So I – English Lyrics

• By: Charli XCX

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw and heartfelt language of 'So I,' a beautiful tribute to Charli XCX's late friend SOPHIE. The song's simple yet profoundly emotional vocabulary and direct expressions of regret and grief offer a unique opportunity to learn how to articulate deep, complex feelings in English.

[English]

Always on my mind

(Every day, every night)

Your star burns so bright

(Why did I push you away?)

I was scared sometimes

You had a power like a lightnin' strike

When I'm on stage, sometimes I lie

Say that I love singin' these songs you left behind

(And I know you always said) "It's okay to cry"

So, I know I can cry, I can cry, so I cry

Wish I tried to pull you closer

You pushed me hard, made me focus

Your words, brutal, lovin', truthful

I was petrified

You're a hero and a human

Track was gone, I'd make excuses

You would say, "Come on, stay for dinner"

I'd say, "No, I'm fine"

(Now I really wish I stayed)

Always on my mind

(Every day, every night)

Your star burns so bright

(Why did I push you away?)

I was scared sometimes

You had a power like a lightnin' strike

When I'm on stage, sometimes I lie

Say that I love singin' these songs you left behind

(And I know you always said) "It's okay to cry"

So, I know I can cry, I can cry, so I cry

Guilty feelings keep me fractured

Got a phone call after Christmas

Didn't know how I should act

I watched you dance online

Your sounds, your words live on, endless

When I make songs, I remember

Things you'd suggest, "Make it faster"

Would you like this one?

(Maybe just a little bit?)

Always on my mind

(Every day, every night)

Your star burns so bright

(Why did I push you away?)

I was scared sometimes

You had a power like a lightnin' strike

When I'm on stage, sometimes I lie

Say that I love singin' these songs you left behind

(And I know you always said) "It's okay to cry"

So, I know I can cry, I can cry, so I cry

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
star /stɑːr/ A1	noun - a luminous point in the sky
burn /bɜːn/ A2	verb - to be on fire; to emit heat or light
bright /braɪt/ A2	adjective - giving out a lot of light; shining
power /ˈpaʊər/ B1	noun - ability or capacity to do something; strength
lightning /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/ B2	noun - a flash of electric discharge in the sky
strike /straɪk/ B2	verb - to hit forcibly
stage /steɪdʒ/ B1	noun - a platform where performances are given
lie /laɪ/ A2	verb - to say something false intentionally
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to feel deep affection for someone or something
sing /sɪŋ/ A1	verb - to produce musical sounds with the voice
cry /kraɪ/ A1	verb - to shed tears, usually because of emotion
scared /skɛəd/ A2	adjective - feeling fear or anxiety
petrify /ˈpɛtrɪfaɪ/ C1	verb - to turn into stone; to make extremely frightened
brutal /ˈbruːtəl/ B2	adjective - extremely cruel or harsh
truthful /ˈtruːθfəl/ B2	adjective - telling the truth; honest
hero /ˈhɪərəʊ/ B1	noun - a person admired for brave acts or noble qualities
human /ˈhjuːmən/ A2	noun - a member of the species Homo sapiens
feelings /ˈfiːlɪŋz/ B1	noun - emotions or sentiments
fractured /ˈfræktʃəd/ C1	adjective - broken or cracked; divided
Christmas /ˈkrɪsməs/ A2	noun - Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ

Key Grammar Structures

• Always on my mind (Every day, every night)

  ➔ Present continuous in parentheses

  ➔ The phrase "(Every day, every night)" uses the present continuous to emphasize ongoing actions, highlighting the constant presence of the thought.

• Why did I push you away?

  ➔ Past simple with question word

  ➔ The question "Why did I push you away?" uses the past simple with the question word "why" to inquire about a past action and its reason.

• I was scared sometimes

  ➔ Past continuous for temporary emotion

  ➔ The phrase "I was scared sometimes" uses the past continuous to describe a temporary emotional state in the past.

• You had a power like a lightning strike

  ➔ Past simple with simile

  ➔ The sentence uses the past simple with a simile ("like a lightning strike") to vividly describe the intensity of the power.

• When I'm on stage, sometimes I lie

  ➔ Present simple in conditional clause

  ➔ The clause "When I'm on stage" uses the present simple in a conditional context to describe a habitual action under a specific condition.

• So, I know I can cry, I can cry, so I cry

  ➔ Repetition for emphasis

  ➔ The repetition of "I can cry" emphasizes the speaker's realization and acceptance of their ability to express emotion.

• Your words, brutal, loving, truthful

  ➔ Appositive adjectives

  ➔ The adjectives "brutal, loving, truthful" are used in apposition to describe the nature of the words, providing additional detail.

• Would you like this one? (Maybe just a little bit?)

  ➔ Tag question and parenthesis

  ➔ The tag question "Maybe just a little bit?" is added in parentheses to soften the main question and express uncertainty.