We Will Rock You – English Lyrics

• By: Queen
• Album: News Of The World

Lyrics & Translation

Step into the world of Queen's "We Will Rock You" and discover a global anthem that transcends language barriers through its universal rhythm and empowering message. This song offers an excellent opportunity to learn English, especially by understanding its impactful and universally relatable lyrics, which tell a story across different life stages. Its simple, repetitive chorus is perfect for practicing pronunciation and intonation, while the verses provide insight into narrative structure in songwriting, making it a powerful and accessible tool for language learners.

[English]

Buddy, you're a boy, make a big noise

Playing in the street, gonna be a big man someday

You got mud on your face, you big disgrace

Kicking your can all over the place, singin'

We will, we will rock you

We will, we will rock you

Buddy, you're a young man, hard man

Shouting in the street, gonna take on the world someday

You got blood on your face, you big disgrace

Waving your banner all over the place

We will, we will rock you

Sing it out

We will, we will rock you

Buddy, you're an old man, poor man

Pleading with your eyes, gonna make you some peace someday

You got mud on your face, big disgrace

Somebody better put you back into your place

We will, we will rock you

Sing it

We will, we will rock you

Everybody

We will, we will rock you

Hmm

We will, we will rock you

Alright

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
boy /bɔɪ/ A1	noun - a male child or young man
noise /nɔɪz/ A2	noun - a sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant
street /striːt/ A1	noun - a public road in a city or town
man /mæn/ A1	noun - an adult male human being
mud /mʌd/ A2	noun - wet, soft earth
face /feɪs/ A1	noun - the front part of the head
disgrace /dɪsˈɡreɪs/ B2	noun - loss of reputation or respect, especially as the result of a dishonorable action
kicking /ˈkɪkɪŋ/ A2	verb - striking or propelling with the foot
can /kæn/ A1	noun - a cylindrical metal container
rock /rɒk/ A1	verb - to move gently back and forth or from side to side
young /jʌŋ/ A1	adjective - having lived or existed for only a short time
hard /hɑːrd/ A1	adjective - firm or solid; not easily broken, bent, or pierced
shouting /ˈʃaʊtɪŋ/ A2	verb - to utter a loud cry
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all of its countries, people, and natural features
blood /blʌd/ A2	noun - red fluid circulating in bodies

Key Grammar Structures

• Buddy, you're a boy, make a big noise

  ➔ Imperative (make a big noise)

  ➔ The line uses the imperative form "make" to give a command or instruction, even though it's more of an encouraging statement in this context.

• Playing in the street, gonna be a big man someday

  ➔ Present Participle as adverbial modifier (Playing); 'gonna' contraction for 'going to'

  ➔ "Playing" describes how the boy is spending his time. "Gonna" is a colloquial shortening of "going to", indicating a future intention.

• You got mud on your face, you big disgrace

  ➔ Colloquial use of 'got' (possession); Appositive (you big disgrace)

  ➔ "You got" is an informal way of saying "you have". "You big disgrace" renames or describes 'you'.

• Kicking your can all over the place, singin'

  ➔ Present Participle as adverbial modifier (Kicking); Clipping/Elision (singin')

  ➔ "Kicking" describes what the subject is doing simultaneously with singing. "Singin'" is a clipped form of "singing", common in informal speech and song.

• We will, we will rock you

  ➔ Future Simple Tense (We will rock you)

  ➔ "We will rock you" expresses a future action, a promise or a threat, made emphatic by repetition.

• Shouting in the street, gonna take on the world someday

  ➔ Present Participle as adverbial modifier (Shouting); 'gonna' contraction for 'going to'; Phrasal Verb (take on)

  ➔ "Shouting" indicates the manner in which the young man is behaving. "Gonna" is, again, short for "going to". "Take on" is a phrasal verb meaning 'to confront or challenge'.

• Somebody better put you back into your place

  ➔ Modal verb 'better' (suggestion/advice); phrasal verb (put back); prepositional phrase (into your place)

  ➔ "Better" indicates a strong suggestion or advice. "Put back" refers to restoring someone to a previous state or status. "Into your place" is a prepositional phrase indicating a location or position, used figuratively here.