Lyrics & Translation
Dive into the electrifying punk rock of The Offspring's "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid"! This catchy and energetic track offers a unique opportunity to explore English vocabulary related to social dynamics, manipulation, and power. Beyond its infectious rhythm, the song's cynical lyrics provide a sharp commentary on how cunning can lead to success, making it a thought-provoking listen for language learners interested in nuanced expressions and cultural critiques.
Key Vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meanings |
|---|---|
|
lie /laɪ/ A1 |
|
|
deceive /dɪˈsiːv/ B2 |
|
|
disguise /dɪsˈɡaɪz/ B1 |
|
|
lightning /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/ A2 |
|
|
running /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ A1 |
|
|
dance /dæns/ A1 |
|
|
chance /tʃæns/ A2 |
|
|
clever /ˈklɛvər/ A2 |
|
|
herd /hɜːrd/ B1 |
|
|
mob /mɒb/ B1 |
|
|
drift /drɪft/ B1 |
|
|
alibi /ˈælɪbaɪ/ B2 |
|
|
sight /saɪt/ A1 |
|
|
scene /siːn/ A2 |
|
|
trust /trʌst/ A2 |
|
|
between /bɪˈtwiːn/ A1 |
|
Do you remember what “lie” or “deceive” means in "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid"?
Hop into the app to practice now – quizzes, flashcards, and native-like pronunciation are waiting!
Key Grammar Structures
-
YOU'RE GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME
➔ Present Continuous for gradual change
➔ The present continuous ("are getting") is used here to describe a continuous, ongoing process of improvement. The phrase "all the time" emphasizes this constant progression.
-
IS AN ART THAT'S HARD TO TEACH
➔ Defining Relative Clause
➔ The clause "that's hard to teach" provides essential information about "an art," defining which specific art is being referred to. It cannot be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence.
-
AND AS YOU STEP BACK INTO LINE
➔ Time Clause with 'as' for simultaneous action
➔ The conjunction "as" introduces a time clause, indicating that the action of "stepping back into line" happens at the same time as another implied action (e.g., "a mob jumps to their feet").
-
MAN HE NEVER HAD A CHANCE
➔ Past Simple with 'never' for past negation
➔ The past simple tense ("had") is used with the adverb "never" to express a completed action or state in the past that did not occur at any point. It emphasizes a lack of opportunity.
-
YOU'RE GONNA GO FAR KID
➔ Future with "going to" (informal "gonna")
➔ "Gonna" is an informal contraction of "going to," used to express a future prediction or intention, often based on present evidence or a strong feeling. Here, it predicts success.
-
SEE 'EM RUNNING FOR THEIR LIVES
➔ Verbs of Perception + Object + Present Participle
➔ This structure ("see" + "them" + "running") describes perceiving an ongoing action. The present participle "running" shows that the action was in progress at the moment of perception.
-
AND IF YOU CAN'T GET WHAT YOU WANT
➔ First Conditional + Noun Clause
➔ This line uses a conditional clause ("If you can't get...") to present a possible future situation. "What you want" is a noun clause acting as the object of "get," meaning "the thing that you want."
-
TRUST DECEIVED
➔ Past Participle as an adjective
➔ The past participle "deceived" is used here as an adjective to describe "trust," indicating that the trust has been betrayed or misled. It implies a state resulting from an action.
-
WITH A THOUSAND LIES AND A GOOD DISGUISE
➔ Prepositional Phrase for manner/means
➔ The prepositional phrase "With a thousand lies and a good disguise" indicates the method or tools used to achieve an action (implied, e.g., "hit 'em right between the eyes"). "With" introduces the means.
Related Songs
AMBULANCE
My Chemical Romance
Clarity
John Mayer
A Touch of Evil
Judas Priest
Everlong
Foo Fighters
All Is Not Lost
OK Go, Pilobolus
I'll Get Through It
Apocalyptica, Franky Perez, Geezer Butler
Holyanna
Toto
ATTENTION ATTENTION
Shinedown
What I Meant To Say
Daughtry
If
Pink Floyd
Talk Of The Town
Jack Johnson
Believer
American Authors
Any Other Way
Bruce Springsteen
One Last Breath
Creed
Jawbreaker
Judas Priest
If 6 Was 9
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Funhouse
P!nk
Slide Away
Oasis
You Want a Battle? (Here's a War)
Bullet For My Valentine
Delivering the Goods
Judas Priest