Lockdown – English Lyrics

• By: Miley Cyrus, David Byrne
• Album: Something Beautiful (Deluxe)

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the world of experimental pop with Miley Cyrus and David Byrne's "Lockdown." This sprawling, psychedelic track is an excellent choice for an advanced English learner due to its thematic focus on 'clandestine love' and 'secrecy,' which offers sophisticated vocabulary. The song's 13-minute runtime, featuring a dramatic instrumental break, makes it a unique listening experience that goes beyond typical pop structures, showing how a simple phrase like 'on lockdown' can be used metaphorically to describe a hidden, passionate relationship.

[English]

Oh, your love stays on lockdown

Can't tell my friends 'cause they all talk now

I won't lie, baby, you're my secret

Oh, your love stays on lockdown

I don't know if it's day, I don't know if it's night

I don't need to go out, I wanna stay inside

Come on over, love, and we'll be lost and found

Come on over, love, and we can lock it down

Lock it down, down, down, down, down, down

Oh, your love stays on lockdown (stays on lockdown)

Can't tell my friends 'cause they all talk now (they all talk now)

I won't lie (won't lie), baby, you're my secret (secret)

Oh, your love stays on lockdown

...

I don't wanna, I don't wanna talk now

Your love stays on lockdown, I don't wanna talk now

Oh, your love stays on lockdown

Oh, your love stays on lockdown, but I don't wanna talk now

Oh, your love stays on lockdown (I don't wanna, I don't wanna)

...

Lock it down, down, down, down, down, down

Lock it down, down, down, down, down, down

Down, down, down, down

Down, whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh

...

Oh, your love stays on lockdown, but I don't wanna talk now

Oh, your love stays on lockdown, ooh, ooh

...

Down

Down

...

You bring out an animal feelin'

Why'd you leave me waiting so long?

I've been drowning in your love beneath me

Drink my breath away 'til it's gone

Put me on your carousel, chandelier, and fairy tale atmosphere

Marigold, fields of gold, icon, centerfold

You're the only one I chose

No one has to know, you know

I don't know if it's day, I don't know if it's night

I don't need to go out, I wanna stay inside

Come on over, love, and we'll be lost and found

Lock it down, down, down, down, down, down

Oh, your love (oh, your love) stays on lockdown (stays on lockdown)

Can't tell my friends (can't tell 'em anything) 'cause they all talk now (they all talk now)

I won't lie (won't lie), baby, you're my secret (secret)

Oh, your love stays on lockdown

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - a strong feeling of affection and concern toward another person verb - to feel a great affection or liking for someone or something
lockdown /ˈlɒkdaʊn/ B2	noun - a state of isolation or restricted access imposed for security or public health reasons
talk /tɔːk/ A1	verb - to say words aloud noun - a conversation
secret /ˈsiːkrɪt/ A2	noun - something that is not known or seen by others adjective - kept from public knowledge
lock /lɒk/ A2	verb - to fasten something with a bolt or key noun - a mechanism for securing a door
down /daʊn/ A1	adverb - towards a lower place or position adjective - feeling low or sad preh or seamless cluster - used in phrasal verbs
stay /steɪ/ A2	verb - to remain in a place noun - a visit or period of staying
friends /frendz/ A1	noun - people you know and like
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the time from sunset to sunrise
day /deɪ/ A1	noun - a period of 24 hours
inside /ɪnˈsaɪd/ A1	noun - the inner part or surface of something adverb - on or to the inside adjective - situated within
out /aʊt/ A1	adverb - away from the inside or center of something adjective - not inside a building
come /kʌm/ A1	verb - to move or travel towards the speaker
lost /lɒst/ A2	adjective - unable to find one's way
found /faʊnd/ A1	verb - past of find; discovered or located adjective - located or discovered
know /nəʊ/ A1	verb - to be aware of something
animal /ˈænɪməl/ A1	noun - a living organism that can move and breathe adjective - relating to bodily instincts or passions
wait /weɪt/ A1	verb - to stay in one place expectantly
breath /breθ/ A2	noun - the air taken into or expelled from the lungs
gone /gɒn/ A2	verb - past participle of go; left or departed adjective - no longer present
carousel /ˌkærəˈsel/ B2	noun - a merry-go-round or revolving machine
chandelier /ˌʃændəˈlɪər/ B2	noun - a decorative branched holder for candles or lights
atmosphere /ˈætməsfɪər/ A2	noun - the pervading tone or mood of a place or situation
gold /gəʊld/ A2	noun - a precious yellow metal adjective - made of gold or resembling it

Key Grammar Structures

• Your love stays on lockdown

  ➔ present simple tense

  ➔ It describes a habitual or current state, using the present simple tense in English.

• Can't tell my friends 'cause they all talk now

  ➔ contraction of 'cannot' + 'cause' (because), present simple tense

  ➔ Shows inability in the present, with 'can't' as a contraction for 'cannot' and uses the simple present tense.

• and we'll be lost and found

  ➔ future simple with 'will'

  ➔ Expresses a future intention or outcome, using 'will' as a modal auxiliary verb.

• Come on over, love, and we'll be lost and found

  ➔ imperative form combined with future tense

  ➔ The phrase 'Come on over' uses the imperative to invite, while 'we'll be' indicates a future action.

• I don't know if it's day, I don't know if it's night

  ➔ conditional clause with 'if' in present tense

  ➔ Sets a condition or uncertainty about time, using 'if' to introduce a clause with present tense.

• and we'll be lost and found

  ➔ future simple tense with 'will'

  ➔ Expresses a future action or state, using 'will' as a modal auxiliary.