Woody Allen – English Lyrics

• By: AJR

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a musical journey with AJR's "Woody Allen," a catchy indie-pop song rich with relatable themes of belonging and happiness. Learning the lyrics offers a fun way to engage with everyday English expressions and understand how to convey feelings of contentment and shared experiences. Its unique production and New York-inspired vibe make it a special track for language learners to explore.

[English]

Now I'm feeling just like Woody Allen (Woody Allen)

Finally, I'm right where I should be (where I should be)

Like when you grow up doing donuts in the parking lot

You hit the station, go insane, and when the kick-drum drops

You know, now I'm feeling just like Woody Allen (Woody Allen)

(Oh-oh-oh)

I called you up so we could reminisce

About the old days, gold days, how we've been

The city's rusty after what we did

We did, we did, we did

Hey, and though I know it's been a long time in the records

But I saw you smiling like dynamite in the record store

And now I'm shaking (shaking), waiting (waiting)

You come say hello (hello, hello, hello, hello)

Now I'm feeling just like Woody Allen (Woody Allen)

Finally, I'm right where I should be (where I should be)

Like when you grow up doing donuts in the parking lot

You hit the station, go insane, and when the kick-drum drops

You know, now I'm feeling just like Woody Allen (Woody Allen)

(Oh-oh-oh)

...

Every time I get the urge to go

I'm the king of the island on a rusty throne

Who the fuck wants to rule, ruling all alone

Alone, alone, alone

Hey, and though I know it's been a long time in the records

But I saw you smiling like dynamite in the record store

And now I'm hoping (hoping), wishing (wishing)

As I walk you to your door (your door, your door, your door, your door)

Now I'm feeling just like Woody Allen (Woody Allen)

Finally, I'm right where I should be (where I should be)

Like when you grow up doing donuts in the parking lot

You hit the station, go insane, and when the kick-drum drops

You know, now I'm feeling just like Woody Allen (Woody Allen)

(Oh-oh-oh)

...

And when the weekend comes around

Make our way through rusty towns

Lift a weight above your back

You're with me, love, just relax

Now I'm feeling just like Woody Allen

Finally, I'm right where I should be (oh-woah)

Like when you grow up doing donuts in the parking lot

You hit the station, go insane, and when the kick-drum drops

You know, now I'm feeling just like Woody Allen (Woody Allen)

(Oh-oh-oh)

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
feeling /ˈfiːlɪŋ/ B1	noun - an emotional state or sensation verb - to experience an emotion or sensation
donuts /ˈdoʊnʌts/ A2	noun - sweet fried dough shaped like a ring
parking /ˈpɑːrkɪŋ/ A2	noun - area where vehicles are left temporarily
station /ˈsteɪʃən/ A2	noun - a place where trains, buses, etc., stop for passengers
kick‑drum /ˈkɪk ˈdrʌm/ B2	noun - the large drum in a drum set that is played with a foot pedal
dynamite /ˈdaɪnəˌmaɪt/ B2	noun - highly explosive material used for blasting
records /ˈrɛkɔːrdz/ A2	noun - audio recordings, often on vinyl discs
king /kɪŋ/ A2	noun - a male monarch
island /ˈaɪlənd/ A2	noun - a piece of land surrounded by water
throne /θroʊn/ B2	noun - the ceremonial chair of a monarch
rule /ruːl/ B1	verb - to govern or control
alone /əˈloʊn/ A2	adjective - by oneself; without others
rusty /ˈrʌsti/ B1	adjective - covered with rust; corroded
urge /ɜːrdʒ/ B2	noun - a strong desire or impulse verb - to strongly encourage or press someone to do something
relax /rɪˈlæks/ A2	verb - to become less tense or anxious
weekend /ˈwiːkˌɛnd/ A1	noun - the period from Friday evening to Sunday
weight /weɪt/ B1	noun - the measure of how heavy something is
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - deep affection or strong liking verb - to feel deep affection for someone or something

Key Grammar Structures

• Now I'm feeling just like Woody Allen (Woody Allen)

  ➔ Present Continuous (am/is/are + verb‑ing)

  ➔ The verb "am feeling" expresses a temporary feeling happening now.

• Finally, I'm right where I should be (where I should be)

  ➔ Modal verb + base verb (should be)

  ➔ "should be" expresses expectation or a correct position.

• Like when you grow up doing donuts in the parking lot

  ➔ Gerund after verb (doing)

  ➔ "doing" is a gerund functioning as the object of "grow up".

• I called you up so we could reminisce

  ➔ Purpose clause with modal "could" (could reminisce)

  ➔ "could reminisce" shows a possible action we wanted to do after the call.

• how we've been

  ➔ Present Perfect (have/has + past participle)

  ➔ "we've been" (we have been) refers to an experience that started in the past and continues to now.

• But I saw you smiling like dynamite in the record store

  ➔ Perception verb + object + present participle (saw ... smiling)

  ➔ "saw you smiling" uses "smiling" as a present participle that describes what I saw you doing.

• Now I'm shaking (shaking), waiting (waiting)

  ➔ Present Continuous (am shaking) + present participle used adverbially (waiting)

  ➔ "am shaking" shows a current action; "waiting" functions like an adverb describing the manner.

• Who the fuck wants to rule, ruling all alone

  ➔ Simple present with infinitive (to rule) and participial phrase (ruling)

  ➔ "wants to rule" uses the infinitive "to rule" after the verb "wants"; "ruling" adds extra description.

• Lift a weight above your back

  ➔ Imperative mood (command)

  ➔ "Lift" is a direct command addressed to the listener.