TSLAMP – English Lyrics

• By: MGMT
• Album: Little Dark Age

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant world of MGMT with 'TSLAMP'. This song is a fantastic way to learn contemporary English phrasing and poetic lyricism set against a backdrop of psychedelic soundscapes, making it a unique auditory journey for any language learner.

[English]

On my phone

...

Time spent sitting all alone

Time spent looking at my phone

Time spent sitting all alone

Time spent looking at my phone

I try to pull the curtains back

Turn you off, but can't detach

When all I want and all I know

Is time spent looking at my phone

...

(On my phone)

Find me when the lights go down

Signing in and signing out

Gods descend to take me home

And find me staring at my phone

I'm wondering where the hours went

As I'm losing consciousness

My sullen face is all aglow

Time spent looking at my phone

Last thing that you need

Is the new shiny feature

All the memories you've shared

Devoured by perverted creatures

Nothing can compete

With the first time you saw her

Passing strangers on the street

Spending every moment looking at their phones

...

(On my phone)

Time spent sitting all alone

Time spent looking at my phone

Time spent sitting all alone

Time spent looking at my phone

I call you, you don't call me back

Almost had a heart attack

I'm listening to the window moan

Time spent looking at my phone

Clouds are getting full

So you close all the windows

I would never let you die

Even if our love is ornamental

You know what you need

Is a way to remember

You can never find the time

If you spend everyday looking at your phone

...

You should come with me

We can lose ourselves in nothing

Copy faces from the feed

And then try to turn them into something

Even if you choose to believe that it's ending

You'll come back to me again

You can go ahead and stop pretending

Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo...

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
detach dɪˈtætʃ B1	verb - to separate or disconnect something from something else
sullen ˈsʌlən B2	adjective - bad-tempered and sulky
aglow əˈɡloʊ B2	adjective - shining brightly with a warm light
perverted pərˈvɜːrtɪd B2	adjective - sexually distorted or deviant
ornamental ɔːrˈnæməntəl C1	adjective - decorative rather than practical
descend dɪˈsɛnd B1	verb - to move or go downward
consciousness ˈkɑːnʃəsnəs C1	noun - a person's awareness or perception of something
feature ˈfiːtʃər A2	noun - a distinctive attribute or aspect of something
devour dɪˈvaʊər B1	verb - to eat something quickly and eagerly
stranger ˈstreɪndʒər A1	noun - a person whom one does not know
pretending prɪˈtɛndɪŋ A2	verb - to behave so as to make it appear that something is the case when in fact it is not
curtains ˈkɜːrtənz A1	noun - a piece of material suspended at the top to form a covering or screen
memories ˈmɛməriz A2	noun - something remembered from the past
creatures ˈkriːtʃərz A1	noun - a living being, especially an animal
moment ˈmoʊmənt A1	noun - a very short period of time
believe bɪˈliːv A1	verb - to accept that something is true, especially without proof

Key Grammar Structures

• Time spent sitting all alone

  ➔ Present perfect with 'spent'

  ➔ The phrase 'Time spent...' uses the present perfect to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present, emphasizing duration.

• I try to pull the curtains back

  ➔ Present simple with 'try'

  ➔ The verb 'try' in the present simple indicates a habitual or general action, showing the speaker’s recurring effort.

• When all I want and all I know

  ➔ Present simple with 'want' and 'know'

  ➔ The verbs 'want' and 'know' in the present simple express current desires and knowledge, emphasizing the speaker’s present state.

• Find me when the lights go down

  ➔ Imperative mood with 'find'

  ➔ The imperative mood with 'find' is used to give a direct command or request, creating a sense of urgency.

• Nothing can compete with the first time you saw her

  ➔ Present simple with 'can compete'

  ➔ The phrase 'Nothing can compete...' uses the present simple with 'can' to express a general truth or ability, emphasizing impossibility.

• You should come with me

  ➔ Modal verb 'should' for advice

  ➔ The modal verb 'should' is used to give advice or make a recommendation, suggesting what is best for the listener.