James – English Lyrics

• By: MGMT
• Album: Little Dark Age

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into MGMT's 'James' to experience a track steeped in warmth and mystery, where English lyrics express deep affection for a bandmate. Its unique creation process, involving a highly psychedelic experience, yields a strangely comforting tone, making it a special study in heartfelt, yet off-kilter, musical dedication.

[English]

James

If you heed the call

...

And you go outside, and wander off

Then home is there

Wherever you will make it

You can always say, "Who's laughing now?"

James

If you need a friend

Come right over

Don't even knock

And I'll be home

The door is always open

And we both can say, "Who's laughing now?"

Oh, James

...

My little doll

You just go outside and you call

Oh, James

...

Oh, you're never too far off

Oh, James

...

My little doll

You just go outside and you call

Oh, James

...

No, you're never too far off

...

If your fire's out

There's no need to shout

I'm always home

And walk on in

I'll make you tea and breakfast

And we both can say, "Who's laughing now?"

Oh, James

...

Oh, James

...

Oh, James

No, you're never too far off (James)

No, you're never too far off

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
heed hiːd B1	verb - to pay attention to or listen to something
wander ˈwɒndər A2	verb - to move around without a specific destination or purpose
wherever ˌweərˈevər A2	adverb - in or to any place
laughing ˈlæfɪŋ A1	verb - to show emotion with a smile and vocal sound
need niːd A1	verb - to require something because it is essential or very important
friend frend A1	noun - a person whom one knows and has a bond of mutual affection
open ˈoʊpən A1	adjective - not closed or blocked verb - to move something to create an opening
doll dɒl A1	noun - a model of a human being, often a child's toy
call kɔːl A1	verb - to speak to someone on the telephone noun - a telephone conversation
far fɑːr A1	adverb - at a great distance
fire faɪər A1	noun - the phenomenon of combustion
shout ʃaʊt A1	verb - to speak very loudly
tea tiː A1	noun - a drink made by steeping leaves in hot water
breakfast ˈbrekfəst A1	noun - the first meal of the day

Key Grammar Structures

• If you heed the call

  ➔ First Conditional

  ➔ This uses the 'if + present simple, will + base verb' structure to express a likely future outcome. The phrase 'heed the call' is an idiomatic expression meaning to pay attention to and act upon a request or invitation.

• You can always say, "Who's laughing now?"

  ➔ Modal Verb + Adverb

  ➔ "Can" is a modal verb expressing ability or possibility. "Always" is an adverb of frequency, emphasizing that this statement is true at all times. The phrase is rhetorical, implying a reversal of fortune.

• Don't even knock

  ➔ Imperative with Negative

  ➔ This is a direct command in the negative form. 'Don't' is the contraction of 'do not', used to form negative imperatives. 'Even' adds emphasis, suggesting that knocking is unnecessary.

• And we both can say, "Who's laughing now?"

  ➔ Coordinating Conjunction + Modal Verb + Pronoun + Reported Speech

  ➔ "And" is a coordinating conjunction joining two clauses. "Can" is a modal verb indicating ability. The phrase within quotation marks is reported speech, representing a question someone might ask.