Superstition – English Lyrics

• By: Stevie Wonder

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" and explore the nuances of the English language through its catchy lyrics and funky rhythm. This song, a blend of soul, pop, and R&B, not only teaches about common superstitions but also encourages critical thinking. Experience how Wonder's musical genius and social commentary come together in this timeless hit, offering both a linguistic and cultural lesson.

[English]

Very superstitious

Writing's on the wall

...

Very superstitious

...

Ladder's 'bout to fall

...

13-month-old baby

Broke the looking glass

Seven years of bad luck

The good things in your past

When you believe in things

That you don't understand

Then you suffer

Superstition ain't the way, yeah

...

Ooh, very superstitious

Wash your face and hands

Rid me of the problem

Do all that you can

Keep me in a daydream

Keep me going strong

You don't want to save me

Sad is my song

When you believe in things

You don't understand

Then you suffer

Superstition ain't the way, yeah

...

Very superstitious

Nothing more to say

Very superstitious

The devil's on his way

13-month-old baby

Broke the looking glass

Seven years of bad luck

Good things in your past

When you believe in things

That you don't understand

Then you suffer

Superstition ain't the way

...

No, no, no

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
superstition /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃən/ B2	noun - a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, or trust in magic or chance
believe /bɪˈliːv/ B1	verb - to accept something as true or real
suffer /ˈsʌfər/ B1	verb - to experience pain or distress
problem /ˈprɒbləm/ A2	noun - a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful
luck /lʌk/ A2	noun - success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions
glass /ɡlæs/ A1	noun - a hard, transparent substance used for making windows and bottles
devil /ˈdɛvəl/ B2	noun - a supernatural being, often associated with evil
dream /driːm/ A2	noun - a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep
strong /strɔːŋ/ B1	adjective - having power or strength
past /pæst/ A2	noun - the time before the present
writing /ˈraɪtɪŋ/ B1	noun - the activity or skill of marking coherent words on paper
fall /fɔːl/ A1	verb - to drop down from a higher place

Key Grammar Structures

• Very superstitious

  ➔ Adjective usage

  ➔ The word "superstitious" is an adjective describing a state of belief.

• Writing's on the wall

  ➔ Possessive form

  ➔ The phrase "Writing's" uses the possessive form to indicate that the writing belongs to the wall.

• Ladder's 'bout to fall

  ➔ Contraction and informal language

  ➔ The word "'bout" is a contraction of "about," commonly used in informal speech.

• Seven years of bad luck

  ➔ Prepositional phrase

  ➔ The phrase "of bad luck" is a prepositional phrase that describes the type of luck.

• When you believe in things

  ➔ Conditional clause

  ➔ The phrase "When you believe" introduces a conditional clause indicating a situation.

• Superstition ain't the way

  ➔ Colloquial contraction

  ➔ The word "ain't" is a colloquial contraction of "is not," often used in informal contexts.

• Wash your face and hands

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ The phrase "Wash your face and hands" is in the imperative mood, giving a command.