Lyrics & Translation
Embark on a linguistic adventure with "Brittle Bones Nicky 2" by Rare Americans! This song is a masterclass in vivid storytelling and diverse vocabulary, offering a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in English through its rapid-fire lyrics and multiple character voices. Its genre-bending style, blending rock, rap, and ska-punk, makes it a dynamic and engaging listen that will expand your understanding of English expressions and narrative structures in music. Dive in and unravel the intricate story of Nicky's afterlife journey while enhancing your English comprehension and appreciation for creative songwriting!
Key Vocabulary
Vocabulary | Meanings |
---|---|
story /ˈstɔːri/ A2 |
|
ghost /ɡoʊst/ B1 |
|
heart /hɑrt/ A2 |
|
fate /feɪt/ B1 |
|
mistake /mɪsˈteɪk/ B2 |
|
danger /ˈdeɪndʒər/ B2 |
|
pain /peɪn/ A2 |
|
home /hoʊm/ A1 |
|
zoo /zuː/ B1 |
|
voice /vɔɪs/ A2 |
|
home /hoʊm/ A1 |
|
“story, ghost, heart” – got them all figured out?
⚡ Dive into vocabulary challenges in the app and lock in your knowledge right after jamming to "Brittle Bones Nicky 2"
Key Grammar Structures
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Thought my story **was over**, book closed?
➔ Past Simple passive voice (was over)
➔ The phrase "was over" indicates that the story had already finished, using the passive voice to emphasize that something **was done to** the story rather than the story doing something.
-
Can't say, He himself **decides your fate**
➔ Present Simple tense (decides), Third-person singular
➔ "Decides" is conjugated in the present simple tense to indicate a general truth or a habitual action. The "-s" ending is added to the verb because the subject is "He" (third-person singular). It describes **He** generally deciding the person's fate.
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Saw my mom, held her hand, **Couldn't wait to hug her** in the promised land
➔ Modal verb 'couldn't' + base form of the verb ('wait'), infinitive of purpose ('to hug')
➔ "Couldn't wait" expresses a strong desire or eagerness. The use of the base form "wait" after the modal verb "couldn't" is standard. The phrase "to hug her" is an infinitive of purpose, explaining **why** he couldn't wait.
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No kid, you **made many mistakes**
➔ Past Simple tense (made), quantifier (many)
➔ "Made" is in the past simple tense, indicating a completed action in the past. "Many" is a quantifier, indicating a large number of mistakes.
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The devil **might let** you out, a ghost, a pawn
➔ Modal verb 'might' + bare infinitive 'let'
➔ "Might let" expresses a possibility. The modal verb "might" is followed by the bare infinitive "let", which is the base form of the verb without "to". It suggests that it's possible that the devil will permit escape.
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If you serve time, **do despicable crimes**, The devil might let you into heaven in time
➔ Imperative mood (do), Adjective (despicable)
➔ "Do despicable crimes" is an imperative sentence, commanding the listener to perform the action. "Despicable" is an adjective describing the nature of the crimes, indicating they are worthy of contempt.
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Would you sell your soul **to save yourself**?
➔ Conditional sentence (implied), infinitive of purpose ('to save')
➔ The question implies a conditional: "If you were in a desperate situation, would you sell your soul?" "To save yourself" is an infinitive of purpose, explaining the reason for the hypothetical action.
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Surprised? **Most of 'em are**, I'm Mufasa, and I'm Scar
➔ Pronoun ('em) contraction, ellipsis (are)
➔ " 'em " is a colloquial contraction of "them". The sentence uses ellipsis, where the verb "are" is omitted from the second clause but is understood from the context. It implies "Most of them are surprised."
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