Periscope – English Lyrics

• By: Papa Roach, Skylar Grey
• Album: Crooked Teeth

Lyrics & Translation

'Periscope' offers a unique opportunity to explore the English language through its poignant and metaphorical lyrics. The song's narrative of emotional distance allows learners to engage with figurative language and vocabulary related to relationships and inner turmoil. The collaboration between a rock band and a pop-influenced singer also provides a diverse range of vocal styles and expressions, making it a special and engaging piece for language learners.

[English]

I want to feel your wreckage

It's a firestorm

I'm falling like a loaded weapon

In your arms

Paranoid it might be reckless

No matter what I say

It's only going to steal your breath

And slip away

I don't want to dive in first

You don't want to hear these words

It's only going to make it worse

You don't want to live that curse

You're telling me to keep my hope

Cause you've got a heart of gold

But maybe you should let me go

I'll love you through a periscope

...

You wear your heart so fearless

It's like it doesn't breathe

You push away my demons when they torture me

Don't think that I can fight this pressure

Pulling me underneath

It's like I've got the whole world tied around my feet

I don't want to dive in first

You don't want to hear these words

It's only going to make it worse

You don't want to live that curse

You're telling me to keep my hope

Because you've got a heart of gold

But maybe you should let me go

I'll love you through a periscope

Oh, through a periscope

Oh, I-I'll love you through a periscope

Oh, through a periscope

Oh, I-I'll love you through a periscope

I don't want to dive in first

You don't want to hear these words

It's only going to make it worse

You don't want to live that curse

You're telling me to keep my hope

Cause you've got a heart of gold

But maybe you should let me go

I'll love you through a periscope

Oh, through a periscope

Oh, I-I'll love you through a periscope

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - to experience an emotion or sensation
wreckage /ˈrekɪdʒ/ B2	noun - the remains of something that has been destroyed
firestorm /ˈfaɪərstɔːrm/ B2	noun - a large, intense fire that creates its own wind system
falling /ˈfɔːlɪŋ/ A1	verb - to move downwards
weapon /ˈwepən/ A2	noun - a thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage.
arms /ɑːmz/ A1	noun - the upper limbs of the human body, from the shoulder to the hand.
paranoid /ˈpærənɔɪd/ B2	adjective - suffering from paranoia; unduly suspicious or distrustful of others.
reckless /ˈrekləs/ B2	adjective - without thought or care for the consequences of an action; rash.
steal /stiːl/ A2	verb - take (something) without the owner's permission.
breath /breθ/ A2	noun - the air that is taken into or let out of the lungs.
slip /slɪp/ A2	verb - lose one's balance and slide for a short distance.
dive /daɪv/ A2	verb - plunge or move headfirst into water.
curse /kɜːrs/ B1	noun - a solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something. verb - use offensive words when talking to someone.
hope /həʊp/ A1	noun - a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. verb - want something to happen or be the case.
gold /ɡəʊld/ A1	noun - a yellow precious metal, the chemical element of atomic number 79.
periscope /ˈperɪskəʊp/ B2	noun - an optical instrument for viewing objects that are otherwise out of sight.
fearless /ˈfɪələs/ B2	adjective - lacking fear; brave.
breathe /briːð/ A1	verb - to take air into and expel it from the lungs; respire.
demons /ˈdiːmənz/ B2	noun - an evil spirit or devil, especially one who is believed to possess a person or act as a tormentor in hell.
torture /ˈtɔːrtʃər/ B2	verb - inflict severe physical or mental suffering on. noun - the action or practice of inflicting severe pain on someone as a punishment or in order to force them to do or say something.
pressure /ˈpreʃər/ B1	noun - continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it.
world /wɜːld/ A1	noun - the earth and all its inhabitants.
tied /taɪd/ A2	verb - fasten or secure (something) with a string or cord.
feet /fiːt/ A1	noun - the part of the leg below the ankle, on which a person stands or walks.

Key Grammar Structures

• I want to feel your wreckage

  ➔ Present Simple with 'want'

  ➔ The verb 'want' is in the Present Simple tense, indicating a general desire or state.

• I'm falling like a loaded weapon

  ➔ Present Continuous with 'be falling'

  ➔ The phrase 'I'm falling' uses the Present Continuous tense to describe an action happening now.

• No matter what I say

  ➔ Conditional phrase with 'no matter'

  ➔ The phrase 'no matter what I say' introduces a condition, emphasizing that the outcome is the same regardless of the action.

• It's only going to steal your breath

  ➔ Future with 'be going to'

  ➔ The phrase 'It's only going to steal your breath' uses 'be going to' to express a future action.

• You're telling me to keep my hope

  ➔ Present Continuous with 'be telling'

  ➔ The phrase 'You're telling me' uses the Present Continuous to describe an action happening now.

• But maybe you should let me go

  ➔ Modal verb 'should' for advice

  ➔ The modal verb 'should' is used to give advice or make a recommendation.

• I'll love you through a periscope

  ➔ Future with 'will'

  ➔ The phrase 'I'll love you' uses 'will' to express a future action or promise.

• You wear your heart so fearless

  ➔ Adverbial phrase 'so fearless'

  ➔ The phrase 'so fearless' acts as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb 'wear', indicating manner.