Under Cover of Darkness – English Lyrics

• By: The Strokes
• Album: Angles

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the layers of meaning in The Strokes' "Under Cover of Darkness" to enhance your English learning. The song's direct narrative of a soldier's farewell, coupled with its metaphorical interpretation of the band's own story of conflict and reconciliation, offers a rich vocabulary related to relationships, separation, and perseverance. Its catchy, repetitive chorus is perfect for practicing pronunciation and rhythm, making it a special and engaging way to learn English through music.

[English]

(dramatic music) (clock ticking)

(upbeat music)

♪ Slip back out of whack at your best ♪

♪ It's a nightmare ♪

♪ So I'm joining ♪

♪ The army ♪

♪ No house phones, but can I still call ♪

♪ Will you wait for me now ♪

♪ We got the right to live, fight to use it ♪

♪ Got everything but you can just choose it ♪

♪ I won't just be a puppet on a string ♪

♪ Don't ♪

♪ Go that way ♪

♪ I'll wait for you ♪

♪ And I'm tired of all your friends ♪

♪ Listenin' at your door ♪

♪ But I want what's better for you ♪

♪ So long, my friend ♪

♪ And adversary ♪

♪ Oh, but I'll wait for you ♪

♪ Get dressed, jump out of bed into a vest ♪

♪ Are you okay ♪

♪ I've been all around this town ♪

♪ Everybody's singin' the same song for 10 years ♪

♪ I'll wait for you ♪

♪ Will you ♪

♪ Wait for me too ♪

♪ And they sacrifice their lives ♪

♪ And they're lyin' about those odds ♪

♪ And they said it a billion times ♪

♪ And they'll say it again ♪

♪ So long, my adversary and friend ♪

(upbeat music)

♪ Don't ♪

♪ Go that way ♪

♪ I'll wait for you ♪

♪ Well, I'm tired of all your friends ♪

♪ Knockin' down your door ♪

♪ Get up in the morning, yelling no more ♪

♪ So long, my friend ♪

♪ And adversary ♪

♪ Oh, I'll be waitin' for you ♪

(upbeat music)

(audience clapping) (audience cheering)

(clock ticking)

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
slip /slɪp/ A2	verb - to slide out of position or fall into a specified state
whack /wæk/ B1	noun - a hard blow verb - to hit hard
nightmare /ˈnaɪtˌmɛər/ A2	noun - a frightening or unpleasant dream
join /dʒɔɪn/ A1	verb - to become a member of a group or organization
army /ˈɑrmi/ A1	noun - a large organized group of soldiers
wait /weɪt/ A1	verb - to stay in one place until something happens
fight /faɪt/ A1	verb - to take part in a battle or war
puppet /ˈpʌpɪt/ B1	noun - a movable model of a person or animal, typically moved by strings or rods
tired /ˈtaɪərd/ A1	adjective - feeling in need of rest or sleep
listen /ˈlɪsən/ A1	verb - to give one's attention to a sound
better /ˈbɛtər/ A1	adjective - of a higher quality or more desirable
adversary /ˈædvərˌsɛri/ B2	noun - an opponent or enemy
dress /drɛs/ A1	verb - to put on clothes
vest /vɛst/ A2	noun - a sleeveless garment worn over a shirt
sacrifice /ˈsækərˌfaɪs/ B1	verb - to give up something valuable for the sake of something else
lie /laɪ/ A1	verb - to intentionally say something that is not true