Upgrade – English Lyrics

• By: Joji
• Album: SMITHEREENS

Lyrics & Translation

Delve into the emotional depth of Joji's "Upgrade" to enhance your English language learning. This concise yet powerful track from his album "Nectar" beautifully articulates the yearning for genuine connection and personal growth within a complicated relationship. Its relatable themes and Joji's distinct vocal style offer an engaging way to grasp nuanced English expressions and emotional vocabulary, making it a special piece for language learners.

[English]

Guess I'm flyin' international

We can meet, but no more lies at the Oriental

...

Now I'm so professional

I just need you one more time to get it right, you know?

Won't you upgrade? I know it hurts

You deserve it, I know your worth

If you think you can't make it happen

We'll keep it optional (keep it optional)

We don't make sense, we don't make sense

We don't make sense enough to give this time

But if you'll be mine

We'll keep it optional

(Ooh) yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah-yеah, yeah-yeah

(Ooh) yeah-yеah-yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah

(Ooh) yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah

(Ooh)

(Ooh) yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah

(Ooh) yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah

(Ooh) yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah

(Ooh)

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
upgrade /ˈʌp.ɡreɪd/ B1	verb - to improve or raise the quality or value of something noun - an improvement or enhancement
fly /flaɪ/ A1	verb - to travel through the air
international /ˌɪntərˈnæʃənl/ A2	adjective - involving more than one country
professional /prəˈfeʃənl/ A2	adjective - relating to work that requires special training noun - a person engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation
lie /laɪ/ A1	verb - to say something that is not true noun - a false statement
hurt /hɜːrt/ A1	verb - to cause physical pain or injury noun - physical pain or mental distress
deserve /dɪˈzɜːrv/ B1	verb - to be worthy of something, especially as the result of one's actions
worth /wɜːrθ/ A2	noun - the value or importance of something adjective - having a particular value
optional /ˈɒp.ʃən.əl/ B1	adjective - available or accessible but not obligatory
sense /sɛns/ A2	noun - a feeling that something is true, even without proof verb - to perceive or become aware of something
meet /miːt/ A1	verb - to come together with someone by arrangement or chance
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - the indefinite continued progress of existence and events
mine /maɪn/ A1	pronoun - belonging to me
keep /kiːp/ A1	verb - to have or retain possession of something
know /noʊ/ A1	verb - to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information

Key Grammar Structures

• Guess I'm flyin' international

  ➔ Present Continuous for Future Plans / Informal 'g'-dropping

  ➔ The phrase "I'm flyin'" uses the present continuous tense to talk about a future plan or arrangement. The 'g' in "flyin'" is dropped, which is common in informal spoken English.

• We can meet, but no more lies at the Oriental

  ➔ "No more" + Noun (Cessation)

  ➔ "no more lies" signifies the complete cessation or absence of something (in this case, "lies"). It's used to state that something will not happen again or is no longer present.

• I just need you one more time to get it right, you know?

  ➔ Infinitive of Purpose

  ➔ The phrase "to get it right" is an infinitive of purpose, explaining *why* the speaker needs the person one more time. It clarifies the objective of the action.

• Won't you upgrade?

  ➔ Negative Question for Suggestion/Request

  ➔ "Won't you upgrade?" is a common way to make a polite suggestion or invitation, implying a desire for the other person to do something. It's softer than a direct command.

• If you think you can't make it happen

  ➔ Conditional Clause (Type 1) + Causative Verb "make"

  ➔ "If you think" introduces a Type 1 conditional clause, talking about a real possibility. "make it happen" uses the causative verb "make" (make + object + base form of verb) to mean "cause it to happen."

• We'll keep it optional

  ➔ Verb + Object + Object Complement (Adjective)

  ➔ The structure "keep it optional" shows the verb "keep" followed by an object ("it") and an adjective ("optional") that describes the state of the object. This means to maintain something in a certain condition.

• We don't make sense enough to give this time

  ➔ "Enough to" Structure

  ➔ "enough to give" uses the "enough to + infinitive" structure. It indicates that the preceding condition (not making enough sense) is insufficient for the action described by the infinitive (to give this time).

• But if you'll be mine

  ➔ Conditional with "will" in the 'if' clause (for willingness/strong condition)

  ➔ In a conditional sentence, using "if you'll be mine" with "will" in the 'if' clause is less common for simple future conditions. Here, it implies willingness, a strong promise, or a specific future arrangement rather than just a future possibility.