Numb – English Lyrics

• By: Pet Shop Boys

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the English language through the poignant and universally relatable theme of 'Numb'. This song, with its clear and emotive lyrics, offers a great opportunity to learn vocabulary related to feelings and the desire for escape. The contrast between the simple, direct lyrics and the complex orchestral arrangement makes it a special and memorable track for any language learner.

[English]

Don't wanna hear the news

What's going on

What's coming through

I don't wanna know, don't wanna know

Just wanna hide away

Make my escape

Just want the world

To leave me alone

Feels like I feel too much

I've seen too much

For a little while

I want to forget

I wanna be numb

I don't wanna feel this pain no more

Wanna lose touch

I just wanna go and lock the door

I don't wanna think

I don't wanna feel nothing

I wanna be numb

I just wanna be

Wanna be numb

Can't find no space to breathe

World's closing in

RIght on me now

Well that's how it feels, that's how it feels

There's too much light

There's too much sound

Wanna turn it off, wanna shut it out

I need some relief

Think that I think too much

I've seen too much

There is just too much

Thought in my head

I wanna be numb

I don't wanna feel this pain no more

Wanna lose touch

I just wanna go and lock the door

I don't wanna think

I don't wanna feel nothing

I wanna be numb

I just wanna be

Wanna be...

...taken away from all the madness

Need to escape, escape from the pain

I'm on the edge

About to lose my mind

For a little while, for a little while

I wanna be numb

I don't wanna think

I don't wanna feel nothing

I wanna be numb

I don't wanna feel this pain no more

Wanna lose touch

I just wanna go and lock the door

I don't wanna think

I don't wanna feel nothing

I wanna be numb

I just wanna be

Wanna be numb

Wanna be numb

All the madness

I wanna be numb

Key Grammar Structures

• I don't wanna hear the news

  ➔ Negative present simple with auxiliary *do* (contraction) + informal *wanna* = want to

  ➔ The word "don't" marks the negative, and "wanna" is the informal contraction of "want to".

• I want to forget

  ➔ Verb + infinitive (want + to‑infinitive)

  ➔ "to forget" is the infinitive complement of the verb "want".

• I just wanna go and lock the door

  ➔ Coordination of two infinitives with *and* after *wanna*

  ➔ "go" and "lock" are two infinitives linked by "and" after "wanna".

• There's too much light

  ➔ Existential *there* + *be* (there's = there is)

  ➔ "There's" is the contraction of "there is", used to introduce the existence of something.

• World's closing in

  ➔ Present progressive (be + -ing)

  ➔ "World's" is a contraction of "World is"; "closing" shows the -ing form indicating an ongoing action.

• I've seen too much

  ➔ Present perfect (have + past participle)

  ➔ "I've" = "I have"; "seen" is the past participle of "see", showing experience up to now.

• I'm on the edge

  ➔ Prepositional phrase with "on" after a linking verb

  ➔ "on the edge" is a prepositional phrase describing the speaker's state.

• About to lose my mind

  ➔ "be about to" + infinitive (future intention)

  ➔ "About to" indicates that the action "lose" is imminent.

• Can't find no space to breathe

  ➔ Double negative (informal) – *can't* + *no*

  ➔ "Can't" is the negative modal, and "no" adds another layer of negation, which is common in informal speech.