Peace in L.A. – English Lyrics

• By: Tom Petty

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the powerful message of Tom Petty's "Peace in L.A." to understand a pivotal moment in American history through its direct and urgent lyrics. This song offers a unique opportunity to learn about socio-political vocabulary and expressions of unity and protest in English, making it special for its historical context and Petty's immediate, heartfelt response to crisis.

[English]

We need peace in L.A.

What happened was wrong.

We all feel betrayed.

We need peace in L.A.

Peace in L.A.

Peace in L.A.

We need peace in L.A.

Peace in L.A.

Peace in L.A.

Don't need beating and shooting.

Don't need burning and looting.

Tonight we all pray.

That our children are safe.

This hurt and frustration.

There's a hard realization.

But how can we help?

If we steal from our selves.

We need peace in L.A.

Peace in L.A.

Peace in L.A.

We need peace in L.A.

Peace in L.A.

Whatever they say.

Stay cool.

Don't be a fool.

Stay cool.

Don't be a fool.

Stay cool.

Don't be a fool.

At the end of our rope.

Justice goes up in smoke.

But if we all play the game.

We'll end up a joke.

We need peace in L.A.

Peace in L.A.

Peace in L.A.

We need peace in L.A.

Peace in L.A.

Peace in L.A.

And all over the world.

We need peace in L.A.

Whatever they say.

We need peace in L.A.

Peace in L.A.

We need peace in L.A.

Peace in L.A.

Everyday.

We need peace in L.A.

Peace in L.A.

Stay cool.

Don't be a fool.

Stay cool.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
peace /piːs/ A2	noun - freedom from disturbance; tranquility.
need /niːd/ A1	verb - require (something) because it is essential or very important. noun - the state of requiring help or support.
wrong /rɔːŋ/ A2	adjective - not correct or true. noun - an unfair or immoral act.
betrayed /bɪˈtreɪd/ B1	verb - be disloyal to.
beating /ˈbiːtɪŋ/ B1	noun - an act of hitting someone repeatedly.
shooting /ˈʃuːtɪŋ/ B1	noun - the act of firing a gun or other weapon.
burning /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/ A2	noun - the act of setting something on fire.
looting /ˈluːtɪŋ/ B2	noun - the act of stealing goods from a place, typically during a war or riot.
pray /preɪ/ A2	verb - address a religious figure or deity.
children /ˈtʃɪldrən/ A1	noun - young human being below the age of puberty or below the legal age of adulthood.
safe /seɪf/ A1	adjective - protected from or not exposed to danger or risk; not likely to be harmed or lost.
hurt /hɜːrt/ A2	noun - physical pain or injury. verb - inflict physical pain or injury on (someone).
frustration /frʌˈstreɪʃən/ B2	noun - the feeling of being upset or annoyed as a result of being unable to change or achieve something.
realization /ˌrɪə.lə.zeɪˈʃən/ B2	noun - an act of becoming fully aware of something as a fact.
steal /stiːl/ A2	verb - take (another person's property) without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.
fool /fuːl/ A2	noun - a person who acts unwisely or is silly.
rope /rəʊp/ A2	noun - a length of thick cord made of twisted strands of hemp, sisal, or similar material, used for binding or tying.
justice /ˈdʒʌstɪs/ B1	noun - just behavior or treatment.
smoke /sməʊk/ A2	noun - a visible suspension of carbon or other particles in air, typically one emitted from a burning substance.
game /ɡeɪm/ A1	noun - an activity that one engages in for amusement or fun.
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth and all of its inhabitants.
everyday /ˈevrideɪ/ A1	adjective - used or happening every day or regularly.

Key Grammar Structures

• We need peace in L.A.

  ➔ Present Simple with 'need'

  ➔ The phrase 'We need peace in L.A.' uses the present simple tense with the modal verb 'need' to express a current and ongoing necessity.

• What happened was wrong.

  ➔ Past Simple with 'was'

  ➔ The sentence 'What happened was wrong.' uses the past simple tense with 'was' to describe a completed action in the past.

• We all feel betrayed.

  ➔ Present Simple with 'feel'

  ➔ The sentence 'We all feel betrayed.' uses the present simple tense with 'feel' to express a current emotional state.

• Don't need beating and shooting.

  ➔ Negative form with 'don't'

  ➔ The phrase 'Don't need beating and shooting.' uses the negative form with 'don't' to express the absence of necessity for certain actions.

• Stay cool. Don't be a fool.

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ The phrases 'Stay cool.' and 'Don't be a fool.' use the imperative mood to give direct commands or advice.

• If we all play the game, we'll end up a joke.

  ➔ First and Second Conditional

  ➔ The sentence uses the first conditional ('if we all play the game') and the second conditional ('we'll end up a joke') to express possible outcomes based on conditions.