Listen – English Lyrics

• By: Beyoncé

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the emotional depth of Beyoncé's 'Listen,' a powerful ballad that transcends its *Dreamgirls* origins to become a universal anthem of self-empowerment. Through its poignant lyrics and Beyoncé's commanding vocals, this song offers a rich opportunity to explore English vocabulary related to personal strength, independence, and emotional expression, making it a truly special piece for language learners.

[English]

Listen to the song here in my heart

A melody I start but can't complete

Listen, to the sound from deep within

It's only beginning

To find release

Oh, the time has come

For my dreams to be heard

They will not be pushed aside and turned

Into your own

All cause you won't

Listen

Listen, I am alone at a crossroads

I'm not at home, in my own home

And I've tried and tried

To say what's on my mind

You should have known

Oh, now I'm done believing you

You don't know what I'm feeling

I'm more than what you made of me

I followed the voice you gave to me

But now I gotta find my own

You should have listened

There is someone here inside

Someone I'd thought had died

So long ago

Oh, I'm screaming out, and my dreams will be heard

They will not be pushed aside or worked

Into your own

All cause you won't

Listen

Listen, I am alone at a crossroads

I'm not at home, in my own home

And I've tried and tried

To say what's on my mind

You should have known

Oh, now I'm done believing you

You don't know what I'm feeling

I'm more than what you made of me

I followed the voice you gave to me

But now I gotta find my own

I don't know where I belong

But I'll be moving on

If you don't

If you won't

Listen to the song here in my heart

A melody I start

But I will complete

Oh, now I'm done believing you

You don't know what I'm feeling

I'm more than what you've made of me

I followed the voice you think you gave to me

But now I gotta find my own

My own

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
listen /ˈlɪs.ən/ A2	verb - to pay attention to sound
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - the organ in your chest that sends the blood around your body noun - the central or most important part
dream /driːm/ A2	noun - a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep noun - a strongly desired goal or purpose
alone /əˈloʊn/ A2	adjective - without anyone or anything else
find /faɪnd/ A1	verb - to discover something or someone
scream /skriːm/ B1	verb - to make a loud, high-pitched sound
believe /bɪˈliːv/ B1	verb - to accept something as true
voice /vɔɪs/ A2	noun - the sound produced by humans when speaking or singing
crossroads /ˈkrɔːs.roʊdz/ B2	noun - a point where two or more roads meet noun - a point of decision or choice
complete /kəmˈpliːt/ B1	verb - to finish making or doing something
move /muːv/ A1	verb - to change position or place
own /oʊn/ A2	adjective - belonging to or done by a particular person or thing verb - to possess
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - to experience an emotion or sensation
thought /θɔːt/ B1	noun - an idea or opinion produced by thinking

Key Grammar Structures

• Listen to the song here in my heart

  ➔ Imperative sentence

  ➔ A direct command or request, often starting with a verb

• A melody I start but can't complete

  ➔ Relative clause with 'I start'

  ➔ A relative clause describing 'a melody' with an implied action of beginning

• Listen, to the sound from deep within

  ➔ Prepositional phrase

  ➔ A phrase indicating the direction or object of hearing

• It's only beginning

  ➔ Present continuous tense with 'is' + verb ending in -ing

  ➔ Expressing an action that is in progress or just starting

• For my dreams to be heard

  ➔ Infinitive phrase expressing purpose

  ➔ Using an infinitive ('to be heard') to indicate purpose or goal

• You should have known

  ➔ Modal verb in past perfect form ('should have known')

  ➔ Expressing obligation or advice about a past situation

• I don't know where I belong

  ➔ Negative statement with 'don't' + base verb

  ➔ Expressing uncertainty or lack of knowledge about something

• If you don't / If you won't listen

  ➔ First conditional with 'if' + present simple and 'will'/'won't'

  ➔ Expressing a possible condition and its future consequence