Lyrics & Translation
Learning a language through music is a powerful tool, and Brandy's 'Long Distance' offers a moving and relatable theme for English learners. The song's clear and emotive lyrics about love and separation provide an excellent opportunity to learn vocabulary related to feelings and relationships. Its powerful chorus and heartfelt verses make it a memorable song that can help you connect with the emotional side of the English language.
[English]
There's only so many songs that I can sing to pass the time.And I'm running out of things to do to get you off my mind (oh whoa).
All I have is this picture in a frame (oh ah),
that I hold close to see your face everyday.
With you is where I'd rather be,
but we're stuck where we are.
It's so hard, you're so far.
This long distance is killing me.
I wish that you are here with me,
but we're stuck where we are
it's so hard, you're so far. (so hard, you're so far.)
This long distance is killing me.
It's so hard, it's so hard, where we are, where we are, you're so far.
This long distance is killing me.
It's so hard, it's so hard, where we are, where we are, you're so far
(so hard, so hard, where we are, where we are, your so far).
This long distance is killing me.
Now the minutes feel like hours
and the hours feel like days. (whoa oh whoa)
While I'm away (way-ay)
You know right now I can't be home (ah)
But I'm coming home soon (ah)
Coming home soon. (ah a hah)
All I have is this picture in a frame (ah),
that I hold close to see your face everyday.
With you is where i'd rather be (where I'd rather be.),
but we're stuck where we are (oh oh).
It's so hard, (oh ah) you're so far. (oh ah)
This long distance is killing me.
I wish that you are here with me (you are here with me),
but we're stuck where we are (oh oh)
It's so hard, (oh ah) you're so far. (oh ah)
Can you hear me crying?
Ooh (oh-oh oh-oh)
Can you hear me crying? (oh-oh ah!)
Ooh (oh-oh oh-oh)
Can you hear me crying? (oh-oh ah!)
Ooh (oh-oh oh-oh)
Ooh woo whoa ah ah oh ah (oh-oh ah!)
Uh ah uh ah whoa0h ah (oh-oh oh-oh)
With you is where i'd rather be (where I'd rather be.) whoa!
(but we're stuck where we are) oh!
(it's so hard) So hard (your so far), so far
(this long distance is killing me) This long distance is killing me
I wish that you are here with me (you are here with me) me.
(but we're stuck where we are) Stuck where we are! So hard! So far
This long distance is killing me
It's so hard, it's so hard, where we are, where we are, you're so far.
This long distance is killing me.
It's so hard, it's so hard, where we are, where we are, you're so far
(so hard, so hard, where we are, where we are, your so far).
This long distance is killing me.
There's only so many songs that I can sing to pass the time.
Key Vocabulary
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Key Grammar Structures
-
I'm running out of things to do to get you off my mind
➔ present continuous (am + -ing) with the phrasal verb *run out of*
➔ The verb **"running"** shows an action that is happening now and will continue.
-
All I have is this picture in a frame
➔ copular construction *All + subject + be + complement*
➔ The verb **"have"** functions as the main verb, linking the subject to the complement **"this picture in a frame"**.
-
I wish that you are here with me
➔ wish + simple past (subjunctive) for unreal present
➔ The verb **"wish"** introduces a hypothetical situation; note that in formal English it would be **"were"** instead of **"are"**.
-
But we're stuck where we are
➔ passive voice (be + past participle)
➔ The verb **"stuck"** is the past participle of *stick* used in a passive construction, indicating a state rather than an action.
-
It's so hard, you're so far.
➔ simple present with the dummy subject *it* and adjective complement; contraction *you're*
➔ The word **"It's"** is a contraction of *it is*, used to express a general feeling; **"you're"** contracts *you are*.
-
Now the minutes feel like hours and the hours feel like days
➔ comparative structure *feel like + noun*; present simple for habitual perception
➔ The verb **"feel"** is followed by **"like"** plus a noun, creating a simile (e.g., *feel like hours*).
-
I'm coming home soon
➔ present continuous used for a planned future action
➔ The verb **"coming"** (am + -ing) indicates a future event that is already arranged.
-
Can you hear me crying?
➔ modal verb *can* + base verb for ability; gerund (*crying*) as object complement
➔ The word **"crying"** follows the verb **"hear"** and works as a gerund to describe what is heard.
-
There's only so many songs that I can sing to pass the time
➔ existential *there is/are*; relative clause *that I can sing*; infinitive of purpose *to pass the time*
➔ The phrase **"There’s"** (there is) introduces the existence of a limited number; **"that I can sing"** modifies *songs*; **"to pass the time"** explains why the songs are sung.
