Psycho Killer – English Lyrics

• By: Talking Heads

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the mind-bending world of Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer," a song that masterfully blends quirky new wave with a deep dive into psychological tension. Featuring memorable English lyrics alongside intriguing French phrases like "Qu'est-ce que c'est?" (What is this?), this track offers a unique opportunity to experience bilingual lyricism and the band's signature art-rock sound, making it a captivating way to explore the nuances of language in music.

[English]

I can't seem to face up to the facts

I'm tense and nervous and I can't relax

I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire

Don't touch me, I'm a real live wire

Psycho Killer

Qu'est-ce que c'est?

Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better

Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh-oh-oh

Psycho Killer

Qu'est-ce que c'est?

Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better

Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh, oh, oh, oh

Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya, ooh

...

You start a conversation, you can't even finish it

You're talking a lot, but you're not saying anything

When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed

Say something once, why say it again?

Psycho Killer

Qu'est-ce que c'est?

Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better

Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh-oh-oh

Psycho Killer

Qu'est-ce que c'est?

Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better

Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh, oh, oh, oh

Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya

Ce que j'ai fait, ce soir-là

...

Ce qu'elle a dit, ce soir-là

Réalisant mon espoir

Je me lance vers la gloire, okay

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

We are vain and we are blind

I hate people when they're not polite

Psycho Killer

Qu'est-ce que c'est?

Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better

Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh-oh-oh

Psycho Killer

Qu'est-ce que c'est?

Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better

Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh, oh, oh, oh

Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya, ooh

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
face /feɪs/ A2	verb - to deal with something noun - the front part of the head
facts /fækt/ B1	noun - something that is known to be true
tense /tɛns/ B2	adjective - unable to relax; feeling anxious
nervous /ˈnɜːrvəs/ B1	adjective - anxious
relax /rɪˈlæks/ A2	verb - to become less tense, anxious, or worried
sleep /sliːp/ A1	verb - to be in a state of rest noun - a state of rest
bed /bed/ A1	noun - a piece of furniture for sleeping on
fire /ˈfaɪər/ A1	noun - a state of combustion producing heat and light verb - to discharge a firearm
touch /tʌtʃ/ A2	verb - to put your hand or fingers on something noun - the sense of physical contact
live /lɪv/ A1	verb - to be alive adjective - not recorded
wire /ˈwaɪər/ B1	noun - a thin, flexible thread of metal
killer /ˈkɪlər/ B1	noun - a person or thing that kills
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot
away /əˈweɪ/ A1	adverb - to or at a distance from a particular place
start /stɑːrt/ A1	verb - to begin noun - the beginning
conversation /ˌkɒnvərˈseɪʃən/ B1	noun - a talk between two or more people
finish /ˈfɪnɪʃ/ A2	verb - to bring something to an end noun - the end
lips /lɪps/ A2	noun - the two fleshy parts forming the upper and lower edges of the mouth
sealed /siːld/ B2	adjective - closed or secured with a seal verb - to close something securely
vain /veɪn/ C1	adjective - having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth
blind /blaɪnd/ B2	adjective - unable to see verb - to deprive of sight
hate /heɪt/ A2	verb - to dislike intensely noun - intense dislike
polite /pəˈlaɪt/ A2	adjective - having or showing behaviour that is respectful and considerate of other people