You Can't Go Back – English Lyrics

• By: Bryan Adams
• Album: Pretty Woman

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the empowering lyrics and rock-infused melodies of Bryan Adams' "You Can't Go Back." This powerful song from "Pretty Woman: The Musical" is a fantastic way to engage with English, exploring themes of personal transformation and resilience while enjoying Bryan Adams' signature vocal style and dynamic instrumentation. Listen closely to how the lyrics vividly portray a journey of self-discovery and a refusal to settle for less, making it a special track for anyone looking to understand expressions of strength and forward momentum in English.

[English]

It makes you happy

At least that's what you say

But you ain't Cinderella

Who'd wanna be anyway?

Of all the things you wanted

One thing you never got

Was to be treated like somebody

Just to have one shot

You can't go back

No, you can't go back

...

But now you're thinkin'

Of workin' on a dream

You're not quite there yet

You're somewhere in between

I can hear you talkin'

How you deserve the best

A voice inside your head keeps sayin'

Don't settle for less

You can't go back

You've seen the world, you can't go back

You're a different girl, you can't go back

To who you were before, you can't go back

You always wanted more

You have regrets

But you can't change the past

You want the real thing

Is that too much to ask?

For the first time in your life

It gets to be your choice

I feel you've found yourself, yeah

You found your voice

You can't go back

You've seen the world, you can't go back

You're a different girl, you can't go back

To who you were before, you can't go back

You always wanted more

You can see the future

It's in the stars

It's gonna be okay

This is who you are

...

It's true you sold your body

But you never sold your soul

You don't need anyone

It's you that's in control

They can take away your innocence

They can't erase your pride

You've seen a better life

You've seen the other side

You can't go back

You've seen the world, you can't go back

You're a different girl, you can't go back

To who you were before, you can't go back

You always wanted more

You can't go back

No, you can't go back

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
back /bæk/ A1	noun - the rear part of something adverb - to a previous place or condition
go /ɡoʊ/ A1	verb - to move or travel somewhere
want /wɒnt/ A1	verb - to desire or wish for
dream /driːm/ B1	noun - a series of thoughts and images during sleep; a cherished aspiration verb - to experience thoughts or images while sleeping
voice /vɔɪs/ A2	noun - the sound produced by a person’s vocal cords
different /ˈdɪf(ə)r(ə)nt/ A2	adjective - not the same as something else
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all its countries and peoples
past /pɑːst/ B1	noun - the time before the present adjective - having existed or occurred before now
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ B1	verb - to make or become different noun - an act or instance of making something different
regret /rɪˈɡrɛt/ B2	verb - to feel sorrow or disappointment over something that has happened noun - a feeling of sorrow or remorse
choice /tʃɔɪs/ B1	noun - the act of selecting among alternatives
control /kənˈtroʊl/ B2	noun - the power to influence or direct behavior or the course of events verb - to exercise restraint or direction over something
innocence /ˈɪnəs(ə)ns/ B2	noun - the state of being free from guilt or moral wrong; lack of experience
pride /praɪd/ B2	noun - a feeling of deep satisfaction derived from achievements or qualities
future /ˈfjʊtʃər/ B1	noun - the time that is yet to come
stars /stɑːrz/ A2	noun - celestial bodies that shine in the night sky
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter
real /riːəl/ B1	adjective - genuine; actually existing
settle /ˈsɛtəl/ B2	verb - to become established or comfortable in a place; to resolve a dispute

Key Grammar Structures

• It makes you happy, at least that's what you say

  ➔ Present Simple with 'that's what'

  ➔ The phrase 'that's what' is used to emphasize the reason or explanation for something. Here, it highlights the reported speech about happiness.

• You ain't Cinderella, who'd wanna be anyway?

  ➔ Contraction and Tag Question

  ➔ 'Ain't' is a contraction of 'am not,' 'is not,' or 'are not.' The tag question 'who'd wanna be anyway?' seeks confirmation or opinion.

• You can't go back, no, you can't go back

  ➔ Modal Verb for Prohibition

  ➔ 'Can't' is used to express prohibition or impossibility. The repetition emphasizes the finality of the statement.

• You're a different girl, you can't go back

  ➔ Present Continuous for Permanent Change

  ➔ The present continuous 'You're a different girl' is used to describe a permanent change in identity or character.

• You always wanted more

  ➔ Simple Past for Habit

  ➔ The simple past 'You always wanted more' is used to describe a habitual desire in the past.

• It's gonna be okay, this is who you are

  ➔ Going to Future for Prediction

  ➔ 'It's gonna be okay' uses 'going to' to predict a future outcome. 'This is who you are' asserts identity in the present.