Wake Up – English Lyrics

• By: NF
• Album: Mansion

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a lyrical journey with NF's "Wake Up," a powerful and introspective track that masterfully uses the English language to explore complex themes of purpose, emptiness, and self-awareness. Through vivid metaphors and raw, direct lyrics, you'll uncover how English can convey deep emotional truths and universal human struggles. This song is special for its ability to resonate deeply, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own lives and the pursuit of genuine fulfillment, all while appreciating the nuanced storytelling capabilities of rap in English.

[English]

♪♪♪

♪ YOU SPEND YOUR LIFE IN A DREAM ♪

♪ THAT YOU CAN'T ESCAPE ♪

♪ 'CAUSE YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A COMA ♪

♪ YOU'RE NEVER AWAKE ♪

♪ IF YOU'D OPEN YOUR EYES ♪

♪ THEN MAYBE YOU'D SEE WHAT'S AT STAKE ♪

♪ YOU'RE SLEEPING ♪

♪ YOU'RE SLEEPING ♪

YOU MAKE A LOT OF MONEY

AND YOU LIVE IN A MANSION

AND PRETTY MUCH GOT EVERYTHING

THAT YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE

BUT YOU FEEL LIKE EVEN THOUGH

YOU'VE GOT EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD

YOU GOT NOTHING SO WHAT YOU DO THEN

IS YOU START GOING BACKWARDS

YOU RUN IN A DIRECTION

AND YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT ISN'T REAL

AND ALL YOU KNOW IS THAT YOU JUST GOT TO HAVE IT

WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS SLEEPING AND THINKING THAT YOU ARE AWAKE

WHEN YOU'RE NOT AND THE PROBLEM IS

THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE AFTER!

SO YOU PUT EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE

INTO WHAT YOU DO

HOPING THAT ONE DAY MAYBE YOU

DON'T HAVE TO FEEL LIKE YOU'RE EMPTY

BUT AS YOU GET OLDER A LOT OF WEIGHT ON YOUR SHOULDERS

IS GETTING HEAVY

THEN YOU LOOK BACK AND YOU START TO REGRET THINGS

YOU ONLY GET ONE LIFE AND EVERY TIME YOU LOOK INTO YOURS

YOU FEEL LIKE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE IS A WASTE

AND THE PROBLEM AND THE REASON

YOU COULD NEVER FILL THE HOLE IN YOUR LIFE IS

BECAUSE YOU WERE NEVER AWAKE

♪ YOU SPEND YOUR LIFE IN A DREAM ♪

♪ THAT YOU CAN'T ESCAPE ♪

♪ 'CAUSE YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A COMA ♪

♪ YOU'RE NEVER AWAKE ♪

WAKE UP

WAKE UP

WAKE UP

WAKE UP

WAKE UP

WAKE UP

WAKE UP

WAKE UP

YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING BUT FEEL LIKE YOU NEVER GOT UP

AND GO TO WORK

AND YOU FEELING LIKE YOU AIN'T GOT A PURPOSE

AND YOU TRYING TO GET MOTIVATED BUT EVERYTHING YOU DO

TURNS INTO A MESS LIKE YOU AIN'T NOTHING BUT WORTHLESS

AND YO, YOU LOOK AROUND

A LOT OF THESE OTHER PEOPLE YOU LOOKING AT

TO YOU, YOU DESCRIBE AS PERFECT

SO YOU POINT A FINGER AT GOD

AND TELL HIM TO DO HIS JOB AND FIX YOUR LIFE UP

'CAUSE NOTHING IS WORKING

YOU WOULD TRY TO HIDE IT AND MAKE IT SEEM LIKE IT'S NOTHING

BUT REALLY YOU FELT LIKE EVERYTHING

IS CRASHING AROUND YOU

AND YOU DEVELOPED A PROBLEM

IN TRUSTING IN OTHER PEOPLE

WHICH LATER BECAME AN ISSUE

THAT WOULD MENTALLY POUND YOU

YOU ONLY GET ONE LIFE

BUT EVERY TIME YOU LOOK INTO YOURS

YOU FEEL LIKE ALL YOU EVER SEE ARE MISTAKES

AND THE PROBLEM AND THE REASON

YOU COULD NEVER MOVE FORWARD IN LIFE

IS BECAUSE YOU WERE NEVER AWAKE

WAKE UP

♪ YOU SPEND YOUR LIFE IN A DREAM ♪

♪ THAT YOU CAN'T ESCAPE ♪

♪ 'CAUSE YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A COMA ♪

♪ YOU'RE NEVER AWAKE ♪

WAKE UP

WAKE UP

WAKE UP

WAKE UP

WAKE UP

WAKE UP

WAKE UP

WAKE UP

♪ YOU SPEND YOUR LIFE IN A DREAM ♪

♪ THAT YOU CAN'T ESCAPE ♪

♪ 'CAUSE YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A COMA ♪

♪ YOU'RE NEVER AWAKE ♪

WAKE UP

♪♪♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
wake /weɪk/ A2	verb - to stop sleeping verb - to rouse from a state of inactivity or unawareness
dream /driːm/ A2	noun - a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep. verb - to experience dreams during sleep.
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
escape /ɪˈskeɪp/ B1	verb - to get free from something
coma /ˈkəʊmə/ B2	noun - a state of prolonged unconsciousness caused by disease or injury.
awake /əˈweɪk/ A2	adjective - not sleeping; conscious verb - wake up
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - the organs of sight.
money /ˈmʌni/ A1	noun - a current medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes; collectively.
mansion /ˈmænʃən/ B2	noun - a large, impressive house.
imagine /ɪˈmædʒɪn/ B1	verb - to form a mental image or concept of.
world /wɜːld/ A1	noun - the earth and all of its countries and peoples.
backwards /ˈbækwədz/ B1	adverb - toward the rear; in the reverse direction
direction /dəˈrekʃən/ B1	noun - a course along which someone or something moves.
problem /ˈprɒbləm/ A2	noun - a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome.
empty /ˈempti/ B1	adjective - containing nothing; not filled or occupied.
weight /weɪt/ A2	noun - a body's relative mass or the quantity of matter contained by it, giving rise to a downward force; the heaviness of a person or thing.
regret /rɪˈɡret/ B1	verb - feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over (something that has happened or been done, especially a loss or missed opportunity). noun - a feeling of sadness, repentance, or disappointment over something that has happened or been done.
waste /weɪst/ B1	noun - actions or things that are of no use or value verb - to use or expend carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose
reason /ˈriːzən/ A2	noun - a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event.
hole /həʊl/ A1	noun - a hollow place in a solid object or surface.
purpose /ˈpɜːrpəs/ B1	noun - the reason for which something is done or created and for which something exists.
mistakes /mɪˈsteɪks/ A2	noun - an action or judgment that is misguided or wrong.
forward /ˈfɔːrwərd/ A2	adverb - in the direction that one is facing or traveling; toward the front.

Key Grammar Structures

• YOU SPEND YOUR LIFE IN A DREAM

  ➔ Present Simple tense, Prepositional phrase

  ➔ The use of the **'spend'** verb in present simple indicates a habitual action or general truth. The prepositional phrase **'in a dream'** specifies the location or state.

• THAT YOU CAN'T ESCAPE

  ➔ Modal verb ('can') + Negative, Relative clause

  ➔ The modal verb **'can't'** (can not) expresses inability. The entire phrase acts as a relative clause modifying **'dream'**.

• YOU'RE NEVER AWAKE

  ➔ Present Simple with an adverb of frequency ('never')

  ➔ The sentence uses the Present Simple with the adverb of frequency **'never'**, which indicates a permanent or regular state.

• IF YOU'D OPEN YOUR EYES

  ➔ Conditional sentence (Type 2 or 3), Subjunctive mood ('open')

  ➔ This is likely a second conditional (or possibly a third conditional, depending on the context). The use of **'would'** implies a hypothetical situation. The verb **'open'** is in the subjunctive.

• AND YOU FEEL LIKE EVEN THOUGH YOU'VE GOT EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD

  ➔ Conjunctions, Present perfect tense ('ve got'), Subordinating clause ('even though')

  ➔ The sentence uses the conjunction **'and'** to connect clauses. **'Ve got'** is the contraction for have got - present perfect tense. **'Even though'** introduces a subordinating clause indicating contrast or concession.

• BUT AS YOU GET OLDER A LOT OF WEIGHT ON YOUR SHOULDERS IS GETTING HEAVY

  ➔ Conjunction ('but'), Comparative ('older'), Progressive tense ('is getting')

  ➔ The conjunction **'but'** introduces a contrasting idea. **'Older'** is the comparative form of 'old'. **'Is getting'** uses the present continuous tense to show an ongoing process.

• AND THE PROBLEM AND THE REASON YOU COULD NEVER FILL THE HOLE IN YOUR LIFE IS BECAUSE YOU WERE NEVER AWAKE

  ➔ Compound sentence, Relative clause ('you could never fill...'), Passive voice ('was awake')

  ➔ This is a compound sentence. It has a relative clause introduced by 'you could never fill...' modifying 'the problem and the reason.' 'Were awake' uses past simple passive, meaning 'were not awake'.

• YOU WOULD TRY TO HIDE IT AND MAKE IT SEEM LIKE IT'S NOTHING

  ➔ Modal verb (would) + infinitive, Compound sentence, Linking verb ('seem')

  ➔ **'Would'** indicates a hypothetical action in the past or a repeated action. The sentence is compound. **'Seem'** is a linking verb connecting the subject to the predicate adjective 'nothing'.