Stayin' Alive – English Lyrics

• By: Bee Gees
• Album: Saturday Night Fever

Lyrics & Translation

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
walk /wɔːk/ A1	verb - to move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn noun - a journey on foot
talk /tɔːk/ A1	verb - to say words aloud noun - conversation
music /ˈmjuːzɪk/ A1	noun - vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.
loud /laʊd/ A2	adjective - producing much noise
warm /wɔːrm/ A2	adjective - having or producing a comfortably high temperature verb - make or become warm
kicked /kɪkt/ A2	verb - to strike (someone or something) with the foot
born /bɔːrn/ A1	verb - having started life
look /lʊk/ A1	verb - to direct one's gaze toward someone or something or in a specified direction noun - an act of directing one's gaze
try /traɪ/ A2	verb - to make an attempt or effort to do something noun - an attempt or effort to do something
understand /ˌʌndərˈstænd/ B1	verb - to perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or a speaker)
city /ˈsɪti/ A1	noun - a large town
breakin' /ˈbreɪkɪn/ A1	verb - to separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain
shakin' /ˈʃeɪkɪn/ A2	verb - to move with quick, short movements
wings /wɪŋz/ A2	noun - a modified limb that enables an animal to fly.
heaven /ˈhevən/ A2	noun - a place regarded in various religions as the abode of God (or gods) and the angels, and of the good after death, often traditionally depicted as being above the sky.
shoes /ʃuːz/ A1	noun - an outer covering for the foot, typically made of leather or plastic and having a stiff or thick sole and heel.
lose /luːz/ A2	verb - be deprived of or cease to have or retain (something)
alive /əˈlaɪv/ A2	adjective - living, not dead
help /help/ A1	verb - give assistance or support to (someone) noun - the action of helping someone

Key Grammar Structures

• WELL, YOU CAN TELL BY THE WAY I USE MY WALK

  ➔ Modal verb "can" for ability/observation; Preposition "by" indicating means/method; Noun phrase "the way I use my walk"

  ➔ The sentence structure indicates that the speaker's walk is a recognizable characteristic. "Can" expresses the ability of others to recognize this characteristic. "By" explains how they can recognize it: "by" observing his walk.

• I'M A WOMAN'S MAN, NO TIME TO TALK

  ➔ Use of the possessive form 'woman's' to describe the type of man he is; Ellipsis (omission) of "I have" before "no time to talk".

  ➔ "Woman's man" implies he is attractive to and successful with women. The ellipsis emphasizes the urgency and lack of time.

• I'VE BEEN KICKED AROUND SINCE I WAS BORN

  ➔ Present Perfect Passive ("I've been kicked"); "Since" + past simple ("I was born") indicating a period starting in the past and continuing to the present.

  ➔ The use of the present perfect passive shows that the consequences of being mistreated since birth are still relevant. The focus is on the continuous nature of the hardship.

• AND NOW IT'S ALL RIGHT, IT'S OKAY

  ➔ Use of "it" as a dummy subject; Simple present tense to express a general truth or current state.

  ➔ "It" refers to the general situation or the speaker's circumstances. The repetition emphasizes acceptance or a sense of reconciliation with the past.

• BUT WE CAN TRY TO UNDERSTAND

  ➔ Modal verb "can" for possibility/ability; Infinitive of purpose ("to understand")

  ➔ "Can try" suggests an effort to attempt something, but without certainty of success. The infinitive "to understand" clarifies the aim of this effort.

• WHETHER YOU'RE A BROTHER OR WHETHER YOU'RE A MOTHER

  ➔ "Whether... or whether..." construction expressing alternatives; Present continuous tense ("you're" - you are) showing a temporary or general state.

  ➔ This construction presents two possible categories of people, emphasizing that the message applies to everyone, regardless of gender or familial role.

• FEEL THE CITY BREAKIN' AND EVERYBODY SHAKIN'

  ➔ Imperative verb "Feel" followed by accusative-infinitive construction ("the city breakin'", "everybody shakin'"); Present participle used as adjective (breakin', shakin').

  ➔ "Feel" encourages a sensory experience, emphasizing the chaotic and energetic atmosphere of the city. The present participles create a vivid and immediate picture of the ongoing action.

• LIFE GOING NOWHERE, SOMEBODY HELP ME

  ➔ Present participle phrase "Life going nowhere" acting as a reduced clause/exclamation; Imperative request "Somebody help me"

  ➔ The phrase "Life going nowhere" expresses a feeling of stagnation and hopelessness. The direct plea for help conveys desperation.