Shadows – English Lyrics

• By: Tinie Tempah, Bipolar Sunshine
• Album: Youth

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the English language through Tinie Tempah's introspective track 'Shadows.' The song offers a chance to learn contemporary British slang and reflective vocabulary within the context of a heartfelt message. What makes this song special is its blend of honest lyricism and a smooth, melodic chorus, providing a unique and engaging way to experience modern English.

[English]

You are more than able,

Of cutting through the cable

But I see your angel,

Don't act young and wasteful

Come to the garden and let your guard down

Come to your senses it will all be clear

Yeah, yeah (ah)

I tell these stunners I'm stone cold and Austin Powers

Too busy working, all my niggas talking about power

I made a vow that I won't end up like Kenny Powers

When the money goes and friendships turn sour

Still rapping with soul cause I never sold mine

For the whole time did it without a co-sign

They can't approach their shit the way I approach mine

Dumi knew that he stumbled on a goldmine

They think you bust and it's all roses and daffodils

I could have moved off ends, but I'm in Hackney still

I could have S-curled my hair, my hair is nappy still

I showed you the most how to make the most out of crappy deal

Opened doors everybody getting signed now

I'm having dinner with greatest of all times now

I never do it off of the top, still gotta write it down

Ask the hackers, all the bars is on my iCloud

Still fresher than Brooke Beckham and Ash Ketchum

Took my 'ghini back to Plumstead and back to Peckham

Today's beef then tomorrow your friends

Rappers follow you, unfollow you, then follow you again

Don't let no writers in my ghost sound borrow no pen

I tell him a man his face I got a problem with him, straight

Uh, I can take your girl in woven sandals

And turn her to Naomi Campbell

Horror stories, I'm so weary of divorce

I might move to North Korea because my career is headed north

You ain't see us in the wagon then I swear it was the Porsche

Take my niggas to LA where this ain't against the law

I ain't scared of no lawsuit, word to my tailor

I didn't even ask Calvin when he took us out to Vegas

They wanna see us down, they don't want see us up

And when Harry cuts his hair, whole world going nuts

You are more than able, of cutting through that cable

But I see your angel, don't act young and wasteful

Come to the garden and let your guard down

Come to your senses it will all be clear

I just wanna be the light you wanna see

The star in your eyes, the glimmer in the shadow

I just wanna be the light you wanna see

The star in your eyes, the glimmer in the shadow

Let me roll with you and I can find

Let me roll with you, all the pieces in your grand design

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
shadows /ˈʃædoʊz/ B1	noun - dark areas or shapes produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
cable /ˈkeɪbəl/ B1	noun - a thick rope of wire or steel used for construction, support, or electrical transmission.
wasteful /ˈweɪstfəl/ B2	adjective - using or spending too much; not careful in managing resources.
guard /ɡɑːrd/ B1	noun - a person or thing that protects or watches over something; a state of being watchful. verb - to protect someone or something from danger or harm.
power /ˈpaʊər/ A2	noun - the ability to do something or act in a particular way; strength or influence.
vow /vaʊ/ B2	noun - a solemn promise or oath. verb - to promise solemnly.
sour /ˈsaʊər/ B1	adjective - having an acidic taste like lemon or vinegar; unpleasant or unfriendly.
soul /soʊl/ B2	noun - the spiritual or immortal part of a person; emotional or intellectual energy or intensity.
goldmine /ˈɡoʊldmaɪn/ C1	noun - a place where gold is mined; a source of great wealth or valuable information.
crappy /ˈkræpi/ C1	adjective - of very poor quality; unpleasant. (informal)
hackers /ˈhækərz/ B2	noun - people who use computers to gain unauthorized access to data (plural of hacker).
beef /biːf/ C1	noun - (slang) a complaint or grievance, especially one that leads to a dispute or conflict.
borrow /ˈbɒroʊ/ A2	verb - to take and use something belonging to someone else with the intention of returning it.
weary /ˈwɪəri/ B2	adjective - feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep; feeling or showing a lack of enthusiasm for something.
lawsuit /ˈlɔːsuːt/ C1	noun - a claim or dispute brought to a court of law for adjudication.
nuts /nʌts/ C1	adjective - (slang) mad; insane; extremely enthusiastic.
glimmer /ˈɡlɪmər/ C1	noun - a faint or wavering light; a faint or small sign of something good or hopeful. verb - to shine faintly with a wavering light.
design /dɪˈzaɪn/ B1	noun - a plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of something before it is made; a purpose, planning, or intention that exists behind an action or object. verb - to plan and make a drawing or drawings of something that is to be made.
approach /əˈproʊtʃ/ B2	verb - to come near or nearer to (someone or something) in distance or time; to speak to someone for the first time about something, typically a proposal or request. noun - a way of dealing with something; a path or road that leads to a place.
sandals /ˈsændlz/ B1	noun - light shoes with either an openwork upper or straps attaching the sole to the foot (plural of sandal).

Key Grammar Structures

• You are more than able, of cutting through the cable

  ➔ Comparative structure with 'more than'

  ➔ The phrase 'more than able' uses 'more than' to emphasize capability beyond a certain level.

• Don't act young and wasteful

  ➔ Imperative mood with 'don't'

  ➔ The use of 'don't' in 'Don't act young and wasteful' creates a direct command or advice.

• I made a vow that I won't end up like Kenny Powers

  ➔ Future in the past with 'wouldn't'

  ➔ The phrase 'I won't end up' uses 'wouldn't' to express a future action from a past perspective.

• I could have moved off ends, but I'm in Hackney still

  ➔ Past perfect modal with 'could have'

  ➔ 'Could have moved' indicates a past possibility that did not occur.

• I tell him a man his face I got a problem with him, straight

  ➔ Colloquial ellipsis

  ➔ The sentence uses ellipsis to omit words for a more casual tone.

• I might move to North Korea because my career is headed north

  ➔ Modal verb 'might' for possibility

  ➔ 'Might move' expresses a possible future action.

• I just wanna be the light you wanna see

  ➔ Colloquial contraction 'wanna'

  ➔ 'Wanna' is a colloquial contraction of 'want to'.

• Let me roll with you and I can find

  ➔ Coordination with 'and'

  ➔ The use of 'and' connects two independent clauses.