Minimal – English Lyrics

• By: Pet Shop Boys

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the world of Pet Shop Boys with "Minimal," a captivating synth-pop anthem that playfully explores the concept of minimalism through its lyrics and upbeat electronic production. This song offers a unique opportunity to learn English vocabulary related to art, philosophy, and abstract concepts, all while enjoying a catchy and energetic track that showcases the duo's signature style. Its clever wordplay and thematic depth make it a compelling piece for language learners and music lovers alike.

[English]

White on white

Light, sublime, subliminal

The void is clean

A cell but not for a criminal

Light and shade

Time and space

M. I. N. I. M. A. L.

Minimal Minimal

M. I. N. I. M. A. L.

Minimal Minimal

Draw a line

More is less is minimal

Form, earth, life

Decide something less decisional

Light and shade

Time and space

M. I. N. I. M. A. L.

Minimal Minimal

M. I. N. I. M. A. L.

Minimal Minimal

An empty box

An open space

A single thought

Leaves a trace

An empty room

An open space

A single thought

Leaves a trace

Light and shade

Time and space

M. I. N. I. M. A. L.

Minimal Minimal

M. I. N. I. M. A. L.

Minimal Minimal

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
white /waɪt/ A1	adjective - of the color of milk or fresh snow noun - a white color or pigment
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible adjective - of little weight; not heavy
sublime /səˈblaɪm/ C1	adjective - of very great excellence or beauty
void /vɔɪd/ B2	noun - a completely empty space
clean /kliːn/ A2	adjective - free from dirt, marks, or stains verb - make (something or someone) free of dirt, marks, or unwanted matter
cell /sel/ B1	noun - the smallest structural and functional unit of an organism
criminal /ˈkrɪmɪnəl/ B2	noun - a person who has committed a crime
shade /ʃeɪd/ B1	noun - relative darkness and coolness caused by shelter from direct sunlight
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole
space /speɪs/ A2	noun - a continuous area or expanse which is free, available, or unoccupied
minimal /ˈmɪnɪməl/ B2	adjective - of a minimum amount, quantity, or degree; negligible
draw /drɔː/ A2	verb - produce (a picture or diagram) by making lines and marks on paper, etc., with a pencil, pen, etc.
line /laɪn/ A1	noun - a long, narrow mark or band
form /fɔːrm/ A2	noun - the visible shape of something
earth /ɜːrθ/ A1	noun - the planet on which we live
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
decide /dɪˈsaɪd/ A2	verb - come to a resolution in the mind as a result of consideration
empty /ˈempti/ A2	adjective - containing nothing; not filled or occupied verb - remove all the contents of (a container)
open /ˈoʊpən/ A1	adjective - having no barrier preventing access
single /ˈsɪŋɡl/ A2	adjective - only one
thought /θɔːt/ A2	noun - an idea or opinion produced by thinking, or occurring suddenly in the mind
trace /treɪs/ B1	noun - a mark or other sign of evidence of the past
room /ruːm/ A1	noun - space that can be occupied or where something can be done

Key Grammar Structures

• Light, sublime, subliminal

  ➔ Use of parallel adjectives to describe a noun

  ➔ The adjectives 'sublime' and 'subliminal' are used in parallel to emphasize different qualities.

• The void is clean

  ➔ Use of simple present tense to state a fact or general truth

  ➔ The sentence states a general truth about the 'void' using simple present tense.

• Draw a line

  ➔ Imperative sentence giving a command or instruction

  ➔ The phrase is in imperative form, instructing someone to 'draw a line'.

• More is less is minimal

  ➔ Use of comparative and correlative structure to emphasize minimalism

  ➔ The phrase employs a comparative structure, linking 'more' and 'less' to 'minimal'.

• An open space

  ➔ Use of indefinite article 'an' + noun to introduce a concept

  ➔ The phrase uses 'an' + noun to introduce an abstract concept of space.

• A single thought Leaves a trace

  ➔ Use of indefinite article 'a' + singular noun to describe an individual item or idea

  ➔ The phrase uses 'a' + singular noun to refer to one specific thought, emphasizing its uniqueness.