Take Shelter – English Lyrics

• By: Years & Years
• Album: Odyssey

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the captivating sound of Years & Years' “Take Shelter,” an electrifying synth-pop track that offers a unique lens into emotional complexities and modern relationships. This song, with its introspective lyrics and infectious beats, provides an excellent opportunity to explore contemporary English vocabulary related to feelings, intimacy, and self-reflection. Its blend of danceable rhythms and poignant themes makes it a compelling piece for language learners, revealing how music can beautifully articulate the human experience.

[English]

[INSECTS CHIRP GENTLY]

[♪ ♪ ♪]

♪ I'll wait until you have to go ♪

♪ I'll make it so you never ever know ♪

♪ How much I have messed it up ♪

♪ We run around like we don't care ♪

♪ It's gonna leave its mark somewhere ♪

♪ Do you want to show me something new? ♪

♪ You go down, you reach 'round talk in any way ♪

♪ You go down, you reach 'round talk in any way ♪

♪ Just tell me what I have to do ♪

♪ To keep myself apart from you ♪

♪ All your colours start to burn ♪

♪ I know I want you far too much ♪

♪ Never thought I wouldn't be enough ♪

♪ All this talk is bruising you ♪

♪ Take shelter ♪

♪ (Oh-oh-oh) ♪

♪ Take the pressure ♪

♪ (Oh-oh-oh) ♪

♪ Do what you want tonight ♪

♪ It's alright if you want to get used ♪

♪ Then get used ♪

♪ Take shelter ♪

♪ (Oh-oh-oh) ♪

♪ Take the pressure ♪

♪ (Oh-oh-oh) ♪

♪ Do what you want tonight ♪

♪ It's alright if you want to get used ♪

♪ Then get used ♪

♪ I don't really wanna stop myself ♪

♪ Nobody's gonna tell me I need help ♪

♪ Are you coming over soon? ♪

♪ I'll meet you at the darkest time ♪

♪ You hold me and I have to shut my eyes ♪

♪ I'm shy ♪

♪ Can I be what you like? ♪

♪ You go down, you reach 'round talk in any way ♪

♪ You go down, you reach 'round talk in any way ♪

♪ Just tell me what I have to do ♪

♪ To keep myself apart from you ♪

♪ All your colours start to burn ♪

♪ And take shelter ♪

♪ (Oh-oh-oh) ♪

♪ Take the pressure ♪

♪ (Oh-oh-oh) ♪

♪ Do what you want tonight ♪

♪ It's alright if you want to get used ♪

♪ Then get used ♪

♪ Take shelter ♪

♪ (Oh-oh-oh) ♪

♪ Take the pressure ♪

♪ (Oh-oh-oh) ♪

♪ Do what you want tonight ♪

♪ It's alright if you want to get used ♪

♪ Then get used ♪

♪ I don't really need this pressure to go ♪

♪ If you wanna find love ♪

♪ If you wanna find something more ♪

♪ I'll be the one to run for you ♪

♪ I don't really need this pressure to go ♪

♪ If you wanna find love ♪

♪ If you wanna find something more ♪

♪ I'll be the one to run for you ♪

♪ Take shelter ♪

♪ Take the pressure ♪

♪ Do what you want tonight ♪

♪ It's alright if you want to get used ♪

♪ Then get used ♪

♪ Take shelter ♪

♪ (Oh-oh-oh) ♪

♪ Take the pressure ♪

♪ (Oh-oh-oh) ♪

♪ Do what you want tonight ♪

♪ It's alright if you want to get used ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot
know /nəʊ/ A1	verb - to be aware of something
want /wɒnt/ A1	verb - to desire something noun - a desire for something
show /ʃəʊ/ A2	verb - to allow or cause something to be seen noun - a performance or display
new /njuː/ A1	adjective - recently made, discovered, or created
colours /ˈkʌlərz/ A1	noun - the property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way it reflects or emits light
burn /bɜːrn/ A2	verb - to be on fire or be consumed by fire
enough /ɪˈnʌf/ A1	adjective - as much or as many as required
talk /tɔːk/ A1	verb - to speak in order to give information or express ideas noun - conversation or discussion
shelter /ˈʃeltər/ B1	noun - a place giving protection from bad weather or danger. verb - protect or shield from something harmful.
pressure /ˈpreʃər/ B1	noun - the continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it
used /juːzd/ A2	verb - to make use of something for a particular purpose.
stop /stɒp/ A1	verb - to cease moving or operating
help /help/ A1	verb - to assist someone to do something noun - the action of helping someone
darkest /ˈdɑːrkɪst/ B1	adjective - having very little light
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - organs of sight
shy /ʃaɪ/ A2	adjective - nervous or timid in the company of other people.
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - an intense feeling of deep affection. verb - feel deep affection for.

Key Grammar Structures

• I'll wait until you have to go

  ➔ Future simple with 'will' + subordinate clause with 'until'

  ➔ The sentence expresses a future action (waiting) that will continue **until** another action happens (you have to go). 'Will' indicates intention or prediction. The 'until' clause sets the time limit.

• Do you want to show me something new?

  ➔ Tag question with auxiliary verb 'do'

  ➔ This is a yes/no question seeking confirmation. The **'do'** auxiliary verb is used to form the question, and the rising intonation indicates it's a request for information rather than a genuine doubt.

• Just tell me what I have to do

  ➔ Indirect question with 'what' + modal verb 'have to'

  ➔ This is a polite request for instructions. The **'what'** introduces the content of the question, and **'have to'** expresses obligation. The structure is more indirect than a direct question like 'What do I have to do?'

• All your colours start to burn

  ➔ Present continuous tense used metaphorically

  ➔ The present continuous (**'are burning'**) is used not to describe a literal burning, but a metaphorical one – a loss of vibrancy or intensity. It suggests a process happening now.