On Melancholy Hill – English Lyrics

• By: Gorillaz

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the ethereal world of Gorillaz with "On Melancholy Hill," a beautifully melancholic track that offers a unique lens into English lyricism. This song, with its gentle synth-pop melodies and introspective words, provides an excellent opportunity to explore nuanced English vocabulary related to emotions, relationships, and societal commentary. Its deceptively simple structure hides deeper meanings, making it perfect for understanding how subtle phrasing can convey complex feelings. Learn to appreciate the artistry of storytelling through song, and discover how a "plastic tree" can speak volumes about our modern condition, all while enhancing your English comprehension.

[English]

Up on Melancholy Hill

There's a plastic tree

Are you here with me?

Just looking out on the day

Of another dream

Well you can't get what you want

But you can get me

So let's set out to sea, love

'Cause you are my medicine

When you're close to me

When you're close to me

...

So call in the submarines

'Round the world we'll go

Does anybody know, love

If we're looking out on the day

Of another dream?

...

If you can't get what you want

Then come with me

...

Up on Melancholy Hill

Sits a manatee

Just looking out for the day

When you're close to me

When you're close to me

When you're close to me

...

Key Grammar Structures

• There's a plastic tree

  ➔ Existential 'There is/are'

  ➔ The phrase "There's" (a contraction of "There is") is used to state the existence of something, often introducing a new subject. It indicates that 'a plastic tree' exists on Melancholy Hill.

• Just looking out on the day

  ➔ Present Participle Phrase (Reduced Clause)

  ➔ The phrase "looking out on the day" is a present participle phrase that acts as a reduced clause, implying 'we are looking out' or 'while we are looking out'. It describes an ongoing action.

• Well you can't get what you want

  ➔ Noun Clause with 'what' (Relative Pronoun)

  ➔ The clause "what you want" acts as a noun clause, functioning as the direct object of 'get'. 'What' here means 'the thing(s) that'.

• So let's set out to sea, love

  ➔ 'Let's' for suggestions

  ➔ The contraction "let's" (from 'let us') is used to make a suggestion or proposal that includes the speaker and the listener(s). It's a common way to initiate a shared activity.

• When you're close to me

  ➔ Adverbial Clause of Time with 'when'

  ➔ The word "When" introduces an adverbial clause that specifies the time at which the main action occurs. Here, it indicates the condition under which the speaker feels the other person is their 'medicine'.

• So call in the submarines

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ The verb "call" is in the imperative mood, used to give commands, instructions, or make requests directly. The subject 'you' is implied.

• 'Round the world we'll go

  ➔ Future Simple with 'will' (Spontaneous Decision/Prediction)

  ➔ "we'll go" (short for 'we will go') uses the future simple tense with 'will', indicating a spontaneous decision or a prediction about a future action the speaker intends to take.

• Does anybody know, love / If we're looking out on the day

  ➔ Noun Clause with 'if' (Indirect Question)

  ➔ The word "If" introduces a noun clause that functions as the object of the verb 'know'. It's an indirect way of asking a yes/no question, typically following verbs like 'ask', 'wonder', or 'know'.

• If you can't get what you want / Then come with me

  ➔ Conditional Sentence (Type 0/1)

  ➔ This is a conditional sentence where "If you can't get what you want" presents a real or very probable condition, and "Then come with me" is the direct consequence or instruction. It combines elements of Type 0 (general truth/instruction) and Type 1 (real possibility).

• Sits a manatee

  ➔ Inversion (Adverbial Phrase + Verb + Subject)

  ➔ This sentence uses inversion, where the verb "sits" comes before its subject "a manatee". This structure is often used for emphasis or when a sentence begins with an adverbial phrase of place (e.g., 'Up on Melancholy Hill').