Palo Santo – English Lyrics

• By: Years & Years
• Album: Odyssey

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the captivating world of Years & Years' "Palo Santo"! This track, central to their acclaimed second album, offers a rich landscape of modern English, infused with expressions of desire, identity, and raw emotion. You'll encounter vocabulary and phrasing that vividly convey complex feelings and explore contemporary discussions around sexuality and spirituality, making it a powerful and relevant song for language learners interested in nuanced lyrical storytelling and a blend of introspective and anthemic pop sounds.

[English]

You're the darkness in me

...

I...

I'm waking spirits tonight

And I can't hear your voice

I got nothing to hide

'Cause you're with another boy

And I'm carving the sky

I'm having visions manifesting us in time

So I arrive from the coast

I've got three more days

I know you want me the most

Want me in an altered state

I've been sleeping with ghosts

And I swallow medication

You should know

...

Strike a match and whisper my name (burning, burning)

Speak in tongues, bend me 'til I break (running, running)

And I'm giving in to your fever touch

Let it all begin when the fire starts

You're the darkness in me, Palo Santo

And the memories are filling up with smoke

You'll remember me and I start to choke

You're the darkness in me, Palo Santo

Oh (burning, burning)

Does the mark on my skin

Make you hot with shame?

'Cause I'm in love with the sin

And I know how to take the blame

And I let you win

Do I look good in this position, just like him?

Ooh

Strike a match and whisper my name (burning, burning)

Speak in tongues, bend me 'til I break (wanna bend me 'til I break)

And I'm giving in to your fever touch

Let it all begin when the fire starts

You're the darkness in me, Palo Santo

And the memories are filling up with smoke

You'll remember me and I start to choke

You're the darkness in me, Palo Santo

Ooh

I want, I want, I want all the danger

Come on, come on, come on, keep me craving

This sweet intoxication shakes my soul

I want, I want, I want entertainment

Come on, come on, come on, keep me craving

This sweet intoxication shakes my soul (my soul)

And I'm giving in to your fever touch

Let it all begin when the fire starts

You're the darkness in me, Palo Santo

And the memories are filling up with smoke

You'll remember me and I start to choke

You're the darkness in me, Palo Santo

(You're) You're the darkness

(You're) You're the darkness

You are the darkness in me, Palo Santo

You're (you are), you're the darkness (you are)

You're (you are), you're the darkness

You are the darkness in me, Palo Santo

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
darkness /ˈdɑːrk.nəs/ B2	noun - the absence of light
spirit /ˈspɪr.ɪt/ B1	noun - a non-physical part of a person
voice /vɔɪs/ A2	noun - the sound produced by humans when speaking
hide /haɪd/ A2	verb - to put something in a place where it cannot be seen
coast /koʊst/ B1	noun - the land along the edge of a sea or ocean
memory /ˈmem.ər.i/ B1	noun - the ability to remember information
fire /faɪər/ A2	noun - the heat and light produced by burning
shame /ʃeɪm/ B2	noun - a painful feeling of humiliation or distress
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - a strong feeling of affection verb - to have a deep affection for someone
danger /ˈdeɪn.dʒər/ B1	noun - the possibility of harm or injury
intoxication /ɪnˌtɒk.sɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ C1	noun - the state of being intoxicated, especially by alcohol
crave /kreɪv/ B2	verb - to have a strong desire for something
begin /bɪˈɡɪn/ A1	verb - to start or commence
whisper /ˈwɪs.pər/ B1	verb - to speak very softly

Key Grammar Structures

• I'm waking spirits tonight

  ➔ Present continuous tense

  ➔ The phrase "I'm waking" indicates an action happening right now.

• I got nothing to hide

  ➔ Simple past tense

  ➔ The phrase "I got" indicates a completed action in the past.

• Strike a match and whisper my name

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ The phrase "Strike a match" is a command or instruction.

• You'll remember me and I start to choke

  ➔ Future simple tense

  ➔ The phrase "You'll remember" indicates an action that will happen in the future.

• I want all the danger

  ➔ Simple present tense

  ➔ The phrase "I want" expresses a current desire or wish.

• Does the mark on my skin make you hot with shame?

  ➔ Present simple tense with question form

  ➔ The phrase "Does the mark make you" is a question about a current state.

• And I'm giving in to your fever touch

  ➔ Present continuous tense

  ➔ The phrase "I'm giving in" indicates an ongoing action or process.