Strange Currencies – English Lyrics

• By: R.E.M.
• Album: Monster

Lyrics & Translation

[English]

I don't know why you're mean to me

When I call on the telephone

...

And I don't know what you mean to me

But I want to turn you on, turn you up, figure you out

I want to take you on

These words, "You will be mine"

These words, "You will be mine"

All the time

...

The fool might be my middle name

But I'd be foolish not to say

...

I'm going to make whatever it takes

Bring you up, call you down, sign your name, secret love

Make it rhyme, take you in, and make you mine

These words, "You will be mine"

These words, "You will be mine"

All the time, oh

I tripped and fell, and did I fall

What I want to feel

I want to feel it now

You know with love

Comes strange currencies

And here is my appeal

...

I need a chance, a second chance

A third chance, a fourth chance

A word, a signal, a nod, a little breath

Just to fool myself, to catch myself

To make it real, real

These words, "You will be mine"

These words, "You will be mine"

All the time, oh

These words, "You will be mine"

These words, they haunt me

Hunt me down, catch in my throat, make me pray

...

Say, love's confined, on Earth

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
call /kɔːl/ B1	verb - to communicate with someone by phone
want /wɒnt/ A1	verb - to desire something
make /meɪk/ A1	verb - to create or construct something
mine /maɪn/ B1	pronoun - belonging to me
fool /fuːl/ B1	noun - a person who acts unwisely verb - to trick or deceive someone
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - a strong feeling of affection
chance /tʃæns/ B1	noun - a possibility of something happening
signal /ˈsɪɡ.nəl/ B2	noun - an indication or sign
appeal /əˈpiːl/ B2	noun - a request for something to be done
strange /streɪndʒ/ B2	adjective - unusual or surprising
currencies /ˈkɜːr.ən.siːz/ C1	noun - systems of money in general use
haunt /hɔːnt/ B2	verb - to visit regularly or appear in a place often

Key Grammar Structures

• I don't know why you're mean to me

  ➔ Present Simple Tense

  ➔ The use of the phrase "I don't know" indicates uncertainty and is a common expression when someone is confused about another person's actions.

• I want to turn you on, turn you up, figure you out

  ➔ Infinitive phrases

  ➔ The use of the infinitive form "to turn" and "to figure" indicates intentions or desires.

• I need a chance, a second chance, a third chance

  ➔ Repetition for emphasis

  ➔ Repeating phrases like "a chance" emphasizes the speaker's desire or need for opportunities.

• You know with love comes strange currencies

  ➔ Present Simple Tense

  ➔ The present simple tense is used for general truths or facts, like stating what happens with love.

• These words, 'You will be mine'

  ➔ Direct speech

  ➔ Direct speech is used to quote someone's exact words, indicating strong feelings or commitment.

• What I want to feel

  ➔ Noun clause

  ➔ The clause "What I want to feel" serves as a noun, representing the subject's desire or need.