Goodbye yellow brick road – English Lyrics

• By: Elton John

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the lyrical depth of 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' to explore complex English metaphors—the 'yellow brick road' from *The Wizard of Oz* representing the allure of fame. The song is an exceptional example of '70s Soft Rock that encourages users to learn language around emotional disillusionment, longing, and the rejection of a glamorous but hollow lifestyle, all set to Elton John's masterful, cinematic composition.

[English]

When are you going to come down?

When are you going to land?

I should have stayed on the farm

I should have listened to my old man

You know you can't hold me forever

I didn't sign up with you

I'm not a present for your friends to open,

This boy's too young to be singing the blues

Ahhhhh! Ahhhh!

So goodbye yellow brick road

Where the dogs of society howl

You can't plant me in your penthouse

I'm going back to my plough

Back to the howling old owl in the woods

Hunting the horny back toad

Oh I've finally decided my future lies

Beyond the yellow brick road

Ahhhh! Ahhh!

What do you think you'll do then?

I bet they'll shoot down your plane

It'll take you a couple of tequila and sunrises

To set you on your feet again

Maybe you'll get a replacement

There's plenty like me to be found

Mongrels who ain't got a penny

Sniffing for tidbits like you

On the ground

Ahhhhh! Ahhhhh!

So goodbye yellow brick road

Where the dogs of society howl

You can't plant me in your penthouse

I'm going back to my plough

Back to the howling old owl in the woods

Hunting the horny back toad

Oh I've finally decided my future lies

Beyond the yellow brick road

Ahhhhhh! Ahhhh!

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
goodbye /ˌɡʊdˈbaɪ/ A1	noun - a farewell greeting
brick /brɪk/ A1	noun - a rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln
road /roʊd/ A1	noun - a wide way leading from one place to another
howling /ˈhaʊlɪŋ/ B1	adjective - making a long, loud, painful cry verb - to make a long, loud, painful cry
plough /plaʊ/ B1	noun - a tool with a blade for cutting and turning soil verb - to prepare land for planting by turning the soil
penthouse /ˈpɛnthaʊs/ B2	noun - an apartment on the top floor of a building
owl /aʊl/ A2	noun - a bird of prey with large eyes and a flat face
hunting /ˈhʌntɪŋ/ A2	verb - to chase and kill animals for food, sport, or profit
toad /toʊd/ A2	noun - a large amphibian with dry, warty skin
future /ˈfʊtʃər/ A1	noun - the time or a period that will come after the present
lies /laɪz/ A2	verb - to be located or situated verb - to tell a lie
beyond /bɪˈjɒnd/ A2	preposition - on the further side of
shoot /ʃuːt/ A2	verb - to fire a bullet or arrow from a weapon
plane /pleɪn/ A1	noun - an aircraft designed for flying
tequila /təˈkiːlə/ B1	noun - a Mexican liquor made from the agave plant
sunrises /ˈsʌnraɪzɪz/ A2	noun - the time in the morning when the sun appears above the horizon
replacement /rɪˈpleɪsmənt/ B1	noun - a person or thing that takes the place of another
mongrels /ˈmʌŋɡrəlz/ B2	noun - a dog of mixed breed or doubtful origin
tidbits /ˈtɪdbɪts/ C1	noun - a choice or interesting item of information

Key Grammar Structures

• When are you going to come down?

  ➔ Future intention using 'be going to'

  ➔ The phrase 'are going to come down' expresses a planned or expected future action.

• I should have stayed on the farm.

  ➔ Past modal 'should have + past participle'

  ➔ The words 'should have stayed' express regret about a past decision.

• You know you can't hold me forever.

  ➔ Modal verb 'can' for ability or possibility

  ➔ The modal 'can' in 'can't hold me forever' means it is impossible to keep someone permanently.

• You can't plant me in your penthouse.

  ➔ Metaphorical use of 'plant' in a negative modal sentence

  ➔ The word 'plant' metaphorically means to confine or fix someone permanently, showing resistance to being controlled.

• I'm going back to my plough.

  ➔ Present continuous for future intention

  ➔ 'I'm going back' signals a decided future action, typical for near-future plans.

• Oh I've finally decided my future lies beyond the yellow brick road.

  ➔ Present perfect for a recent decision + clause with 'lies' meaning 'is located'

  ➔ ‘I've decided’ shows a decision made recently; ‘lies beyond’ functions metaphorically as 'is beyond'.

• Maybe you'll get a replacement.

  ➔ Future with 'will' for prediction or assumption

  ➔ 'You'll get' predicts a future event based on assumption or possibility.

• It'll take you a couple of tequila and sunrises to set you on your feet again.

  ➔ Future structure with 'will take' expressing duration or requirement

  ➔ 'It'll take' expresses the amount of time or effort required for recovery.