Wrecking Ball – English Lyrics

• By: Miley Cyrus
• Album: Bangerz

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the emotional depth of Miley Cyrus's "Wrecking Ball" to enhance your English vocabulary, particularly around themes of love, loss, and vulnerability. This pop ballad is rich with poignant lyrics and powerful metaphors, such as the titular 'wrecking ball,' which vividly convey the impact of a crumbling relationship. The song's raw emotion and Cyrus's impactful vocal delivery offer a compelling way to understand and express complex feelings in English, making it a valuable tool for language learners interested in authentic, emotionally charged expression.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
hearts /hɑːrts/ A1	noun - organ pumping blood
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - an intense feeling of affection verb - to feel deep affection for someone
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter
wrecking /ˈrekɪŋ/ B2	verb - to destroy or severely damage
ball /bɔːl/ A1	noun - a round object
walls /wɔːlz/ A1	noun - a vertical structure that encloses or divides an area
sky /skaɪ/ A1	noun - the region of the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth
ashes /ˈæʃɪz/ B2	noun - the powdery residue left after the burning of a substance
ground /ɡraʊnd/ A1	noun - the solid surface of the earth
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - organs of vision
war /wɔːr/ B1	noun - a state of armed conflict between different nations or groups
force /fɔːrs/ B1	noun - strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement
vain /veɪn/ B2	adjective - producing no result; useless
spell /spel/ B2	noun - a form of words used as a magical charm or incantation
blazin /ˈbleɪzɪn/ B2	adjective - burning fiercely or brightly

Key Grammar Structures

• We clawed, we chained our hearts in vain

  ➔ Past Simple Tense (clawed, chained)

  ➔ The use of the past simple indicates completed actions in the past. "clawed" and "chained" describe actions that were finished.

• Don't you ever say I just walked away

  ➔ Imperative (Don't) + Emphasis (ever)

  ➔ "Don't" is an imperative giving a command, and "ever" intensifies the command, making it stronger. It emphasizes that the speaker never wants to hear that accusation.

• I can't live a lie, running for my life

  ➔ Modal Verb (can't) + Gerund (running)

  ➔ "can't" expresses inability or impossibility. "running" is a gerund, a verb acting as a noun, describing the act of running.

• I came in like a wrecking ball

  ➔ Simile (like)

  ➔ "like" is used to make a comparison between the speaker's entrance and a wrecking ball. It shows the force and destructive nature of her arrival.

• All I wanted was to break your walls

  ➔ Past Tense (wanted) + Infinitive (to break)

  ➔ "wanted" is in the past tense, indicating a desire in the past. "to break" is an infinitive used as a noun complement, specifying what the speaker wanted.

• And now, you're not coming down

  ➔ Present Continuous (you're not coming)

  ➔ The present continuous emphasizes that the action is ongoing and probably temporary. It implies a current state or situation.

• Left me crashing in a blazin' fall

  ➔ Past Participle as Adjective (Left) + Present Participle as Adjective (blazin')

  ➔ "Left" describes the state the speaker was put in. "blazin'" (blazing) describes the type of fall. Participles adding details to the noun.

• I guess I should've let you in

  ➔ Modal Verb (should) + Perfect Infinitive (have let)

  ➔ "should have + past participle" expresses regret about something that did not happen in the past. It suggests the speaker believes it would have been better to let the other person in.