Nuance – English Lyrics

• By: Alec Benjamin
• Album: (Un)Commentary

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the subtle layers of relationships and societal shifts with Alec Benjamin's 'Nuance.' This introspective song invites you to reflect on the importance of individuality and detailed understanding, encouraging a deeper connection with the world around you through its poignant lyrics and gentle melody.

[English]

Da-dum, da-dum

Ba-ba-da-dum

Nuance was an old friend that everyone forgot

After graduation he became an afterthought

We threw a cocktail party and just left nuance out

Of the conversation, must have lost his invitation

In the mail, in the mail

The all-too-familiar tale

Of growin' up and closin' off and losin' touch

Mm-mm

I used to talk about the world

I used to talk about life with nuance

I used to see word from the trees

I used to be alright with nuance

But I've got some nuance, don't want to be seen

With nuance, I've moved on, it's just not for me

Don't wanna talk about the world

Don't wanna talk about life with nuance

Anymore, anymore, mm

Da-da-dum-dum-da-dum

Nuance was an old friend that had a lot to say

Sharing his opinions, used to listen in those days

But I threw a cocktail party and just left nuance out

Of the conversation, must have lost his invitation

In the mail, in the mail

The all-too-familiar tale

Of growin' up and closin' off and losin' touch

Mm-mm

I used to talk about the world

I used to talk about life with nuance

I used to see word from the trees

I used to be alright with nuance

But I've got some nuance, don't want to be seen

With nuance, I've moved on, it's just not for me

Don't wanna talk about the world

Don't wanna talk about life with nuance

Anymore, anymore, mm

Da-da-dum-dum-da-dum

And if I do ever see him

Run into him at a café

And he asks me why I don't call him

I'll have nothing with nuance to say

I'll have nothing with nuance to say

I used to talk about the world

I used to talk about life with nuance

I used to see word from the trees

I used to be alright with nuance

But I've got some nuance, don't want to be seen

With nuance, I've moved on, it's just not for me

Don't wanna talk about the world

Don't wanna talk about life with nuance

Anymore, anymore, mm

Da-da-dum-dum-da-dum

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
nuance /ˈnjuːɑːns/ B2	noun - a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound
graduation /ˌɡrædʒuˈeɪʃən/ A2	noun - the ceremony at which students receive their diplomas
afterthought /ˈɑːftərθɔːt/ C1	noun - an idea that occurs to one after a matter has been decided or done
cocktail /ˈkɒkteɪl/ A2	noun - a mixed drink containing alcohol
conversation /ˌkɒn.vərˈseɪ.ʃən/ A1	noun - a talk between two or more people
invitation /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/ A2	noun - a request to be present or to take part in something
familiar /fəˈmɪliər/ A2	adjective - well known from long or close association
growin' /ˈɡroʊɪŋ/ A1	verb - to develop or increase in size, age, or degree
closin' /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/ A2	verb - to move or cause something to move into a position that blocks an opening
losin' /ˈluːzɪŋ/ A1	verb - to no longer have something or be unable to find it
opinion /əˈpɪnɪən/ A2	noun - a view or judgment formed about something
listen /ˈlɪsən/ A1	verb - to give one's attention to a sound
café /kæˈfeɪ/ A1	noun - a small restaurant where drinks and snacks are sold
alright /ɔːlˈraɪt/ A1	adjective - satisfactory or acceptable
moved /muːvd/ A1	verb - to change one's position or place

Key Grammar Structures

• Nuance was an old friend that everyone forgot

  ➔ Past Simple + Relative Clause

  ➔ In this sentence the verb "was" is the past simple of "be". The phrase "that everyone forgot" is a relative clause describing "friend".

• After graduation he became an afterthought

  ➔ Past Simple (linking verb)

  ➔ The verb "became" is the past simple of "become", used here as a linking verb to describe his new status.

• We threw a cocktail party and just left nuance out

  ➔ Coordinated Past Simple Verbs

  ➔ "threw" and "left" are both past simple verbs joined by the conjunction "and".

• must have lost his invitation

  ➔ Modal perfect (must have + past participle)

  ➔ "must have" expresses a strong assumption about the past, followed by the past participle "lost".

• Of the all-too-familiar tale of growin' up and closin' off and losin' touch

  ➔ Gerund phrase (multiple gerunds)

  ➔ "growin'", "closin'" and "losin'" are gerunds functioning as nouns within the phrase.

• I used to talk about the world

  ➔ "used to" + infinitive (habitual past)

  ➔ "used to" indicates a regular action in the past; here it is followed by the infinitive "talk".

• I've got some nuance, don't want to be seen

  ➔ Present perfect (have got) + negative infinitive + passive infinitive

  ➔ "I've got" is present perfect meaning "I have". "don't want to be seen" uses a negative infinitive "don't want" followed by the passive infinitive "to be seen".

• If I do ever see him

  ➔ Emphatic present simple with "do"

  ➔ "do" is added before the verb "see" to give emphasis to the conditional clause.

• I'll have nothing with nuance to say

  ➔ Future simple (will + base verb)

  ➔ "I'll have" uses "will" + base verb "have" to express a future intention or prediction.