The New Pollution – English Lyrics

• By: Beck

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the eclectic world of Beck's "The New Pollution" and unlock a fascinating blend of musical styles and enigmatic lyrics. This 1996 track from the acclaimed *Odelay* album offers a rich tapestry of English phrases, metaphorical expressions, and colloquialisms, set against a backdrop of alternative rock, funk, and jazz fusion. Its unique sonic collage and playful yet profound commentary on modern life make it an engaging song for language learners to explore and appreciate the nuances of contemporary English songwriting. Pay attention to Beck's clever wordplay and the cultural references woven into his distinctive "beat poetry" style.

[English]

♪ DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO ♪

♪ DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO ♪

♪ DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO ♪

♪ DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO ♪

(UPBEAT ELECTRONIC MUSIC)

♪ SHE'S GOT CIGARETTE ON EACH ARM ♪

♪ SHE'S GOT THE LILY-WHITE CAVITY CRATERS ♪

♪ SHE'S GOT A CARBURETOR TIED TO THE MOON ♪

♪ PINK EYES LOOKING TO THE FOOD OF THE AGES ♪

♪ SHE'S ALONE IN THE NEW POLLUTION ♪

♪ SHE'S ALONE IN THE NEW POLLUTION ♪

♪ SHE'S GOT A HAND ON A WHEEL OF PAIN ♪

♪ SHE CAN TALK TO THE MANGLING STRANGERS ♪

♪ SHE CAN SLEEP IN A FIERY BOG ♪

♪ THROWING TROUBLES TO THE DYING EMBERS ♪

♪ SHE'S ALONE IN THE NEW POLLUTION ♪

♪ SHE'S ALONE IN THE NEW POLLUTION ♪

♪ SHE'S ALONE IN THE NEW POLLUTION ♪

♪ SHE'S ALONE IN THE NEW POLLUTION ♪

♪ SHE'S GOT A PARADISE CAMOUFLAGE ♪

♪ LIKE A WHIP CRACK SENDING ME SHIVERS ♪

♪ SHE'S THE BOAT IN A STRIP MINE OCEAN ♪

♪ RIDING LOW ON THE DRUNKEN RIVERS ♪

♪ SHE'S ALONE IN THE NEW POLLUTION ♪

♪ SHE'S ALONE IN THE NEW POLLUTION ♪

♪♪♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
pollution /pəˈluːʃən/ C1	noun - the introduction of harmful substances into the environment
cigarette /sɪɡəˈrɛt/ B1	noun - a thin roll of paper containing tobacco for smoking
carburetor /kɑːrˈbjuːrətər/ C2	noun - a device that mixes air with a fine spray of fuel for internal‑combustion engines
moon /muːn/ A1	noun - the natural satellite that orbits the Earth
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - the organs of sight
fiery /ˈfaɪəri/ B2	adjective - consisting of, resembling, or producing fire; intense
bog /bɒɡ/ B2	noun - a wet, spongy area of land, often acidic, with peat
strangers /ˈstreɪn.dʒərz/ B1	noun - people whom one does not know
pain /peɪn/ B1	noun - physical suffering or discomfort caused by injury or disease
wheel /wiːl/ A2	noun - a circular object that rotates on an axle and is used for transport
camouflage /ˈkæməflɑːʒ/ B2	noun - the act of disguising something to blend in with its surroundings
shivers /ˈʃɪvərz/ B1	noun - a sudden feeling of cold or fear that causes the body to tremble
ocean /ˈoʊʃən/ A2	noun - a vast body of salt water that covers most of the Earth’s surface
rivers /ˈrɪvərz/ A2	noun - large natural streams of water flowing toward an ocean, lake or another river
drunken /ˈdrʌŋkən/ B2	adjective - affected by alcohol; intoxicated
alone /əˈloʊn/ B1	adjective - without other people; solitary
new /njuː/ A1	adjective - recently created, discovered, or introduced
whip /wɪp/ B1	noun - a flexible strip of leather or similar material used for striking or guiding

Key Grammar Structures

• She’s got a cigarette on each arm

  ➔ Present perfect of 'have' used to express possession.

  ➔ The phrase "She’s got" expresses possession in the present perfect.

• She’s got the lily‑white cavity craters

  ➔ Compound adjective (lily‑white) placed before the noun.

  ➔ The compound adjective "lily‑white" modifies "cavity craters".

• She’s got a carburetor tied to the moon

  ➔ Past participle "tied" used as a reduced relative clause.

  ➔ The participle "tied" functions like "that is tied".

• Pink eyes looking to the food of the ages

  ➔ Present participle "looking" used as an adjective (participle clause).

  ➔ The participle "looking" describes the "pink eyes".

• She can talk to the mangling strangers

  ➔ Modal verb "can" + base verb to express ability; present participle "mangling" as adjective.

  ➔ The modal "can" shows that she is able to "talk".

• She can sleep in a fiery bog

  ➔ Modal verb "can" + infinitive to express ability.

  ➔ The modal "can" indicates that she is able to "sleep" there.

• Throwing troubles to the dying embers

  ➔ Present participle phrase functioning as an adverbial (gerundial) clause.

  ➔ The participle "Throwing" shows an action that occurs simultaneously with the main idea.

• Like a whip crack sending me shivers

  ➔ Simile introduced by "like" + noun phrase; present participle "sending" as a participial clause.

  ➔ The participle "sending" describes the effect "whip crack" has on the speaker.

• Riding low on the drunken rivers

  ➔ Present participle clause indicating simultaneous action; adjective "drunken" modifies "rivers".

  ➔ The participle "Riding" shows an action that occurs together with the main narrative.