The Greatest – English Lyrics

• By: James Blunt
• Album: Once Upon A Mind

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a powerful tool, and James Blunt's "The Greatest" offers a chance to connect with heartfelt English lyrics. The song's clear and emotive language provides an excellent opportunity to understand themes of hope, courage, and social responsibility. What makes this song special is its dual meaning, evolving from a personal message to a universal anthem of gratitude, allowing learners to explore nuanced expression in English.

[English]

Too much to say, too much to lose

I get frustrated thinking 'bout

The world I brought you to

It's a battle of time that I have with you

We don't decide the how, the when

Or if we'll make it through

I feel that you deserve a chance to know the truth, and to be better than

The ones who came before you only to let pride and money weaken them

So be the young, the brave, the powerful

'Cause the world is standing, waiting

For someone to come and change it

Yeah, be the young, the brave, the powerful

'Cause we need a soul to save us

Need someone to be the greatest

...

So many words, veiling the truth

The earth is turning and it's time for us to choose

And people will try to take you down too

But if I was a betting man, I'd put all my money on you

I know that I have nothing left to give to you to make you better than

The man I failed to be, the friend and father that I know I should have been

So be the young, the brave, the powerful

'Cause the world is standing, waiting

For someone to come and change it

Yeah, be the young, the brave, the powerful

'Cause we need a soul to save us

Need someone to be the greatest

Nobody knows what to say (oh, no)

Nobody shows you the way (oh, no)

Sometimes it's hard to see

Who you're gonna be

So be the young, the brave, the powerful

'Cause the world is standing, waiting

For someone to come and change it

Be the young, the brave, the powerful

'Cause we need a soul to save us

Need someone to be the greatest

Be the young, the brave, the powerful

'Cause the world is standing, waiting

For someone to come and change it

Be the young, the brave, the powerful

'Cause we need a soul to save us

Need someone to be the greatest, love

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
say /seɪ/ A1	verb - to utter words
lose /luːz/ A2	verb - to be unable to keep something
world /wɜːld/ A1	noun - the earth and all the people and things on it
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues; duration
battle /ˈbæt.əl/ B1	noun - a sustained fight between large organized armed forces
decide /dɪˈsaɪd/ B1	verb - to make a choice or judgment
truth /truːθ/ B1	noun - the true facts about something
brave /breɪv/ A2	adjective - ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage
powerful /ˈpaʊəfəl/ B1	adjective - having great power or strength
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A2	verb - to make or become different
greatest /ˈɡreɪtɪst/ B1	adjective - of the most importance, size, or degree
people /ˈpiːpəl/ A1	noun - human beings in general or considered collectively
save /seɪv/ A2	verb - to rescue (someone or something) from harm or danger
soul /səʊl/ B2	noun - the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal
way /weɪ/ A1	noun - a method, style, or manner of doing something
hard /hɑːrd/ A2	adjective - requiring or involving a great deal of effort or endurance; difficult

Key Grammar Structures

• Too much to say, too much to lose

  ➔ Present simple with 'too much'

  ➔ The phrase 'too much' is used to emphasize an excessive amount, here referring to the speaker's feelings.

• I get frustrated thinking 'bout

  ➔ Present simple with 'get' for habitual feelings

  ➔ The verb 'get' is used here to express a habitual feeling of frustration.

• It's a battle of time that I have with you

  ➔ Present simple with 'be' for a general truth

  ➔ The verb 'be' is used to state a general truth about the ongoing battle of time.

• We don't decide the how, the when

  ➔ Present simple with 'do' for negation

  ➔ The auxiliary verb 'do' is used in the negative form to emphasize the lack of control over certain aspects.

• I feel that you deserve a chance to know the truth

  ➔ Present simple with 'feel' for personal opinion

  ➔ The verb 'feel' is used to express a personal opinion or belief.

• So be the young, the brave, the powerful

  ➔ Imperative mood for a command or advice

  ➔ The imperative mood is used here to give a direct command or piece of advice.

• Cause the world is standing, waiting

  ➔ Present continuous for an ongoing action

  ➔ The present continuous tense is used to describe an action that is currently happening.

• Need someone to be the greatest

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose with 'to be'

  ➔ The infinitive of purpose with 'to be' is used to express the aim or goal of needing someone.