Thick Skull – English Lyrics

• By: Paramore
• Album: This Is Why

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Paramore's "Thick Skull," a raw and introspective track that offers a powerful journey through self-reflection and resilience. Learning English with this song allows you to grasp complex emotional vocabulary and idiomatic expressions like "thick skull" and "caught red-handed," revealing how artists convey deep personal struggles. Its evolving musicality and poignant lyrics make it a special piece for understanding authentic expression in English music.

[English]

I am a magnet for broken pieces

I am attracted to broken people

I pick 'em up and now my fingers are bleeding

And it looks like my fault

And it looks like I'm caught red-handed

Hit over the head (epiphany)

Over my head (repeatedly)

Thick skull never did (nothing for me)

Same lesson again? (Come on, give it to me)

(Give it to me, give it to me, give it to me)

...

Only I know where all the bodies are buried

Thought by now I'd find 'em just a little, less scary

Might get easier, but you don't get used to it

Keep on, autopilot, mm-mm

Hey, hey

What's the body count up to now, captain?

Hit over the head (epiphany)

Over my head (repeatedly)

Thick skull never did (nothing for me)

Same lesson again? (Come on, give it to me)

(Give it to me, give it to me, give it to me)

...

Come on out with your hands up

Come on out with your hands up

I'm coming out with my hands up

Come on out with your hands up

Hit over the head (epiphany)

Over my head (repeatedly)

Thick skull never did (nothing for me)

Same lesson again? (Come on, give it to me)

I pick 'em up and now my fingers are bleeding (give it to me, give it to me, give it to me, give it to me)

And it looks like I'm caught red-handed

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
magnet /ˈmæɡnət/ B1	noun - a thing that attracts iron or steel.
attracted /əˈtræktɪd/ B1	verb - to cause to approach or come closer.
bleeding /ˈbliːdɪŋ/ A2	verb - losing blood from a wound.
fault /fɔːlt/ A2	noun - responsibility for a specified wrong.
caught /kɔːt/ A2	verb - to find someone doing something wrong.
red-handed /ˌred ˈhændɪd/ B2	adjective - in the very act of doing something wrong.
epiphany /ɪˈpɪfəni/ C1	noun - a sudden and striking realization.
skull /skʌl/ B1	noun - the bony framework of the head.
bodies /ˈbɒdiz/ A2	noun - the physical structure of a person or animal.
buried /ˈberid/ A2	verb - to put (a dead body or object) into the ground.
scary /ˈskerɪ/ A2	adjective - causing fear or dread.
autopilot /ˈɔːtəˌpaɪlət/ B1	noun - a system that automatically controls the course of a vehicle.
captain /ˈkæptɪn/ A2	noun - the person in charge of a ship or aircraft.
count /kaʊnt/ A2	verb - to determine the total number of.
lesson /ˈlesən/ A2	noun - a piece of learning.

Key Grammar Structures

• I am a magnet for broken pieces

  ➔ Present simple tense with 'be' as a linking verb

  ➔ The phrase uses 'am' (a form of 'be') to link the subject 'I' with the complement 'a magnet for broken pieces'.

• And it looks like my fault

  ➔ Present simple with 'looks like' for appearance

  ➔ 'Looks like' is used to describe an appearance or situation, here suggesting it seems like the speaker is at fault.

• Hit over the head (epiphany)

  ➔ Past simple in parentheses for additional information

  ➔ The phrase 'hit over the head' is in the past simple, and '(epiphany)' provides additional context or explanation.

• Thick skull never did (nothing for me)

  ➔ Negative structure with 'never did'

  ➔ 'Never did' emphasizes the negative impact or lack of benefit from having a 'thick skull'.

• Come on out with your hands up

  ➔ Imperative mood for commands

  ➔ The phrase uses the imperative mood to give a direct command or instruction.

• I'm coming out with my hands up

  ➔ Present continuous for future action

  ➔ The present continuous 'I'm coming' is used here to indicate a future action.

• What's the body count up to now, captain?

  ➔ Present simple with question word 'what'

  ➔ The question uses 'what' to ask for specific information in the present simple tense.