No Promises – English Lyrics

• By: Shayne Ward

Lyrics & Translation

Learn English through the emotive lyrics of Shayne Ward's "No Promises." This power ballad is special for its clear and heartfelt expression of love and vulnerability, making it a great song for learners to pick up vocabulary related to relationships and emotions. The song's central conflict between wanting forever and fearing promises offers a unique topic for discussion and understanding of nuanced feelings.

[English]

Hey baby, when we are together doing things that we love

...

Every time you're near, I feel like I'm in heaven, feeling high

I don't want to let go, girl (girl)

I just need you to know, girl (girl)

I don't wanna run away

Baby, you're the one I need tonight

No promises

Baby, now I need to hold you tight

I just wanna die in your arms here tonight

Hey baby, when we are together doing things that we love

Every time you're near, I feel like I'm in heaven, feeling high

I don't want to let go, girl (girl)

I just need you to know, girl (girl)

I don't wanna run away

Baby, you're the one I need tonight

No promises

Baby, now I need to hold you tight (hold you tight)

I just wanna die in your arms

I don't wanna run away

I want to stay forever through time and time

No promises

I don't wanna run away

I don't wanna be alone

No promises

Baby, now I need to hold you tight

Now and forever, my love

No promises

I don't wanna run away

Baby, you're the one I need tonight

No promises

Baby, now I need to hold you tight (hold you tight)

I just wanna die in your arms here tonight

I don't wanna run away

Baby, you're the one I need tonight

No promises (no)

Baby, now I need to hold you tight (hold you tight)

I just wanna die in your arms here tonight

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - an intense feeling of affection verb - to feel deep affection for someone
near /nɪər/ A2	adjective - close in distance
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - to experience an emotion or sensation
heaven /ˈhevən/ B1	noun - a place of supreme bliss and peace
high /haɪ/ A2	adjective - at or to a great distance above the ground adjective - affected by a drug
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot
need /niːd/ A1	verb - to require something because it is essential or very important noun - a thing that is essential or very important
tonight /təˈnaɪt/ A1	noun - the present night
promises /ˈprɒmɪsɪz/ B1	noun - declarations assuring that one will do something
hold /hoʊld/ A2	verb - to grasp and support something
tight /taɪt/ B1	adjective - closely stretched or fitting
die /daɪ/ A2	verb - to stop living
arms /ɑːrmz/ A1	noun - limbs of the human body
stay /steɪ/ A1	verb - to remain in the same place
forever /fərˈevər/ A2	adverb - for all future time; eternally
alone /əˈloʊn/ A2	adjective - having no one else present

Key Grammar Structures

• Hey baby, when we are together doing things that we love

  ➔ Present Simple (are) and Present Participle (doing) within a relative clause.

  ➔ The "are" indicates a state of being in the present. "doing things that we love" uses a present participle to describe the action being performed and a relative clause modifying "things".

• Every time you're near, I feel like I'm in heaven, feeling high

  ➔ Present Simple (you're, feel), prepositional phrase (in heaven), and present participle (feeling) as a reduced relative clause.

  ➔ "you're near" and "I feel" describe present actions/states. "feeling high" adds extra description to the sensation experienced.

• I don't want to let go, girl (girl)

  ➔ Present Simple Negative (don't want) + infinitive (to let go).

  ➔ Expresses a desire or intention in the present not to do something. "want to + verb" is a common structure for expressing desires.

• Baby, you're the one I need tonight

  ➔ Present Simple (you're, need) and relative clause (that) omitted.

  ➔ A statement of fact in the present. "You're" is a contraction of "you are." The 'that' in 'you're the one *that* I need' is often omitted in informal speech.

• No promises

  ➔ Noun phrase - absence of commitment; implied meaning of refusal to make guarantees about the future.

  ➔ This short phrase carries a significant weight. It means the speaker isn't willing to commit to any specific future actions or outcomes.

• Baby, now I need to hold you tight

  ➔ Present Simple (need) + infinitive (to hold) and adverb (tight).

  ➔ The verb "need" expressing a present necessity. The infinitive phrase "to hold you tight" explains what the speaker needs to do. The adverb "tight" modifies the verb "hold", indicating how the action should be performed.

• I just wanna die in your arms here tonight

  ➔ Informal "wanna" (want to) + infinitive (die), prepositional phrase (in your arms), and adverb of time (tonight).

  ➔ "wanna" is a colloquial contraction of "want to". The sentence expresses a strong desire or longing, using dramatic imagery. The prepositional phrase adds location to the action, and "tonight" specifies the time frame.

• I don't wanna run away

  ➔ Present Simple Negative (don't wanna) + infinitive (run away).

  ➔ "don't wanna" is an informal contraction of "do not want to". This expresses a clear decision in the present to avoid a certain action (running away).