The Craving – English Lyrics

• By: Twenty One Pilots
• Album: Clancy

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a powerful tool, and “The Craving” by Twenty One Pilots offers a beautiful opportunity to explore English. The song's straightforward yet emotionally rich lyrics about love, vulnerability, and communication provide a relatable context for understanding nuanced vocabulary and expressions. The contrast between the two versions also allows learners to appreciate how tone and instrumentation can alter the emotional delivery of the same words, making it a special and insightful learning experience.

[English]

("The Craving (Jenna's Version)" by Twenty One Pilots plays)

♪ I don't know why I can't stop crying ♪

♪ I'm getting old ♪

♪ And I don't know a lot about you still ♪

♪ Seems I get in my own way ♪

♪ The more I think, the less I say ♪

♪ I hope I communicate the craving ♪

♪ Now I see intentions don't mean much ♪

♪ Say enough, say enough ♪

♪ Did I let her know, let her know? ♪

♪ If I found my body in chains ♪

♪ I'd lay down and wait ♪

♪ And hope she looks for me ♪

♪ And hope she looks for me ♪

♪ (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) ♪

♪ She just wants to catch a wave ♪

♪ Ride it out to the end of the days ♪

♪ I hope that I can satiate the craving ♪

♪ Now I see the gesture don't mean much ♪

♪ Say enough, say enough ♪

♪ Did I lеt her know, let her know? ♪

♪ If I found my body in chains ♪

♪ I'd lay down and wait ♪

♪ And hopе she looks for me, mm ♪

♪ And hope she looks for me ♪

♪ (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) ♪

(whistling)

♪ Hm, hm, hm, hm, hm ♪

♪ Say enough, say enough ♪

♪ Did I let her know, let her know? ♪

♪ If I found my body in chains ♪

♪ I'd lay down and wait ♪

♪ 'Cause it's the fear of the unknown ♪

♪ That cripples every step we take ♪

♪ And I just hate to put this on her ♪

♪ But I swear that I will give more than I take away ♪

♪ Mm ♪

♪ The craving ♪

♪ Now I see intentions don't mean much ♪

(camera static)

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
craving /ˈkreɪ.vɪŋ/ B2	noun - a powerful desire for something
intentions /ɪnˈtɛn.ʃənz/ B2	noun - plans or aims to do something
know /noʊ/ A2	verb - to be aware of something
wait /weɪt/ A2	verb - to stay in one place until something happens
body /ˈbɒd.i/ A2	noun - the physical structure of a person or animal
chain /tʃeɪn/ B1	noun - a series of connected rings or links
know /noʊ/ A2	verb - to be aware of something
hope /hoʊp/ B1	verb - to want something to happen
catch /kætʃ/ B1	verb - to seize or capture something
wave /weɪv/ B1	noun - a movement of water from the ocean or sea
sit /sɪt/ A2	verb - to rest with the body in a seated position
end /ɛnd/ A2	noun - the final part of something

Key Grammar Structures

• I don't know why I can't stop crying

  ➔ Present simple with 'can't' for ability

  ➔ The phrase 'can't stop' highlights the inability to control an action, here crying.

• The more I think, the less I say

  ➔ Comparative correlative structure

  ➔ This structure compares two clauses, showing a direct relationship between thinking more and speaking less.

• I hope I communicate the craving

  ➔ Modal verb 'hope' for desire

  ➔ The modal verb 'hope' expresses a wish or desire for something to happen, here communicating the craving.

• Now I see intentions don't mean much

  ➔ Present simple with 'don't' for negation

  ➔ The phrase 'don't mean much' negates the significance of intentions in the present context.

• If I found my body in chains

  ➔ Second conditional for hypothetical situations

  ➔ The second conditional is used to talk about hypothetical or unlikely situations, here finding oneself in chains.

• That cripples every step we take

  ➔ Relative clause with 'that'

  ➔ The relative clause 'that cripples every step we take' describes the effect of the fear of the unknown.

• But I swear that I will give more than I take away

  ➔ Future simple with 'will' for promise

  ➔ The future simple with 'will' is used to make a promise or commitment, here to give more than take away.