Sour Times – English Lyrics

• By: Portishead

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the smoky, noir-inspired world of Portishead to master English through atmosphere and emotion. 'Sour Times' is perfect for learners looking to understand how repetitive phrasing and evocative vocabulary can create a deep, cinematic mood, making it a special gateway into soulful, alternative songwriting.

[English]

♪ To pretend no one can find ♪

♪ The fallacies of morning rose ♪

♪ Forbidden fruit, hidden eyes ♪

♪ Courtesies that I despise in me ♪

♪ Take a ride, take a shot now ♪

♪ 'Cause nobody loves me, it's true ♪

♪ Not like you do ♪

♪ Covered by the blind belief ♪

♪ That fantasies of sinful screens ♪

♪ Bear the facts, assume the dye ♪

♪ End the vows, no need to lie, enjoy ♪

♪ Take a ride, take a shot now ♪

♪ 'Cause nobody loves me, it's true ♪

♪ Not like you do ♪

♪ Who am I, what and why ♪

♪ 'Cause all I have left is my memories of yesterday ♪

♪ Oh, these sour times ♪

♪ 'Cause nobody loves me, it's true ♪

♪ Not like you do ♪

♪ After time the bitter taste ♪

♪ Of innocence, decent or race ♪

♪ Scattered seeds, buried lives ♪

♪ Mysteries of our disguise revolve ♪

♪ Circumstance will decide ♪

♪ 'Cause nobody loves me ♪

♪ It's true ♪

♪ Not like you do ♪

♪ 'Cause nobody loves me ♪

♪ It's true ♪

♪ Not like you ♪

♪ Nobody loves me ♪

♪ It's true ♪

♪ Not like you do ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
pretend /prɪˈtend/ B1	verb - to behave as if something is true when it is not
fallacies /ˈfæləsiz/ C2	noun - a mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound argument
forbidden /fəˈbɪdn/ B2	adjective - not allowed; banned
courtesies /ˈkɜːrtəsiz/ C1	noun - polite behavior or gestures
despise /dɪˈspaɪz/ C1	verb - to feel a strong dislike or lack of respect for someone or something
fantasies /ˈfæntəsiz/ B2	noun - imaginary situations or desires
sinful /ˈsɪnfl/ C1	adjective - wicked or immoral
assume /əˈsuːm/ B2	verb - to suppose that something is true without proof
vows /vaʊz/ C1	noun - solemn promises
sour /ˈsaʊər/ B1	adjective - having an acid taste; unpleasant
bitter /ˈbɪtər/ B1	adjective - having a sharp, pungent taste; resentful
innocence /ˈɪnəsns/ B2	noun - lack of guilt or experience
decent /ˈdiːsnt/ B2	adjective - socially acceptable or respectable
scattered /ˈskætərd/ B2	adjective - thrown or spread over a wide area
mysteries /ˈmɪstriz/ B2	noun - things that are difficult to understand or explain
disguise /dɪsˈɡaɪz/ B2	noun - a means of altering one's appearance to conceal one's identity
revolve /rɪˈvɑːlv/ B2	verb - to move in a circle on a central axis
circumstance /ˈsɜːrkəmstæns/ B2	noun - a fact or condition connected with or relevant to an event
decide /dɪˈsaɪd/ A2	verb - to make a choice

Key Grammar Structures

• To pretend no one can find

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose / Subject

  ➔ "To pretend" functions as the subject of the implied sentiment of the song.

• Courtesies that I despise in me

  ➔ Defining Relative Clause

  ➔ "that" introduces a relative clause describing "courtesies".

• 'Cause nobody loves me, it's true

  ➔ Indefinite pronoun as subject

  ➔ "nobody" is an indefinite pronoun acting as the singular subject.

• Not like you do

  ➔ Pro-form (do)

  ➔ "do" is used here as a pro-verb to avoid repeating the verb "love".

• Covered by the blind belief

  ➔ Past Participle Phrase

  ➔ "Covered" functions as a passive participle modifying the subject.

• Who am I, what and why

  ➔ Wh- interrogative pronouns

  ➔ These words function as the head of interrogative structures.

• All I have left is my memories

  ➔ Relative clause with omitted 'that'

  ➔ "All (that) I have left" contains a relative clause where "that" is optional.

• Circumstance will decide

  ➔ Future tense with 'will'

  ➔ "will" is used here to indicate a future outcome or certainty.