This Afternoon – English Lyrics

• By: Nickelback
• Album: The Best of Nickelback, Volume 1

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the relaxed, party-ready world of Nickelback's "This Afternoon" to experience everyday English in a fun, conversational context. This country-rock anthem, with its catchy lyrics about hanging out with friends and enjoying the moment, offers an accessible way to learn colloquial expressions and understand the rhythm of casual English storytelling. Its blend of rock energy and laid-back vibe makes it a unique and engaging track for language learners.

[English]

Lookin' like another Bob Marley day

Hittin' from the bong like a diesel train

And I'm down with hangin' out this afternoon

We got weeds in the backyard four feet tall

Cheech and Chong probably woulda smoked 'em all

So I'm out on the couch this afternoon

Beer bottles layin' on the kitchen floor

If we take 'em all back we can buy some more

So I doubt we'll go without this afternoon

Oh

You better hang on if you're taggin' along

'Cause we'll be doin' this 'til six in the mornin'

Nothin' wrong with goin' all night long

Tough to put the brakes on

Doesn't matter when you'd rather

Get up, and go out

Me and all my friends

We drink up, We fall down

And then we do it all again

Just sittin' around, hangin' out this afternoon

Landlord says I should buy a tent

But he can kiss my ass 'cause I paid the rent

So I doubt he'll kick me out this afternoon

Down on the corner in a seedy bar

Jukebox crankin' out the CCR

Had a few to Suzy Q this afternoon

Oh

You better hang on if you're taggin' along

'Cause we'll be doin' this 'til six in the mornin'

Nothin' wrong with goin' all night long

Tough to put the brakes on

Doesn't matter when you'd rather

Get up, and go out

Me and all my friends

We drink up, we fall down

And then we do it all again

Yeah, we get up, and go out

Me and all my friends

We drink up, we fall down

And then we do it all again

Yeah, just sittin' around, hangin' out this afternoon

Don't want a wristwatch or an alarm clock to see what time it is

From the moment I wake up, I just love being with my friends

We barely get by, but have the best times

And hope it never ends

We drink all day until we fall down

So we can do it all again

It's not the human walk

It's the human race

So if you ain't livin' on the edge

You're takin' too much space

So I doubt I'll figure out just what to do

'Bout to kick it around

Hangin' out this afternoon

Oh

You better hang on if you're taggin' along

'Cause we'll be doin' this 'til six in the mornin'

Nothin' wrong with goin' all night long

Tough to put the brakes on

Doesn't matter when you'd rather

Get up, and go out

Me and all my friends

We drink up, we fall down

And then we do it all again

Yeah, we get up, and go out

Me and all my friends

We drink up, we fall down

And then we do it all again

Just kickin' around, hangin' out this afternoon

Sittin' around hangin' out this afternoon (last call, you sons of bitches)

Just kickin' around, hangin' out this afternoon (yeah)

Just sittin' around hangin' out this afternoon (drinks on the house)

Just kickin' around, hangin' out this afternoon

Just sittin around hangin' out this afternoon

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
hangin' /ˈhæŋɪŋ/ A2	verb - to spend time relaxing or socializing
afternoon /ˌæf.tərˈnuːn/ A1	noun - the time of day from noon to evening
drink /drɪŋk/ A1	verb - to consume a liquid noun - a liquid that can be consumed
fall /fɔːl/ A1	verb - to drop or descend to the ground
kick /kɪk/ A2	verb - to strike with the foot verb - to relax or spend time casually
landlord /ˈlænd.lɔːrd/ B1	noun - the owner of a property that is rented to others
rent /rɛnt/ A2	noun - payment for the use of a property verb - to pay for the use of a property
weeds /wiːdz/ A2	noun - unwanted plants growing in a garden or yard
backyard /ˈbæk.jɑːrd/ A2	noun - the area behind a house
bottle /ˈbɒtəl/ A1	noun - a container with a narrow neck, usually made of glass or plastic
kitchen /ˈkɪtʃ.ən/ A1	noun - a room for preparing and cooking food
couch /kaʊtʃ/ A2	noun - a piece of furniture for sitting or lying on
edge /ɛdʒ/ B1	noun - the extreme limit of something
race /reɪs/ A2	noun - a competition of speed noun - a group of people with common characteristics
tent /tɛnt/ A2	noun - a portable shelter made of fabric
wristwatch /ˈrɪst.wɑːtʃ/ A2	noun - a watch worn on the wrist

Key Grammar Structures

• Lookin' like another Bob Marley day

  ➔ Informal use of Present Participle / Reduced Relative Clause

  ➔ "Lookin'" is an informal way of saying "looking", functioning as a description of the day, implying "It is **looking** like..." or "The day that is **looking** like...".

• If we take 'em all back we can buy some more

  ➔ First Conditional (Type 1 Conditional)

  ➔ This structure describes a real or very likely situation in the present/future ("if we take") and its probable result ("we **can buy**").

• You better hang on if you're taggin' along

  ➔ "Had better" (strong advice) + Conditional Clause + Phrasal Verb

  ➔ "You better" is a shortened form of "You had better", used to give strong advice or warning. The "if" clause uses the present continuous. "**taggin' along**" is a phrasal verb meaning to accompany someone.

• Nothin' wrong with goin' all night long

  ➔ Gerund after Preposition

  ➔ The verb "**goin'**" (going) is used in its gerund form after the preposition "with" in the common phrase "nothing wrong with".

• Doesn't matter when you'd rather / Get up, and go out

  ➔ "Would rather" (preference) + Phrasal Verbs

  ➔ "**you'd rather**" is a contraction of "you would rather," expressing a preference. "Get up" and "go out" are common phrasal verbs.

• Landlord says I should buy a tent

  ➔ Modal Verb "should"

  ➔ "**Should**" is used to give advice, make a recommendation, or express a mild obligation.

• Don't want a wristwatch or an alarm clock to see what time it is

  ➔ Infinitive of Purpose

  ➔ "**to see**" is an infinitive used to explain the reason or purpose for not wanting a wristwatch or alarm clock.

• So if you ain't livin' on the edge

  ➔ Informal Conditional (Type 1) with "ain't" + Present Continuous + Idiomatic Expression

  ➔ "**Ain't livin'**" is an informal contraction of "are not living", used in a Type 1 conditional. "On the edge" is an idiom meaning to live a risky or unconventional life.

• We drink all day until we fall down / So we can do it all again

  ➔ Clause of Purpose using "So" + Modal Verb "can"

  ➔ "**So**" is used to introduce a clause that explains the purpose or result of the main action. "**can**" expresses ability or possibility.

• We drink up, We fall down / And then we do it all again

  ➔ Sequence of Actions with Phrasal Verbs

  ➔ "**drink up**" and "**fall down**" are phrasal verbs describing actions that happen in sequence, followed by repetition.