White Teeth Teens – English Lyrics

• By: Lorde
• Album: Pure Heroine

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the nuances of modern English slang and cynical social commentary through 'White Teeth Teens.' This track is perfect for learners wanting to understand how metaphors are used to critique social norms and the specific vocabulary associated with youth culture.

[English]

We wouldn't be seen dead here in the day

I guess you're lucky that it's dark now

And if I like it, then we'll stay

Impress the empress, take your shot now

We got the glow in our mouths

White teeth teens are out

Out

White teeth teens are up for it

I know you love it when the hairpins start to drop

I like your reckoning

But we got our methods, and there's nothing here to stop

To stop this

If you want, we'll help tonight to split its seams

...

Give the bruises out like gifts

You'll get the picture of your dreams

I won't be smiling

But the notes from my admirers fill the dashboard just the same, ah, ah, ah

We got the glow in our mouths

White teeth teens are out

...

Out

White teeth teens are up for it

I know you love it when the hairpins start to drop

I like your reckoning

But we got our methods, and there's nothing here to stop

To stop us when we're up for it

...

I know you love it when the hairpins start to drop

I like your reckoning

But we got our methods, and there's nothing here to stop

To stop this

...

(And everything works out so good)

(I wear the robe like no one could)

(Everything works out so good) I'll let you in on something big

(I wear the robe like no one could) I am not a white teeth teen

(Everything works out so good) I tried to join, but never did

(I wear the robe like no one could) the way they are, the way they seem

(Everything works out so good) there's something else, it's in the blood

(I wear the robe like no one could) their molars blinking like the lights

(Everything works out so good) in the underpass where we all sit

(I wear the robe like no one could) and do nothing and love it

(Everything works out so good)

...

(I wear the robe like no one could)

(Everything works out so good)

...

(I wear the robe like no one could)

We got the glow in our mouths (everything works out so good)

(I wear the robe like no one could)

White teeth teens are out

Out (everything works out so good)

(I wear the robe like no one could)

White teeth teens are out

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
empress /ˈɛmprɪs/ C1	noun - A female ruler of an empire.
reckoning /ˈrɛkənɪŋ/ C2	noun - The process of calculating or judging something.
methods /ˈmɛθədz/ B1	noun - A particular procedure for accomplishing or approaching something.
bruises /ˈbruːzɪz/ B2	noun - An injury appearing as an area of discolored skin on the body.
admirers /ədˈmaɪərərz/ B2	noun - A person who has a particular regard for someone or something.
dashboard /ˈdæʃbɔːrd/ B1	noun - The panel facing the driver of a vehicle.
seams /siːmz/ B2	noun - A line where two pieces of fabric are sewn together.
molars /ˈmoʊlərərz/ C2	noun - A grinding tooth at the back of the mouth.
blink /blɪŋk/ B1	verb - To shut and open the eyes quickly.
underpass /ˈʌndərpæs/ B2	noun - A road or pedestrian path that passes under another road or railway.
impress /ɪmˈprɛs/ A2	verb - To cause someone to admire something.
glow /ɡloʊ/ B1	noun - A steady radiance of light.
robe /roʊb/ B2	noun - A long, loose garment.
hairpins /ˈhɛrˌpɪnz/ B2	noun - A U-shaped pin for holding hair in place.
lucky /ˈlʌki/ A1	adjective - Having good fortune.

Key Grammar Structures

• We wouldn't be seen dead here in the day

  ➔ Conditional Perfect (Passive Voice)

  ➔ "Wouldn't be seen" implies a hypothetical situation using 'would' + 'be' + past participle.

• I guess you're lucky that it's dark now

  ➔ Adjective clause (reduced)

  ➔ The word "that" acts as a conjunction introducing the subordinate clause "it's dark now."

• And if I like it, then we'll stay

  ➔ First Conditional

  ➔ Uses "if" + present simple, followed by future simple "will stay" to describe a likely outcome.

• I know you love it when the hairpins start to drop

  ➔ Adverbial clause of time

  ➔ The clause "when the hairpins start to drop" specifies the time the action of "love" occurs.

• You'll get the picture of your dreams

  ➔ Future Simple

  ➔ "You'll" (you will) is used to express a prediction about the future.

• I am not a white teeth teen

  ➔ Subject-complement construction (Negative)

  ➔ Uses the verb "to be" to equate the subject "I" with the noun phrase "a white teeth teen" in a negative form.

• I tried to join, but never did

  ➔ Ellipsis (Verbal)

  ➔ "Never did" omits the repeated verb "join" to avoid redundancy.

• their molars blinking like the lights

  ➔ Participle phrase as an adjective

  ➔ The present participle "blinking" modifies the noun "molars."