Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High? – English Lyrics

• By: Arctic Monkeys
• Album: AM

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Arctic Monkeys' hit song and explore the nuances of communication, relationships, and the impact of intoxication. This track offers a catchy and relatable exploration of modern connection, full of British slang and slang-inspired grammar, making it a great pick for anyone looking to learn more about casual English conversation.

[English]

The mirror's image, it tells me it's home time

But I'm not finished, 'cause you're not by my side

And as I arrived I thought I saw you leavin', carryin' your shoes

Decided that once again I was just dreamin' of bumpin' into you

Now it's three in the mornin' and I'm tryin' to change your mind

Left you multiple missed calls and to my message, you reply

"Why'd you only call me when you're high?"

"Hi, why'd you only call me when you're high?"

Somewhere darker, talkin' the same shite

I need a partner, well, are you out tonight?

It's harder and harder to get you to listen

More I get through the gears

Incapable of makin' alright decisions, and havin' bad ideas

Now it's three in the mornin' and I'm tryin' to change your mind

Left you multiple missed calls and to my message you reply

"Why'd you only call me when you're high?"

"Hi, why'd you only call me when you're high?"

...

And I can't see you here, wonderin' where am I

It sort of feels like I'm runnin' out of time

I haven't found all I was hopin' to find

You said you gotta be up in the mornin'

Gonna have an early night

And you're startin' to bore me, baby

Why'd you only call me when you're high?

...

"Why'd you only ever phone me when you're high?"

"Why'd you only ever phone me when you're high?"

"Why'd you only ever phone me when you're high?"

"Why'd you only ever phone me when you're high?"

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
call /kɔːl/ A1	verb - to telephone someone
high /haɪ/ A2	adjective - under the influence of drugs or alcohol
tryin' /ˈtraɪɪn/ A2	verb - to make an attempt to do something
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A1	verb - to make or become different
mind /maɪnd/ A2	noun - a person's ability to think and reason
partner /ˈpɑːrtnər/ A1	noun - a person you have a close relationship with
listen /ˈlɪsən/ A1	verb - to pay attention to sound
decisions /dɪˈsɪʒənz/ B1	noun - a choice made after thinking
ideas /aɪˈdɪərəz/ A2	noun - a thought or suggestion
runnin' /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - a period during which something happens
hopin' /ˈhoʊpɪŋ/ A2	verb - to wish for something
boring /ˈbɔːrɪŋ/ A2	adjective - not interesting or exciting
darker /ˈdɑːrkər/ A2	adjective - with less light
incapable /ɪnˈkeɪpəbl/ B2	adjective - not able to do something
message /ˈmɛsɪdʒ/ A1	noun - a piece of information sent

Key Grammar Structures

• The mirror's image, it tells me it's home time

  ➔ Apostrophe for possession ('s)

  ➔ The apostrophe in 'mirror's' shows that the image belongs to the mirror.

• But I'm not finished, 'cause you're not by my side

  ➔ Contraction ('cause)

  ➔ 'Cause is a contraction of 'because', used in informal speech.

• Decided that once again I was just dreamin' of bumpin' into you

  ➔ Present participle (-ing form)

  ➔ The -ing form in 'dreamin'' and 'bumpin'' is used to describe ongoing actions.

• Now it's three in the mornin' and I'm tryin' to change your mind

  ➔ Apostrophe for contraction (it's, mornin', I'm, tryin')

  ➔ Apostrophes are used to contract 'it is', 'morning', 'I am', and 'trying'.

• Left you multiple missed calls and to my message, you reply

  ➔ Past simple (left, reply)

  ➔ 'Left' and 'reply' are in the past simple tense, indicating completed actions.

• I need a partner, well, are you out tonight?

  ➔ Tag question

  ➔ 'Are you out tonight?' is a tag question added to the statement for confirmation.

• More I get through the gears

  ➔ Subject-verb inversion

  ➔ The subject 'I' is placed after the verb 'get' for emphasis.

• You're startin' to bore me, baby

  ➔ Apostrophe for contraction (you're, startin')

  ➔ Apostrophes contract 'you are' and 'starting'.