Pusher – English Lyrics

• By: alt-J
• Album: This Is All Yours

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the nuanced language of longing and introspection with Alt-J's 'Pusher'. This song offers a rich vocabulary for expressing feelings of loneliness and the complexities of human relationships. Discover how vivid metaphors and thought-provoking questions about being a 'pusher' or 'puller' can deepen your understanding of English and emotional expression.

[English]

If you're willing to wait for the love of your life

Please wait by the line

And you know dispersive prisms rainbow

But my native optimism isn't broken by the light

The idea of life without company fell suddenly

It crashed through the ceiling on me

And pinned me to the pine

And layer upon layer of hope and doubt

Will crush bones to oil in time

Are you a pusher or are you a puller?

I pull the weight towards me

And I lack the zest of a lemon, looking forward

Unless I have a woman pushing me

A canopy of red-billed quelea

Passed over the blue

A five hour flock, not one dives down

To tell you the truth

As night falls, a quelea crawls

And whispers on his last wings:

So abundant are we, left alone I shall be

But a waited phone never rings

Are you a pusher or are you a puller?

I pull the weight towards me

And I lack the zest of a lemon, looking forward

Unless I have a woman pushing me

Are you a pusher or are you a puller?

We could hold hands for fifteen minutes in the sauna

We could hold hands for a pool length under water

I can push and pull

Her

If you're willing to wait for the love of your life

Please wait by the line

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
wait /weɪt/ A1	verb - to stay in one place until something happens or someone arrives
dispersive /dɪˈspɜːrsɪv/ C1	adjective - causing light or other waves to spread out
prism /ˈprɪzəm/ B2	noun - a transparent object with flat surfaces that refracts light
optimism /ˈɒptɪmɪzəm/ B2	noun - hopefulness and confidence about the future
crush /krʌʃ/ A2	verb - to press or squeeze something so hard that it breaks or is deformed
pusher /ˈpʊʃər/ B1	noun - a person who encourages or forces someone to do something
puller /ˈpʊlər/ B1	noun - a person who pulls something
zest /zɛst/ B2	noun - great enthusiasm and energy
canopy /ˈkænəpi/ B2	noun - a cover or roof-like structure
quelea /ˈkwɛliə/ C1	noun - a small African bird often found in large flocks
abundant /əˈbʌndənt/ B2	adjective - existing or available in large quantities
sauna /ˈsɔːnə/ A2	noun - a small room or building designed to be hot, where people sit to experience dry heat
flock /flɒk/ A2	noun - a group of birds, sheep, or other animals
whisper /ˈhwɪspər/ A2	verb - to speak very softly
doubt /daʊt/ A2	noun - a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction