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The Human Race is runnin' over me 00:42
I punch a clock at 9 and 5 00:45
Just tryin' to make a livin' 00:48
A plastic face on satellite TV 00:50
Says, "Life is filled with give and take" 00:53
He's takin' and I'm givin' 00:55
So I dance 00:57
It's my system of survival (SOS) 00:58
Hey, I'm dancin' 01:01
System of survival (SOS) 01:02
It's a system of survival 01:05
Future revival 01:07
Greet the new arrival 01:09
It's a system of survival 01:12
Future revival 01:16
Greet the new arrival 01:18
At times it's the only way 01:22
I'm gonna make it through this day 01:25
Everybody get up 01:28
Do your dance 01:30
Keep survivin' 01:32
Everybody get up 01:35
Do your dance 01:38
Stay alive 01:40
01:43
System of survival 01:47
01:49
A city night 01:54
I walk a street in fear 01:55
While politicians brag about 01:57
A paperwork solution 01:59
Another life 02:01
I shed another tear 02:03
I'm waiting for somebody new 02:05
To lead the revolution 02:06
So I dance 02:08
It's my system of survival (SOS) 02:09
Hey, I'm dancin' 02:12
System of survival (SOS) 02:13
It's a system of survival 02:16
Future revival 02:19
Greet the new arrival 02:21
It's a system of survival 02:24
Future revival 02:27
Greet the new arrival 02:29
02:32
Everybody get up 02:40
Do your dance 02:42
Keep survivin' 02:44
Everybody get up 02:48
Do your dance 02:50
Stay alive 02:52
02:55
Let's work out 03:05
Let's work 03:08
Let's work 03:11
03:14
System of survival 03:25
03:28
System of survival 03:31
03:33
Oooh, yeah, yeah, yeah 03:37
03:42
System of survival 03:44
SOS, boom boom yeah yeah 03:49
SOS, yeah, yeah, yeah 03:56
Send it out, send it out, send it out 04:00
Send it out, send it out, send it out 04:04

System of Survival – English Lyrics

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By
Earth, Wind & Fire
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Lyrics & Translation

Discover how Earth, Wind & Fire's 'System of Survival' uses music and dance as a powerful language to navigate life's challenges. Explore the song's message of resilience and learn how its blend of funk, R&B, and social commentary made it a defining hit of the 80s. Perfect for understanding how art can reflect and uplift during turbulent times.

[English]
The Human Race is runnin' over me
I punch a clock at 9 and 5
Just tryin' to make a livin'
A plastic face on satellite TV
Says, "Life is filled with give and take"
He's takin' and I'm givin'
So I dance
It's my system of survival (SOS)
Hey, I'm dancin'
System of survival (SOS)
It's a system of survival
Future revival
Greet the new arrival
It's a system of survival
Future revival
Greet the new arrival
At times it's the only way
I'm gonna make it through this day
Everybody get up
Do your dance
Keep survivin'
Everybody get up
Do your dance
Stay alive
...
System of survival
...
A city night
I walk a street in fear
While politicians brag about
A paperwork solution
Another life
I shed another tear
I'm waiting for somebody new
To lead the revolution
So I dance
It's my system of survival (SOS)
Hey, I'm dancin'
System of survival (SOS)
It's a system of survival
Future revival
Greet the new arrival
It's a system of survival
Future revival
Greet the new arrival
...
Everybody get up
Do your dance
Keep survivin'
Everybody get up
Do your dance
Stay alive
...
Let's work out
Let's work
Let's work
...
System of survival
...
System of survival
...
Oooh, yeah, yeah, yeah
...
System of survival
SOS, boom boom yeah yeah
SOS, yeah, yeah, yeah
Send it out, send it out, send it out
Send it out, send it out, send it out

Key Vocabulary

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Key Grammar Structures

  • The Human Race is runnin' over me

    ➔ Present continuous tense

    ➔ The verb 'runnin'' is in the present continuous tense, indicating an action happening now or around now. Here, it emphasizes the ongoing struggle.

  • Just tryin' to make a livin'

    ➔ Gerund after preposition

    ➔ The gerund 'tryin'' is used after the preposition 'to', indicating an action as a noun. It shows the purpose of the action.

  • Says, 'Life is filled with give and take'

    ➔ Present simple in reported speech

    ➔ The verb 'is' remains in the present simple tense in reported speech, maintaining the original meaning without changing the tense.

  • So I dance

    ➔ Simple present tense

    ➔ The verb 'dance' is in the simple present tense, indicating a habitual or general action. Here, it shows a recurring response to the situation.

  • It's my system of survival (SOS)

    ➔ Possessive adjective

    ➔ The possessive adjective 'my' shows ownership or relationship. Here, it emphasizes the personal nature of the 'system of survival'.

  • Everybody get up

    ➔ Imperative mood

    ➔ The verb 'get' is in the imperative mood, used to give a direct command or instruction. Here, it encourages action.

  • Let's work out

    ➔ Let's construction (suggestion)

    ➔ The construction 'Let's' is used to make a suggestion or invitation. Here, it proposes an action for the group.

  • Send it out, send it out

    ➔ Repeated imperative

    ➔ The imperative verb 'send' is repeated for emphasis, reinforcing the urgency or importance of the action.