She's Out of My Life – English Lyrics

• By: Michael Jackson
• Album: Off the Wall

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on an emotional journey with Michael Jackson's poignant ballad, "She's Out of My Life." This song offers a profound exploration of heartbreak and regret, showcased through Jackson's incredibly expressive vocals. Listen closely to the raw emotion in his voice – it's a masterclass in conveying deep feeling, making it a perfect track for understanding nuanced English expressions of sorrow and longing. Its clear, deliberate tempo and powerful delivery make the lyrics easy to follow, allowing you to connect deeply with the story and enhance your English comprehension through an unforgettable musical experience.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
laugh /læf/ A2	verb - to make sounds and movements of the face expressing amusement.
cry /kraɪ/ A2	verb - to shed tears, typically as an expression of sadness or pain.
live /lɪv/ A2	verb - to be alive.
die /daɪ/ A2	verb - to cease to live.
knife /naɪf/ A2	noun - a tool or weapon with a flat blade and a handle.
hands /hændz/ A1	noun - the part of the body at the end of the arms.
years /jɪrz/ A2	noun - a period of 365 or 366 days.
granted /ˈɡræntɪd/ B1	adjective - accepted as true or as existing.
cavalier /kævəˈlɪər/ B2	adjective - showing a lack of proper concern; flippant.
stands /stændz/ A2	verb - to be in or take a particular position.
learned /lɜːrnd/ B1	verb - gain or acquire knowledge of or skill in (something) by study, experience, or being taught.
love /lʌv/ A2	noun - an intense feeling of affection.
possession /pəˈzeʃn/ B2	noun - the state of having or controlling something.
expression /ɪkˈspreʃn/ B1	noun - the action of making one's thoughts, feelings, or ideas known.
indecision /ˌɪndɪˈsɪʒn/ B2	noun - the state of being unable to make a decision.
pride /praɪd/ B1	noun - a feeling of satisfaction in one's own achievements or qualities.
locked /lɒkt/ A2	verb - fastened with a lock.
deep /diːp/ B1	adjective - extending far down from the surface.

Key Grammar Structures

• She's out of my life

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense (contraction 'She's')

  ➔ The present perfect indicates an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. Here, the separation is a past event with ongoing emotional impact.

• I don't know whether to laugh or cry

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood (whether + infinitive)

  ➔ The subjunctive mood expresses uncertainty, doubt, or possibility. 'Whether' introduces a clause expressing a choice between two options, and the infinitive 'to laugh or cry' shows the potential actions.

• And it cuts like a knife

  ➔ Simile (using 'like')

  ➔ This is a simile, a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using 'like'. It emphasizes the intense pain of the loss.

• To think for two years, she was here

  ➔ Past Perfect Tense

  ➔ The past perfect ('was here') indicates an action completed before another action in the past (the present emotional state). It emphasizes the duration of her presence.

• I've learned that love needs expression

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense

  ➔ The present perfect ('I've learned') shows a past experience that has relevance to the present. The speaker is reflecting on a lesson learned from the past.

• Damned indecision and cursed pride

  ➔ Use of 'Damned' and 'Cursed' as Intensifiers

  ➔ These words are used as intensifiers to express strong negative emotions. They add emphasis to the speaker's regret and self-blame.

• I kept my love for her locked deep inside

  ➔ Past Simple Tense, Passive Voice (implied)

  ➔ The past simple ('kept') describes a completed action in the past. The phrase 'locked deep inside' implies a passive state – the love was contained and hidden by the speaker's actions.

• And she's out of my life

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense (repetition)

  ➔ The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the finality and permanence of the separation. It reinforces the central theme of the song.

• It's out of my hands

  ➔ Idiomatic Expression

  ➔ This is an idiomatic expression meaning that the speaker has no control over the situation. It conveys a sense of helplessness and resignation.