You've Got a Friend

• By: James Taylor, Carole King
• Album: Tapestry, Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
friend /frɛnd/ A1	noun - a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - an intense feeling of affection verb - feel deep affection for (someone)
care /kɛər/ A2	noun - the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something verb - feel concern or interest; attach importance to something.
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - organs used for seeing
think /θɪŋk/ A1	verb - have a particular belief or idea
brighten /ˈbraɪtən/ B2	verb - make or become brighter
darkest /ˈdɑːrkɪst/ B1	adjective - with little or no light
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period from sunset to sunrise in each twenty-four hours
call /kɔːl/ A1	verb - utter a loud cry or shout
name /neɪm/ A1	noun - a word or words by which someone or something is known
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - move at a speed faster than a walk
winter /ˈwɪntər/ A1	noun - the coldest season of the year
spring /sprɪŋ/ A1	noun - the season after winter and before summer
summer /ˈsʌmər/ A1	noun - the warmest season of the year
fall /fɔːl/ A1	noun - the season after summer and before winter
sky /skaɪ/ A1	noun - the region of the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth.
clouds /klaʊdz/ A2	noun - visible mass of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere
wind /wɪnd/ A1	noun - the perceptible natural movement of the air
cold /koʊld/ A1	adjective - of or at a low or relatively low temperature
hurt /hɜːrt/ A2	verb - cause physical pain or injury to
desert /dɪˈzɜːrt/ B2	verb - abandon (someone) in a way considered disloyal or treacherous
soul /soʊl/ B1	noun - the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal

Grammar:

• When you're down and troubled

  ➔ Adjective clause with "When"

  ➔ This line uses "when" to introduce a condition. "When you're down and troubled" sets up a situation where the following advice applies.

• And you need some love and care

  ➔ Use of "some" with uncountable nouns.

  ➔ "Love" and "care" are uncountable nouns in English, so we use "some" to indicate an unspecified quantity.

• Close your eyes and think of me

  ➔ Imperative sentences connected by "and".

  ➔ Two instructions are given directly: "Close your eyes" and "think of me". The word "and" connects them, implying they should be done in sequence.

• And soon I will be there

  ➔ Future tense with "will".

  ➔ "Will be" expresses a future action or state. It indicates a promise or a prediction.

• You just call out my name

  ➔ Imperative with "just" for emphasis.

  ➔ "Just" is used here to soften the command while still making it clear and direct. It implies simplicity - all you need to do is call.

• And you know wherever I am

  ➔ Noun clause introduced by "wherever".

  ➔ "Wherever I am" acts as the object of the verb "know". "Wherever" means "no matter where".

• I'll come runnin' to see you again

  ➔ Future tense with "I'll" (I will) and present participle "runnin'" as an adjective. Informal pronunciation of running.

  ➔ "I'll come runnin'" describes the manner of coming. "Runnin'" is a colloquial shortening of "running" acting as an adjective modifying the verb "come".

• All you've got to do is call

  ➔ "All you've got to do is" structure (to express that something is easy)

  ➔ This structure emphasizes the simplicity and ease of the action. It means the only thing necessary is to call.

• Tell me, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend

  ➔ Question tag with "ain't" (informal contraction of "isn't") and "it" as a dummy subject.

  ➔ "Ain't it good" is an informal way of saying "Isn't it good". "It" is a dummy subject here, referring to the general feeling of having a friend. The question tag invites agreement from the listener.