Undertone – English Lyrics

• By: Julia Michaels
• Album: Not In Chronological Order

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw honesty of Julia Michaels' "Undertone" and discover a rich tapestry of modern English expression. This song is perfect for language learners as it uses relatable, conversational lyrics to convey deep emotions about lingering love and the struggle to let go. Pay attention to how Michaels uses direct, yet poetic language to articulate complex internal conflicts, offering a fantastic opportunity to grasp authentic emotional vocabulary and contemporary idiomatic expressions in a compelling musical context.

[English]

Is it me or is it my imagination?

You keep popping up in certain situations

I know we cut off all communication

But you leave traces in different places

I made my bet and all, so hold me tighter

I'm happy, I don't need to justify it now

Yeah, I like a rush but now we just defy it

Then I'm unwinding

Everytime I find somebody new, mm

I hope that the memory of you will leave me alone

Yeah, everytime I find somebody new, yeah

I hope that the memory of you will leave me alone

But you're always an undertone

You're always an undertone, yeah

I know that I'm the type for sentimental

But I'm trying not to get too existential

Do I conjure it or is it just coincidental?

And finally, finally, finally, hey

I've fallen deep, fallen deep, yeah

On my knees, on my knees, on my knees

Beggin' you, don't let me forget you

But everytime I find somebody new

I hope that the memory of you will leave me alone (I hope you leave me)

Yeah, everytime I find somebody new, yeah

I hope that the memory of you will leave me alone

But you're always an undertone (all the time)

You're always an undertone

...

And finally, finally, finally, hey

I've fallen deep, fallen deep, yeah

On my knees, on my knees, on my knees

Beggin' you, don't let me forget you

But everytime I find somebody new, ooh

I hope that the memory of you will leave me alone (I hope you leave me)

Yeah, everytime I find somebody new (everytime I find somebody new)

I hope that the memory of you will leave me alone (leave me here alone)

But you're always an undertone

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
imagination /ɪˌmædʒɪˈneɪʃən/ B1	noun - the ability to imagine things or form mental images
popping /ˈpɒpɪŋ/ A2	verb - to appear suddenly or unexpectedly
communication /kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən/ B1	noun - the imparting or exchanging of information
traces /treɪs/ B1	noun - a sign or evidence of something
justify /ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪ/ B2	verb - to show or prove to be right or reasonable
rush /rʌʃ/ A2	noun - a sudden quick movement
unwinding /ʌnˈwaɪndɪŋ/ B2	verb - to relax after a period of work or stress
memory /ˈmeməri/ A2	noun - the faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information
undertone /ˈʌndərtoʊn/ C1	noun - an underlying tone or quality
sentimental /ˌsɛntɪˈmɛntəl/ B2	adjective - given to or marked by sentiment or emotion
existential /ɪɡˌzɪˈstɛnʃəl/ C1	adjective - relating to existence or questions of existence
conjure /ˈkɒndʒər/ B2	verb - to summon by or as if by magic
coincidental /kəˌɪnsɪˈdɛntəl/ C1	adjective - occurring by coincidence
beggin /ˈbɛɡɪŋ/ A2	verb - to ask for something in a humble or eager manner

Key Grammar Structures

• Is it me or is it my imagination?

  ➔ Alternative question structure

  ➔ Uses "Is it X or Y?" to present two possibilities. The word "or" connects alternatives for rhetorical effect.

• You keep popping up in certain situations

  ➔ Phrasal verb + present continuous

  ➔ "Keep popping up" combines the continuous aspect ("keep + -ing") with the phrasal verb "pop up" to emphasize recurring unwanted appearances.

• I made my bet and all, so hold me tighter

  ➔ Imperative mood + result clause

  ➔ "So" introduces a result clause following the imperative "hold me tighter". The phrase "and all" is colloquial for "and everything".

• Everytime I find somebody new

  ➔ Adverbial clause of time

  ➔ "Everytime" (conjunction) introduces a subordinate clause indicating repeated timing. Note the informal spelling without space (vs. standard "every time").

• I hope that the memory of you will leave me alone

  ➔ Verb + that-clause (noun clause)

  ➔ "Hope" is followed by a that-clause (often "that" is omitted in speech) expressing a wish. "Will leave" shows future intention.

• But you're always an undertone

  ➔ Adverb of frequency + metaphor

  ➔ "Always" emphasizes constant presence. "Undertone" is a metaphorical noun meaning underlying persistent feeling.

• I'm trying not to get too existential

  ➔ Verb pattern: try + not + infinitive

  ➔ Shows attempted avoidance with "trying not to". The negative infinitive ("not to get") follows "try".

• Beggin' you, don't let me forget you

  ➔ Imperative + causative verb

  ➔ "Beggin'" (colloquial for begging) introduces an imperative. "Don't let me" uses "let" as a causative verb meaning "allow/permit".