Reanimator – English Lyrics

• By: Joji, Yves Tumor
• Album: SMITHEREENS

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the enigmatic world of Joji and Yves Tumor's "Reanimator." This track from Joji's "Nectar" album is a fascinating journey through experimental electronic sounds and evocative lyrics that explore themes of societal emptiness and personal solace. Learning the English lyrics can help you grasp the song's nuanced message about finding meaning in a complex world, all while appreciating its unique, atmospheric blend of pop and avant-garde styles.

[English]

The sun is not the brightest thing

The choir sings

To an empty world of finer things

Even though it burns, you drown and sink

You know I am

Washing over you

...

Washing over you

...

It's not up to me

But it's alright if it makes you feel good

You can do this all night, it's not up to me

But it's alright if it makes you feel good

You can do this all night, but it's not up to me

But it's alright if it makes you feel good

You can do this all night, but it's not up to me

But it's alright, does it make you feel good all night?

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
sun /sʌn/ A1	noun - the star that provides light and heat to the Earth
bright /braɪt/ A2	adjective - giving off a lot of light; intelligent
sing /sɪŋ/ A1	verb - to produce musical sounds with the voice
choir /kwaɪər/ B1	noun - a group of people who sing together
empty /ˈɛmpti/ A1	adjective - containing nothing; not filled
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all of its countries, peoples, and natural features
fine /faɪn/ A2	adjective - of high quality; very good
burn /bɜːrn/ A2	verb - to be damaged or destroyed by fire
drown /draʊn/ B1	verb - to die by taking water into the lungs
sink /sɪŋk/ A2	verb - to go down below the surface or to the bottom of a liquid
wash /wɒʃ/ A1	verb - to clean something with water and soap
alright /ɔːlˈraɪt/ A2	adjective - satisfactory or acceptable
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - to experience an emotion or physical sensation
good /ɡʊd/ A1	adjective - of a high quality or standard
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise

Key Grammar Structures

• The sun is not the brightest thing

  ➔ negative present simple of 'to be'

  ➔ The verb "is not" is the negative form of the present simple of "to be", used to state a fact that is not true.

• The choir sings

  ➔ simple present (third‑person singular)

  ➔ "sings" is the simple present form for a third‑person singular subject, expressing a habitual or general action.

• Even though it burns, you drown and sink

  ➔ subordinate clause with "even though" + simple present

  ➔ "Even though" introduces a concessive clause; the verb "burns" is in the simple present, showing a factual situation.

• You know I am

  ➔ present simple with verb "know"

  ➔ "know" is in the simple present, expressing a state of knowledge; "I am" is a short clause with the verb "to be".

• It's not up to you

  ➔ idiomatic expression "up to" + negative present simple

  ➔ "It's not" is the negative present simple of "to be"; "up to" means "your responsibility or decision".

• But it's alright if it makes you feel good

  ➔ first conditional (if + present simple)

  ➔ "if" introduces a condition; the verb "makes" is in the present simple, typical of a real/possible condition.

• You can do this all night

  ➔ modal verb "can" + base verb (ability/possibility)

  ➔ "can" expresses ability or permission; it is followed by the base form "do".

• does it make you feel good all night?

  ➔ question formation with auxiliary "does" + base verb

  ➔ "does" is the auxiliary for third‑person singular; it precedes the subject "it" and the base verb "make" to form a yes/no question.

• Washing over you

  ➔ present participle phrase (‑ing form) used as a noun‑like clause

  ➔ "Washing" is a present participle; the whole phrase functions like a noun, describing an ongoing action affecting "you".