Why Do You Feel So Down – English Lyrics

• By: Declan McKenna
• Album: What Do You Think About The Car?

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a captivating musical journey with Declan McKenna's "Why Do You Feel So Down." This indie pop gem, known for its unique blend of introspective lyrics and an infectious upbeat sound, offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the nuances of English expression. Through its relatable themes of self-reflection and emotional complexity, listeners can pick up colloquialisms and understand how contrasting emotions are conveyed in song, making it a special track for language learners and music enthusiasts alike.

[English]

I can't speak and I can't listen

And everyone is a curse or something worse

What can I say to the kid that made you

Complaining like you were made to

When you hate every god I pray to

So don't lie to me

I know I'm not as cool as I'd like to be

But why do you feel so down, again?

I know I'm not a very good friend

Why do you feel so down?

Sure, that's not something I'd stick around for

Why do you feel so down?

Oh God, I know you think I'm safe and sound, I'm not

Why do you feel so down?

...

I've gone weak and I'm sick of speaking

So hear me out you're the cure or something more

I think you're one of a kind so I'll never like myself

I think you're older and wiser so I won't let you tell

I think it over and over and hope you're thinking too

I think it over and over and hope I'm over you

So don't lie to me

I know I'm not as cool as I try to be

But why do you feel so down, again?

I know I'm not a very good friend

Why do you feel so down?

Sure, that's not something I'd stick around for

Why do you feel so down?

Oh God, I know you think I'm safe and sound, I'm not

Why do you feel so down?

Everyone, I messed up again

...

Everyone, I messed up again, ohh

Everyone, I messed up again

Everyone

...

Ohhh

So don't lie to me

I know I'm not as cool as I try to be

But why do you feel so down, again?

I know I'm not a very good friend

Why do you feel so down?

Sure, that's not something I'd stick around for

Why do you feel so down?

Oh God, I know you think I'm safe and sound, I'm not

Why do you feel so down?

Why do you feel so down?

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
curse /kɜːrs/ B2	noun - a cause of great trouble or misfortune verb - to wish harm or evil upon someone; to condemn
worse /wɜːrs/ B1	adjective - comparative of bad; more unpleasant or serious
hateful /ˈheɪtfʊl/ B2	adjective - evoking hate; extremely unpleasant or unkind
manage /ˈmænɪdʒ/ B1	verb - to succeed in doing something; to handle or control
kind /kaɪnd/ A2	adjective - generous, helpful or caring noun - a person of a particular character or personality
sound /saʊnd/ A2	noun - something that can be heard, noise adjective - healthy, safe or reliable
control /kənˈtroʊl/ B2	verb - to have power over something or someone; to command noun - the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events
wiser /ˈwaɪzər/ C1	adjective - having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment
believe /bɪˈliːv/ B2	verb - to accept as true; to have faith or confidence in

Key Grammar Structures

• What can I say to the kid that made you

  ➔ Relative Clause with 'that'

  ➔ The word "that" introduces a relative clause that modifies 'the kid'. It means 'the kid who made you'. This is a defining relative clause, providing essential information about 'the kid'.

• Complaining like you were made to

  ➔ Ellipsis and 'be made to' (passive voice)

  ➔ This phrase uses ellipsis, where parts of the sentence are omitted but understood. It means 'Complaining like you were made to complain'. 'Be made to' indicates obligation or compulsion.

• When you hate every god I pray to

  ➔ Relative clause with omitted relative pronoun (Whom/That)

  ➔ The sentence implies 'When you hate every god that/whom I pray to.' The relative pronoun 'that' or 'whom' is omitted because it functions as the object of the verb 'pray'.

• I know I'm not as cool as I'd like to be

  ➔ as...as comparison with conditional ('would like')

  ➔ This sentence uses the 'as...as' structure to make a comparison. The phrase 'I'd like to be' is a contraction of 'I would like to be', expressing a desire or hypothetical situation.

• Sure, that's not something I'd stick around for

  ➔ Conditional sentence (type 2) and idiom 'stick around'

  ➔ This is a type 2 conditional sentence expressing a hypothetical situation in the present. 'I'd stick around' is a contraction of 'I would stick around'. 'Stick around' is an idiom meaning to stay in a place or situation.

• I think you're one of a kind so I'll never like myself

  ➔ Result Clause with "so"

  ➔ The word "so" connects two clauses, where the second clause (I'll never like myself) is a result of the first clause (I think you're one of a kind).

• I think you're older and wiser so I won't let you tell

  ➔ Coordination with "so" + Negative Imperative by Proxy ('let')

  ➔ The "so" connects the speaker's belief that the other person is wiser to the decision not to allow that person to give their opinion (or perhaps criticize). 'I won't let you tell...' functions almost as a negative imperative, preventing the other person from speaking.