given all I can

But I can't anymore

Freedom, I can taste it

And the truth, I need to face it

I've always been dedicated

But I can't anymore

(Bridge)

It's not right 'cause you're saying this

I wasn't born to serve you

I was born to love

Your house, your rules

Keep calm, keep cool

Tip toe, steer clear

Your mask, I wear

Your wants, my needs

Loaded, good deeds

Your frown, my smile

You're up, I'm down

Living my life in spite like you

This is the best that I can do

Nothing left for me to prove

I give it all to you

(Chorus)

Nothing's what we made it

And we're living like we hate it

I have given all I can

But I can't anymore

Freedom, I can taste it

And the truth, I need to face it

I've always been dedicated

But I can't anymore

Anymore...

Baby, and you get the reason

Baby, and you get the reason

Baby, and you get the reason

Never let it sit so long mandita

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
freedom /ˈfriːdəm/ A2	noun - the state of being free or at liberty
taste /teɪst/ A1	verb - to perceive flavor through the mouth verb - to experience or sample something
dedicated /ˈdɛdɪkeɪtɪd/ B1	adjective - devoted to a task or purpose
face /feɪs/ A1	verb - to confront or deal with
calm /kɑːm/ A2	adjective - not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions
cool /kuːl/ A1	adjective - moderately cold in temperature adjective - fashionable or composed
steer /stɪr/ B1	verb - to guide or control the direction of
clear /klɪr/ A2	adjective - easy to see through; transparent
mask /mɑːsk/ A2	noun - a covering for the face
loaded /ˈloʊdɪd/ B1	adjective - carrying a burden or cargo adjective - having a lot of money
frown /fraʊn/ B1	noun - a facial expression indicating displeasure
spite /spaɪt/ B2	noun - a malicious desire to harm someone
limber /ˈlɪmbər/ C1	adjective - flexible and supple
ignore /ɪɡˈnɔːr/ A2	verb - to refuse to acknowledge or notice
right /raɪt/ A1	verb - to correct or make something correct adjective - correct or appropriate
prove /pruːv/ A2	verb - to demonstrate the truth or existence of something

Key Grammar Structures

• Nothing's what we made it

  ➔ Contraction + Predicative Clause

  ➔ "Nothing's" is a contraction of 'nothing is'. The clause "what we made it" functions as a subject complement describing the state of 'nothing'.

• I have given all I can

  ➔ Present Perfect + Ellipsis

  ➔ "Have given" shows completed action with present relevance. "All I can" omits 'that' (all that I can give) through ellipsis.

• But I can't anymore

  ➔ Modal Verb + Negative Adverb

  ➔ "Can't" combines modal 'can' with negation 'not'. "Anymore" is an adverb indicating cessation of previous capability.

• Freedom, I can taste it

  ➔ Fronting + Object Pronoun

  ➔ "Freedom" is fronted for emphasis before the main clause "I can taste it". "It" refers back to freedom as the object.

• if you be young to time

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood

  ➔ Uses "be" instead of 'are' to express hypothetical/conditional state. Common in poetic or dialectical English.

• Even though your hurt was under surface

  ➔ Concessive Clause + Metaphor

  ➔ "Even though" introduces a concession. "Under surface" is metaphorical language meaning hidden or suppressed emotions.

• I got to fight for this

  ➔ Informal Modal Expression

  ➔ "Got to" is informal for 'have to' or 'must', indicating strong obligation. Common in spoken English.

• Keep calm, keep cool

  ➔ Imperative Mood + Parallelism

  ➔ Both verbs ("keep") are imperatives giving direct commands. The parallel structure "calm... cool" creates rhythmic emphasis.