Scream – English Lyrics

• By: Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is an immersive experience, and Michael and Janet Jackson's “Scream” offers a unique opportunity to explore raw, powerful emotions in English. The song's direct and confrontational lyrics provide a clear window into the artists' feelings about fame and injustice, making the language both accessible and deeply meaningful. What makes “Scream” special is its fusion of iconic voices in a passionate, cathartic anthem that remains as relevant today as it was at its release.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
tired /ˈtaɪərd/ A2	adjective - feeling a need to rest or sleep
injustice /ɪnˈdʒʌstɪs/ B2	noun - lack of fairness or justice
scheme /skiːm/ B1	noun - a plan, especially a secret one verb - to make a plan
lie /laɪ/ A2	noun - an intentionally false statement verb - to not tell the truth
kick /kɪk/ A2	verb - to strike with the foot
system /ˈsɪstəm/ B1	noun - a set of connected things
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - brightness
prove /pruːv/ B1	verb - to show something is true
soul /soʊl/ B2	noun - the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being
stronger /ˈstrɒŋɡər/ A2	adjective - having or showing great strength
fight /faɪt/ A2	noun - a physical contest verb - to try to win in a contest
confusion /kənˈfjuːʒn/ B1	noun - the state of being bewildered or unclear
abuse /əˈbjuːs/ B2	verb - to treat someone badly noun - physical or emotional harm
pressure /ˈpreʃər/ B1	noun - force or stress verb - to try to persuade someone to do something
insane /ɪnˈseɪn/ B2	adjective - mentally ill
scandalize /ˈskændəlaɪz/ C1	verb - to cause public outrage
mercy /ˈmɜːrsi/ B1	noun - compassion or forgiveness

Key Grammar Structures

• Tired of injustice

  ➔ Adjective + Noun

  ➔ This is a simple construction using an adjective ('tired') to describe a noun ('injustice'). It's a common and straightforward grammatical structure.

• I got to get up

  ➔ Modal Verb (got to) + Infinitive

  ➔ 'Got to' functions as a modal verb expressing necessity or obligation. It's followed by the base form of the verb 'get up'.

• You tell me I'm wrong

  ➔ Indirect Speech (Reporting Verb + That Clause)

  ➔ This demonstrates indirect speech, where 'tell' is the reporting verb and 'I'm wrong' is the reported clause. The 'that' is often omitted in informal speech.

• You're sellin' out souls but I care about mine

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense (for ongoing action) + Contrast

  ➔ The present continuous 'You're sellin'' emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action. The 'but' creates a contrast between their actions and the speaker's values.

• Stop pressurin' me, just stop pressurin' with me

  ➔ Imperative Mood + Contraction

  ➔ This is an imperative sentence, giving a direct command. The contraction 'pressurin' with 'me' is informal and common in spoken language.

• With such confusions don't it make you wanna scream

  ➔ Inversion (Subject-Verb Order)

  ➔ The sentence uses inversion for emphasis. Normally it would be 'Don't such confusions make you...'. The inversion creates a more dramatic effect.

• Oh brother please have mercy

  ➔ Interjection + Imperative Mood

  ➔ This combines an interjection ('Oh brother') to express emotion with an imperative verb ('have mercy'), creating a plea for compassion.

• As I turned on the TV, this evening

  ➔ Past Simple Tense + Adverbial Phrase of Time

  ➔ The past simple tense ('turned') describes a completed action in the past. 'This evening' is an adverbial phrase specifying when the action occurred.