Promises – English Lyrics

• By: Calvin Harris, Sam Smith
• Album: 96 Months

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the electrifying world of 'Promises' by Calvin Harris and Sam Smith, a vibrant dance-pop track that offers a fantastic opportunity to learn English through its clear, emotional lyrics. Its relatable themes of love and living in the moment, combined with a catchy beat and Sam Smith's distinctive vocals, make it an engaging and memorable song for language learners.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
fantasy /fæn.tə.si/ B2	noun - the faculty or activity of imagining things
carry /ˈkæri/ A2	verb - to hold and transport something verb - to bear or endure
express /ɪkˈspres/ B1	verb - to convey a thought or feeling in words or actions
accept /əkˈsept/ A2	verb - to receive or take willingly
drunk /drʌŋk/ B1	adjective - intoxicated by alcohol
ruined /ˈruːɪnd/ B2	adjective - destroyed or damaged beyond repair
free /friː/ A2	adjective - not under the control or power of another
promise /ˈprɒmɪs/ B1	noun - a declaration assuring that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen verb - to assure someone that one will definitely do something or that something will happen
magic /ˈmædʒɪk/ B1	noun - the power of apparently influencing events or people by supernatural means
air /eər/ A1	noun - the gaseous substance surrounding the earth
everything /ˈevriθɪŋ/ A2	pronoun - all things
loud /laʊd/ A2	adjective - producing a strong sound
body /ˈbɒdi/ A1	noun - the physical structure of a person or animal
heating /ˈhiːtɪŋ/ B1	verb - to become warm or hot
energy /ˈenədʒi/ B1	noun - the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity
control /kənˈtroʊl/ B1	noun - the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events
speeding /ˈspiːdɪŋ/ B1	verb - increase speed
heartbeat /ˈhɑːrtbiːt/ B2	noun - a rhythmic throbbing of the heart
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - the natural agent that makes things visible

Key Grammar Structures

• Are you drunk enough / Not to judge what I'm doing

  ➔ Present Participle as Adjective (drunk enough)

  ➔ Here, 'drunk' is a present participle acting as an adjective describing the state of being. 'Enough' modifies the adjective, indicating a sufficient degree of intoxication.

• I make no promises, I can't do golden rings

  ➔ Negative Statement with Modal Verb (can't)

  ➔ This line uses 'can't' as a modal verb to express inability. It signifies the speaker's lack of capacity to fulfill traditional commitments symbolized by 'golden rings'.

• But I'll give you everything tonight

  ➔ Future Simple with 'will'

  ➔ The use of 'will' indicates a future action – the speaker's intention to provide everything to the other person in the present moment (tonight).

• Magic is in the air, there ain't no science here

  ➔ Negative Contraction (ain't)

  ➔ 'Ain't' is a non-standard contraction of 'is not' or 'are not'. Its use here adds a casual and slightly poetic tone to the lyric.

• Cause I need your green light

  ➔ Idiomatic Expression (green light)

  ➔ 'Green light' is an idiom meaning permission or approval. The speaker needs the other person's consent to proceed.

• Day and night, say that you're mine

  ➔ Repetition for Emphasis

  ➔ The repetition of 'Day and night' emphasizes the speaker's constant desire and longing for the other person to declare their ownership.

• You're everything tonight, uh

  ➔ Subject Complement (everything)

  ➔ 'Everything' functions as a subject complement, describing the person being addressed. It emphasizes their importance and value to the speaker in that moment.

• I'm heating up

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense (dynamic verb)

  ➔ The present continuous tense 'I'm heating up' describes an action in progress, conveying a sense of increasing excitement or intensity.