Strong – English Lyrics

• By: London Grammar
• Album: Californian Soil

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the lyrical depth of London Grammar's "Strong" and unlock a nuanced understanding of English expressions related to emotion, vulnerability, and resilience. This powerful track, with its haunting vocals and introspective lyrics, offers a unique opportunity to explore authentic English phrasing for complex feelings, such as feeling 'caught in the middle' or the contrast between how one appears and how they truly feel. Its poetic language and emotional candor make it a compelling piece for language learners to engage with the subtleties of English expression.

[English]

Excuse me for a while

While I'm wide-eyed

And I'm so damn caught in the middle

...

I excused you for a while

While I'm wide-eyed

And I'm so damn caught in the middle

...

And a lion, a lion roars, would you not listen?

If a child, a child cries, would you not forgive them?

Yeah I might seem so strong

Yeah I might speak so long

I've never been so wrong

...

Yeah I might seem so strong

Yeah I might speak so long

I've never been so wrong

...

Excuse me for a while

Turn a blind eye

With a stare caught right in the middle

...

Have you wondered for a while?

I have a feeling deep down

You're caught in the middle

...

If a lion, a lion roars, would you not listen?

If a child, a child cries, would you not forgive them?

Yeah I might seem so strong

Yeah I might speak so long

I've never been so wrong

...

Yeah I might seem so strong

Yeah I might speak so long

I've never been so wrong

Excuse me for a while

While I'm wide-eyed

And I'm so damn caught in the middle

...

Have you wondered for a while?

I have a feeling deep down

You're caught in the middle

...

Yeah I might seem so strong

Yeah I might speak so long

I've never been so wrong

Yeah I might seem so strong

Yeah I might speak so long

I've never been so wrong

...

Key Grammar Structures

• Excuse me for a while

  ➔ Imperative

  ➔ The base form **"Excuse"** is used to give a direct, polite request.

• While I'm wide‑eyed

  ➔ While‑clause + present progressive

  ➔ The conjunction **"While"** introduces a simultaneous action expressed with the present progressive **"am"** + **"wide‑eyed"**.

• I am so damn **caught** in the middle

  ➔ Past participle used as adjective (passive)

  ➔ The past participle **"caught"** functions as an adjective describing the subject’s state.

• If a lion, a lion roars, **would** you not listen?

  ➔ First conditional with modal "would" (polite rhetorical question)

  ➔ The modal **"would"** softens the request, turning a simple conditional into a polite, rhetorical question.

• **I've** never been so wrong

  ➔ Present perfect (negative)

  ➔ **I've** (I have) introduces the present perfect, linking a past experience (“never been”) to the present moment.

• **Have** you wondered for a while?

  ➔ Present perfect question

  ➔ **Have** is the auxiliary verb that forms the present perfect; the question asks about an experience up to now.

• **I might** seem so strong

  ➔ Modal verb + bare infinitive (possibility)

  ➔ **I might** expresses uncertainty; the verb **seem** follows directly without “to”.

• **Turn** a blind eye

  ➔ Imperative + idiomatic expression

  ➔ **Turn** is a command; “a blind eye” is an idiom meaning to ignore something deliberately.

• You're **caught** in the middle

  ➔ Passive voice (present simple)

  ➔ **caught** is a past participle forming a passive construction: the subject receives the action.