Lyrics & Translation
Dive into the melancholic yet incredibly hopeful world of Hurts' "Wonderful Life"! This iconic synth-pop track offers a rich tapestry of emotion and a compelling narrative, perfect for English language learners. You'll encounter vocabulary related to human emotions, personal struggles, and the uplifting power of connection, all wrapped in a beautifully crafted lyrical story. The song's clear, emotive vocals and repeating chorus make it an excellent choice for practicing listening comprehension and understanding the nuanced meaning behind seemingly simple phrases. Discover how a song can transform darkness into a 'wonderful life'!
[English]
On a bridge across the Severn on a Saturday nightSusie meets the man of her dreams
He says that he got in trouble and if she doesn't mind
He doesn't want the company
But there's something in the air, they share a look in silence
And everything is understood
Susie grabs her man and puts a grip on his hand
As the rain puts a tear in his eye
She says, "don't let go"
Never give up, it's such a wonderful life
Don't let go
Never give up, it's such a wonderful life
Driving through the city to the Temple Station
Cries into the leather seat
And Susie knows the baby was a family man
But the world has got him down on his knees
So she throws him at the wall and kisses burn like fire
And suddenly he starts to believe
He takes her in his arms and he doesn't know why
But he thinks that he begins to see
She says, "don't let go"
Never give up, it's such a wonderful life
Don't let go
Never give up, it's such a wonderful life
Don't let go
Never give up, it's such a wonderful life
Don't let go
Never give up, it's such a wonderful life
She says, "don't let go"
Never give up
Don't let go
Never give up, it's such a wonderful life
Wonderful life, wonderful life, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful life
Wonderful life, wonderful life, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful life
Don't let go
Don't let go
Key Vocabulary
We're updating this section. Stay tuned!
Key Grammar Structures
-
He says that he got in trouble and if she doesn't mind
➔ Reported speech with a that‑clause + first‑conditional clause (if + present simple)
➔ The verb **"says"** introduces a that‑clause, and the **"if"** clause expresses a condition that is possible.
-
She says, "don't let go"
➔ Imperative sentence (negative) used in direct speech
➔ The verb **"don't"** (do + not) forms a negative imperative, telling someone not to release.
-
Never give up, it's such a wonderful life
➔ Imperative clause + it‑cleft construction (it + be + such + adjective + noun)
➔ The word **"Never"** intensifies the imperative **"give up"**, and **"such"** emphasizes the quality of "wonderful life".
-
Driving through the city to the Temple Station
➔ Gerund phrase used as a noun (subject‑like) and prepositional phrase of direction
➔ The gerund **"Driving"** functions as a noun, describing an ongoing action, followed by the preposition **"through"** and the destination **"to the Temple Station"**.
-
She knows the baby was a family man
➔ Verb of cognition + noun clause (that‑clause omitted)
➔ The verb **"knows"** is followed directly by the clause **"the baby was a family man"**, where the word **"that"** is understood but not spoken.
-
But the world has got him down on his knees
➔ Present perfect (has got) indicating a result that affects the present
➔ The auxiliary **"has"** plus the past participle **"got"** forms the present perfect, showing that the world’s action **"got him down"** is relevant now.
-
So she throws him at the wall and kisses burn like fire
➔ Coordinated simple present verbs + simile using "like"
➔ The verbs **"throws"** and **"burn"** are in the simple present, and the phrase **"like fire"** makes a simile comparing the kisses to fire.
-
He thinks that he begins to see
➔ Verb of perception + that‑clause as object complement
➔ The verb **"thinks"** is followed by the complement **"that he begins to see"**, where **"that"** introduces the clause expressing what he thinks.
